« All Events

Event Series: Side Hustles

Side Hustles & Cost-Saving Strategies

Side Hustles & Cost-Saving Strategies

Virtual

November 5 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm CST

Register

Financial Empowerment for Military/Veteran Families

Military and veteran families are pros at adapting and making things work. You may have navigated PCS moves, deployments, job transitions, and all the curveballs that come with military life. And you’ve handled it all while supporting your family and service member. While managing the financial demands of military and veteran life can feel overwhelming, you’re part of a strong community that understands these unique challenges.

This session will share today’s best side hustles and money-saving tricks that actually work for military families. We’ll cover practical income opportunities like user testing platforms, paid surveys, focus groups, cash back applications, top-performing resale sites, and emerging influencer marketing prospects. The session wraps up with a group discussion where you can share what’s been working for you and pick up tips from other military families who’ve found their own successful side hustles.

What You’ll Gain

  • Insights into profitable and accessible side hustle opportunities 
  • Money-saving strategies and practical tools designed specifically for the military lifestyle
  • Connection with a supportive community of military spouses and partners sharing real-world experiences

This Event is Open To

  • Spouse/partner of active-duty service member/post-service veteran
  • Divorcee or widow/widower of active duty service member/post-service veteran
  • Family member/caregiver of active duty service member/post-service veteran
  • Active duty service member/post-service veteran

Eligibility varies by session. View our event calendar for details on other offerings.

About Social Club

Social Club is a peer-led, supportive space where military and veteran families and community members can connect, reflect, and grow together. Each session offers encouragement, shared experiences, and practical tools for resilience and well-being.

Learn More

Take the First Step Toward Connection–Sign up Today!

Looking for one-on-one support? Peer 2 Peer Connect pairs you with a trained VSN Peer Leader for individualized support. For more resources and updates, follow @veteranspousenetwork and subscribe to the VSN Newsletter. Questions or concerns? We’re here to help at vsn@austin.utexas.edu. 

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Social Club is not a therapeutic or clinical service. It’s a welcoming, peer-led space for connection, conversation, and mutual support.

For the best experience, we recommend joining from a quiet, distraction-free space and arriving on time, as participants who join more than 15 minutes late may not be admitted. Be sure to have your Zoom link ready from your confirmation email.

You must register at least 72 hours before an event. Most programs are ongoing series with multiple dates. Please check our calendar for upcoming sessions.

No, all events are completely free to attend. We are a grant-based program and believe in removing barriers to connection and support and are proud to offer these sessions at no cost to our community.

No—VSN is based at the University of Texas at Austin’s Institute for Military & Veteran Family Wellness, but we are a nationwide network open to any military-connected individuals in the US and beyond.

Participant Safety Reminder:

The Veteran Spouse Network (VSN) is committed to providing a supportive and respectful environment where participants can connect with peers and share their experiences. 

Because participant safety is our highest priority, confidentiality is not absolute. If a VSN Peer Leader or staff member becomes concerned that a participant or another person may be at risk of serious harm, we may take steps to support safety. Depending on the situation, this could include notifying VSN staff, providing crisis resources, contacting emergency services, making reports required by law, or taking other reasonable actions to protect safety. 

VSN is a non-clinical peer support program and does not provide emergency services, crisis counseling, therapy, case management, legal advice, or domestic violence advocacy. However, we are committed to connecting participants with appropriate resources when safety concerns arise. 

By participating in VSN programs, you acknowledge and understand these limits of confidentiality and VSN’s commitment to participant safety.

Related Events

Modalities

Virtual

Session Types

Peer Support

Eligibility

Spouse/Partner of a Service Member, Divorcee of a Service Member/Veteran, Widow/Widower of a Service Member/Veteran, Spouse/Partner of a Veteran, Family Member/Caregiver of a Service Member/Veteran and Service Member/Veteran