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Cash, or rather lack of it, is a perennial problem for students. Accommodation, tuition fees and now the cost of living crisis make managing a student budget a tricky business, never mind having a bit extra to spend on fun.
Now the summer term is over, you’re facing three months of freedom and a great opportunity to replenish your financial reserves. So, whether you’re staying in your student accommodation this summer or heading back home, we’ve come up with ten ways to earn a bit of extra cash. From market research to selling crafts, our student saving ideas should help you head into the autumn term feeling much better off.
Opinions. We all have them and they’re something that brands will pay good money for.
Sites like Branded Surveys and Swagbucks pay a fee for each online survey you complete. Answering questions on various brands and products, it’s easy work and although it doesn’t pay big bucks, the more you do, the more you earn. Make sure you work out the ‘hourly rate’ before choosing which ones to do.
If you’re able to spare more time, you can sign up for focus groups. This could be anything from an online video call to a group meeting where you’ll be asked your opinion on anything from video games to kitchen appliances to travel. They typically pay more than online surveys and you usually get food and refreshments too!
Google market research groups (check out their reviews on Trustpilot first) and sign up for as many as you can as competition can be fierce. You should never be asked to pay a fee to join.
If you have a car, bike or scooter and know your way around your town or city, you can earn decent money as a delivery driver.
The main advantage of this type of job is that you choose how often and when you work, so you can fit it around other commitments. It’s worth bearing in mind though that Deliveroo and Uber Eats pay more for evening and weekend jobs. You can also bump up your earnings with tips.
The work can be irregular, so it’s best to sign up to a few companies so you’ll have more work opportunities. As well as the well-known platforms, ask your local takeaways if they have any delivery jobs going.
With no end of bars and nightclubs, Leeds students certainly know how to party. If you consider yourself something of an expert in the field, you might fancy being paid for it as well.
A club promoter’s job is to get people through the door of whichever club or bar they’re working for. You’ll then be paid a commission based on the number of tickets you sell. You may also receive extra perks like free drinks!
It helps to be fairly confident, have a wide social circle and not be afraid of approaching new people. After all, the more people you get through the door, the more money you make. Good social media skills are a plus, too.
Keep an eye out on job sites for opportunities or contact your favourite venues direct and offer your services.
If you like kids, babysitting is a fun way to earn a bit of extra cash. Put an ad on local Facebook groups or online platforms such as Care.com advertising your services. Love playing football? Great at cooking? Got a good board game game? Including your skills and passions in your profile will help you stand out from the crowd and allow prospective clients to match you with their children.
Although you don’t need a basic DBS check for babysitting, it’s a good idea to get one as it provides peace of mind to nervous parents. And don’t forget to ask for references to further increase your chances of being hired.
If companions of the four-legged variety are more your thing, there are plenty of pet owners looking for caring people to walk their dogs or look after their pets while they’re at work or on holiday.
And with it being holiday season, you could be quids in!
If you’re going to be visiting pets in people’s homes, you’ll need a basic DBS check. There are various apps such as Tailster and Rover you can advertise yourself on (although they take a cut of your earnings) or post your services on local Facebook groups.
What could be better than spending your summer holidays outside in the sunshine and earning cash at the same time? When it comes to student saving ideas, we think it’s a no-brainer.
If you’re handy with a spade and rake, why not offer your services as a gardener or landscaper. Borrow your parents’ lawnmower and other gardening equipment and advertise your services in the local area. Just make sure you only take on jobs you feel confident doing.
Have you got a particular skill or interest that you could pivot into an on-the-side earner? If you’re a stickler for grammar, for example, you could offer your skills as a proofreader. Great at The Gram? Why not manage social media accounts for local businesses. If graphic design’s your passion, you could create company logos or marketing materials.
Alternatively, if you’ve got a good eye for detail and a steady Wi-Fi connection, you can provide remote admin support or data entry for companies.
Take a look at online freelance platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr to find work or advertise on local Facebook groups.
Put your hard-earned education to work by offering your services as a tutor. Whether it’s helping GCSE students with their maths or English or providing computer literacy lessons to older adults, you might find that your speciality can translate into good money.
And it’s not just academic skills that are in demand. Perhaps you’re an accomplished pianist, a tennis pro or a great photographer? There will always be people willing to part with their cash for you to impart your knowledge.
Are you a bit of a crafty character? Whether it’s handmade jewellery, tie-dyed shirts or upcycled trinkets, you should be able to turn a decent profit by selling well-made and unique wares on Etsy, eBay or at local art fairs.
Before you get started though, it pays to do your research. Cost out the price of your materials and take a look online to see how much people are paying for similar items. It goes without saying that the second figure has to be larger than the first for you to make a profit!
We’re all a lot more in tune with the concept of sustainable fashion nowadays, with more of us choosing to buy our clothes from charity shops or platforms such as Vinted and eBay.
Therefore, all those unwanted items in your wardrobe just sitting there could earn you a decent wage over the summer. And once you’ve sold all your redundant clothes, why not raid your parents’ and family members’ wardrobes too. You can give them a cut of your profits if they insist!
If you have a good eye for what sells, you could find some real bargains in the charity shops and then resell them for a profit on Vinted and eBay.
From managing a student budget to the best eateries for Leeds students, we have all the advice you need to help navigate life at university. Just head back to our blog to browse the articles.