5 Ways to Supplement Your Income When You’re Furloughed

If you’re one of the millions of workers who have been furloughed during the pandemic, there may be one question on your mind. How can you make some more cash? While you will be getting at least 80% of your paycheck, boosting your income is never a bad thing.  

Should you be struggling to make ends meet or simply want some extra pennies, finding a way of supplementing your current income is an obvious solution. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s take a look at whether you can work and some options to consider.

The scheme permits people who have more than one job to continue working for one employer while being on furlough from a different role. Since that rule applies to everyone, it means that you can pick up extra work while you’re furloughed. However, whether you can actually work during this period depends on the contract you have with your employer. 

If you are unsure about whether you can contractually work for another employer, you should speak to your manager. Letting them know what you plan to do will avoid any problems later. Put simply, having a quick, formal conversation is the best way to go.

Got some extra time on your hands? If you’re on the furlough scheme, there are some ways that you can make extra money. Which option you choose will ultimately depend on your skill-set, schedule, and what works for you. Looking for a little inspiration? We have you covered right here. Here are five ways you could make some cash on the side.

Do you have a skill that you want to share with the world? Joining a freelance website could be the answer. Fiverr and Freelancer.com are savvy places to start. These sites allow you to look for short-term gigs and bid on them. If you work in a creative industry, such as writing, graphic design, or illustration, there are plenty of projects on these sites. 

Of course, it doesn’t end there. You can also land projects in marketing, administration, HR, translation, and so much more. Whatever your discipline, it’s worth looking into these sites to see if there are opportunities for you. While you won’t make top dollar (or pound!) on these websites, you may be able to make some extra cash in your spare time.

Whether you work in education or are an expert in a certain field, online tutoring may be an option for you. You can sign up to agencies online that will help you become a tutor. Note that some of these companies will ask you to do supplementary qualifications before they accept you. The genius thing about this type of side gig is that it’s flexible. You can choose your working hours, decide which students you will take and control your pay.

Tired of spending your evenings binging Netflix? Why not make some money from the comfort of your sofa instead? One way to supplement your income while you’re on furlough is to take paid surveys online. There are plenty of platforms you can sign up to, which will help you get started. Check out Valued Opinions and Oh My Dosh for starters. When you’ve registered on these sites, you can start taking surveys and getting rewards.

Have you spent lockdown crafting away? Whether you’ve become an avid knitter or a cool artist, you may want to sell your wares. Setting up an Etsy store is the answer. Keep in mind that you will have to pay to list your items. For that reason, you should only list products that you believe will sell or you could waste your cash here. Making some extra money by selling creative products isn’t easy but it is extremely fulfilling.

If you’re a fan of our four-legged friends, you will love this idea! Why not become a professional dog walker? This idea is a great way to make extra income while doing something you enjoy. What’s more, walking is a great form of exercise and will help you stay fit and healthy during these troubling times. If you want to get started, you simply have to sign up to a local agency. Pro tip: Rover.com is a smart place to start.

Ready to get started and make some extra cash? If you’ve got some free time, looking for income opportunities is a smart step. Within this guide, we’ve given you some ideas to help you get started. However, it also pays to do your own research. Look into options near you and see what you can find. Good look and happy hustling.

And if you’d like to use this time to upskill, then check out our courses and get started right away!