Making More Money
Mel @ brokeGIRLrich / May 11, 2020
Hey there, we’re back to discuss the other half of the budget magic: earn more than you spend. If you’re curious about budgeting or frugality tips, check out our recent posts. But today, we’re focusing on ways to boost your income.
Your Day Job
A good starting point to earn more is negotiating your salary. It’s scary, I know, and being in arts doesn’t help as people often feel they should just be grateful to have a job. But remember, if you’re good at what you do, your company should also feel lucky to have you.
Think about how you can improve your skills or get new ones to strengthen your position for your next contract or performance review. There are many valuable certifications out there. Some might cost you, but many can be found for free or at a low cost.
But don’t overstate what you’ve learned from these certifications. For instance, if you tell me that you’ve done a mental health first aid training that I know barely teaches anything, don’t expect me to be impressed. Now, if you’ve done a more rigorous course and you can explain how you apply what you’ve learned at work, that’s different.
Skills like CPR, first aid, and OSHA 10 or 30 training are worth mentioning during hiring or review processes – provided these aren’t already job requirements.
During this pandemic, I’ve seen many people take advantage of the heap of free training available online.
Outside Your Day Job
Having a side-gig is essential. I was overwhelmed by this idea initially, but I began with small jobs like mystery shopping to make some extra cash.
I also have a backup plan in case my primary job doesn’t work out – for me, that’s substitute teaching. Over the years, I’ve experimented with various little projects to earn extra money, using apps like Gigwalk, UserTesting, eBay selling, transcribing, and product demonstrating.
My primary side gig right now is this blog, which started as a hobby and now, it provides income almost equal to an extra week of work.
By maintaining a proactive approach, I also discovered some lesser-known opportunities like voice-over work. While it doesn’t pay a lot, it’s quick, enjoyable, and an easy way to earn some cash.
There are countless ways to earn extra money. It’s all about experimenting and finding what fits you. Remember, success isn’t instant. You start small, keep working, and eventually, you’ll look back and be amazed at how far you’ve come.
So, how do you earn more? Let’s discuss. Be sure to share this post and spread the word!