Making no money is not the same as working for free. In this post, I’ll tell you why I keep my dance fitness instructor role even though I am barely breaking even.
Having one or multiple side hustles is a key strategy for many of us pursuing financial independence. Side hustles increase the income side of the equation allowing us to pay debt more aggressively, invest more, or boost our savings towards a specific goal. However, if your side hustle makes you relatively no money, would you still pursue it?
The obvious answer may be “no!” (my toddler’s favorite word these days!). But I absolutely love one of my side hustles that doesn’t check the money-making box and I don’t plan on quitting anytime soon.
I want to share why I keep showing up as it may help you assess if a no-money-making side hustle is worth keeping.
Let me start by telling you that back when I became a dance fitness instructor, I did make significant cash on the side from teaching classes. This is not the case today when I barely break even or make just a little bit of money.
From making money to barely breaking even
I got my original certification almost a decade ago and was able to make the cost of the initial course in a couple months. I was teaching several classes per week at multiple gyms some of which paid upwards of $40/hour. My regular job had a 9-5 schedule, so it was easy to get a routine going with my own scheduled classes as well as substituting other classes for extra cash.
We lived in a high cost of living area and I was just learning about personal finance. My goal every month was to use my side hustle money as my spending cash while automating savings and bill payments from my regular income.
The situation changed when I took a field position at my job and I could no longer commit to a regular schedule. I kept being a substitute instructor when needed and kept participating in a weekend rotation teaching every other Friday. The income was much lower, but I was still making money thanks to the pay rate being higher than average. I slowed down and eventually stop teaching when I got pregnant.
We moved to a new city when our son was only a few weeks old. I decided to teach again but realized that the math would only allow me to barely break even. The pay rate in a lower cost of living area was significantly lower than before and I could only commit to teaching on weekends. Subbing classes when possible would allow me to make some money after covering the monthly cost of my certification (to keep it current), but aside from that, this side hustle would be for relatively no money.
All things considered, I enthusiastically took the position over a year ago and so far, no regrets!
All the opposite, this side hustle has contributed immensely to my fulfillment and that of my family.
These are the main reasons why I am keeping my no-money-making side hustle around:
1. It’s a hobby I get to do for FREE!
The rewards of my side hustle may not be in cash but the pay is great if measured in terms of fun, fitness, and the opportunity to share my creativity.
Music, movement, and teaching all in one place is a triple win for me. I welcome the boost in endorphins that results from moving my body and having a good time while doing so.
I absolutely love creating combos and teaching them in class. It is priceless to see my students finish the class tired but proud of themselves and carrying their happy mood outside of the gym.
Being paid like before to show up for my hobby was great but working on my fitness without having to pay for group exercise classes is awesome as well.
2. It made me be a part of a great community
I am believer that being part of something bigger than ourselves is instrumental for our happiness. It gives us a sense of purpose and connects us with others that are pursuing similar goals.
Moving to a new place as a new mom with a remote position felt very isolating at first. We have been lucky to always be surrounded by people that felt like family in the places we had lived before. However, we only knew a handful of people in our new town and this was the first time in a long time that I wasn’t contributing in someway to a communal vison.
Having my own fitness classes again helped me meet new people that shared my interests; many have become my friends today. Being part of the team at the health club has also given me the opportunity to participate in community events which have been very enjoyable and excellent for meeting other moms and people from other countries that live in our area.
3. The amazing perks!
The monetary value of a side hustle doesn’t always show in a paycheck, sometimes it is all in the benefits!
This was certainly the case for us. Teaching at the health club came with a free gym membership for me and a free membership for my family after a year of employment. The gym has an excellent weight room, a variety of group exercise classes, free health and vision screening for members and my favorite – free child watch!
My son doesn’t go to day care now, so it was great to have a place where he could have fun and spend time with other kids while I teach my classes or workout. He absolutely loves it there.
In summary, this side hustle may not be increasing the number in my bank account, but it is for sure adding GREAT value to our lives.
From allowing me to enjoy my hobbies for free, to making our family be part of a great community this side job is worth keeping. I can also dial up my hours as my schedule changes so the potential to make more is there for now and the future.
What about you? Have you kept a side hustle that doesn’t pay much? If yes, what reasons make you stay?
