Earning $33K from Side Hustles: The Hidden Cost of Extra Income

A corporate sales director generated over $33,000 in 2025 through a dual side hustle of freelance writing and teaching mahjong. The additional income provided a significant financial boost, but the author found the relentless work schedule unsustainable for personal well-being.

Despite a successful 17-year career in tech sales, the author craved a creative outlet after having children. This led to a writing career that grew from unpaid personal stories to a profitable venture. However, the trade-offs for this extra income became increasingly apparent as the year progressed.

The author majored in journalism but entered the tech industry after graduation, working her way up from a cold-calling sales representative to a Director of Sales. After 17 years in the corporate world and the arrival of children, she felt a strong need for a creative outlet.

This desire prompted her to start writing again in 2024. Initially, she did not intend to monetize her work, publishing several unpaid personal stories for a parenting website. A pivotal moment came when an editor reached out and offered her a freelance opportunity, giving her the confidence to pursue writing as a legitimate side hustle.

• Majored in journalism in college
• 17-year career in tech sales
• Started writing in 2024 for creative fulfillment
• First paid assignment came after unpaid work

The side hustle income grew significantly between 2024 and 2025. In the first year, the author earned $8,995 from various publications. The following year, she dedicated more time and effort, resulting in $30,411 from freelance writing alone.

In addition to writing, she began teaching American mahjong lessons, which brought in an additional $2,902. Combined, these ventures generated just over $33,000 in gross revenue before taxes. However, the tax implications for freelancers differ significantly from traditional employment.

Taxes in the freelancing world are higher than in corporate jobs, so I take home a lower percentage of my earnings. You pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on top of your income tax for freelance work, taxes that an employer typically pays.

Despite the higher tax burden, the author projects a net income of approximately $20,000 from these gigs. She notes that this work is not necessary for covering basic living expenses, as her and her husband's primary jobs provide sufficient income for their family.

The financial success came at a steep cost to personal time. The author averaged three writing assignments and one mahjong lesson per week in 2025. To accommodate her corporate job and parenting responsibilities, she worked on her side hustles during unconventional hours.

Writing sessions typically occurred from 5:30 to 7:00 a.m. and again from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Lunch breaks were dedicated to scheduling interviews, requiring her to eat at her desk. Mahjong lessons, which include a three-hour commitment for travel, setup, and teaching, mostly took place on weekday evenings.

The freelance writing process itself was demanding. To secure assignments, she pitched at least two new story ideas every day in 2025. This involved brainstorming, researching sources, and crafting emails to editors—a process she compared to the cold-calling she did in sales.

• 5:30 AM - 7:00 AM: Morning writing session
• Lunch breaks: Scheduling interviews at desk
• 8:30 PM - 10:30 PM: Evening writing session
• Weekday evenings: 3-hour mahjong lessons

The relentless schedule left the author feeling she had no time to relax or recharge. Despite enjoying being busy, the combination of parenting, a corporate job, and two side hustles created a significant lack of free time. This imbalance affected her ability to invest time in friendships and her marriage.

The constant pressure created unintended stress and anxiety, which she recognized as detrimental to her well-being. The income from these gigs is considered "fun money," used for specialty workout classes, new clothes, and travel with friends. However, the reward of extra income was overshadowed by the exhaustion of the daily grind.

While she is proud of writing for 19 different publications in 2025, the sustainability of this pace is in question. The mahjong teaching offered more flexibility, as she could sign up for lessons requested by students without handling marketing or administrative tasks.

Looking ahead to 2026, the author has resolved to find a better work-life balance, even if it results in less income. She does not intend to stop writing or teaching mahjong, but she cannot sustain the current volume of work. The goal is to protect her free time more effectively.

She acknowledges that her time management improved in 2025, and she learned to better prioritize tasks. However, the focus for the coming year is on scaling back. Spending less time on side hustles will mean more time for friends, family, and personal relaxation.

Ultimately, the author views this as a necessary adjustment. While the extra $20,000 in net income is amazing, the cost to her mental health and personal relationships is too high. She is willing to accept less "fun money" in exchange for a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.