It’s the time of year where money is starting to feel a bit tight. With the holidays around the corner, it can be an expensive time of year! Not only that, but the thought of a new year will also see you want to start making plans such as a vacation, moving home or changing careers. But these plans can cost money, and your current financial situation might not allow you to make these plans.
It’s no wonder that many people turn to side hustles to help boost their incomes and to help with their financial goals. Making money in your free time is something that anyone can do, with a lot of ways to do it. Here are 14 ways to make money in your free time.
1. Take on a second job
One of the simplest ways to earn more money in your free time is to take on a second job. If you need money in the short-term or you’re happy to work extra hours, then this could be a fantastic way to grow your income. Why not try something that’s different from your full-time job?
From working in a bar to working in a store, there are different jobs you can do during those hours that will help you add to your income. A less stressful job is ideal for taking your mind off your day job and can help you learn some additional skills too.
2. Offer your services on a freelance basis
Have you ever considered going freelance? Many careers lend themselves to working freelance, especially in communications areas or creative roles such as writing and graphic design. Freelancing can be a fantastic way to grow your career, enhance your skills and help you make some more money too. If you can learn to balance working and freelancing successfully, you could find yourself with a long-term solution for increasing your earnings.
3. Take part in online studies
Online studies are an excellent way of making money. Many researchers look for participants online, and if you have some opinions to share, then they could be very valuable. Websites like Prolific are great for putting you in touch with studies that could help you make some extra cash. It’s important that you answer honestly and spend real time completing these surveys, they mean a lot to the academics and institutions behind them.
4. Make money when shopping online
There are some ways to make money online without really giving up much of your time. Take online shopping, for example. Each time you shop online, you could be making money by using a cashback website. Cashback websites have deals with retailers that allow them to pay back shoppers a certain percentage of their purchase.
Between the money you could earn and referrals, it could be a way to add to your savings, earn gift cards or simply give you money to treat yourself with. It doesn’t take long to get into the habit of using these websites, and you’ll soon start seeing the money coming in.
5. Invest
You don’t need to be a full-time investor to benefit from it. There is such a thing as micro-investing, with apps that can invest your ‘spare change’ rounded up from purchases to invest small amounts at a time. This can be a great way to learn about investing and eventually set you up to invest in larger investments.
Successful investors can earn a lot from their endeavors, and you could earn 10% back on your investments. Investing comes with a lot of risks, but it can be a great way to grow your income if you know-how.
6. Play games for money
Love to play games in your free time? Then why not get paid for it? There are a lot of ways to earn money playing games. For a start, you could try your hand at online games like poker or learn how to play bingo.
Many people earn money online by broadcasting their gaming, through platforms like Twitch, allowing you to earn money from subscriptions as well as advertising. While gaming can be an enjoyable way to make money, it’s important that you make room for other activities in your life too.
7. Sell your craft
Do you have a talent for making things? Why not try selling your goods on Etsy or Amazon? Whether you have a passion for wedding crafts or you’re handy with a paintbrush, there are lots of things you could make and sell that could make you some money online.
If you’re talented with graphic design, you could even design some templates to make prints, invitations and stationery for others. Learn some tips and tricks to be successful on Etsy to help you get started.
8. Earn money through online surveys
Online surveys are another fantastic way to make some more money. Some paid survey websites will pay you in cash or by PayPal, while others might pay in vouchers. This is the perfect way to make money while commuting, during your lunch hour or while watching TV at home. You’ll need to put in a lot of time to see the benefit, but it can actually be an enjoyable way of earning some extra money.
9. Start a blog
Are you passionate about writing? Do you have an interest or a hobby that people love to read about? Then you already have the foundations for a blog. There are many ways you can make money blogging, although for many bloggers the money is simply a bonus. By sharing product recommendations, working with brands and other businesses as well as selling advertising space, you can soon start bringing in an income for your blog.
To make good money from a blog, you’ll need a lot of followers and engagement. Plan a content strategy that’s sure to impress and don’t forget to promote your blog far and wide!
10. Become an affiliate
Not everyone is cut out for blogging, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make money in some of the ways that bloggers do. Becoming an affiliate for different companies can help you to make money, simply by recommending products online.
You can become an affiliate easily, and then start making money through your social media channels. To help people trust your recommendations, be selective and only recommend products that you personally believe in.
11. Cut your bills
There are some ways you could earn money just by cutting back on your expenses. You could easily be paying too much for your utilities, memberships and more. Looking for ways to cut your bills is easy – there are comparison websites that can help you find cheaper deals, especially for your home and car insurance.
Even if you choose to stay with your current provider, the threat of leaving can be enough to make them offer you a better deal. You could easily cut anywhere from 10-20% of your bills in this way, effectively giving you a pay rise each month.
12. Sell on eBay
Do you have a lot of unwanted items around the house? Do you have clothes in your closet that have barely been worn? Give eBay a try!
eBay is the perfect way to sell your old goods and make some money. It will also help you free up some space! If you find that you have a talent for selling on eBay, you could start sourcing existing items to see if you can turn a profit from them. You could be an expert eBay seller in no time!
13. Become an Airbnb host
Do you have a fantastic home in a desirable location? Why not become an Airbnb host? Airbnb is perfect for making some extra money. Whether you choose to rent out a room or your whole home, it can be a simple way to boost your finances. Becoming an Airbnb host takes a lot of work at the beginning, but you’ll soon get the hang of it!
14. Be a dog walker
Love dogs? Why not use your free time to become a dog walker? Dog walkers are always in demand, especially for people who work during the day or want someone to take care of their dog on weekends. Dog walkers can make anywhere from $10 a walk upwards, so if you’re passionate about pooches, try dog walking as a way to make some money, get some exercise and make a few new friends too.
If you tend to spend your free time absorbed in a box set or not doing much of anything, then finding ways to make money can be a valuable use of that time. With so many different ways to grow your income, you’ll be able to find something that suits you. The trick with making money through a side hustle is to learn to manage your time. Try to avoid doing long hours and make sure you leave room for other activities and interests. Start exploring your options today and by this time next week, you could already be giving your earnings a huge boost.