Market Performance: February 09, 2024.

Wall Street celebrated another record close on Friday as the benchmark S&P 500 index ended above 5,000 for the first time ever.

The record-setting session came as investors applauded a revision of December inflation data that showed it was even lower than first reported. Waves of well-received quarterly earnings also buoyed stocks, with big names in tech powering a huge chunk of market gains.

The S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose 0.5% to close at 5,027. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) slipped roughly 0.1% or 60 points, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) led the way higher, gaining 1.3%.

Best Side Hustle Ideas To Make Extra Money In 2024

Looking for legitimate ways to boost your bank account? Believe it or not, many easy and fun side hustles require little or no experience. From walking dogs to delivering groceries in your hometown, the best side hustles are often right under your nose.

What is a side hustle?

These days, many people take on extra work, in addition to, or on the side of a regular job. This work is considered a side hustle, or a way to supplement your primary source of income. While the main objective of a side hustle is often to make additional income, it’s not the only benefit. The right side hustle is a proactive way to learn a new skill, or in some cases, test the waters for a new business.

Side hustles come in all shapes and sizes, and can be as simple as walking a neighbor’s dog or as complex as offering your skills as an online article writer. With so many different opportunities, earning anywhere from a few dollars to thousands of dollars a month from a regular side hustle is possible.

A booming industry

Today, the U.S. side hustle market is valued at over $2.58 trillion dollars — and that figure is only expected to grow. By 2027, it is estimated that 83 million Americans will perform freelance work.

What are the easiest side hustles to start?

It’s possible to bring in hundreds of dollars per month through a side hustle, but if you’ve never done anything like this before, where do you begin? Luckily, getting started is simple. Here are some of the easiest side hustles to start.

The Importance of Marketing Yourself: Investing in Your Future and Legacy

In our hectic everyday lives, where our client work and other responsibilities often takes precedence over everything else, the crucial task of marketing ourselves often falls to the wayside. However, the importance of consistent marketing cannot be overstated – it is the cornerstone of your personal and professional growth, the foundation of your future success and a critical element in building a lasting legacy.

People often ask me how I find the time to market myself. I don’t have the time, but I make the time for it because it’s an investment in me. You simply have to make the time for marketing yourself and building your personal brand. You may not think you need marketing right now, but marketing is an investment in your future, your business and your legacy.

Here’s how:

Making Time for Marketing Yourself: A Non-Negotiable Investment

I hear “I don’t have the time to market myself” at least a few times each week from business professionals at all levels, and I totally get it. I also get that we must prioritize ourselves and make time for it while balancing work commitments and life in general. Like any investment, it requires time, effort, strategy and resources to accomplish our goals.

The Importance of Marketing in a Competitive Landscape

In today’s saturated market, where countless professionals offer similar services, standing out from everyone else is not just an advantage – it’s a necessity. Marketing is what keeps you top of mind with the people who can hire and refer work to you, so that yours is the first name that comes to mind when they have an opportunity in your wheelhouse.

It’s about building a brand that resonates and creating a unique value proposition that distinguishes you from the competition.

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