Check out how to earn some additional funds without stretching yourself thin.
Additional reporting by Kate Syme-Lamont
These days there are many ways to make a bit of extra money on the side, even if you’re short on spare time. If you would like to increase your income (and who wouldn’t?) the first step is to think about the skills and advantages you already have.
Everyone has something to offer, and the new opportunities provided by the sharing economy mean it’s simpler than ever to cash in.
Image: Shutterstock
1. Sell your stuff on eBay or Gumtree
You’d be amazed at what a quick clean-out of your cupboards and storage spaces can reveal. Last year’s clothes, used electronics and even old chargers can yield a bit of extra cash online if you market them effectively. Our tips? Take clear, well-lit photos of your merchandise and do a quick price check on similar items before posting them online.
Image: Instagram
2. Pick up some extra work on Airtasker
Signing up for Airtasker is free, fast and simple. The service is a great way to introduce yourself to the sharing economy and makes it easy to search for and pick up extra jobs in your free time. Tasks include gardening, handyman jobs and digital projects that can be completed in person or online.
Image: Pinterest
3. List your car on DriveMyCar
If you don’t use your car everyday, the relatively new, private car rental service DriveMyCar offers an innovative way for car owners to rent out and capitalise on their vehicle when it’s not being used. It’s a safe and insured service.
Image: Shutterstock
4. Consider tutoring
Everybody has a skill or knowledge about a particular area that they can market. Maybe you’re an awesome cook, or you know a particular software program inside out. Whatever your skills are, advertise yourself as an instructor in your local area, online or even try your hand at creating your own online course through Open Learning or Teachable.
Image: Instagram
Image: Shutterstock
6. Get into the catering business
If you’re a wizard in the kitchen, starting a weekend catering business or even selling your culinary creations to the cafes in your local area is a great idea. And who knows? It might turn into something bigger down the road.
Image: Shutterstock
7. Organise events
Organised, high-energy people are ideal for the events industry. If that sounds like you, market yourself as an event organiser. Start small and work your way up. It can be quite a lucrative side project if you do it well.
Image: Pinterest
8. Sell your photographs
We live in an image-saturated world filled with talented shutterbugs that know how to market and tailor their images to the marketplace. If taking pictures is a talent you possess, you could make a pretty nice side income selling stock photos.
Image: Shutterstock
9. Review products and applications
While you might not get rich doing this, filling out online surveys and testing and reviewing new products and applications can net you some additional income every week. If it pays for a nice lunch out once in a while, it’s well worth it.
