Students & their Side Hustles

Making and saving money is a pretty essential part of being a student. Whether it’s buying the homebrand toilet paper or living off Indomie Mi Goreng noodles, we’ve all got to do what we can. Some people are choosing to pursue ventures outside of a part time job and a student loan. Whether it’s starting your own business, selling drugs or exploiting rich men, all of us could probably benefit from a side hustle. Because, let’s face it, it’s not like we get enough money from StudyLink. Love that for us! Massive talked to a range of students with different side hustles, from dealing drugs to party rentals, there’s a little something for everyone. 

Jewellery Making 

Caitlin is a fourth-year Design student who spends her spare time making funky earrings out of polymer clay. You can normally find her handing out prescriptions at her local pharmacy as a retail assistant. She’s had business up and running for six months now and recently killed it at MAWSA’s Market Day where she made $250 off of her earrings. Her side hustle is conveniently something she’s passionate about, so she spends her spare time doing something she loves. “It’s nice to have a creative outlet that isn’t just for uni work, everyone wants their full-time job to be something they’re passionate about.” In terms of profit though, it’s been pretty slow going. “I’ve put a bit of money into the business so I’m still waiting to see a return, either way I’ll keep making earrings, it’s not really about the money.” Caitlin finds it easy to balance her side hustle with her other commitments like uni and the pharmacy. “It’s something I would be doing in my spare time anyway, so it doesn’t feel like a chore.” 

In terms of side hustles, jewellery making seems like a solid option. The only issue is that you need the funds to get started, and also some level of talent and creativity, which counts me out. You can find Caitlin’s earrings at @nzhoneydew on Instagram. 

Job Satisfaction: 5/5 

Dolla Dolla Bills: TBC 

Danger level: 1/5 (you could accidentally be stabbed with an earring hook)

Becoming a Sugar Baby 

Maria* signed up for Seeking Arrangements looking to make a bit of extra cash by exploiting the male species. She couldn’t work and the sickness benefit was not providing her with what she needed. It took a while to find someone who didn’t actually want anything physical, but in the end, she found a guy who was willing to provide without her having to touch him. She used a real picture of herself, but with an absolutely fake name, to draw in some guys to talk to. On her profile she stated, “I am in search of an intellectual who enjoys intelligent witty conversation, who can also provide mentorship.” She wasn’t comfortable offering anything else but wanted to come across as authentic. “He would request video recordings and messages from me, and in return he’d help me out financially.” Every few weeks her sugar daddy would offer her money and ask if there was anything she needed from him. “The conversations were raunchy and I would send pictures in my underwear, but never anything below the waist.” Over the four months she talked to him, he bought her festival tickets, groceries, clothes and would occasionally put money in her letterbox. She said it’s definitely worth the money, you get sick of talking to this dude, but you never get sick of the benefits. It doesn’t come without its creep factor though. “He would joke with me about how naughty it would be if he found me and my mum in the supermarket,” she admits. In the end, Maria’s relationship with the guy fizzled out because she didn’t want to offer him anything more. 

Job Satisfaction: 3/5 

Dolla Dolla bills: 5/5 

Danger level: 3/5 (keep your wits about you) 

Party Hire Business 

Tessa and Nina are fourth years who decided over summer that they would purchase an events business for $800. They both turned 21 last year and realised there was a gap in the market for event hire businesses that cater specifically for 21st birthdays. There were a few around but they were really expensive and probably not affordable for students. Tessa and Nina saw someone selling their business and took the opportunity to fill that gap in the market. They crafted their own massive ‘21’ sign out of supplies from Mitre 10, and made it the biggest they possibly could while still having it fit in Tessa’s tiny little Toyota for delivery. “While we were setting up the workload was huge and the return was absolutely nothing, but now we’ve got the set-up costs out of the way, it’s very minimal effort for a pretty good return.” Tessa shared. They started the business in March this year and are expecting to break even by the end of this month, which is a pretty decent effort from the two of them. In terms of side hustle reliability, Tessa thinks it’s definitely a goer to start a small local business if you have the means. “It’s pretty fun, nice to be in control of what you do but at the same time it’s stressful being in charge of everything. I’d definitely recommend doing it with a friend, it makes it ten times more fun.”  

You can find Tessa and Nina at @cloverandcoevents on Instagram. 

Job Satisfaction: 4/5 

Dolla Dolla Bills: 3/5 

Danger level: 2/5 (they operated power tools to construct their 21st sign) 

Drug Dealing 

Marcus* has been selling substances for about two years now. He sells weed and (tested) MDMA. He works a 9-5 by day, and by night he bags up and sells drugs to a small group of loyal clientele. It seems like a fairly profitable business venture, despite its risks. “On a good week I’ll make between 1-2k if all is going well and there’s stuff available.” Once it gets closer to New Year’s and festival season that figure can double as demand goes up. That’s a pretty impressive return, considering StudyLink will give you a max of $235 a week. Although, one of those income options will put you in pretty heavy debt, the drug dealing alternative could see you actually getting on the property ladder, and potentially paying back those student loans. Paying back a student loan will break you financially, but it is perfectly legal and you’re unlikely to face prison time for it. The maximum sentence for supplying a Class B drug like MDMA is 14 years in prison. That’s a long fucking time for selling some pingers to your friends. Marcus reckons it’s worth the risk though, as he’s been able to afford to pay off his loans, buy a new car and build up a pretty hefty savings account. “It’s worth the risk until you get caught, I know guys who have been caught, but we’re talking about people way above me, I’m very careful.” Marcus originally started selling to his friends just to fund his own use. All his friends kept hitting him up for stuff though, so started buying in bulk and doing it properly. He says he’ll stop dealing once he’s able to live comfortably by just doing his day job. He’s not sure when that will be though. He doesn’t feel guilty for doing what he does, because he tests everything and never pressures anyone to buy. 

This is a risky as fuck way to make extra cash (a lot of it). You’re dealing with dangerous people and the consequences of getting caught are pretty awful. If you’ve got the balls though, you can make serious bank. 

Job Satisfaction: 3/5 

Dolla Dolla Bills: 5/5 

Danger level: 5/5