Frequently Asked Questions
Everything we've been asked about side hustles, the blog, and the hustles we've documented.
What is HustleReceipts?
HustleReceipts is a side hustle blog written by a stay-at-home parent who has been testing income streams since the early 2010s. Every post documents a real hustle with real numbers — what was invested, what was earned, and what went wrong. Topics include selling coloring books on Etsy and Amazon KDP, Facebook Marketplace flipping, MLMs, and building exam prep apps with no coding background.
Who writes HustleReceipts?
HustleReceipts is written by a stay-at-home parent in Asheville, North Carolina with over a decade of side hustle experience. The author has tested coloring books, MLMs, reselling, and building web apps — and publishes honest scorecards for all of it, including the failures.
Can you make money selling coloring books on Etsy?
Selling coloring books on Etsy as digital downloads is a legitimate low-cost side hustle. The author created one AI-assisted coloring book (Appalachian Folklore themed) using Canva's free tier, listed it for $10–$12.50, and earned ~$15 in Etsy digital sales plus ~$150 from local Asheville stores. The product still earns passively with zero ongoing cost.
How do you make a coloring book to sell on Etsy?
The process: generate coloring book images using an AI tool (high contrast, clean outlines), assemble 20–30 pages in Canva's free tier, add a cover, export as PDF. List on Etsy as a digital download — $0.20 per listing. Price between $8–$15. Choose a specific niche before you build anything (search Etsy sold listings for 30 minutes first). The whole product costs $0 to make.
What is Amazon KDP and how does it work for coloring books?
Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) lets you sell physical coloring books without holding inventory. You upload your interior PDF and a cover, Amazon reviews it (24–72 hours), then lists it. When someone orders, Amazon prints and ships directly. You earn 60% of list price minus printing costs (~$2.15 for a 30-page black and white book). The sweet spot price is $8.99–$12.99.
Should I sell my coloring book on Etsy or Amazon KDP?
Etsy and Amazon KDP reach completely different buyers. Etsy: instant digital download, lower price point, buyers who want to print at home. KDP: physical printed book shipped by Amazon, buyers who want a bound copy. The author recommends starting with Etsy to validate the niche fast, then uploading to KDP once you have proof the product sells.
How much can you make on Facebook Marketplace?
Selling things you already own on Facebook Marketplace can generate meaningful cash quickly. The author made ~$1,250 in a few weeks with $0 investment — just items from around the house. Best categories: furniture, exercise equipment, baby gear, electronics, tools, KitchenAid mixers. Roughly 30% of confirmed buyers will no-show.
Are MLMs worth it? What happened with Young Living, Younique, and Doterra?
The author tried Young Living ($165 kit, minimal revenue, had to file a BBB complaint to get customer service), Younique (~$599 invested, ~$599 made — breakeven after 9 months of consistent work), and Doterra (~$1,165 invested, ~$800 made, -$365 net after a full year all-in). Combined: ~$1,929 spent, ~$1,399 earned, ~-$530 net loss over 2+ years.
Can you build an app as a side hustle with no coding background?
The author built 12 exam prep sites (3 live, 1 pre-launch, 8 in development) using Replit as the development environment and Claude as an AI coding assistant — with no formal programming background. First revenue came in within the first month. Tools used: Replit (build and host), Claude (AI coding help), Stripe (payments), LegalZoom (LLC formation).
What exam prep sites has HustleReceipts built?
The author has built three live exam prep sites: Unlimited Practice Guide (pharmacy technician PTCE exam), MPJE Unlimited Practice Guide (pharmacy law exam for pharmacists), and NCLEX Unlimited Practice Guide (nursing boards). A fourth is ready to launch and eight more are in development across healthcare and professional licensing categories.
What is a good first side hustle to try?
The best first hustle is one with no upfront cost and fast feedback. Facebook Marketplace (sell what you own), digital products on Etsy (coloring books, printables — $0 to make), or affiliate writing are all strong starts. The author's rule: if this makes $0 in 60 days, will you regret the time spent? If yes, don't start it.
How do you validate a side hustle idea before investing money?
The author's core rule: validate demand before spending anything. For reselling — search eBay sold listings (not active listings — sold) before buying inventory. For digital products — search Etsy for your niche and filter by most reviews to see what's actually selling. For apps — research whether the exam or niche has consistent demand. The $200 inventory mistake (bought items that never sold) is the lesson behind this rule.
What Etsy shop sells the Appalachian folklore coloring book?
The author's Etsy shop is EquanimityPrints. It carries the Appalachian Folklore coloring book series (digital downloads), Fungi of Appalachia, Critters of Appalachia, and planners and trackers. The Appalachian Folklore book is also available as a physical print-on-demand book on Amazon KDP.
What tools does HustleReceipts use to build apps?
The exam prep app stack: Replit for development environment and hosting (all 12 sites run on Replit), Claude AI for technical architecture, debugging, and getting unstuck (not for writing the exam content — that comes from real knowledge), Stripe for payment processing, and LegalZoom for LLC formation before revenue got serious.
How much has HustleReceipts earned from all side hustles combined?
The HustleReceipts scorecard across 5 documented hustles: ~$3,064 total earned, ~$3,094 total invested, net ~-$30. But that net number excludes the exam prep apps (Unlimited Practice Guide and sister sites), which are actively growing and on a significantly positive trajectory. The losses came primarily from three MLMs (-$530 combined).