How can you save money if you do not make any money? The answer eludes me at the moment but I do know that it is always a good thing when you make money. As this year ends and we get geared up to meet the new year, why don’t you try coming up with ideas to make some extra cash on the side? Having ideas – and acting on them – will always come in handy. I found this really informative and useful article full of ideas at Fool.uk. These ideas are perfect for earning some cash during the New Year holidays. Let us look at some of these ideas.
Sprogs and pooches
A spot of childminding is still one of the most popular ways to earn some extra cash on New Year’s Eve.
A rate of at least £10 p/h is generally considered reasonable, and if you’re experienced in looking after babies - or managing several children at a time - you can expect to earn far more. It’s also worth seeing if you can wangle a pay increase for hours worked after midnight.
If you want to look for work through an agency, try Sitters and Tinies, both of which have national coverage.
Alternatively, post an ad offering your services in the ‘Babysitting/Nanny jobs’ section of Gumtree (a classifieds site with pages for all UK regions), or post an ad at Vivastreet online instead.
Of course, you have to be inclined towards kids to do this sort of job. And more than liking kids, you need to have the skill and the qualifications. If you do, then you will have a good chance of making serious cash over the New Year break. If you prefer something a bit more exciting than staying at home and babysitting, how about this next option?
Mary Poppins’ stand-in and ski for free!
If you’re willing to work for a week or more over the festive period, you could earn good money as a ‘stand-in’ au pair.
Many permanent au pairs will take time off over Christmas and New Year to visit relatives in their own countries. So - now is a good time to bill yourself as that reliable, friendly, hard-working alternative.
Are you willing to spend New Year in a foreign country with complete strangers? If so, you could bag yourself a ski trip and get paid for it!
Christmas and New Year chalet girls are sometimes needed by affluent families to cook, clean and generally organise all things ski-shaped. You usually get free time to hit the slopes, as well as flights, accommodation, food and a decent wage.
Again, take a look at Mumsnet and Gumtree’s ‘nanny’ section - you have to get lucky, but the opportunities are definitely out there!
Again, you’ve got to have credentials or at least know the people you will be working for.
Cook up a storm
Many people will be having New Year’s Eve dinner parties - but won’t want to cook themselves.
If you’re a dab hand in the kitchen, post ads locally offering to lend a hand - or even organise the whole thing from scratch. See if you can undercut commercial caterers by at least 10% to give yourself the edge.
The Lady magazine has an online classified section which is worth a look - ‘domestics’ are often needed, albeit usually on a longer-term basis.
I love this one. Just a bit of inspiration and work in the kitchen and you could be well on your way to lots of extra money and even fame as an “amateur” caterer!
