Having a small business which you run from home will bring in extra money. If you’re struggling to make ends meet with your family’s regular income, or if you’d simply like to have some extra for treats and holidays, this alone is a great reason to get your own side business going.

Many traditional office jobs don’t offer much room for development. I was keen to learn CSS in my day job, but there was no provision for training. Instead, I learned in my own time, creating free websites for friends and then paid ones for small businesses.

In uncertain economic times, it’s a bad idea to rely solely on the paycheck from your employer. If your company goes under, you’re going to sink too. A side business can help provide a safety net. It lets you save up an emergency fund, and it provides a stream of regular income which isn’t tied to your day job. You may even be able to grow your side business to the point where it can support you and your family.