Many bloggers emphasize the importance of side hustles; J. Money of Budgets are Sexy even has an entire series devoted to them. Whether you’re earning the extra income to pay off debt or earning the extra income to be able to afford more of the things you like, there’s no denying the importance of a side hustle. Sometimes a side hustle can even turn into a career (just look at Crystal from Budgeting in the Fun Stuff, Sandy at Yes I Am Cheap and Andrea at So Over Debt). And while I agree with the importance of a side hustle–I’m hoping to be one of those that turns mine into a career–there are certain side hustles that I could never, ever do.
I don’t make that statement lightly. I’ve babysat, been a test proctor and written for a content farm. I’ve even been an online instructor for years! I have no problem working a small side job to make extra money. But I still reserve the right to be a little picky about how I choose to earn that money. With that said, here are some side hustles I will never do (unless I am literally starving, my child is wearing clothes that are 3 sizes too small and we’re about to live in my car):
- A clown. Let’s not even discuss how creepy clowns are. Actually, let’s discuss how creepy they are. Can you think of anything that’s really more frightening than a grown man or woman dressed up like a clown? I can’t. Also, there is nothing amusing about a clown. They are weird, unfunny, and bizarre. No one really likes clowns; they just pretend to because they don’t want to hurt the clown’s feelings. Now, I realize that people go to school to do this for a living; more power to them. But there is a big difference between a professional circus clown and Flippy the Suburban Birthday Party Clown
- An elf. With this being the holiday season at all, malls across America are abundant with Santas and his little elves. I, for one, could not do this. For starters, I look terrible in tights. Second, pointy hats with little bells on them? Also not my thing. But the real reason I could not do this is the fact that I get very grouchy with bitchy people. These people are even more abundant than Santas. I would get promptly fired for opening my mouth. Additionally, every time I think of a mall elf, I think of those evil people in A Christmas Story. I don’t want to do that.
- The person who walks behind parade horses, picking up their poop. I hate horses. I hate poop. This job would be one of the worst things I could ever be required to do. It would be akin to a prison sentence. I would not do it voluntarily. I would not do it for a million dollars. I would not do it if it meant that Bradley Cooper and Jason Segel would move into my house and be my slaves. OK. Maybe I’d do it then.
- A fluffer. The fact that I know what that is says a whole lot about me, I think. I’m not exactly proud that I’m aware of this particular form of employment but I tell myself that it’s just a side effect of dating someone who lived in a fraternity house for 3 years. Anyway, if you don’t know what a fluffer is, it is the person who keeps the male talent on an adult film set…ready for his performance in between takes. I find this to be both degrading and disgusting. I pray that I’m never desperate enough to have to do this.
I’m sure if I thought about it, there are other side hustles that I couldn’t, or wouldn’t, do unless I was desperate. Like really, really desperate. But these are at the top of that list.
Are there any side hustles you couldn’t do?