I think I am going to join the gig economy! As I have chosen to take voluntary redundancy in May, I have been considering my options. My ideal would be to be entirely self employed and work from home. However, this may take a while to establish, especially since bills just don’t magically vanish just because you decide to leave the rat race. It might be time to start tracking my expenses with a free budget template so I know what to expect ahead of time; but I digress. Anyhow, I have been searching for as many ideas for part time and self employed opportunities as I can. It seems there are lots of options if you want to quit the 9 to 5! Even if you just want part time work, some of these ideas might be suitable for you.
Jobs to consider if you want to quit the 9 to 5
Reselling
There are many individuals who make a good living from reselling. This means that they source new and second hand goods from a variety of sources and sell them on line. There are various selling platforms, but the most popular are eBay and Amazon
If you want to see some successful UK resellers in action, check out Nic and Andrea Hills on You Tube. For a bit of inspiration if you are selling fashion, look for Chasing Secrets on Instagram.
Quit the 9 to 5 as a blogger
You will find bloggers all over the internet who make a great living from blogging. Emma Drew, Mrs Mummypenny and Katy Kicker are a few UK bloggers that spring to mind.
There is a lot of good advice out there if you enjoy writing and want to start a blog and make money from it. However, it is not as easy as some will tell you. If you started out as a hobby blogger for the fun of it, it can be difficult to make the transition. You have to be prepared to hustle hard to attract high paying sponsored posts and make money from affiliates. However, if you can write and are prepared to work hard, this could be the one for you.
TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language
When I was younger I considered teaching English as a way to pay for my travels. However, these days you don’t have to physically be with the students. There are plenty of opportunities to teach English online. You will need a TEFL qualification, but these aren’t horribly expensive.
Once qualified, you can teach English to people all over the world without leaving your house! You can find out about qualifications and teaching jobs here, although if you Google TEFL you will find plenty of other alternative organisations as well. You can expect to be paid £9-13 an hour and usually have to commit to teach a minimum number of hours each week.
Another organisation, VIPkid, advertises for native English speakers to teach Chinese schoolchildren online and pays $14-22 an hour. They offer ready made teaching plans and you don’t need a qualification.
Making money from your hobby
If you are knowledgeable and passionate about a hobby, you could offer to teach it, either to individuals or through your local adult education centre. I am a qualified yoga teacher, which came about from my enjoyment of yoga as a hobby. Although I am not currently teaching, this is something I will be re-exploring! Music and languages are also good subjects for teaching.
If you are a crafter, you can sell your creations on platforms such as Etsy. I love Etsy! There are so many beautiful hand crafted items to buy as gifts. Etsy is also good for antiques, vintage items and collectibles, so if you collect for a hobby, how about reselling to make some extra money?
AirB&B
If you have a spare room you can make money from AirB&B*. Obviously you will do better if you live in a city or -tourist spot, but even if you have a modest semi in suburbia it is possible to host guests from time to time.
AirB&B also request hosts to run experiences now. They say: “Experiences are activities designed and led by inspiring locals. They go beyond typical tours or classes by immersing guests in each host’s unique world. It’s an opportunity for anyone to share their hobbies, skills, or expertise without needing an extra room.” You can find out more about AirB&B experiences here.
Cleaning
Obviously cleaning as a job isn’t appealing to everyone. However, if you set up your own business as a domestic cleaner, you can charge upwards of £10 per hour. As people tend to require cleaners because they are out at work, it can provide flexible daytime working opportunities. If you keep your standards high and show you are trustworthy you can build your business through recommendations.
A huge advantage of a domestic cleaning business is that the start up costs are minimal. You can make extra money by offering extras such as light shopping, prescription pick ups, etc, particularly if your clients are elderly. This article by Money Magpie recommends that you take out public liability and get a CRB check before you begin.
Freelance virtual Assistant
If you are tech savvy and understand blogging and social media, there are an increasing number of opportunities to work freelance as a VA (virtual assistant). Many top bloggers employ VAs. The way to find them is to start your own blog and network with other bloggers.
If you have experience in a more traditional PA role, you can use your administrative and organisational skills to work remotely as a VA instead.
Sites such as People Per Hour, Upwork and Time Etc advertise opportunities to work as a VA.
Hosting language students
Hosting language students alone won’t give you enough income to quit the 9 to 5, but it can supplement a freelance income. It can be a lot of fun too. I have written a whole post on this here.
There are so many options if you want to quit the 9 to 5. I haven’t tried them all, but I already do many of them. I like the idea of not putting all my eggs in one basket and having income streams from various sources. Have you taken the plunge and quit the 9 to 5? How is it going – I would love to hear in the comments below.
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Fiona Adams says
Thought I was in the wrong blog at first – it’s all changed!! I, too, am being made redundant in May after working for Waitrose for 25 years they are closing the branch I work in even though it’s a profitable one. I’ve been looking at proof reading at home as well as your options. I no longer want to work for someone – I want to work for myself.
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
Hi Fiona – it’s good that you see it as an opportunity but that’s going to be tough. Just playing around with how the blog looks but it is a work in progress! I’m not very tech minded so it’s always a bit of a struggle when I make changes!
Pamela Gardiner says
Hello Jane – good luck with your “multiple streams of income”. It worked for me and I’m now comfortably retired on the proceeds.
Most of the things I did were fun and earned me money as well. I did clothes alterations, knitted sample garments and pattern checked, produced goods to sell.
Hosting summer students paid our holiday money.
A very big earner was to buy up a run down house and live there while renovating it for resale.
When I was made redundant I found three part time jobs that slotted together – daily supply, call centre and hospital cleaner, all while renovating my house. You have to be prepared to work hard.
Just some of the things I’ve done but it’s already too long a comment! Pam
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
Wow! Amazing. Love the idea of a house renovation but sadly don’t have the capital
Julia says
Ooh, all change for the blog and the blogger!!!
I imagine careful juggling the ‘multiple streams of income’ will need to be a top priority, otherwise you could be exchanging the 9-5 for an ‘open all hours’ instead and be even more exhausted!
For me, the danger would be the days being ‘bitty’ – you know the kind of day where you may actually get a lot done, but doesn’t feel like it because it’s all in small chunks so you don’t really feel you got your teeth into any of it, and end up wondering where they day went!
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
I agree. It’s easy to be at work 24-7. I may get a part time job too so will need to make sure I have some structure to my week for sure
ratnamurti says
I made myself into a ‘sole trader’, which meant I was a business, but not a company. I had a visit from the tax department to tell me how to use my receipts to claim expenses so that I would only pay tax on net income. And I learnt how to use a logbook for my car, and was legally clever enough to be able to take out 87.5% costs on all vehicle expenses, before tax. I just wrote my book-keeping in columns in an exercise book and kept receipts. These, I feel, were the most important things that I did: get it all sorted out legally. You can get business cards from Vista just paying delivery. Advertise whatever on facebook district pages, and put up flyers. I taught yoga. I still do. But now I just do 2 privates a week: 2 groups of 4, each paying $20 a pop. I taught seminars, and still do. And these are the two things that I would recommend a yoga teacher to do. I know that you have other talents too, Jane, but these are just suggestions for working differently, and because you also are a yoga teacher.
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
That’s really interesting. I need to learn this stuff! Not fit enough to teach yoga and probably won’t be for a year or so. Found out I have to have an operation but not sure exactly when. Bad timing really but c’est la vie
Mrs G says
Casual work, such as invigilating exams, could be an option, too – most work is concentrated in the Summer months of May/ June, obviously, but little bits also occur throughout the year. As it’s casual, you’re not committed to regular work patterns (and don’t get a regular income from it) but it can be a nice bit of bonus money (obviously when you’re fit again) – local secondary schools/ colleges/ unis are probably all filled up for this Summer, but it may be worth keeping an eye out from Oct through to Feb for next Summer, if it would suit
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
Brilliant idea! Thanks
BEN says
Hi, I had worked for the NHS for 37 years. Had a short break with another job which provided a great pension. At 55 I jumped off the hamster wheel taking both pensions. Although I paid a small financial penalty still get enough to live a good lifestyle. Added bonus…NHS has a policy to retain skills. My ex manager didnt want to lose my skills and experience. I returned 1 day a week and have the option to do more…but I rarely do. I was very concerned at the prospect before the jump but financially…..1 day a week plus pensions with a few adjustments to the household bills and Im no worse off. I now have plenty of time to pursue my hobbies and holidays, have time for the grandchilren, and have learned to cook. My only problem has been motivating myself to get out of bed after a lifetime of shifts ect. My advice…go for it, embrace the challenges thrown up. Life is too short to spend all your life at work with your latter years, if lucky, to clapped out to get the most out of life. Enjoy !!
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
Hi Ben, thanks for that. I have yet to find anyone who has jumped ship who has regretted it. As you say, life is too short