It’s no secret that many of us have taken a financial hit as a direct result of the coronavirus and Covid-19 pandemic. However, if you’re struggling financially, don’t fret. As difficult as times may seem, there are ways to generate some cash, save money and keep yourself afloat. Here are just a few that might work in your favour!

Check Out Available Government Help

Before you look into making money, it’s a good idea to make sure that you are aware of the different types of financial help that are available to you right now. The pandemic is something that has impacted everyone. Governments are aware of this. So, it’s not all too surprising that the majority want to keep their citizens in work, financially afloat and to help out where they can. Now, different governments are offering different schemes, so what is available to you will depend almost entirely on what country you live in. In the UK, the British government is encouraging companies to furlough staff rather than laying them off, agreeing to pay 80% of the employee’s income. They are also offering grants to self employed individuals, as well as those who have to isolate themselves. In the United States, a stimulus cheque is on offer for eligible individuals, providing a non-repayable sum of up to $1200. There are various other schemes in other places, so take the time to do your research and take a look at what your own government is offering to help support you through these trying times.

 

Consider Selling Old Belongings

If you just need a little money to tide yourself over, you can generally make this up by selling some of your old belongings. People are often reluctant to sell their personal belongings, but bear in mind just how much stuff you have that isn’t actually that useful. The majority of us have all sorts of items and belongings that we never use or never touch. They sit in the back of drawers, cupboard, storage solutions or up in our loft spaces. You could see this as not only a great way to make some extra cash, but also a great opportunity for a big clear out, decluttering your home and making the space feel more minimal. The following steps should help you to get started out in the right direction!

 

• Choose What You Want to Sell – the first, and perhaps most difficult, step in this journey is to decide what you want to sell and what you want to keep. The easiest way to do this is to go through your belongings and ask yourself a few questions along rhe way. When was the last time you used this item? Does it have sentimental value? If you haven’t used something for over a year and it holds no genuine sentimental value, chances are, it can go!

 

 

 

• Choose a Platform – next, you need to decide which platform you want to list your item on. There are so many available nowadays that it can often feel difficult to determine which will be the best platform for your needs. The best step that you can take here is to determine what people expect to find on different platforms and to find the one that caters best to whatever it may be that you have to offer. Some of the most popular tend to include eBay, Depop, Etsy and even Amazon for new products. You can also find that items sell well on Shpock. You can find out how to sell on Shpock here. Of course, some platforms are more popular than others and, generally speaking, the vast majority of people do tend to list their items on eBay. When it comes down to it, eBay is a particularly easy to use online auction and shopping website where you can sell pretty much anything you want. You can list new items. You can list used items. Remember that most platforms do take a percentage from each sale, so make sure to read the terms and conditions for your chosen platform before choosing to sell anything.

 

 

• Decide Whether You Will Ship or Buyers Will Collect – some items are easier to post than others. Before listing anything, you need to make sure that you decide whether your item can be shipped or whether it will have to be collected by someone locally. If you’re going to be shipping your item, remember to list postage costs on the listing. You can find postage cost calculators online, or can take your item into a post office for a quote. This will ensure that the buyer covers shipping costs, not you.

 

 

Consider Key Worker Roles

The next step to take is to consider your work. During this pandemic, countless people have been made jobless. While government guidelines that have been put in place to encourage people to socially distance and socially isolate have been effective in reducing cases of the virus, they have also had knock on consequences on employment. Many businesses have been unable to operate under the new rules, guidelines and regulations, so have had to close their doors. This has resulted in many experiencing hardship and bankruptcy. Many have collapsed. Many have made staff redundant. Many have asked staff to accept reduced hours (resulting in a lower monthly income) or lower pay for the same hours. It’s not all too surprising that many people are looking for work that can help to pay the bills. If you’ve found yourself in this situation and are struggling to make ends meet, you may be able to find a new role quickly by applying for a key worker position. Key workers are required in all sorts of fields and industries. While the positions may not be something that you have previous experience in, many are experiencing increased workload and are willing to train you up. This is a great way to make money in a stable position. Some common positions tend to include supermarket workers, fast food workers, admin positions in Covid related facilities and more. Take a look at the job market and see which roles suit you. Then, start applying!

 

Try Freelance Work

Another option that you might want to consider if you’re looking for a way to bring in some regular cash is to try out freelance work. Freelancing is when  you work for yourself. This, of course, comes hand in hand with a whole lot of freedom. You offer your services to others, choose who you work for, choose your own rates, choose your own work setting and choose your holiday times.You don’t have to request anything. You work as you please. At the end of the day, you’ll find that you are your own boss and you can give yourself as much or as little flexibility as you please. Now, to make sure that you do enough work and generate enough money, you’re going to have to make sure that you are responsible, have a good work ethic and can manage your time well. Some common skills that people freelance with tend to experience success with include:

 

• Copywriting
• Graphic design
• Web design and development
• Financial support
• Photography
• Data entry
• Much more

Of course, to get your freelancing off to a good start, you’re going to have to follow a few steps that will ensure you’re working in a legal way and a profitable way.

 

 

• Register as self-employed – first things first, you need to make sure that you register as self employed. By doing this, you will ensure you have a UTR number and can file your own taxes at the end of each fiscal year. If you’ve only worked in employed positions until now, chances are, your employer has deducted your tax and contributions such as national insurance from your pay. However, when you are self-employed, you need to make these deductions yourself and put this money aside into a savings account as you go along.

 

 

 

• Use an Accountant – the majority of self employed individuals do use the services of an accountant. At the end of the day, no matter how financially savvy or good with numbers you may be, it’s unlikely that you know all of the ins and outs of the tax system. An accountant can oversee your taxes to make sure you’re paying the right amount, sure. But they can also let you know what you can expense and where you can make fair deductions too.

 

 

 

• Find Clients – when you’re all set up, you can start to focus on finding your clients. Finding good clients and building a good client base can ensure that you have regular work and, consequently, a regular income. A good place to start out is advertising  your services through your own website, as well as browsing jobs boards for freelance positions.

 

These are just a few suggestions that can help you out financially during this pandemic. Whether you need a little cash to get to the next payday, or whether you’re looking for a more consistent flow of cash, the ideas above should work in your favour! So, why not give them a try?