Want to earn more? Where to start with a side income

If you want to increase your income, start by comparing three options: negotiating a salary raise in your current job, working part-time during fixed hours, or offering your existing skills for project-based work. First, write down how much additional income you'd like each month, how many hours per week you can dedicate, and how much money you'll need to spend upfront before beginning. Then pick one path that can be tested on a small scale. The first step could be researching three real job postings, or asking someone who might need your services to clarify the work scope, compensation, and payment schedule.

When your salary first comes in, it's immediately taken away by rent and bills. You want to earn a little more, but you don't want to give up all your remaining free time.

First, clearly identify which gap you're trying to fill

This month has an expense that doesn't match monthly income — these are two different issues. List how much is missing, when it's needed, and how long it will last. Then assess when actual payment from current opportunities will actually arrive. If you already have little to no rest time each week, also include salary negotiation or a job change as options — see if income can be improved within your existing work hours.

Goal: How much more do you want per month? Is it a one-time need or a recurring gap?
Time: Which time slots can you consistently dedicate? Include travel, preparation, and rest time too.
Cost: Do you need to buy equipment, materials, or courses first? Will this expense affect essential expenses?

Which of these — part-time work, project-based work, or a salary increase — is most suitable for your current situation?

Below is the starting point for comparing these options. The actual conditions of each job must be confirmed with the employer or client; compare what you can offer with the actual needs and willingness to pay on the client's side.

Direction	Possible starting points	Things to confirm before starting
Fixed-hour part-time work: retail, events, or administrative support	If there's a stable schedule with available time, and you can adjust to shift assignments, first clarify the working hours and compensation.	Check for conflicts with your primary job regarding shift schedules, commute, pay cycles, and payday timing.
Skill-based project work: copywriting, design, editing, or translation	You already have completed work that can independently deliver a clear, finished product.	Scope of work, number of revisions, acceptance criteria, payment date, and time required to find clients.
Teaching or coaching: language, software, or a skill you're particularly familiar with	You have demonstrable ability and are willing to explain and prepare teaching materials.	Learning objectives, preparation time, class location, and cancellation policies.
Negotiate a salary increase or explore new job opportunities	Your primary job already takes up most of your time; you hope to improve the return per hour.	Current achievements, job responsibilities, actual compensation, and preparation needed for a job transition.

Look at what's left at the end, and also at the total time invested

Beyond the quoted rate, list all additional costs — transportation, materials, platform fees, and other expenses. Time should also include finding work, communication, preparation, revisions, and round-trip travel. Start with a preliminary comparison: (revenue received minus all related costs) divided by total time invested. Also list any unconfirmed taxes or fees — this comparison number should not be mistaken for final take-home income. Keep track of when payment will be made before starting a project, to avoid finishing work only to find you need money urgently.

Make a small try this week

Start with a direction you can already deliver and afford. If you're considering part-time work, check job listings on Taiwan Employment Network and compare three jobs that clearly explain the work involved; if you're considering project work, create a small sample piece using your current tools, then talk to one person with a relevant need. Only after receiving a real response should you decide whether to invest in new equipment or courses.

Four things to do before your first try

Define a specific service, such as editing a short video or organizing a presentation — not just saying 'I can do anything'.
Clearly specify the deliverables, completion time, and revision scope.
Confirm the client's identity, contact information, compensation, and payment timeline.
Set a maximum time and cost limit for this first attempt, and decide whether to continue after completion.

Even if you're eager to increase income, you must clearly understand what the work actually involves

Taiwan's Job Network warns that some job-seeking scams use the pretense of home-based work, asking for your bank statement or withdrawal card. If you encounter such requests, stop sharing personal information and verify the opportunity through official channels. If a job offer fails to clearly explain what is being delivered, who will pay, or simply pressures you to pay first or provide your account details, pause and investigate thoroughly.

Bring to Nexa your skills, available time, and two areas you're currently considering. Discuss each option's trade-offs, identify which key question you still lack an answer to, and then ask your employer or client for clarification.

A THOUGHT TO KEEP
First, identify a job that someone actually needs and that you can perform, then conduct a small trial to verify whether it's worth continuing.

To bring your own situation to Nexa, start from this sentence

I want to increase my income. I currently do＿＿, can commit ＿＿ hours per week, and am considering ＿＿ and ＿＿. Can you help me compare the time, costs, and additional details I still need to confirm?

Copy it, paste it into the Nexa conversation, then add your own details.

Bring your own situation, and keep asking

Tell Nexa what’s on your mind, and explore your situation and next step through Bazi and the I Ching.

Take my situation to Nexa

You might also wonder

With no special skills, where should I start?

First, list the work you've done and your available time slots, then research what actual job openings require. Fixed-time part-time work is a viable and comparable option; if you're considering project-based work, select a skill that can be demonstrated through a small, tangible sample, clarify the need, and then commit to learning it.

I'm already exhausted—should I still take on a side job?

Schedule your rest, family care, and commute into the week, then see how much time remains. If there's almost no leftover time, consider first evaluating salary adjustments, job role changes, or a potential career switch in your primary job—avoid adding another work commitment that you can't sustain.

How can I determine whether a side job is worth doing?

Confirm the actual earnings, associated costs, total time investment, and payment schedule, then compare them against your personal financial gap. Start with a small, manageable trial, document the results and time consumed—this will provide a more accurate picture than simply comparing others' income screenshots.

First, clearly identify which gap you're trying to fill

Which of these — part-time work, project-based work, or a salary increase — is most suitable for your current situation?

Look at what's left at the end, and also at the total time invested

Make a small try this week

Four things to do before your first try

Even if you're eager to increase income, you must clearly understand what the work actually involves

To bring your own situation to Nexa, start from this sentence

Bring your own situation, and keep asking

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You might also wonder

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