Guest post by Sara Bailey
Through TheWidow.net, Sara Bailey shares her unexpected and ongoing journey of losing her husband and learning to be the best parent (and person) she can be while nurturing her grief.
Bills wait for nobody, and the phone company doesn’t care about your personal problems. This means you’ve got to find a way to rustle up some cash while looking for a permanent job and making progress on your personal goals. It’s a real challenge, but it’s not as hard as it was just a decade ago. The reason for that is quite simple: the gig economy.
There’s been a revolution in how people make ends meet as starting up a home business or selling services directly to clients becomes ever more popular, partly due to perks like flexibility and being your own boss. You too can tap into this trend while also working your way to peak financial health. Here are a few ways to do so.
Go Freelance
You don’t have to have a full-time job to leverage your skills in the short term. As long as you have a computer and access to the internet, there are plenty of freelance gigs out there that pay hourly or by the job. Using an online freelance platform makes it easier to find people looking for what you do and allows you to market your services on your own terms. For example, if you want to transcribe audio or video files into text documents, you can set up a profile detailing your transcription services offering, delivery time, and rates.
Be a Driver
Here’s an easy option if you know the roads of your city like the back of your hand. To join the Uber network, for example, you need to be over 21 years old and have a four-door car, truck, or minivan, among other requirements. If you pass their background check, you’ll benefit from the flexible hours and surge pricing, as well as discounts on your phone bill and auto parts. Also, you’ll meet new people who are happy to chat while being ferried around in the back seat.
Sell Handmade Items
These days, that means setting up a shop on Etsy, an online marketplace for everything from scarves to necklaces. It costs $0.20 USD to list an item, but that’s a negligible amount compared to the money you could rake in with some hard work and creativity. The UK Domain has created a helpful guide to success, including choosing an Etsy subscription package and how to apply good SEO practices to your business.
Take People Sightseeing
It’s an excellent option if you live in a place with a lot of tourists looking for a local to show them around. One retiree living near Yosemite National Park tells the Work at Home Wife how he got started by offering his services through his website and social media before approaching the nearby tourist office and local lodgings to develop partnerships. He’s well in the black and enjoys a great sense of fulfillment in helping others make the best of their vacations.
Clean Homes
There’s a lot of demand as more busy professionals find their homes turning into pigpens because they can’t find the time to sweep, mop, and scrub. You could reach out and find your first clients through friends, family, and Facebook or put an ad in the local directories. In many cases, you don’t need to bring your own cleaning equipment or products as they’re provided by the residents themselves, which means a very low cash outlay to get started.
Look After Pets
They’re cute, they need your attention, and that’ll earn you steady money if you build a decent client base for watching over cats and dogs while their owners are away. You won’t get the job without a natural affinity for animals, not to mention an understanding of their habits and behaviors. After all, you’re responsible for their feeding, grooming, and medication, as well as taking them for regular walks in the case of canines.
As you move forward with your plans, don’t forget that you’ll need to pay yourself — and do so properly. It can get complicated, but there are apps like Quickbooks that make it simple to process payroll. You can track your time, set up direct deposit, and set up automatic tax filing, which will allow you to focus on your work and your recovery.
You may enjoy these gigs so much that you don’t want to continue your search for a regular job. After all, it’s hard to say “no” to making money while setting your own hours and calling the shots. Now, go out there and make it happen. And if you need more guidance and resources, make sure to follow the podcast at Adulting Is Easy today!
Image via Pixabay