Pampering teachers after class is a must. Not just recharging, sort of, but taking care of yourself in the midst of paperwork, adulthood, and the like. Yes, we really need creativity in this aspect of our lives.

I for one always make sure I have time to have this so called me time. No distractions, don’t bother bothering me please, and the like.

Yeah, like “do not disturb” because I just got some alone time, but not alone. Content, even in happiness, with myself. This is the luxury every teacher must strive for, after a great deal of paperwork done, some half done, and few unfinished. Well, it’s just a matter of doing all the work, albeit gradually.

How do some teachers pass the time after all that paperwork and it’s all done? And, obtaining extra income, at the same time.

1. Gardening: Planting grape seedlings, growing them to produce sweet berries in six to eight months is, in a way, my time off from paperwork and all. Watching the seedlings grow, watering them and putting organic fertilizer on them could be really great for the psyche. Satisfaction is guaranteed every time you see green shoots, roots appear, and robust growth after days of transplanting them from the seed bag to the ground. Grape seedlings are sold to the grape corner grower who wants their own grape canopy while entertaining guests and drinking tea or coffee.

2. Online sales: Yes, to increase income, we must have an extra hustle to make ends meet, considering the low take-home pay after all deductions from government and private lending institutions have been removed, a la misery of the mother who remains for a teacher’s pay. Earnings may depend on the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of the teacher.

3. Making/selling crafts: With the skills to create baskets, pillows, curtains, baby dresses, among other handmade items for sale purposes, teachers can have additional income to pay bills from electricity to water and cell phone. charge monthly installments such as motorcycle, household appliance, among others… yes, fighting, surviving adversity. The products can be sold to the online store around.

4. Tutorial jobs: The importance of reading and arithmetic makes teaching the skills economically viable. Yes, with an hourly price of say $3, you could really make incremental income as long as you have the energy to take more tutoring under your experience. Proceeds could buy a pair of shoes or other personal necessities

5. Run a sari-sari shop/grocery store: Running a convenience store could really help you earn a steady income. However, on every corner there is a sari-sari shop vying for few customers. Filipino culture at its best, when a neighbor opens a sari-sari shop, expect another to pop up, just to compete. Profits depend on how you convince your neighbors to patronize your store over your competitors.

6. Ghostwriting Services: For those with a talent for word-arranging, writing articles, research, or stories for someone could be a lucrative business. As long as you know how to convince your clients that you have what it takes to create pieces that are high-quality and passable enough for a not-so-demanding audience. The proceeds could buy expensive jewelry.

7. Childcare Services – With the influx of work from home, chances are there are moms who need extra help caring for their babies. Having a daycare is kind of fun and would make you pay bills out of your earnings. Yes, if there are carpools, there are also babysitting opportunities. Profits could also make it to the end of the month by paying bills.

Well, that’s all for now. In the coming months, we’ll have additional side jobs that are good for earning money, with less effort and full of fun too.

Now, more than ever, side jobs are saving grace from limited earning potentials due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Only the tough, strive and prosper.