Money focus: How can I make more money?

Each week we ask a question to help you focus on an area of your finances that might need a closer look. This week: How can I make more money?

Apart from the lucky few who inherit a motser, there are basically two ways to ‘get rich’: make more money or use the money you already have more wisely.

We’ve been covering the latter at length in this Money Focus series. Exhibit A, B and C.

But what about the former? Surely the easiest way to get rich is to simply make more money?

Of course, there’s nothing ‘simple’ about getting extra money. Whether you’re asking for a pay rise, taking on a side-hustle, selling your stuff or getting started investing, nothing is easy.

But all are achievable.

Here’s the lowdown on all four of those strategies.

Ask for a pay rise

It’s always awkward to go cap in hand to the boss to ask for more money. But if you don’t ask, you won’t get. It’s a very rare boss indeed that leaps up one day and randomly gives you a raise. Only if they’re scared you’re going to leave…

Here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be awkward. If you get your performance examples, proven contribution and market value in order, you should feel confident making the appointment and giving it a go.

Here’s everything you need to know to get the pay rise you’ve earned:

And if you have the conversation, but still get turned down by your boss, chin up. Head back in there and negotiate some key benefits that, in the long term, might be worth just as much as the extra money: Non-cash benefits that rival a pay rise.

Start a side hustle

‘Side hustle’ is such a buzz phrase, isn’t it? A few years ago we’d never even heard of one, now every man, woman and even child has one.

If you want to make more money, you should get one too. It’s extra income you can earn on the side of your regular gig, hopefully doing something you love.

Have a think about your hobbies, interests and expertise and I’m pretty sure you can come up with a list of possible earners. Here’s a quick list to start you off:

Offering your expertise in engineering, photography, financial planning, writing, marketing or architecture (first, check with your work that you’re not breaching any contract obligations by selling yourself elsewhere)
Selling your crocheted teddies, potted plants, chicken eggs, knitted jumpers, sewn drawstring bags or paintings
Spending your time tutoring, babysitting, mowing lawns, washing card, running errands or cleaning houses

Once you’ve figured out what you can sell, research how you can sell it:

Sell your stuff

Everyone – everyone – has a bunch of things they bought but no longer use. Some of us even have a bunch of stuff we bought and have never used…

It’s time to clear out the closets and make more money!

You can pile your things up and have a garage sale the old fashioned way, but it might be more profitable to sell your things online. Don’t think you can only sell the ‘big stuff’ online, either. These are the kinds of things that also do well on Gumtree and Ebay:

Book packs
Handbags and other preloved clothing
Jewellery
Exercise equipment
Lego and other children’s toys
Surfboards, kayaks, SUPs and boogie boards

Give it a go. The worst that can happen is you’ll have given your place a good clear out.

More ways to make more money online and otherwise:

Invest your money

Sharemarket investing

If you’ve got $10,000 savings sitting in a bank (we wish!), it’s doing nothing for you. On the other hand, if you invested that $10,000 in the Australian sharemarket, you could expect to be $930 richer. That’s based on a 9.3 per cent return, which is the average total return generated by the S&P/ASX 200 Index in the past 10 years.

Investing in the markets can feel very daunting, with so many of us not knowing where to start. So, start here: How can absolute beginners get started investing? Oh, and you’ll probably need this: A plain-English guide to mortgage jargon

These will also help:

Property investing

Of course, it’s not all about the sharemarket. You can also make more money by investing in property. (Hot tip: you can do both!) Which is probably just as daunting if you’re just getting started, so here’s a quick guide: 6 simple steps to becoming a landlord.

You can do this:

Okay, so that was a lot of links, but do take the time to go through them. Maybe pick one idea and dive full into the research. Whatever you do, though, don’t spend too long on the thinking. Thinking doesn’t make more money, only action does. Decide on a plan and start today!

Find the rest of our Money Focus series here.