With no real source of income and small grants and loans to help you out, it can be tough to get by when you’re at university. While many students will undertake part-time work during their studies, that isn’t viable for everyone. Fortunately, there are a tonne of ways you can make money that don’t involve serving pints or waiting tables. These are our top five tips that can help you to start earning some extra cash right now.
Matched betting
If you’ve got a bit of spare time to learn something new, a great way to earn extra money is to try your hand at matched betting. You don’t have to know anything about sports or have even placed a bet before to make money from this unique method. In a nutshell, matched betting takes advantage of bookmaker offers to help ensure you make a profit whatever the outcome.
Using a specially designed piece of software, matched betting companies are able to work out a vast array of odds and provide you with bets that, if placed correctly, should make you some money. It can be a little hard to wrap your head around at first, but if you’d like to find out more, have a look at this guide to matched betting by OddsMonkey.
Get paid for browsing the web
You probably already spend lots of time on the internet, so why not earn some extra cash while you’re doing it? Qmee is an app and web browser extension that lets you earn money for searching, shopping, and taking surveys.
Each time you search for something, Qmee will display its own ads, some of which will have cash rewards attached. There is no minimum cash-out and your funds can be sent straight to your PayPal account. While you won’t be able to make thousands, this is definitely one of the simplest ways to make a bit extra online.
Take advantage of bank switching offers
Switching bank accounts is now easier than ever, and with many banks offering gifts and cash for switching to them, it’s a nice way to earn a bit of extra cash while at uni. By switching bank accounts on a regular basis, you could make hundreds of pounds, just like the man from West Yorkshire who made £800 in just over two years.
The process of switching accounts is a lot simpler than you might think and very little work is required on your part. Be aware that each bank has their own criteria that you must meet in order to receive their gift, so make sure to read the terms and conditions fully so you understand what you have to do.
Sell things you don’t need anymore
Moving out of home to go to university is an excellent time to go through your old stuff and see what you don’t need anymore. With websites like eBay and Gumtree, as well as local Facebook groups, it’s never been easier to sell your old stuff. While some things obviously have sentimental value, generally, if you don’t use it, sell it.
You’ve just come through your childhood and teenage years, so there is bound to be a lot of stuff you won’t miss. Some of it might even be worth a mint with items like old Pokémon cards and video games sometimes selling for more than they were originally worth.
Monetize your skills
You’re at university to gain knowledge and improve your abilities, so why not make use of some of these newly gained skills and do some freelancing online? These days there are digital freelance marketplaces for all kinds of skills, from writing and graphic design to online marketing and web development.
Sites like PeoplePerHour and Upwork allow individuals and business to put up job posts for work they need doing. Freelancers are then able to apply for these jobs and get paid accordingly. These websites are totally free to join, but the platform will take a cut from each successful job.
Make the most of your university experience by having enough money to enjoy it! Follow our top five tips and you’ll soon have plenty of extra cash to spend on weekend-long parties and maybe even a holiday abroad.
