We’ve all heard the phrase ‘disposable income.’ It typically refers to the money families has left over once rent/mortgage payments, bills and household essentials such as food have all been accounted for. But how many of us actually get to enjoy this ourselves? It is typically assumed that everyone has some form of disposable income that they are free to spend on whatever they like. But once rent, bills, and debts have been paid, a lot of families are actually left with next to nothing. This can mean that a lot of children are going without vacations, days out and all the usual treats we associate with childhood. If you are currently in this position with your own kids, it can be pretty disheartening seeing all your money drained away by your responsibilities. It can also mean that you have to sacrifice your own things, such as nice clothes and going out with your friends so that your children can be treated every now and again. All this can make for a pretty mundane existence, though. Want to get out of it and start spending money on the things you really want to do? Here are a few easy ways in which you can make more money and save the money you already have, so you and your children can enjoy the finer things in life.
Get a side hustle
Whether you work part time in an office or are a full-time mom, you probably roll your eyes initially at the thought of getting another job. After all, it already feels as though you barely have a spare moment to sit down during an average day. Why would you want to make that even worse for yourself by taking on yet more responsibility? But what a lot of people don’t realize is that a side hustle is called that for a reason; they are time efficient ways to make money on the side, while still going about your normal daily business. For example, if you normally leave the house for a walk every afternoon at 2 pm, why not combine that with doing a paid dog walk for one of your neighbors? You can also get paid for doing online surveys and even for blogging, and both of those are things you can do from the comfort of your couch (perfect for when the kids are in bed). Other easy side hustles include being a Skype English teacher and making clothing alterations if you’re a dab hand with a sewing machine. Use your imagination and see what would work best for you.
Cut your household and grocery bills
One of the reasons why you may feel like you never have any money is because your monthly bills burn such a large hole in your pocket. So many people don’t know about the economical ways to shop, partially because we are all so brainwashed by big brand marketing campaigns and scaremongering health reports. Go back to basics and find tips for saving money on your weekly groceries. It could be something as simple as opting for store-branded products rather than the higher end option, or it could be reducing your intake of meat and fish. Household bills are no different – take a good look at your current provider compared to some others and ask yourself whether you are really getting the best deal. You can also save money by switching to alternative energy types such as solar power and by keeping your home well-insulated during the winter months.
Making your own clothes
When you have a long-awaited girls night out approaching (let’s be honest, how many of them do us moms get?), you may start feeling the pressure to don a nice outfit for the occasion. Or maybe your children are approaching their teens, and they are becoming self-conscious about their self-image. Unfortunately, clothing can be expensive, especially when it preys on whatever is on trend that season. The issue with buying items that are in fashion is that in a few week’s time, a new trend may have muscled in, leaving your old item redundant. Try your hand at breathing new life back into old clothes by accessorizing them to make them relevant again. If you have an old sewing machine you haven’t used in awhile, bring it down from the attic and see what you could create.
Sell what you don’t need
When we sit back and look at the amount of ‘stuff’ we hoard in our homes, it can be quite astonishing. Whether you would class yourself as a hoarder or not, most people would admit that it can be very easy to develop an emotional attachment to inanimate items in the home. This is where you could be missing a trick, however. You could have hundreds of dollars sat right under your very nose at home – if only you are willing to part with some of your things, that is. Of course, certain items with true sentimental value (such as a gift from a grandparent) need not be sold. But working out what you can make money from is down to two things: whether you’ll miss it, and whether it is junk or not. You can by all means try to sell some of the junk you’re hoarding in your home, perhaps in a yard sale or something. But if you want to make a healthy sum, focus on some of the more high quality items you don’t have a use for anymore. The good news is it’s never been easier to make money from your unwanted goods, and this is all down to the internet. Amazon, eBay, even Etsy – all are great online marketplaces where you can get rid of your old things and make a profit while you’re at it. More room in your house and more money in your pocket – where do we sign up?!