Income Variance Simulator
Side hustle income is not steady. See what your actual range of monthly earnings might look like—good months, bad months, and everything in between.
Understanding Income Volatility
Every side hustle calculator, including ours, tends to show you an average or expected value. But averages can be misleading. If you earn $1,200 one month and $400 the next, your average is $800—but you never actually earned $800.
Variance by Side Hustle Type
High Variance
- • Content creation (views fluctuate wildly)
- • Reselling (depends on what you find)
- • Freelancing (project-based gaps)
- • Photography (seasonal demand)
Lower Variance
- • Driving/delivery (more predictable hourly)
- • Recurring freelance clients
- • Tutoring with regular students
- • Rental income (consistent monthly)
Why This Matters for Planning
If you're considering leaving a steady job or using side income for fixed expenses like rent, you need to plan for bad months. The simulation helps you see what those months might look like so you can build an appropriate buffer.
Rules of Thumb
- 1.Budget fixed expenses against your "bad month" income, not your average
- 2.Keep 2-3 months of bad-month income as an emergency buffer
- 3.Use good months to build savings, not increase lifestyle
- 4.Track your actual income for 3-6 months before relying on projections
Common Questions
Why does income variance matter?
Most calculators show averages, but you don't live on averages. If your average is $800/month but your range is $300-$1,200, you need to budget for $300 months. Understanding variance helps you build proper emergency funds and set realistic expectations.
What causes income to vary so much?
Side hustle income varies due to seasonal demand, platform algorithm changes, competition, your available hours, personal energy levels, and random chance. Driving income drops in slow months, reselling depends on what you find, and content views are unpredictable.
How should I use this information?
Use the "bad month" figure for budgeting and the "good month" figure for savings goals. Don't count on average income for fixed expenses. Build a buffer equal to 2-3 bad months before relying on side hustle income.
Variance simulations are based on typical patterns for each side hustle type. Your actual variance may differ based on your market, effort level, and other factors. Track your real income over time for the most accurate planning.