The New "Second Salary": Why 1 in 3 Digital Nomads Now Run a Side Hustle

Frosted Tips ❄️

💼 The Rise of the Remote Side Hustle: Why a Single Income Stream Isn’t Cutting It Anymore →
A recent Zapier study shows that over 40% of remote workers now run a side hustle. Some earn as much or more than their full-time gigs. From SEO consulting to niche YouTube/TikTok channels, learn how everyday nomads are stacking income streams and reclaiming financial freedom in 2025. But people aren’t racing to side hustles for extra pocket money, with global inflation, its now going towards rent and groceries. Need help finding your next side hustle? Read what others are doing here to get ahead or download this free 100 side hustles from Hubspot!

🎥 Creator Economy 3.0: These 3 Platforms Are Quietly Paying Nomads More Than TikTok or Instagram →
Forget the algorithm lottery. Platforms like Lemon8, Ko-fi, and Buy Me a Coffee are now offering direct monetization paths with low entry barriers. If you’ve got a niche (or even a hot take), this is your sign to build that micro-audience and cash in finally. The trick here is to not overthink it. Press record, start yapping, see what resonates, make some tweaks, and repeat. It’s only cringe until it starts making money, and then all of a sudden, people are asking you for advice. This image sums it up.

In fact, I challenge you. Post 10 videos in 10 days on one niche. Post it on YT short, TikTok, and IG Reels. Report back in 10 days and tell me the traction you built.

💸 Why Remote Workers Are Quietly Building Second Incomes

Hey nomad fam! 👋

If the last few years taught us anything, it’s this: remote work unlocked freedom, but side hustles are securing the future.

I’ve been seeing a sharp trend amongst friends, X, and Reddit threads, digital nomads are diversifying. There is panic in the air as AI continues to advance; nobody is safe from layoffs.

When I say nobody, I mean nobody. Microsoft just laid off more than 6000 employees yesterday, including one of the key developers of TypeScript from 18 years ago. Bonkers 😵‍💫 

Why now?

• Inflation + rising cost of living in even “cheap” nomad hubs like Bali and Medellín

• AI tools have lowered the barrier to launching small, high-impact solopreneur projects

• Creator platforms are finally making it easy to monetize small audiences (think: 500 subs, not 500K)

And according to a 2025 Nomad List survey, over 34% of digital nomads now report earning more from their side hustle than their remote job within 12 months of starting it. Wild.

So whether you’re selling a $10 Notion template, running a weekly newsletter on Beehiiv, or consulting on Zoom 3 hours a week… the new vibe is clear: freedom = multiple revenue streams.

🗣️ Question of the Week

Do you run a side hustle alongside your remote job—or want to?
What’s working? What’s flopping? Hit reply and let me know—I’d love to feature some of your wins (or fails) in next week’s issue. 💬

✍️ Side Hustle Spotlight: Start Your Own Newsletter (Yes, Even With 0 Subscribers)

What if your next side hustle wasn’t a YouTube channel, eBook, or affiliate blog—but just... your thoughts in an email? Like what you’re doing right now, reading this email.

Starting a newsletter is crazy underrated. It’s low-risk, high-leverage, and lets you build an audience around literally anything—travel tips, health + wellness, finance, life abroad, AI tools, vanlife, weird TikTok trends… whatever you’re already talking about in your group chats.

And the best part? Platforms like Beehiiv make launching a newsletter feel like opening a fresh Notes app—with way more upside. Monetize with referrals, paid subscriptions, or sponsorships once you’ve got just a few hundred engaged readers.

🚀 Your Perk as a Staying Frosty Reader:
Get a FREE 30-day trial + 20% OFF for your first 3 months on Beehiiv Pro.
👉 Start your newsletter now

It takes 5 minutes to set up. No coding, no design headaches. Just your ideas + a little consistency = real internet income.

You don't need a million followers. You just need to hit publish once a week.

Ready to give it a shot?

👉 Claim your free trial + 20% OFF here