10 Gems + Side Hustle Plays: May 25, 2025 | Smart Movers Club
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👋 Good morning, Smart Movers.
Where to Go. What to Know. What $100K Gets You.
Last week, we shared 10 gems on bankruptcy—breaking down how this legal reset might actually serve as a strategic move for some Smart Movers. We included tools, resources, and guidance for those navigating financial pressure.
This week, the data spoke louder: bankruptcy filings rose in Q1 2025. No panic, no prediction—just proof that the middle class is under pressure from every angle.
So today, we’re shifting gears and focusing forward. We’ve curated 10 side hustle gems to help you create income now—flexible, buildable ways to offset rising costs and take back financial control.
Coming next week: insights on how to purchase tax lien homes and buildings—an often-overlooked path to property and profit.
Let’s dive in.
TL;DR:
Investor Watch: Evansville, IN is waking up—multifamily homes, value-add properties, and strong cap rates are drawing in strategic investors. Opportunity Zones and rehab incentives make it a quiet winner.
Migration Watch: Springfield, MO is gaining traction with middle-income movers while Portland, OR continues to lose residents—affordability and quality of life are driving the shift.
What $100K Gets You: In Evansville, $100K/year puts you in the top 10%—you can own a home, save aggressively, and enjoy real financial breathing room.
10 Gems: This week’s picks focus on high-impact side hustles—flexible, low-overhead ways to earn smarter and offset rising living costs.
News & Events: Rate cuts on the horizon, new ADU laws in Oregon, TN multifamily incentives, and drought relief in AZ—plus tax rebate rollbacks in NY and job softening in TX.
🧠 Big Brain Facts
💧Phoenix, AZ is sinking — literally. Due to groundwater pumping, parts of the city drop nearly an inch per year.
🏡Nebraska is the only state with a public power utility — no private electric companies, just citizen-owned energy.
🧊Alaska pays you to live there — in 2024, residents received $1,312 from the Permanent Fund Dividend just for staying put.
🚌In parts of Kansas, school buses are also Wi-Fi hubs — helping rural students get internet access on long rides.
🚫California bans billboards in scenic rural areas — the state values views over ads in certain corridors.
📬In a small Nevada town, mail is still delivered by mule — Supai, AZ (in the Grand Canyon) remains the only U.S. location with this system.
🏘️The average U.S. home now has fewer people than ever — just 2.5 per household, down from 3.6 in 1960.
Want more fun and games? Test your knowledge with our weekly crossword puzzle here
💸 INVESTOR WATCH
Evansville, IN - The Move For Savvy Investors
Why It’s on Our Radar:
This Rust Belt sleeper is waking up—and savvy investors are already planting flags.
Market Signals:
🏘️ Median 2–4 unit sale price: ~$185K
🏗️ New construction permits up 17% YoY — mostly duplexes and townhomes
💸 Evansville’s cap rates hover around 8%, making it attractive for cash buyers and small landlords
🧰 Plenty of value-add inventory: aged housing stock with strong bones and upside potential
👷♂️ Job base is diverse — education, logistics, healthcare, and energy
Evansville is seeing a quiet boom in demand with low inventory, fast home sales, and strong rent growth. Multifamily, historic homes, and workforce housing are leading the charge.
🗺️ Opportunity Zones: Your Tax-Free Cheat Code
The city has 5 Opportunity Zones—ripe for adaptive reuse, mixed-use, and workforce housing. Investors using Qualified Opportunity Funds can enjoy zero capital gains tax after 10 years. Neighborhoods like Jacobsville and North Main are in transition and open for smart money.
💵 Incentives Galore
Stack these to your advantage:
Local tax abatements on new builds and rehabs
Indiana redevelopment tax credits
Historic rehab credits and façade grants
Brownfield and infrastructure grants for qualifying sites
Low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC) for apartment investors
Evansville isn’t just affordable—it’s investable with government dollars behind you.
📊 Economic Pulse
Metro Population: ~315,000 (city: ~115,000, slightly declining)
Unemployment: ~3.1%
Top Employers: Toyota (7,500 jobs), Deaconess Health, Berry Global
Industries: Manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, finance
Median Household Income: ~$52,250
Manufacturing remains strong, healthcare is expanding, and remote work is injecting new life into old neighborhoods.
🏗️ Where to Look
Jacobsville, Haynie’s Corner, Downtown, North Main – OZs and growth zones
East & North sides – Higher-income stable areas
Suburbs like Warrick County – Higher appreciation and incomes
🎯 Smart Mover Takeaway:
Evansville is what patient profit looks like. It won’t explode overnight, but it offers high-yield rental plays, rehab opportunities, and serious tax incentives. Stack your funding, buy smart, and hold—especially in OZs and underpriced transition zones. This is a market where the math works and the margins are still real.
📊 Want Evansville's Cap Rates, Permit Heat Map, and Zip Code Drilldown?
Grab the Regional Investor Report — a full investor briefing for serious buyers.
🧳MIGRATION TRENDS
Springfield, MO vs Portland, OR
Who's Coming and Who’s Leaving?
📍 Inbound: Springfield, MO (+3,800 net)
📍 Outbound: Portland, OR (−12,400 net)
What’s Driving the Move?
Springfield, Missouri, isn’t flashy — but it’s quietly becoming a magnet for middle-income movers fed up with big city prices. In the past 12 months, it's drawn remote workers, downsizing retirees, and small business owners from states like California and Oregon.
Here’s why:
🏡 Median home price: ~$225,000
💸 Low state income tax and no tax on Social Security benefits
🏥 Major medical hub for the region (Mercy & CoxHealth)
🚙 Short commutes and growing regional airport
🎓 Education & talent pipeline from Missouri State University
Meanwhile, cities like Portland are still seeing an exodus due to:
🔥 Rising cost of living
🚨 Crime concerns and urban decay
💼 Slower post-pandemic job recovery in key sectors
Snapshot Stat:
"The average mover into Springfield makes under $85K/year and is looking to buy within 90 days." — [U-Haul Migration Index]
💰 WHAT 100K GETS YOU
Stretch $100K in Evansville, IN
Your Money Goes the Distance:
With a $100,000 salary, you’re earning nearly double the median household income in Evansville (~$52,250). That puts you in the top 10% of earners in the city—and gives you room to live, save, and invest.
Here’s the Breakdown:
Category | Estimated Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
🏡 Housing (mortgage or rent) | $1,000 – $1,500 | Median home price: ~$165K; 2BR rent: ~$950 |
🍽️ Groceries + Dining | $500 – $700 | Below national average |
🚗 Transportation | $400 – $600 | Easy driving city, low gas and insurance costs |
🏥 Healthcare | $400 – $500 | Lower premiums than coastal states |
🎉 Lifestyle & Fun | $300 – $500 | Great arts scene, live music, breweries |
💡 Utilities + Internet | $200 – $300 | Efficient energy use; fast fiber available |
💰 Savings / Investing | $2,000+ | If budgeting smartly, you can sock away 20–25%+ of income |
Why It Matters:
Unlike high-income/high-cost cities where $100K just pays the bills, in Evansville, it opens doors. You can:
Buy a home for under 3x your salary
Fund a Roth IRA, 401K, or rental property down payment
Live debt-free and enjoy a real quality of life
Smart Mover Takeaway:
Evansville lets you do what expensive cities can’t—own your time, build wealth, and breathe easy. If you’re earning $100K and not living like it, maybe it’s time to move smarter.
💎 10 GEMS: BANKRUPTCY
Smart Side Hustles for Smart Movers
Let’s be honest — the squeeze is real. Whether you just moved or are about to, extra income is no longer optional — it's strategic. This week’s 10 Gems features side hustles you can start anywhere, with low overhead and high upside. Whether you’re a remote worker, retiree, or in-between gigs, these are all legit and buildable.
Freelance Local Researcher
Help companies, real estate investors, or relocation firms gather data on small towns, local laws, and markets.
👉 Join Respondent | User InterviewsAirbnb Co-Host or Cleaner
Manage listings or clean turnovers — no property ownership required. Perfect for smaller or growing tourist towns.
👉 Airbnb Co-Host ResourcesPet Sitting or Dog Walking
Pet care demand is booming in lower-cost areas with lots of retirees.
👉 Sign up at RoverDigital Product Seller
Sell relocation planners, budget tools, or digital downloads — especially if you’ve already moved and know the ropes.
👉 Start on Gumroad or PayhipNotary Public (Mobile or Remote)
Low startup cost, recurring demand, and easy to pair with relocation or gig work.
👉 How to Become a NotaryOnline Tutor or Test Prep Coach
Remote side hustle that scales with your schedule. Even better if you specialize in math, ESL, or college prep.
👉 Join Wyzant | OutschoolUsed Furniture & Appliance Flipper
In low-cost cities, you can find serious bargains at estate sales or on Facebook Marketplace.
👉 Local Flip TipsVan Delivery or Local Freight
Own a cargo van or truck? Relocating means new demand — even grocery, appliance, or trade delivery pays well.
👉 Join GoShare | BungiiRemote Customer Support Agent
Stable income from anywhere, especially for relocators with quiet setups.
👉 Search at Remote.coGhostwriting for Local Businesses
Many mom-and-pop businesses don’t have websites, newsletters, or good Google listings — write for them.
👉 Find leads on Upwork or pitch locally
SOLUTIONS FOR YOU
Looking to go deeper? We’ve built tools to help you move with purpose and invest with clarity. These expert-backed services are designed for people who want more than just headlines—they want a plan.
🔍 Regional Investment Report
For first-time or small investors
Custom city/county data report with pricing trends, job growth, migration, and more.
💵 $249
[Get the Report] 🔗
📞 Relocation Strategy Call
For remote workers or overtaxed escapees
1:1 Zoom session to map your relocation goals—taxes, lifestyle, housing, and more.
💵 $149
[Book Your Call] 🔗
👉 Explore all options here: Products and Solutions
📰NEWS & EVENTS
🏦 Fed signals potential September rate cut — inflation cooling faster than expected, but housing supply still lags demand.
🏗️ Tennessee launches new incentive zone program for multifamily developers building under $275K/unit.
🚨 Arizona expands emergency drought relief funding — homeowners and farmers in 6 counties now eligible for grants.
🧾 New York quietly phases out property tax rebates for mid-income homeowners — check if your ZIP code is affected.
🏘️ Oregon House passes statewide ADU bill — accessory dwelling units now legal by-right in most residential zones.
📉 Texas sees sudden slowdown in job growth — energy sector hiring slips as oil prices dip below $70/barrel.
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Strizzy Report provides educational content and location-based data. This is not financial, investment, or legal advice. Always consult a licensed professional before making any big decisions.