Mail Online

How to coin it in... from the comfort of your own sofa

MISS MONEYSAVER JASMINE BIRTLES helps you with the cost of living crunch GOT a question for Jasmine? Email her at AskJasmine@MoneyMagpie.com

When I am not in a studio or filming somewhere, I work from home — or sometimes from cafes and hotels.

For me, it’s a choice. But for millions of people in the UK, they have to stay indoors, either because they have mobility issues or because they’re a parent looking after children or a carer looking after a relative.

So what do you do if can’t leave the house and you want an income or extra cash?

happily, there are lots of options open to you, for different types and levels of skill or qualifications.

Do you have a computer or tablet and an internet connection? If so, you could earn money by doing easy online surveys. You could also sign up for focus groups or be an online mystery shopper.

Admittedly, these activities are unlikely to pay the mortgage, but they take little effort and will bring in some pocket money that could really help with the grocery bills.

Filling in surveys is the simplest way to make some money. But be aware that not all of them pay actual cash. Some offer gift cards instead of money or will enter you into a prize draw.

If you are tempted, look at Branded Surveys ( surveys. gobranded. com), Swagbucks ( swagbucks.com) and nielsen Online Panel ( uk. computer mobilepanel.nielsen.com/ui/UK/ en/landing) to get an idea of what’s out there.

But please note, you should never pay to join an online survey. If you’re contacted by a survey company wanting you to pay, just block them.

Focus groups tend to be a better source of income. Paid market

research takes more effort but you can earn around £50 an hour (sometimes a lot more) for your time and opinion.

Focus groups are usually run by independent market research companies on behalf of their clients. You might be asked to test a new website or participate in product trials — you can even get paid to watch television!

testingtime ( testingtime.com/ en/) has a good reputation, as does Angelfish ( angelfish- opinions.com).

I’ve done mystery shopping myself and I got lots of fab freebies — mainly free dinners and sandwiches. Your role is to try out a business (maybe a shop, restaurant, hotel or website) and give your opinion on it.

there is no set rate for pay, and some companies will instead give you a budget and allow you to keep what you buy. Ipsos ( ishopforipsos.com/en_GB/) is probably the best known for secret shopping, but ProInsight ( proinsight. org/) is worth a look, too.

When it comes to more skilled jobs, if you’re good with words and grammar, you can make a decent amount of money as a freelance proof-reader. there are specialist websites for these jobs, such as proofreading services.com. You will need to show that you have the required A skills. Proof-readers can earn £30 an hour, depending on the job. nD if you have a degree or very high level of understanding in a particular subject, online tutoring is still in demand.

this is perfect for any retired teachers out there. Mytutor ( mytutor.co.uk/tutors/apply/) is always after recruits. I have a friend who does this and says it’s incredibly rewarding. Depending on the subject and your level of expertise, hourly pay can be £10 to £30 via an agency; more if you do it privately.

Creative types, meanwhile, can make decent money from homemade items such as handmade jewellery and candles; embroidered cushions or tote bags; and knitted or crocheted accessories and clothes. People often like bespoke cakes for big occasions as well. the list is endless!

Platforms to look at for advertising and selling include etsy and Facebook Marketplace. But take into account fees and shipping costs.

the alternative is to advertise locally, for collection only. Don’t forget to include the cost of materials and your time when deciding how much to sell your goods for if you want to make a profit.

If you can’t ship the products then add in the cost of courier services such as DhL, Royal Mail or evri.

If you are already looking after a baby or small children at home, why not look into launching your own childminding business?

Of course, it isn’t as simple as popping an advert in the local Press — there are regulations and you will need to register. But it can be a good way to earn without missing out on time with your offspring ( childminding uk.com/becoming- a-childminder).

Make sure you know how any money you make will affect your benefits or income tax. If you’re making extra cash on top of paid employment, you can earn £1,000 from side- earners before being charged income tax on it.

there’s a handy page on the hMRC website that helps with this: tax.service.gov.uk/guidance/ check-non-paye-income/how-didyou

BEL MOONEY

en-gb

2023-02-04T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-02-04T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://mailonline.pressreader.com/article/282445648205969

dmg media (UK)