We have all been there, our hearts set on a stress-free Christmas, a sunny holiday, and or upgrading the car. The only thing between you and your savings goal is your bank balance. Most of us have a couple of hours free after the kids go down when we could be doing something else, but we decide to binge-watch a series instead. These simple side hustle ideas will help you top up your income and achieve your financial goals.
If you don’t start, you will never get.
When you are faced with a bank balance that makes you feel like crying, especially if pay day isn’t for weeks, it’s so easy to give up and resign yourself to eating nothing but beans on toast. Whilst there are plenty of scams out there which you should watch out for, there are still plenty of simple side-hustles that will help you earn some extra money fairly quickly.
I am not getting into the Amazon, e-commerce, drop-shipping gigs because, to be honest, it’s a minefield that has more casualties than winners. So let’s start at home and things you can definitely control and are more likely to boost your income.
Get rid of old, useless ( to you), or unwanted things
Let’s face it; most homes are full of junk no one needs/wants. Usually these items are hidden in a drawer, attic or box somewhere that rarely ever gets opened. You would probably be surprised what items people are actually willing to pay money for.
Below are just a few things people are willing to buy/trade and with websites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace and the newer trends for recycling old/ broken/ unwanted stuff you’ll probably find your home to be full of earning potential
- Clothes
- Mobile Phones
- Books
- Cameras
- Games
- Photos
- Ink Cartridges
A clear out will be good for the soul too.
Use of the internet to top up income.
There are tons of websites out there which are offering money in exchange for things you probably already do for free. If you have strong opinions about current affairs, spend hours searching the internet, or love watching videos then you could do all these and more whilst getting paid for them.
Listen to the reviews as some of these websites only offer low pay for tasks or only offer points in exchange for vouchers. It can, however, be a fun way to spend some free time and these payments do add up.
Mystery Shopping, Website Testing, Freelancing, Writing Reviews.
These are slightly more time consuming ways of earning money, but if you are selected, they can pay you more handsomely. Advice here is to check the mode of payments etc. as your earnings may count as taxable income. However, by regularly reviewing songs or testing websites you can top up your current income. Mystery shopping has the added bonus of being paid to shop or eat at a restaurant.
Rent out your stuff.
The list of things people are willing to rent from you is endless. These things can all be rented on a long or short term basis –
- Parking Spaces (in-town)
- Garage (storage)
- Games consoles
- Audio system, including speakers
- Bikes
- Fancy dress costumes
- Garden
You could also make money from renting out your rooms in your house. There is a rental shortage at present and Airbnb is always an option. Remember you may earn €14,000 per year by renting a room out in your own home, before paying any tax. This is under the rent-a-room relief.
The possibilities are endless.
These are just a few ideas but there are so many more. You could also dog/babysit, sell homemade goods, or even become a tutor. The internet has opened up so many possibilities for you to earn money, you just need to look.
Once the money starts coming in you can then start saving for the Christmas presents, a nice holiday or car!
Let us know what do you think about this blog and what side hustle you prefer to top up your income in the comment section below.
