Side gigs can be a lucrative way to earn extra cash or expand your horizons, but is it worth the extra stress to have a side hustle and a full-time job?

Although the last decade has seen the gig economy blossom, the concept of the side gig has existed for ages. Anyone looking to earn more money has found that an additional job of some sort may be a quick and easy way to gain additional financial security.
But working a full-time job and side hustle can be incredibly time consuming. Here鈥檚 how to know if doing both may be right for you.
Working 鈥渟econd shift.鈥
Even if you have time for a side gig, taking it on might not be the healthiest option. Over time, it can become just one more ball to juggle rather than a financial relief or a place to put your passion and energy. Finding the elusive 鈥渨ork-life balance鈥 becomes even more of a challenge and can take a toll on your mental and physical wellness. In fact, that the risk of depression increases when someone works more hours at a stressful job.
We all need to give ourselves a little more grace and realize that working a full-time job and a side hustle isn鈥檛 always the right choice.
Is the side gig economy right for you?
If you鈥檙e deciding whether adding a side gig to your plate is the right move, consider the following:
1. Do you have an emergency fund?
If you have an emergency fund that can cover at least three to six months of non-discretionary expenses, that鈥檚 great. And it might mean that you don鈥檛 need to take on a side gig for the sole purpose of gaining extra income. If you don鈥檛 currently have an emergency fund鈥攐r if it鈥檚 not enough to cover the essentials for a few months鈥攖hen a side gig could be beneficial. Regardless, consider putting your emergency fund in an account that generally pays higher interest.
2. How much do you have saved for retirement?
One suggestion is to try to work up to saving at least 15% of your net income for retirement. If you have access to a 401(k) through your full-time job and your employer offers a match, try to contribute enough to reach your match鈥攁nd don鈥檛 forget that whatever your employer is contributing counts toward your savings target. If you don鈥檛 have a retirement plan or can鈥檛 save 15% right now, that鈥檚 okay, too. We鈥檙e all at different places with our careers and savings goals. A side job that helps you bring in extra money can help boost your savings.
3. Can you devote energy to a side gig?
Ultimately, it鈥檚 important to determine whether the financial rewards of a full-time job and side hustle outweigh the potential downsides. Burnout is real. It鈥檚 important to make sure you have the time and energy not just for work and home life, but for yourself as well.
A version of this article originally appeared on HerMoney.
What鈥檚 next?
Do you have an eligible account you鈥檇 like to roll over into your 麻豆最新出品庐 401(k)? Here鈥檚 how to get started: and click on the 401(k) account card on the left side. Scroll down to the 鈥淐onsolidate your accounts鈥 tile and click 鈥淪tart your rollover now.鈥