How to Make Money When Unemployed - 7 Tips!
How to Make Money When Unemployed.
Let’s face it - when you are unemployed, money can get tight quickly. You should have an emergency fund set up that contains enough to cover your expenses for 4-6 months. The reality is that most Americans (63%) don't have enough savings to cover a $500 emergency, forget unemployment. Even if you have a good savings, having a small amount of supplemental income coming in is useful and provides peace of mind. Here are some ideas for how to make money when unemployed:
Freelance from home. Working from home is not for everyone, but there are many websites that make the process of finding freelancing job easier in between jobs such as Freelancer, Upwork, and People Per Hour. You can set your desired rate, but make sure to be competitive so you don’t price yourself out of obtaining work!
Craigslist can be a bit scary, but if you are smart about how and where you look (don’t give out your personal info and set up meetings in public spaces, for example) you can find some decent part-time jobs listed in your community. Here is a good read by Big Interview on determining if Craigslist postings are legit and ways to be safe while applying.
Consider becoming a driver for Uber or Lyft. Lots of unemployed people are joining their ranks due to the flexibility and income potential. It allows you to meet new people, network, and, who knows, you might just find your next job while on the open road!
Depending on which state you live in and their teaching requirements, substitute teaching may be a great option for you in between jobs. You can work as much or as little as you want, there is little to no prep work involved, it can be added to your resume as credible experience and will likely result in some additional references and networking.
Tutoring for K-12 and/or college students is an excellent way to build your resume while unemployed and can also bring in some extra income. You can tutor on your own or for a specific program as a tutor. Here is a great example of a tutoring program in Austin, Texas.
Deliver groceries! If you live in a rural area this may not be a needed service, but in most of the country, grocery delivery has become a very popular service for families. Instacart and Amazon are two examples of businesses looking for deliverers!
Ask friends and family about any temporary opportunities available. They may know of someone who needs a house sitter or dog walker that may be the perfect fit for a month or two.
What would you add to the list of ideas on how to make money when unemployed? We’d love to hear your ideas - comment below.