• Pivot Theory,  Side Hustles

    Pivot 3: 3D design and 3D printing

    There are a few ways to monetize your 3D printing addicti hobby. You can design objects that others want to print, you can design and print things that others want to buy, you can print things that others want printed etc. Most of these are marginally profitable at best, but could be a way to help pay for a hobby and make a few bucks on the side. Design Thingiverse has a feature that allows you to tip designers that offer things that you find useful. Tipping is voluntary so the income is likely to be very small. I have quite a few designs on Thingiverse so I set up…

  • Pivot Theory,  Side Hustles

    Pivot 2: Udemy Course

    Is selling online courses a legitimate side hustle? How do I find the right course? Testing the waters With four or five years to go before I start seriously considering a mid-life pivot, I am testing the waters on side hustles. My first side hustle sort of fell into my lap. I heard about a college that needed a teacher for a course in my field and pretty much got the job as soon as I expressed an interest. This second side hustle will require a little more hustle. Choosing a course I wanted to create a course that would be valuable and at the same time not rehash something…

  • Pivot Theory,  Side Hustles

    Pivot 1: Online Teaching

    My first foray into the world of the side hustle is online teaching. I am currently a medical physicist working full time at a cancer center. Last year I got an opportunity to teach physics to students in my field for a college in Washington state. Thing is, I live in Alaska, so the whole thing was done online. The money was not great per hour the first year, but with the initial investment of time already over, I can teach the same course next time without all the startup costs of planning lessons, writing assignments, etc.. In fact I am considering pre-recording my lectures next time I teach, so…