10 Smart Ways to Make Extra Money

Whether you’re in work, a stay-at-home parent or currently between jobs, some extra cash is always welcome. The good news is that there are lots of options out there for bringing in some extra money, whether from your own home, online or in the local community. We know how difficult it can be deciding just what to try your hand at though, and how and where to start, so we’ve put together our guide to 10 smart ways to make extra money, to help you to get started.  

1. Sell on Ebay and through Facebook groups

We’ve all got extra clutter hanging around our house. Why not have a good sort out and earn some money too? You can sell secondhand clothes, books, toys, DVDs and more on Ebay or through local Facebook groups. If you sell through Ebay, you’ll need to sign up for an account, take some great photos for your listing and don’t forget to consider postage prices too. Selling through local Facebook groups is really easy and convenient, especially for big or bulky items. Once you’ve got the hang of selling, you could take it to the next level by checking out car boot sales for hidden gems which you could sell on for a profit.  

2. Babysit

A classic way to earn some extra money, there will always be a demand for babysitting and you could earn some decent money too. If you get on well with little children and don’t mind the requests for ‘Another bedtime story, please?’, this could be a great choice for you. Sign up to  Childcare.co.uk, a free site where you can find local parents looking for evening babysitting, after-school or holiday care. If they’re impressed they will be sure to recommend you to their friends, and soon you’ll be inundated with babysitting jobs!  

3. Drive for Uber

If you’re over 21 with a car and a valid driving license, you could make money driving for Uber. They’ll help you get set up with a private hire license, and then you’re ready to start driving. You can select your hours to fit in with your schedule, have access to Uber’s support and safety measures and choose when and how you’re paid.  

4. Dog walking

Have you always been an animal lover? You could earn money by walking dogs in the local area. There are always people who are too busy to take their dogs for regular walks – fill the demand and earn some money whilst getting out into nature and burning some calories too, although without the need for a gym membership!  

5. Put your spare room up on Airbnb

If you have a spare bedroom, you potentially have a goldmine sitting there – make the most of it and pop it on Airbnb. You could earn decent money with little effort by letting people stay in your spare room, especially if you live in a big hub like London or Manchester, where people are always looking for affordable accommodation whether for business or sightseeing trips. You can earn up to £7500 a year before you’ll need to fill out a tax return.  

6. Start up your own blog

You don’t need any particular qualifications to set up your own blog, although having a way with words and an enthusiasm for a specific topic is helpful. It’s free and fairly easy to set up a WordPress blog. Pick a subject that really interests you – it could be beauty tips, peaceful parenting, yoga or model railways! If you have a passion for the topic and can write interesting, informative or funny articles about it, you could earn money from your blog. The main way people earn money is through advertising, affiliate marketing or sponsored posts. However, a blog isn’t going to bring in money right away, as you’ve got to build up an audience first. But it’s something you can do in just a couple of hours a week, and if you’re willing to put in a bit of time and energy you could find yourself earning real money from your blog within a few months.  

7. Earn money watching TV

No, I’m not kidding you. You could genuinely earn money by sitting on your sofa, watching TV programmes. If you love checking out the new hot series on Netflix or you’re a massive movie fan, this one’s for you. The Viewers website offers between £40 to £70 if you take part in a group discussion, reviewing and giving your feedback on new TV programmes. There’s also the option of filling in online surveys for cash rewards and prizes. It might sound like a scam but TV companies have a legitimate interest in your views and opinions on new and current TV series. You could watch new series before their official release, meet interesting people and chat about what you thought over refreshments – what’s not to like?  

8. Have an empty parking space? Rent it out.

Do you live near a train station, airport or city centre? If you have an empty parking space, it could earn you money. Finding a parking spot can be notoriously difficult and time-consuming, especially when you’re on the morning commute and don’t want to be late for work. Solve someone’s problem by renting out your parking space and you could make up to £200 a month, depending on where you live. Your Parking Space make it really easy and hassle-free for you to rent out your spot.  

9. Take in ironing

There’s the potential to earn between £8-£12 an hour if you take in ironing, and you need little other than a decent iron and an ironing board. It’s often easy to find clients through word of mouth, recommendations or through local Facebook groups and village noticeboards. You’ll be able to choose when you work, how much you take in, and what you charge – although you’ll want to have competitive prices, excellent ironing skills and a friendly manner to draw people in.  

10. Make money through Youtube videos

All you need is a smartphone with a camera, an internet connection and some motivation and creativity, and you could soon be earning money through your Youtube videos! You might not be a pro vlogger yet, but everyone starts somewhere. The more views you get, the higher the advertising revenue you’ll receive. So there you have it, 10 genuine ways that you could make some extra money. Consider your individual strengths and talents – are you great with little ones? Maybe you should take on some babysitting jobs. Do you have a way with words, always keeping people hanging on what you’re going to say next? You could consider putting that talent to use by creating a blog. Some options will take more time and effort than others, but find the right choice for you and you’ll soon be bringing in some extra money!