Hard to Fire
Hard to Fire · Chapter 13 · Diagnostic

The Side Income Filter

Decide whether a real side-income idea deserves a Go, a small Test, or a Not Yet before you invest months in it.

Start with one real idea. Compare up to three only if you genuinely have them. Don't manufacture alternatives to make the worksheet look complete.

Comparison

Idea 1Not scoredNot YetFirst dollar: Not entered
Idea 2Not scoredNot YetFirst dollar: Not entered
Idea 3Not scoredNot YetFirst dollar: Not entered

A pretty total is not permission. A score cannot clear a conflict, policy, agreement, disclosure, confidentiality, intellectual-property, customer, or ownership question.

Idea 1Not scored

1. Skills match

1 Requires substantial new capability5 Uses a skill you already perform well

2. Time required

1 Over 15 hours weekly5 Under 3 hours weekly

3. Employer conflict risk

1 Direct competition or unresolved conflict5 No apparent overlap after required review

4. Startup cost

1 Significant investment before revenue5 Little or no cash required

5. Revenue potential

1 Under $200 monthly5 At least $2,000 monthly within 6 months

6. Scalability

1 Every dollar requires another hour5 Can grow without matching hour growth

7. Enjoyment

1 A second shift you already dread5 Work you would willingly repeat

8. Tool leverage

1 Every delivery begins from zero5 Tools or repeatable systems materially improve speed or quality

Employer-risk gate

Check an item only after it is actually resolved for this idea. Uncertainty stays unchecked.

Total—/40
Economic readingNot scored

Finish all eight scores.

Next stepNot Yet

Finish the eight scores and clear every employer-risk item.

Idea 2Not scored

1. Skills match

1 Requires substantial new capability5 Uses a skill you already perform well

2. Time required

1 Over 15 hours weekly5 Under 3 hours weekly

3. Employer conflict risk

1 Direct competition or unresolved conflict5 No apparent overlap after required review

4. Startup cost

1 Significant investment before revenue5 Little or no cash required

5. Revenue potential

1 Under $200 monthly5 At least $2,000 monthly within 6 months

6. Scalability

1 Every dollar requires another hour5 Can grow without matching hour growth

7. Enjoyment

1 A second shift you already dread5 Work you would willingly repeat

8. Tool leverage

1 Every delivery begins from zero5 Tools or repeatable systems materially improve speed or quality

Employer-risk gate

Check an item only after it is actually resolved for this idea. Uncertainty stays unchecked.

Total—/40
Economic readingNot scored

Finish all eight scores.

Next stepNot Yet

Finish the eight scores and clear every employer-risk item.

Idea 3Not scored

1. Skills match

1 Requires substantial new capability5 Uses a skill you already perform well

2. Time required

1 Over 15 hours weekly5 Under 3 hours weekly

3. Employer conflict risk

1 Direct competition or unresolved conflict5 No apparent overlap after required review

4. Startup cost

1 Significant investment before revenue5 Little or no cash required

5. Revenue potential

1 Under $200 monthly5 At least $2,000 monthly within 6 months

6. Scalability

1 Every dollar requires another hour5 Can grow without matching hour growth

7. Enjoyment

1 A second shift you already dread5 Work you would willingly repeat

8. Tool leverage

1 Every delivery begins from zero5 Tools or repeatable systems materially improve speed or quality

Employer-risk gate

Check an item only after it is actually resolved for this idea. Uncertainty stays unchecked.

Total—/40
Economic readingNot scored

Finish all eight scores.

Next stepNot Yet

Finish the eight scores and clear every employer-risk item.

Read the economics

35–40: Rare fitComplete the policy and conflict gate before moving.
30–34: Strong candidateInspect the lowest dimensions.
25–29: Proceed cautiouslySeparate fixable weaknesses from structural ones.
8–24: Walk awayScore a different idea.

Maximum score: 40. Higher means the idea fits the dimension better. The total narrows economic fit. Employer risk sets the decision.

Priya runs the Filter

PathTotalTime to first dollarDeciding issue
Data automation for smaller funds33WeeksExact skill match and fast paid project, subject to conflict review
General financial-model templates28MonthsScalable, but slower demand and unresolved marketing work
Python-for-finance course29Several monthsScalable, but long production lead time before validation

Automation won the economic comparison. Priya still had to review the client, market overlap, agreement, and company rules. Speed to first dollar tests whether a buyer exists. A theoretical ceiling is not revenue.

If two ideas finish within two points

  1. Which can reach a first dollar sooner?
  2. Which strengthens a skill that travels with you?
  3. Which creates lawful, nonconfidential proof useful in a future search?

Don't let Plan B consume Plan A

Enter zero from the idea in any household financial plan until the activity is permitted and revenue has actually been received. Even then, a first dollar is not yet dependable portable revenue.

Working at home, using personal equipment, calling the content generic, or aiming at an adjacent market does not magically create a legal safe harbor. If an unresolved question could put employment, a client relationship, or work product at risk, consult qualified local counsel before acting.

The side income is supposed to be the safety net, not the trapeze act.