Earn Extra Money Using Your Skills

Using your own skills to earn extra money is very rewarding. It’s a brilliant way of paying for the luxuries in life or merely ensuring you can pay the important bills. In the current economy many home owners are struggling to make ends meet. If you have a skill you’re not using why not start making it pay for you. You can benefit not only through the additional income but also through the joy of doing something you love and getting paid for it.

Become a Freelancer

As employers are struggling to afford employees, more and more are turning to outsourcers. Using a contractor is cheaper and a great way of getting work completed on a limited budget. By setting up as a freelancer you can earn money in your spare time using any skills you like. You can sell all sorts of skills such as:

• Typing
• Data entry
• Sales
• Accounting
• Web design
• Marketing
• Sewing

There are plenty of decent job sites for freelancers where professionals come to look for contractors. Two of the most popular are Elance and PeopleperHour. If you work through these sites you will need to pay a small fee but it does give you some security to ensure you get paid for the work you do.

Teaching Skills

You might have a skill that others are envious of. Perhaps you have been perfecting your yoga skills for years or you’re an expert knitter. Whatever skill you have you can make money teaching it to others. You will need to be a good communicator and perhaps consider using modern technology to help you teach to a wider audience. You may have to train for a professional qualification before beginning to teach but most people can offer coaching and lessons up to a certain level.

Selling Items You Make

Do you love baking cakes at the weekend or sewing skirts and dresses? If so why are you doing it as a hobby when you could get paid for it? The hand craft industries are extremely popular at the moment. Shoppers are supporting genuine talent and local artisans rather than paying for cheaply made goods from faceless organisations. Sell your goods through sites such as Etsy and Eco Market and get paid making items that you love.

If you’re selling food you will have to check for the red tape and regulations to ensure you’re working safely and within the law. You will also need to register with the HMRC.  You can sell goods online, start attending markets and craft fairs too.

Claiming Benefits

There are some benefits you can claim for even when you are earning money. Income support is available to those on a low income that are working 16 hours a week or less. The extra money can help you to cover those bills and it’s a great short term option to consider if you’re currently struggling financially. Other benefits that you may be entitled to include housing benefit, tax benefit and tax credits. Call the Income support telephone number to find out more.