Finding ways to earn some extra cash is becoming essential as the cost of living crisis continues to deepen. While no one is able to escape the rising costs, some of these ideas might help to offset the impact.
Earn an extra income with a low-commitment second job
There are plenty of services, such as Uber, Just Eat and Deliveroo, who employ people on flexible terms with no long-term commitments. This means that a second job can be easily scheduled to fit around your primary commitments. Freelancing could be another option for a second job. If you have a passion for photography, a creative streak in writing blogs, or another talent that could be valued by businesses, check out websites like Fiverr and Upwork which can connect you to employers looking for freelancers.
Sell your unwanted items
Let’s face it, probably everyone has things lying around the house that they don’t need or want anymore. That old mobile phone, unopened Lego set, or dress that doesn’t fit anymore, could all be sought after items for someone else. Sites such as eBay, Gumtree and Facebook marketplace are popular ways to sell items online. If you prefer selling in person and have a lot to shift, you might want to consider a car boot sale. These have recently been rising in popularity and you can use Car Boot Junction to find where they are happening in your local area.
Rent out your unused driveway, parking space or garage
Your unused parking space could be an ideal way of creating extra cash. Rather than this space just sitting there, consider seizing the opportunity to rent it out. Just for letting someone part in your drive or garage, you could be earning up to £200 per month in some parts of the country. The most popular spaces tend to be in city centres, but you can make cash in other areas too, especially if you happen to be based near a transport hub, such as a train station or airport. Locations near large event venues such as stadiums are also sought after. You can list your parking space for free on YourParkingSpace. You can choose to rent your driveway or garage out by the day, week or month. All contracts and payments are sorted out for you, so you can sit back, relax and watch the money fall into your bank account.
Rent out your unused driveway here
Become a pet sitter or dog walker
Now that people are returning to the office after the pandemic, many pet owners will be away from home during the day and may be looking for someone to look after their furry friends during the day. If you love animals, this could be an ideal opportunity for you. It can be flexible enough to fit around other commitments and can be a great way to earn some extra income. However, it is worth keeping in mind that you may require business insurance for working with other people’s pets.
Offer online tutoring
If you have expertise in a subject, you could use this to teach others. This isn’t restricted to school subjects like Maths and English but could include teaching someone how to play an instrument or to speak a different language. Online tutoring can be done from the comfort of your own home, saving you time and money on unnecessary travel. It can also be arranged flexibly around your available time.
Get paid to give your opinion
Mystery shopping offers you the chance to visit shops and eat at restaurants while getting paid to do so. Agencies like Grass Roots pay you to give your feedback on the quality of your experience. Signing up to a market research company is another way to earn. Completing surveys and interviews can be easy money, although will not always offer a regular income.
Although these ideas are unlikely to be able to solve everyone’s financial worries, some of them might help in mitigating the impact of the rising cost of living. A top tip is that if you are earning under £1000 with these types of activities, you won’t have to pay tax on these extra earnings.