When you’re a student, it can be really tough to fit everything in –socialising, studying and earning money are all in competition for your attention. But that shouldn’t mean curbing the entertainment or coming up short on your household bills. Here is a list to get you started on making extra cash as a student.
Get a good savings account…
Interest rates may be a little low in general at the moment, but there are still lots of great savings accounts out there. This might not be the sexiest (or quickest) way to earn extra cash, but there’s a good reason why everyone goes on about ‘Tax-free ISA’ accounts. Anywhere you can earn interest on money that will be sitting in the bank anyway is a good move – you’re earning without lifting a finger.
Sell goods and services online…
Raiding car boot sales or selling off things you don’t want can be a great way to earn extra cash, using good old Gumtree or eBay. However, don’t forget that you can sell more than goods – you can also sell your services. Chances are, particularly if you’re studying in a masters programme, you’ll have some really valuable knowledge to share. Why not put that degree to use? Earn back a bit of extra cash with tutoring, or offering your skills to teach online for sites like Coursera or Udemy. You can also go freelance and work flexibly.
Do Online Surveys…
New sites are appearing everyday in this category, and one of the most promising and user friendly is MintVine. For a tried and tested favourite, try Swagbucks instead.
It’s easy to sign up, register your details and start doing surveys. It’s simple: you take surveys, earn points, and eventually, you can redeem these for money or gift cards. It’s a great way to pass some spare time, being easy to fit in when you’re busy procrastinating with the latest Netflix series!
Cash in on your clicks…
Whilst you’re flittering from site to site, why not get paid to click on adverts, read emails or visit websites? Take advantage of Qmee, an add-on that sits on your internet browser. Just search whatever you normally would and get paid for performing routine clicks.
Test out websites…
Sites like What Users Do or UserTesting can earn you great money for just trying out a website. This means performing a certain site function and giving feedback – like a review of your experience using the site. This will tend to be a 20 minute exercise and grab you 6-10 quid. It’s easy, and you can fit them in around other tasks. You can also try out mystery shopping. This is another way to earn money in a flexible way that you can fit in around your studies.
Rent your spare space…
If you’re heading off for a holiday, utilise the opportunity. Airbnb can help make back some of your bills, and if you have any spare space, it’s a great idea to charge it out. Note: if you’re currently renting, you might not be allowed to do this. Always make sure you know the rules of your rental agreement before going ahead!
Create great content…
YouTube is a tough game these days, but that doesn’t mean you can’t succeed. If you have a video that could go viral, or you fancy yourself in front of the camera, why not give it a try?
If the written word is more your thing, sites like Clickworker or Textbroker can have you doing research, data entry or reviews. These will usually pay according to the nature of the piece and its length, and can help you squeeze in a few extra pounds from the comfort of your living room.
Start your own business…
