Guest post by Craig Brown
Across the country, unemployment rates are skyrocketing thanks to the intruder we call Covid-19. And even among those who keep our jobs, many companies have asked for voluntary pay decreases or share our hours.
Unfortunately, just because you don’t have the same income coming in does not mean that your bills are similarly slashed.
If you find yourself facing the pandemic with a smaller bank account, here are a few ideas on how to supplement your income until things get back to normal.
Go where there is demand.
The first thing you should consider is taking a temporary job in a high-demand area. Most grocery and warehouse stores, for example, are on a hiring spree to meet customer demand for pickup and delivery services. Speaking of delivery services, Amazon is putting more cars on the road than ever. Amazon Flex claims its drivers make an average of $18 to $25 per hour, and that does not include any tips that generous delivery recipients may offer.
Neither of these options requires extensive experience, and you can usually begin working within a week or two.
Consider advertising your current skill set.
In recent weeks, the world has seen just how easy it is, logistically, to work from home – which is something freelancers already knew. If you work in data sciences, sales and marketing, customer service or software development, there are opportunities out there to supplement your work or begin a new freelancing venture. You can list your services on an online job board to dip your toe into freelancing.
Even though you’re working remotely, you may still be required to interview with prospective clients, so make sure you have a professional outfit for the occasion. A new interview outfit doesn’t have to break your budget if you shop smartly. For example, you can save at large retailers like American Eagle Outfitters, and if you use online promo codes and coupons, you can stretch your money even further.
Keep in mind, however, that working as a freelancer means you are not eligible for the same types of benefits you may have in a typical workplace. Freelancing can help replace your income, but you may still need to pay for temporary health insurance until you regain your footing in the professional world.
Sell your crafts.
If you are handy with a paintbrush or vinyl cutter, you can sell your handmade crafts or other goods. To get an idea of what might be in demand, take to social media and ask. Some things you can send through the mail, while for other goods you can take orders for delivery once social distancing restrictions are lifted.
Start a blog.
Blogs are everywhere, and there is a good reason for that. First, people enjoy reading other people’s thoughts about life and, second, they can be an income generator. While it does take time to monetize a new blog, getting started is something you can do with a minimal investment of time and money.
To start a blog, purchase a domain name from a web registrar. GoDaddy is popular, and often runs deals for $12 or less for a year of owning the name — and you may even be able to find deals on hosting as well.
Next, decide what, exactly, you’ll write about. If you’re an expert educator, parent of autistic children or have another niche lifestyle, you could be surprised to find out how many readers you can attract. Typically, Blogging Basics explains how you make money by generating ad revenue, selling digital items or by adding affiliate links.
Share your knowledge as a tutor.
As Medium points out, you don’t necessarily have to be a certified teacher to tutor. You can use online sites to assist both adults and children in learning a new skill. Similarly, you can set up Zoom meetings with other people to teach them what you know. The options here are endless, but a few examples are to teach foreign language, tutor in math or host a virtual art class.
The times we live in are uncertain – and facing them with a diminished income can be scary.
Do not lose sight of the fact that you have skills that other people need. From teaching a foreign language to freelancing using your professional experience, there are ways to supplement even during a global crisis.
Craig Brown loves working in human resources. His big career dream is to start his own recruiting agency. He started ‘Your Career Boost ‘to share the most useful career-related resources on the web.