If you’ve ever sat down, stared at your mountain of debt, and thought, “There’s just no way I can get ahead,” you’re not alone. The good news? There is a way—and it might be sitting right under your nose in the form of a side hustle.

Whether it’s freelance writing, driving for a rideshare service, tutoring online, or selling handmade crafts, a side hustle can be one of the most powerful tools in your debt-slaying arsenal. When paired with the debt snowball method, that extra income doesn’t just help—you’ll be amazed at how quickly it can accelerate your progress and reduce interest costs.

The Debt Snowball + Side Hustle = Momentum

If you’re not familiar with the debt snowball method, here’s a quick refresher:

1. List your debts from smallest to largest (regardless of interest rate).
2. Make minimum payments on all but the smallest debt.
3. Throw every extra dollar at the smallest debt until it’s gone.
4. Roll that payment into the next smallest debt. Repeat.

Now here’s where the magic happens. Let’s say you pick up a side hustle that brings in an extra $400 a month. That’s $4,800 a year in extra firepower—completely dedicated to your debt.

A $400 Example: How a Side Hustle Speeds Up Your Payoff

Let’s imagine you have $20,000 in total debt spread across 3 credit cards:

• $2,000 @ 18%
• $6,000 @ 15%
• $12,000 @ 20%

You’re making minimum payments of $600/month. If you don’t change anything, it’ll take about 49 months to pay off and cost you over $7,000 in interest.

Now, add that $400 side hustle income to your monthly payment—bringing your total monthly debt payments to $1,000.

Suddenly:

• You’re out of debt in 26 months—that’s almost two years faster!
• You’ll save over $4,000 in interest.

That’s the power of hustle. You’re not just paying debt—you’re buying back your future.

Bonus: Tax Benefits of a Side Hustle

Here’s a little-known gem: when you earn side income, you’re technically running a small business. And small businesses get to deduct business-related expenses.

That means if you’re using your cell phone, home internet, laptop, or even mileage for your side hustle, you may be able to write off a portion of those expenses. For example:

• Cell Phone – If 25% of your usage is for business, 25% of your bill can be deductible.
• Home Internet – Same principle. Business use = deductible portion.
• Computer & Software – Used for work? You can depreciate or deduct.
• Mileage – Driving to gigs or deliveries? Keep a log and deduct mileage.

Just make sure to keep good records, track your income and expenses, and talk to a tax professional when it’s time to file. These deductions won’t just help reduce your tax bill—they might make your side hustle even more profitable.

What to Look for in a Good Side Hustle

Not every gig is created equal. When choosing a side hustle to support your debt payoff journey, look for:

1. Low Startup Costs – Avoid gigs that require big upfront investments.
2. Flexible Hours – You’re probably already busy. Make sure the side hustle fits your life.
3. High ROI on Time – Aim for work that pays well for your time and skills.
4. Scalability – Bonus points if your side hustle can grow into a bigger income stream.

The Bottom Line

A side hustle isn’t just about making extra money—it’s about reclaiming control. When you pair hustle with a focused debt repayment plan like the debt snowball, you give yourself a shortcut through the swamp of debt.

And don’t forget the bonus: those tax deductions can make your hustle even more effective.

So if you’re feeling stuck, start looking around. What skills, time, or talents do you have that could bring in $100 a week? Because that $100 a week can be the difference between “someday” and “done.”

Let’s turn that side hustle into your debt-destroying superpower.