I made over $30,000 from my side hustles this year. The extra money is great, but I felt like I never stopped working.

The author has a corporate job but also freelances as a writer and teaches mahjong.

Courtesy of the author

• Freelance writing for various media outlets and teaching mahjong helped me generate over $30,000.
• I genuinely love my side hustles, but they require early mornings and late nights.
• In 2026, I need to find a better balance, even if it means less money.

I majored in journalism in college, but fell into tech sales after graduation. Over the past 17 years...