Whether you’re struggling to make ends meet or just looking for a little extra cash to pay for a holiday, buy a new gadget or save up, very few of us would say no to a few more dollars in the bank – right? We’ve put together a list of no fewer than ten ways to up your income alongside your main job. Some involve making money from what it already available to you, whether that’s your home, your possessions or your own skills; some involve spending your time and doing a little extra work; and some combine the two. Give it a read and if you find a tip that you think would work for you, why not give it a try and let us know how you get on?
#1 Sell some stuff
If you’ve ever been tempted to give your home the Marie Kondo treatment – you know, the one where you go through everything you own, keep only the things that bring you joy, and chuck out everything else (like presumably your bills, your bathroom scales and everything in the crisper drawer) – then here’s a great reason to do it. You can do surprisingly well on eBay just by cleaning out your old clothes, and there are tons of apps that will take the books, CDs and games you don’t want any more. Meanwhile, you can make a lot more than just pocket change by selling a bigger-ticket item like your unwanted car.
#2 Pick up another job
This is a bit more labor-intensive than the previous tip! But if you’re saving for something specific or just a bit short of cash in general, picking up either more hours at your current job or an additional shift in the evening or at weekends – or maybe even working as a freelancer in your spare time – isn’t the worst idea. In fact, if you find your day job doesn’t fulfil you, the freelance option can also enhance your life by giving you the opportunity to do something you enjoy or are passionate about. Maybe you’ll even get lucky and find a way to turn that side project into your main job! Just be careful not to work an unsafe number of hours and jeopardise your existing job, your family or your health.
#3 Sell your skills
This tip is kind of a combination between #1 and #2! So you’ve run out of stuff to sell and you don’t have the time or resources to turn your hobby into a part-time job with all the commitment that entails: you can still make money from your skills by selling the awesome stuff that you make or do. Check out Etsy if you’re crafty – or if you have a more mainstream creative skill like designing or writing, do a google search for some sites that will help you find work. Don’t forget you can find people to pay you for your skills offline, too: DJs, bakers, cake decorators and knitters can all make some extra cash by selling what they do to friends and family. But whether you’re looking online or IRL, be careful to do a little research and set boundaries to ensure you don’t get ripped off.
#4 Be a mystery shopper
There are dozens of sites online where you can sign up for mystery shopping and other forms of market research. You can get paid to hit the stores, buy coffee, eat lunch or even go to a bar – living the dream! It doesn’t pay a huge amount, but enough for the occasional treat (on top of the expensed treats you can get from the coffee shop or restaurant you’re visiting) or to make a sizeable difference to a particularly lean week.
#5 Get paid to blog
Like other ‘freelance’ financial opportunities, this one is much more of a slow burn than simply gaining additional employment or selling goods. But if you’re patient and not in need of a huge amount of money any time soon, there are ways to make a little money from blogging – it’s not a bad idea if you enjoy writing, sharing your hobby and interacting with an online community.
#6 Do odd jobs
It might sound old-fashioned, but particularly if you’re a fairly young person, a simple way to make more money is by helping out family members and neighbors with home or garden tasks like walking the dog, mowing the lawn, washing cars and so on.
#7 Take advantage of the ‘gig economy’
This one is like the 2018 version of the tip above. There are valid criticisms to be made of apps like Uber, Deliveroo, and similar sites where you can get paid for each individual task, car journey, delivery or dog walk you carry out. But they do have some advantages if you’re looking to make some extra cash in your spare time: you can generally control how much and when you work, for example. Be sure to do your research before you sign up.
#7 Rent out a room
Another aspect of the ‘sharing economy’ referred to above includes sites like AirBnB and Wimdu, where you can rent out some or all of your property on a short-term basis to tourists and other people visiting your area. Even if you don’t live in a traditionally ‘touristy’ location, you’d be surprised how much demand there is for temporary places to stay. But if you’d prefer a longer-term, more guaranteed source of rental income and you have a room available for a longer spell, you could consider taking in a lodger instead. Whatever you choose – as with most of the tips on this list! – be sure to do some research on your rights and responsibilities to make sure you and your property are protected, and that you’re complying with the law.
It can be frustrating to be short of cash but don’t give up: take a look at yourself, your life and your home and you’ll find something you can use to make money. With a little creativity, hard work and smart use of the internet, you can turn your finances around. Good luck!
