Most of us want to earn more money, we just aren’t sure how. Look at your situation and work out where you think you would be able to earn extra money and work on that.

Here are my tips on how to earn more money.

Pay rise

If you don’t ask you don’t get. Don’t just blurt out your request to your boss though, but rather put together a case for as to why you should earn more money. Review the pay in your industry, compile your results at work and why you’re worth more. You might be surprised. But even if the answer is no don’t give up. Take on board the feedback, make any changes you need to and ask again in a few months’ time.

Overtime

If overtime is available at your work let your boss know you are looking for some extra hours if any come up. Offer to cover for anyone who can’t do their allocated overtime. Do some of the unwanted hours and you will likely see more offers.

A job / another job

If you want formal employment look at what’s available in your skill set. Don’t be afraid to branch away from what you have done before if your skill set applies and that is where the work is. Outside of the usual job-seeking channels, let everyone know you are looking for work. There are a lot of jobs that aren’t advertised and you never know what offers you might get from your own network if they know you’re looking.

Work your interests

If you would be doing something as a hobby anyway you have nothing to lose by trying to earn some money from it too. Think of what you’re interested in and how you might make some money from it.

Photography

if you are an enthusiastic photographer offer photo shoots for friends and family, enter photography competitions, offer prints of your photos for sale. If you enjoy doing this follow it further.

Writing

If you like to write enter writing competitions, submit articles to magazines or websites or even write a book.

Gardening

If you love to garden, offer your services. Tell your friends, family and neighbours you can weed, set up garden beds or look after people’s gardens while they are away and the cost involved. Pot and sell plants from your garden either online or at the markets. Make terrariums or mini potted succulent gardens and sell them.

Craft

If you make great craft items, offer them for sale. Go to the local market and see what people sell stuff for. Do your research and then go for it. Markets before Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Christmas will see people looking at buying gifts so try these times but remember the market sites may book out at these times too.

Do Chores For Others

Offer ironing services, pet sitting, do dog-walking, window cleaning – any skill or service you can provide, offer it. Local notice boards and social media pages are great places to start.

If you can’t find something that works for you there keep looking, pay attention to what interests you and what people compliment you on. Maybe you’re great with kids and can babysit, maybe you are great with hair and make-up and could do this for formals or other local events. Whatever it is that is your thing think about how you might be able to use it to earn some more money.

Get Your Kids Involved

If you have kids get them involved. If the kids have a school camp or another expensive activity, get them to help you save for it. Collect bottles and cans and return them for cash. Let family and friends know you are doing this, have the kids come up with their own ideas. They might want to do a car wash or sell baked goods. Whatever ways they come up with help and encourage them to contribute. It will relieve some of the expenses and also help teach them about money at the same time.

Research

If you commute to work on a bus or train use this time to research your chosen method of income. If you can’t come up with that yet try using the time to enter competitions and do online surveys. This won’t produce a large income but you could earn some gift cards and prizes while you are stuck on the train or bus.

Good luck with your goals and believe in yourself. You can do it!

What are your top tips to earn more money. Tell us in the comments below.