New Zealanders have been feeling the pinch, especially with skyrocketing housing costs, increasing grocery bills, and high fuel prices. When your regular weekly income is quickly consumed on payday by bills, it’s only natural to wonder if there are other ways to make extra cash to enjoy a few luxuries from time to time. Fortunately, you might be able to top up your piggy bank by taking some of the following steps.
Sell Assets You Don’t Need
Your bank account might look slightly healthier if you begin selling assets you no longer need or use. For example, you can sell an old, broken, or unused vehicle sitting in your driveway to Cash for Cars Auckland within a day, with this business offering up to $10,000 and free same-day removal.
Alternatively, you might look at other desirable assets taking up space in your house or garage, such as golf clubs, exercise equipment, and kitchen appliances. You can sell items for free on Facebook Marketplace or auction them off on TradeMe, which is often considered a safer and more straightforward option.
Become a Mystery Shopper
Mystery shoppers can be crucial for ensuring businesses provide consistent, high-quality products and services. They are relied on throughout the world, and New Zealand is no different. Many mystery shopper opportunities are advertised online through job sites, with assignments such as making purchases at petrol stations, restaurants, and retail businesses. There’s potential for you to earn up to $50 per assignment, based on whether you visit a company in person or access services online or over the phone.
Advertise for Odd Jobs
Taking on a second, structured job is not a possibility for everyone. Your full-time job might not pay as much as you need, but it might consume most of your day. In that case, you might consider advertising for odd jobs that you can do in your spare time.
For example, you might start mowing your neighbours’ lawns, walking your friends’ dogs, or collecting mail and watering plants for people who go away on holiday. These can all be easy ways to earn money that don’t take up much of your time.
Become a Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant can provide technical, creative, or administrative assistance to individuals and businesses anywhere in the world and help with a wide range of tasks, such as data entry, phone tasks, accounting, and management. If you have a particular set of skills that aren’t being put to good use in your current full-time job, taking on the role of a virtual assistant in your free time might be worth your while. You can work the hours that suit you from the comfort of your home and earn an average of $30 an hour.
Go Fruit Picking
While not technically easy, there is significant demand for fruit pickers throughout New Zealand during growing seasons. With a shortage of workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fruit growers are sweetening job opportunities with accommodation offers, bonuses, competitive picking rates, and other perks. This type of work can be physical, but there’s potential for fruit pickers to earn upwards of $40 per hour.
Welcome a Boarder
The housing crisis in New Zealand is severe, with many people being priced out of both housing and rental markets. If you have a spare room and a desire to make fast, easy money, consider renting it out.
You might prefer a flatmate arrangement with all bills split down the middle and everyone buying their own food, or you could charge a flat fee for the room, meals, and utilities. There is even potential to avoid paying tax on this income if you charge standard weekly costs of $194 or less.
Rent a Parking Space
If you live in a desirable part of your town or city, with the CBD or essential services on your doorstep, you might be able to earn extra income by renting out a parking space on your property. There can be a shortage of affordable and convenient parking spots in built-up cities like Auckland, which means your land might be in hot demand for city workers.
If you have extra garage space, there may also be opportunities for you to make an income from people storing goods like jet skis, boats, cars, and household goods.
Turn Your Holiday Home Into an Airbnb
New Zealand has always been a popular holiday destination, and herein lies your opportunity to capitalise on it. If you have a second home or a holiday home that sits empty when you’re not using it, consider listing it on Airbnb. You might be able to earn several hundred dollars by letting someone else enjoy your space when you don’t need it.
When your job income just isn’t enough to cover your everyday costs, you might need to think outside the square. Any of these money-making methods above might be how you can cover your bills and have enough money left over for luxuries.
