Mint Money Audit: Making the Most of a Side Hustle

This week's Mint audit introduces us to Selena, 48, a mom of two living in San Antonio, Texas. She is a community college director and her husband, 51, is a full-time graphic designer who also manages a booming side hustle in the same industry.

Selena and her husband have already achieved some impressive financial accomplishments, thanks to tracking their finances on Mint, leveraging coupons and shopping at thrift stores. They've paid off $52,000 in student loans and invested in a piece of land next door for $26,000, which they believe has appreciated by nearly 40% since purchasing it a few years ago.

But with retirement looming and two children (currently ages 9 and 12) to possibly put through college, Selena wants to learn about additional money moves that could better prepare them for future expenses. She would also love to pay off the family's 30-year mortgage before she retires in the next 10 to 12 years. Currently they're on track to pay it down by 2030.

First, a breakdown of their finances:

NET INCOME

Hers: $56,000

His: $40,000 plus an additional $40,000 in freelance work

Total: $136,000 per year

DEBT

Just paid off student loans and a property loan (for the lot next door)

Credit Card Debt: $0

Mortgage: $163,000 (Monthly payment, including real estate tax, is $1,985)

Car note: $5,300 (should be paid off within the year)

RETIREMENT SAVINGS

Selena's teacher pension: Roughly $5,000 per month at retirement if she retires in 12 years ($3,800 if she retires in 6 years).

Various IRAs between the two of them: $65,000

Estimated social security payments: $2,500 to $3,000 (combined)

Husband does not have a 401(k)

RAINY DAY SAVINGS

In an emergency, the family has at least six months of expenses saved up or roughly $35,000.

COLLEGE SAVINGS

Selena and her husband haven't specifically saved for their children's college education. They're concerned that a 529-college savings plan might limit their children's options, if they didn't choose to attend a traditional college program.

Recommendations

Leverage the Side Hustle

All in all, I think the family's finances are in solid shape. But if they're interested in further securing their future, I would suggest investing the annual side hustle income (which currently sits in a bank account earning no interest) to advance retirement savings and carve out an account for their two children.

Starting that side hustle was a very smart money move because it effectively boosted the family's net income by 40%. And according to Selena, the business, which they operate out of their living room, is only growing, with profits expected to grow another 30% in the future.

Income from side hustles is how I managed to pay off debt in my 20's and boost savings. Today, it's more prevalent among working Americans. More than 44 million Americans have a side revenue stream, according to a recent survey by Bankrate. "Having a side hustle is fiscally responsible," says Susie Moore, founder of the program Side Hustle Made Simple and the new book, "What If It Does Work Out: How a Side Hustle Can Change Your Life." "It's an economic hedge that mitigates disruption to wealth building and future planning. There is no such thing as a fixed income," she says.

So, let's do some math and see how far this $40,000 per year side revenue stream can go using a compound interest calculator.

Retirement

The couple's retirement nest egg is not too shabby. Not including their existing IRAs, the couple has about $8,000 a month coming to them in retirement between social security and Selena's pension. That amount, alone, basically replaces their current full-time income. (And I do recommend Selena wait 12 years before retiring so that she can take advantage of the maximum pension payment.)

But with all the uncertainty around social security and future health care costs, it can't hurt to save a little more, right? By placing $6,500 in a Roth IRA each year for the next, say, 15 years (Selena's husband can qualify for the catch-up contribution since he is 5- years old), they'll have an additional $142,000 for retirement that won't be subject to taxes. This assumes an average annual return of 4%. They can open a Roth IRA at any bank.

Future Savings for Children

While a 529 plan may not be the best fit for this family, Selena still would like to carve out savings for her kids' future endeavors, be it to start a business or attend an alternative school. For this, I'd recommend opening a 5-year certificate of deposit or CD and placing $25,000 in it this year. The going yield right now for a 5-year CD at that deposit level is averaging a little more than 2%.

Then, every year, as income rolls in from the side hustle, create a new 5-year CD and deposit $25,000 in it. Do this for the next four or five years. All CDs will have matured by the time her youngest is starting college (or pursuing something else). And they'll have at least $100,000 plus interest reserved for their kids. If they do choose to go to college, the family's prepared to help pay for in-state tuition at one of the fine Texas universities.

Mortgage Payoff

After funding the Roth IRA each year ($6,500) and the annual CD contribution ($25,000), the family's left with $8,500. They could choose to put this toward the mortgage principal to knock a few years off their payoff schedule. Or, they may want to just hold onto it for that annual family vacation. And if I'm being honest, I'd say, go for the vacation! They deserve it!

Source: Mint Money Audit: Making the Most of a Side Hustle