You have two or three side-hustle ideas, a limited budget, and one fear: spending months and real money on the wrong one. The Validation Scorecard grades each idea on nine weighted criteria using evidence you can gather free in about an hour, then tests your best candidate with real buyers over 7 days. One PDF: a go, test-more, or drop decision you can defend.

The Side Hustle Validation Scorecard is a decision system that flips the order. Check first, cheaply, then commit.

Here’s how it works: 1. Score. Rate any idea on nine weighted criteria with plain-language scoring anchors. 2. Check the evidence. Find real demand proof for free and separate evidence from hype. 3. Test in 7 days. Sketch the offer, build a free landing page, run 10 real buyer conversations, and make a small pre-sale ask. 4. Decide. Fixed go / test-more / drop thresholds, plus the money math: contribution per sale, break-even, and an honest hourly-rate reality check.

No income claims, no earnings screenshots, and no promise any idea will make you money. What it gives you is a fair test.

What’s included: the 9-criteria weighted scorecard, printable scoring sheet, spreadsheet layout, demand evidence sweep, 7-day validation test plan, conversation scripts, idea comparison worksheet, three worked examples, money math worksheets, hidden costs checklist, and decision rules.