Every little helps when it comes to some extra cash doesn't it? But with busy lives, saving and earning even a little more can often feel like an impossible task. But getting financially savvy can take as little as a day.
We’ve got a whole host of tricks and reader-tested tips for you to try – and no matter whether you have a spare quarter of an hour or a whole year, you can be saying KER-CHING with our little wins!
Keep an eye out for the next tips, tricks and advice in the series! The first one - How to save in 15 minutes - can be found here.
Get a side hustle
Get a one-off, short freelancing gig on a site such as Fiverr or People Per Hour. They are looking for people to do odd jobs – it could be anything from language translation or voice overs, to photography or speech writing. If you have a skill such as writing or designing, you can earn good money for an hour’s work and you can take on as many jobs as you have time for. You could even be paid to transcribe audio or video recordings into written word via website Take Note.
TaB reader Hannah says: ‘I made £1000 in six months – at about £50 per job - by writing speeches for funerals. I got jobs at first by word of mouth then I advertised my services on Facebook. It was enjoyable and I really felt I was helping people.’
Sell your stuff
Look around your house with a critical eye and you’ll find plenty of things you no longer need or want. The good news is, you can sell pretty much anything online and it won’t take long. We recommend Facebook Marketplace for homeware, Music Magpie for old CDs, books and games, Comparemymobile for old tech and Amazon marketplace or eBay for second-hand clothes.
TaB reader Rachel says: ‘I’ve been selling my stuff for years to make money for days out or to earn spending money for holidays. It’s amazing what I’ve accumulated without realising. I sold clothes on eBay then Vinted and held a few carboot sales. I reckon I’ve made around £250 in the last six months alone.’
Walk the dog
If you’re an animal-lover with a spare hour, what could be better than being paid to spend time with a furry friend? Try websites Care Pet Care, Tailster or Rover to find a doggy that needs walking near you.
Attend focus groups for up to £40
Sit in a group and take part in market research in person or online. You share your thoughts and opinions to help businesses gather information and they reward you with cash. You can earn up to £250 per hour but the average is about £40. Check out websites People For Research, Take Part In Research and Paid Focus Group for opportunities.
Switch it up for £150
What are you paying for every month by direct debit? Go through your bank statements, look at all your direct debits and ask: Is this the best deal I can get? If you think not, shop around online and switch to save money on things like phone bills, TV streaming services and energy. Not only could other deals be cheaper, some companies will offer money if you switch – up to £150 or more.