September 29, 2025

Happy Monday, everyone!
Good morning ☀️—new week, new energy, and maybe just enough coffee to fuel some ambitious ideas.

Let me ask you this: have you ever jumped into a side hustle just because it sounded exciting, only to realize halfway through that it wasn’t what you thought? (Kind of like ordering the “chef’s surprise” at a restaurant and regretting it after the first bite 🍲🙃).

That’s why today’s post is all about how to evaluate a side hustle before you waste time or money. Because the truth is, not all extra-income ideas are created equal—some are stepping stones, some are sinkholes.

Think of it like dating: before you commit, you want to know if it’s going to be worth your time, energy, and attention. A good side hustle should add freedom, not stress.

So here’s your Monday reminder: your time is valuable, your energy is limited, and your money deserves a plan. Choose wisely, and the right side hustle can open doors you didn’t even know existed 🚪✨.

Let’s dive in.

— Ryan Rincon, Founder at The Wealth Wagon Inc.

— Socrates

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Let’s be real: everybody and their cousin seems to have a “side hustle” these days. Some people are printing money with them. Others? They’re just burning weekends and wondering why they didn’t stick with Netflix.

So how do you tell the difference between a side hustle worth your time — and one that’ll suck the energy out of you without giving much back?

Before you jump into anything, ask:

Example: Driving Uber might give you cash fast, but your income is tied to your hours. Building a small digital product might take longer to set up, but it can earn while you sleep.

A hustle works best when it overlaps with what you’re already good at.

Starting from scratch in an area you know nothing about? That’s a steeper (and often discouraging) climb.

The best side hustles don’t require you to mortgage your house to get started.

Ask yourself:

This is where most people fail — they build something no one actually wants.

If no one bites, pivot. Don’t cling to sunk costs.

Here’s the kicker: does this hustle move you closer to financial independence, or just give you another job?

A useful hustle should either:

If it doesn’t check one of those boxes, it might not be worth pursuing.

The right side hustle isn’t just about making a few extra bucks. Done right, it’s a training ground for entrepreneurship, a cash engine for investing, and a bridge toward financial freedom.

Don’t chase what’s trendy. Choose the hustle that aligns with your skills, gives you leverage, and actually fits your long-term goals.

Because the best hustle isn’t the one that keeps you “busy” — it’s the one that gets you free.

This company started in a garage in Palo Alto in 1939, often considered the birthplace of Silicon Valley, and makes computers, printers, and servers.

On September 29, 2008, the U.S. stock market suffered its largest single-day point drop in history (at the time) after Congress rejected the bank bailout plan. 📉

In 1999, PayPal started as a company that let people “beam” money between PalmPilots before pivoting into the digital payment giant we know today. 💳📲

Would you rather have unlimited startup capital but no mentors, or world-class mentors but limited funding to launch your idea?

*Answers at the bottom

Guess the Company - Answer: Hewlett-Packard (HP) 💻

Looking for a way to generate an additional $5,000 per month in income, reply with the word “Course” and will send you over our free course guide teaching you exactly how to build wealth and generate income.

Why? Our job is to help you achieve financial freedom through wealth building and we believe that this can help you do just that. - Ryan Rincon