Are you a caretaker of a person with dementia and need supplemental income to cover the costs of caregiving? If so, you may have considered picking up a part-time job. While there are pros and cons to taking on a second job, there are many benefits to be had if you choose the right side gig. With a little planning and some creative thinking, you can easily turn your limited spare time into extra cash.
Choosing the Ideal Side Job While Caregiving
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a side job is whether or not it will be compatible with your caregiving duties. For example, if you are a live-in caregiver, it may not be feasible to take on a second job that requires you to be away from home for extended periods of time. However, there are plenty of other options available that can be done from the comfort of your own home!
A Side Job Becomes a Business
Senior care consulting is one possibility. This could encompass advising on elder living, in-home care, and perks. Start a senior concierge service to aid with grocery shopping, transportation, and appointments. The experience gained from providing senior care can be turned into a profitable business. You can earn extra money and support older adults and their families by doing so.
Planning a Side Business Strategy
If you are considering starting a senior care consulting business, there are a few things you will need to do in order to get started. First, you will need to come up with an idea that is compatible with your schedule and fits well with your skillset. Once you have some ideas in mind, it is time to start planning your strategy. You will need to create a business plan, choose a business structure, set some goals, and determine how you will promote your business. These are all important steps that will help ensure your success!
You can always keep your side business as an unofficial hustle, but be careful about liability especially when you are helping to manage someone’s health and care. A safer route is to form a limited liability company, or LLC. One of the biggest benefits of the LLC is that it provides personal asset protection, which means your personal finances (apart from the business) will be protected if there is a lawsuit filed or some other financial hardship affects the business.
Consider Starting Your Own Ecommerce Business
If you are not sure what you want to do on the side, consider becoming an ecommerce entrepreneur. People are not going to stop online shopping any time soon, so you might as well monopolize the trend. There are even ecommerce platforms that enable your business to create professional and customized web pages that use live data to create an up-to-date personalized shopping experience for your customers.
Inexpensively Promoting a Second Job
Once you have everything up and running, it is time to start promoting your new business! The good news is that there are plenty of inexpensive (and even free) ways to promote your business. Social media is a great way to reach new customers and connect with potential clients. However, it is important that what you share is something your target audience will read. Learn more from Cornerstone Content about how you can create engaging digital content that will get your customers to engage and help you to attract new customers too.
You can also promote your business by handing out brochures or business cards in local businesses or at community events. You can start with a brochure template that reflects your brand identity and modify it using the some options found at the above link. Be sure to highlight what makes your business stand out from the rest. Then, get ready to print! And, do not forget about word-of-mouth marketing! By letting your friends and family know about your new venture, they can help spread the word and bring in new customers.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Spare Time
Now that you have everything set up and running smoothly, it is time to start making the most of your spare time! Here are a few tips to help you get started:
• Schedule regular breaks throughout the day so that you can tend to your personal care needs and avoid burnout.
• Find someone you trust who can cover for you if an emergency arises or if you need some time off.
• Set aside some time each week to plan out your schedule for the upcoming week. This will help you stay organized and on track.
• Make sure to communicate with your clients regularly so that they know what to expect from you and vice versa.
• And last but not least, enjoy yourself! Don’t forget why you decided to take on a second job in the first place—because you wanted to supplement your income and have some extra spending money! So go out there and make it happen!
Plan Wisely for Financial Success
Taking on a second job can be a great way to supplement your income as a caretaker of a person with dementia. However, it is important to choose the right gig and plan accordingly so that it does not interfere with your primary responsibilities. With a little bit of planning and some creative thinking, you can easily turn your valuable spare time into extra cash.
This article was submitted by contributing author Beverly Nelson from www.standupforcaregivers.org. Beverly Nelson is the creator of Stand Up For Caregivers, which aims to help protect and advocate for the health and well-being of adult caregivers.
