What if you lost your job? If you are self-employed without income at the moment? If your husband is at home and the company he works for is about to go bankrupt? There are currently countless people who are going through an uncertain period financially. This creates wonderful initiatives by entrepreneurs for society, but of course there are also many concerns. What can you do if you are struggling financially in this time, how can you generate extra income? Are you following an education to make a career switch? Sign up to put asparagus where they have a huge shortage of staff because the temporary employees have returned to their own country? I let my thoughts run wild in this article.
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Last week I shared a Facebook post. A Facebook post about the fact that we're all in the same storm. However, one is in a luxury yacht that makes it look like he or she is lapping through calm water and the other is in a leaking dinghy on a raging sea. You catch my drift. There is quite a difference in how we go through this uncertain period. Difference in personal situation and difference in financial situation.
I was also quite worried the first few weeks. What effect will this entire crisis have on my income? Of course we can go back a little if we have to, but with our new house the costs have of course also increased compared to last year. Fortunately, it's not so bad that I already have to think about how I can generate extra income, but I think about it anyway. I am especially triggered by the great ideas entrepreneurs come up with, so clever how they approach such a crisis. Are you looking for extra income or would you like to make a career switch by following a course, then I would be happy to give you some ideas.
In Nieuwegein, for example, you have the option of renting a piece of meadow for a half-day or a day. You can BBQ, for example, and you have access to your own toilet. An initiative of the owners of this pasture, who normally organize company outings here and now have no turnover at all. A smart way for them to generate extra income and give others the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Although they make the pasture available for people in vital professions for free, that's great.
Well, I can of course give you an idea to start a blog. The only downside is that this is more of a long term solution. You can't start a blog today and earn money with it tomorrow, that's not how it works unfortunately.
What you can do is take up a study to further improve yourself in your current position, or to work on a career switch. For example, start a mediation training at Merlijn Groep. In view of the divorces that are expected after this crisis, that may also be a good idea.
You can also look at side jobs in your area that are actually available to students. Why not apply to generate additional income? Better something than nothing, right? Or go and look at seasonal work.
Perhaps this is also the time to sell things via Marktplaats, for example. Are you good at refurbishing? How nice is it to pick up a nice box in a giveaway corner on Facebook or at the local kringkoop and then give it a lick of paint? Give it a vintage look with some chalk paint and the furniture has just increased in value. Sell it via Marktplaats and put the profit in your wallet. Of course you can also rent yourself out to others if you're handy!
Are you self-taught? Then you can pick this up yourself via the internet, but otherwise you can also find training courses that you can use to improve yourself in this area. There is still a lot of demand for this.
The moment I write this blog, I receive an app from our 'gardener'. Not really a gardener, because I really enjoy working in the garden myself. But some things I don't understand or I'm just less skilled at. At that moment I send him a text. Ideal for us and he can generate some extra income. Both happy.
Are you a good cook? I think there is a chronic shortage of tasty meals that are healthy and also affordable. So I am not referring to the local takeout. But what if you can cook a delicious meal and thus take work off the hands of people who are still at work? Maybe it's not a big deal in terms of earnings, but I still think there is a demand for affordable meals that can be taken away and only need to be reheated. A godsend for working mothers.
Do you have a nice sloop or other small boat? Normally you might not rent it out, but during this period that can be a godsend if you want to earn some extra money.
Maybe not the immediate solution for generating extra income, but you might be able to get a promotion from your boss. Show that you are benevolent, that you don't just want to sit at home 'doing nothing', but that you are (or can become) of value to the company. Not sure what steps to take to stay interesting for your employer? Just ask your boss!
There are really a lot of people who are not good at their administration. Are you? Then you might just have the solution there to generate your extra income. Couldn't you keep their administration in order for others? Or, for example, help with the tax return? There are quite a few (older) people who can no longer provide for this themselves and who could use your help!
Prefer to do some extra work yourself at home? See if you can find reliable work from home. I wrote a blog about this before with tips, maybe there's something for you in between.
Do you live in a neighborhood where there are many dogs? Maybe you can start a (temporary or not) dog walking service for those who still have to go to work. I know I've needed it for ages!
