When it comes to earning money, there aren’t many of us who would admit to not wanting just a little more each month. Maybe you’re looking to add a few subscription services to your life so you can chill with some Netflix shows in the evening, or maybe you’re hoping to upgrade your home or vehicle at some point in the future. It’s pretty much universally accepted that more money is a good thing, so whatever your reasons might be, wanting more in your bank isn’t a shock.
Most people look to the same sources of income when they’re thinking about bringing in a little more, or getting a reasonable cash injection for a project. There’s a lot to be said for thinking outside the box when it comes to money, because it’s often in the most unlikely places that lucrative sources of income can be found. Here are 5 surprising ways you can boost your bank balance and finally have enough cash for that DIY project, that games console or that new TV you’ve been dreaming about.
Take Out a Different Kind Of Loan
Sure, you might have heard about loans that are secured against your house, or loans that require you to have a good credit score. How about logbook loans? Logbook loans are a great way to get a quick injection of cash, and they’re secured against your vehicle rather than your home. There are plenty of great logbook loan lenders out there who will give you competitive rates and do so with a friendly, informative manner. If you’re not in the market for a logbook loan, then why not try peer-to-peer lending? There are plenty of great loans out there, as well as companies who supply them – all it takes is the right kind of research. If conventional loans don’t sound like they’re for you, then a logbook loan might be the way to go.
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Start a Blog – And Get Some Affiliates
Is there a subject about which you’re insanely knowledgeable? Do you need an opportunity to flex your writing muscle? What better way to go about it than starting a blog? Blogs are hard work, and it might take you a little while before you get one off the ground and really start earning money with it. If you’re willing to put in the leg work, build up a client base and earn your keep, though, a blog can be one of the most rewarding – not to mention lucrative – money-spinners around. The best way to make money via your blog is with affiliate marketing, which sees companies embedding links to their products into your posts. Look into this option and you won’t regret it!
Move Your Budget Around
Okay, so this one isn’t so much a “making money” tip as a “saving money” tip, but we did promise surprises, didn’t we? Many people would be surprised by how much money they could save if they just re-budgeted their income. The way in which most of us spend our money can be inefficient and unwieldy; we’ll often cling to certain expensive food brands, for example, eschewing the store-brand alternatives which taste just as good but can be had at a fraction of the cost. Similarly, if you’re not using subscription services you’ve been signed up for over the last year, then now’s the time to ditch them, and the same goes for that gym membership (if you’re being honest with yourself). Moving your budget around can be a surprising way to rack up some cash.
Online Trading
Sure, there are a lot of online trading platforms where the risk outweighs the reward considerably. The thing is, though, there are also a lot of online trading platforms where that’s not the case. You can usually pick up online trading in your downtime if you have a full-time job, so it’s a great second profession for those who don’t find themselves with a huge amount of time to spare outside work. There is a time commitment, of course, but you can essentially trade whenever you want to, so you’re not tied in if you don’t find it’s for you. Good online brokers will allow you to open a demo account so you can be absolutely sure this is an avenue you want to take; don’t choose a disreputable or untrustworthy broker or you’ll regret it.
Sell Stuff You’re Not Using
Perhaps this one isn’t surprising, but some of the stuff you could get money for most certainly is. If you’re the kind of person who hoards or collects rare vinyl, CDs, video games and other entertainment media, there are certain examples of those things that are going for a huge amount of money on places like eBay. You could also consider selling furniture that isn’t being used, old electronics like smartphones or tablets (places like Mazuma will pay for those), and other accoutrements that you don’t think you’ll need in future. You might be sitting on a veritable treasure trove of things that could be making you money rather than just sitting around the house literally gathering dust, so get raking through your old junk!