All of us would welcome being able to earn some extra cash on the side, on top of our day jobs. However, being an influencer and getting paid to live a seemingly fabulous life on social media isn’t for everyone.
But don’t worry, there are many other ways to earn that little extra, even during the Covid-19 pandemic, while being eco-friendly!
Sell your preloved clothes, shoes and bags
We honestly own so much more than we really need. Some of us will find that we even have things that we’ve never used or worn, or that we don’t even know exist!
While you clear out the clutter, why not make some money in the process? If you have an item that’s still in good condition but which you don’t use much, you can consider selling them online through the many platforms out there.
Whip out that shirt you hardly ever use, iron it, put it on a hanger and snap some pictures (don’t forget close-up images that help to build trust with the buyer by showing them that the item is in good condition).
The same goes for bags and shoes that you may have purchased for that one special occasion but don’t intend to use again. Do remember that it’s important to be a considerate and responsible seller and peddle things that are in decent condition. In other words, things that you yourself would not mind buying second-hand.
Things may not fly off the rack immediately but with a little patience, you might just realise that the very thing sitting unused in your closet could make you some extra cash!
Read more: A Guide to Getting More Out of Selling Second Hand Clothes
Platforms you can sell your items on:
- Carousell
- Refash
- StyleTribute
- Flea markets
- Thrift shops
Read more: The Best Thrift Shopping Spots in Singapore for a Good Bargain
Trade in or sell old electronics for money
In 2019, I sold my $2,500 Macbook Pro that was 8 years old for S$450. While it’s quite a dip, it was honestly not doing anything on my shelf. My laptop even had some dead pixels on the screen! So you can imagine how happy I was to get this S$450 that could be invested into my next laptop. In addition to the extra cash, we’re saving the earth by selling our electronics rather than taking up more space in the landfills.
Many of us may also find that that television in the bedroom isn’t being used as much these days, especially if it’s an older model that doesn’t have smart functions or doesn’t support high-definition stuff. You may not want it anymore, but that doesn’t mean that others won’t. You’d be surprised to find that there are people who are in the market for electronics with fewer functions, for its smaller price tag.
Platforms you can sell electronics on:
- Carousell
- Online mobile phone and laptop traders
- Retailers such as Apple and Gain City also run trade-in programmes
Make deliveries
In these unprecedented times, food delivery orders, online shopping and courier services have become an integral part of our lives.While most delivery channels require the sender to have a bicycle at the very least, there are some that allow deliveries on foot too. This could be a good way to kill two birds with one stone – rack up some step count and money at the same time.
Platforms you can deliver with:
- Grab
- Deliveroo
- Foodpanda
- Lalamove
- Qoo10
Pick up freelance work online
Depending on your skills and experience, there are a whole range of services you can provide. Web and app developers are always in demand these days. We took a quick look online for new hires and there were fewer than 10 developers based in Singapore with the skills we needed.
Can’t code? You could also provide some writing services or create social media content for brands! If you have a creative flair and have some background in programmes such as graphic design, you could also pick up jobs such as creating logos.
Recording a voiceover, proofreading, teaching, translating – the possibilities are quite endless. Find your niche, position yourself well and give freelance work a go!
Platforms you can find freelance jobs at:
- Upwork
- Fiverr
- 99designs
- Guru
- Peopleperhour
Read more: Go Green or Go Home? Sustainable Investing is Here to Stay
Do surveys or be part of focus groups for brands
While this might not earn you a full time salary, with some wifi and a few clicks you could earn some money pretty quickly. These tasks could vary from taking online offers, downloading and trying apps, watching videos, clicking ads, signing up for free trials, participating in contests and much more.
Just beware of online scammers in the process! Never divulge any sensitive and credit card information.
Platforms to take surveys on:
Sell cooked and baked goods
If you are already an avid chef or baker, you can consider selling your food online. Many home-based businesses have emerged as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and several have gone on to become full-fledged brick and mortar stores due to their popularity.
Unlike the previous five suggestions, this would involve some investments on your end. Items such as takeaway containers and ingredients involve incurring some upfront investments first. There is, of course, also your investment of time.
The earth would also appreciate you using friendlier materials to contain your food. Do some research on the regulatory guidelines for selling food from a home kitchen before you start this business. Spread love with your food!
Platforms to sell on:
- Create your own website on Wix, Squarespace or Shopify
- Utilise platforms such as Take App or Cococart to create a ready interface for selling your goods
Reap the rewards of your garden
Have a green thumb? Your beloved plants might also be able to earn you some spare cash.
Take a look into urban farming groups on platforms such as Facebook and you’ll find that many people are often looking for things from seeds, a handful of herbs that they want for cooking, or plants altogether.
It could be as simple as selling just a couple of pandan leaves or a handful of basil to someone in your neighbourhood. Many would be keen to buy something that they know was grown better in small batches, rather than pay more for a huge serving of something they don’t need a lot of.
If you have indoor and outdoor plants that are outgrowing, you can even repot them and sell them as seedlings to others looking to start themselves.
Test apps and websites
Sign up to be a tester for brands that interest you! This is another investment-free way to learn about new products in your free time. It does require you to install certain programs on your laptop and you may be required to speak and have your camera on. But if you aren’t camera shy and are willing to give it a go, this is a great way to earn some extra income!
Platform to be a tester:
- Usertesting
- UTest
- UserFeel
- TryMyUI
Teach a class online
You can teach anything from yoga to excelling in Excel. You can choose to teach anything that you have great understanding of or experience in. Try hosting a class, or record it for sale as a way of scaling.
It’s usually better to have a series of these classes and not just a standalone video. So if you decide to do this, plan for a series and prepare a good set-up at your desk. Your lessons can go a long way in helping someone and your wallet will thank you.
Platforms to teach on:
- Udemy
- YouTube
- iTalki
While some of these jobs may not look like much, these are great ways of trying something new and interesting while earning a little side income. Who knows, you might just discover a new career in the process!
