Live more comfortable and earn extra money

[CottonCandyCrank]

This seems to be the most popular thread so thought id post here and hopefully get more advise

The title says it all. I want to be able to live more comfortably. I come from a family that's always just got by, pay to pay, month to month. And I want better for us. I've not any qualifications and never went to uni.. so basically need advise on what is available without any of that.

I work part time/term time currently as it fits around my child at school and saves on childcare during school holidays. Partner works full time and earns an average wage. Between us we earn around 50k per annum (before tax) and it's in and out each month. We are all happy and healthy, we have a small semi house, we can just about manage 1 holiday abroad a year (but that uses the years savings) I have no extra savings should we need a new car/kitchen. Both our cars are over 10/15 years old. Partner does all (or the majority) of the DIY in the house. I help where I can, painting, flooring etc.

I don't want money to be flashy and buy designer clothes, expensive cars or upgrade to a bigger house, I just want to save more for possible uni fees, mortgage to be paid off, pensions, savings, newer cars etc. And to not live pay to pay.

I would love ideas to enable me to pay off my mortgage as my first goal. One less thing to worry about each month. I want to have plenty of savings in my bank.

I would love to work freelance to enable me to travel and earn money and I also want out of the UK to live somewhere with a nicer climate and a better lifestyle. Ideally Spain or Balearics but that wont likely come to fruition. Just somewhere where the weather is warm and the people are more relaxed and chilled. Less busy.

I just want something else to work towards to better our financial situation to enable us more freedom as a family and to give my children a better life. Where do people start? How to find the opportunity's? What is there to do? I'm not talking social media (tik tok and the likes) I hate being behind a camera. What are good ways to earn extra money online? Not selling old clothes etc, I do that when I can. But something that can give me a steady income each week/month? Where I dont have to risk losing money.
I need some inspiration or ideas on where to start to get me out of this lull I'm in.

People who earn in excess off 100k per annum.. what's the secret? What do you do for a job? Reading a thread on here about savings people have.. I want that 🤑 It's got me thinking what do people do to get so wealthy? And where the hell do you start?

Exactly this. You can't work part time and earn £100k from nothing.

You need to work full time for a start and aim for progression, not a magic number.

Note that the posters on this thread either started working on their career from a young age or moved to where the work was.

I have experience in lots of sectors. It means that when I want to move I have lots of options open to me. I also chose a recession proof job in an area that lacks talent.

I could earn double my salary consulting but choose not to atm. However, I'm building up my CV/portfolio so when my child is a bit older, I'll be able to make the move quite easily. Ive also done a Masters degree funded by my employer to address my skills gap. Do everything you can to get access to the right people to learn from too. It helps.

Could you afford to do some OU study (there are other places, but I have used the OU and they have a good reputation, other people may have other suggestions), get some qualifications studying around looking after the children? They do various business courses that might set you up for when you can work full time, or get you a better paid job now if it looks like you are working to improve your qualifications.

Unfortunately for most people there is no short cut to a really well paid job, qualifications and experience are what you need. If you are really lucky you might find some niche where you can make money doing something that you just happen to fall into or is an interest or a hobby that you can exploit, but only you would know about those sort of potentials.

Work full time whilst studying for qualifications then work your way up the ladder in a career role.
That's the only way and how most people on 100K+ got there. There is no "easy" way to achieve that salary.

The OP's dh could easily double his salary by working away during the week, but they don't want to do that.

Some great advice but also be mindful that some of these jobs are likely to be pared back or obsolete by AI in the coming years like HR and payroll, accounting, admin. Is your partner perhaps able to diversify like setting up their own haulage business, partner up with someone, do overseas HGV driving perhaps?

I'm intrigued to look 👀 does she have like an online social media platform that you can view? It definately pays to be born into wealth doesnt it 🙄

Very true.. he could set up his own haulage business, but that would come with its own risks. We would have to loan it through banks/credit card to start and just hope it pays off... but if it doesn't we lose the house. I guess that's what most people do, some succeed and other not and that's where I worry. He would have done it already and I holds my hands up, I've prevented him doing so for fear of losing our home 🫣

I may look into salaries for overseas HGV driving and see if that's worth looking into.

It also pays long term to work full time so you don't sacrifice your own career. Your choice to work part time is just that, a choice. You severely limit your longer term earning power by doing that.

I thought I would reply to you, yes it is realistic dreaming, but life is about dreaming!

I am extremely happy with everything else in my life, it would just be nice to have a little more financial comfort that's all ( and apart from my own MH issues that like to play havoc with my own head at times) 🙃

Its hard to go on any social media nowadays when it's all that's on there as its just rife with it whether I want to see it or not

I really wish you the best of luck and no hard feelings at all! Cost of living in this country makes life hard.

FWIW, OP, I think your most likely way to have a more comfortable life is to stay in the UK for the time being and look for a better paid full time job using your admin skills, once your DD needs a bit less of your time. Good admin people are hard to come by and well paid in the right sector (not schools, maybe a bank or similar). I bet you are good at your job because you seem to manage your own finances thoughtfully and efficiently. Many people in your position would be seriously in debt, but you're managing to spread the money where it is needed.

There are so, so, so many scams in the 'side hustle' world, and if it was easy to make pots on money in spare time, more people would be doing it. Also having two jobs takes a lot of head space which you may prefer to devote to your family.
Just my thoughts - good luck.

Op SM isn't real.
All those casually posedinmybighouseandbrandnewkitchen shots are adverts.
A whole production team arrives at the venue which is not necessarily the Influencers own home btw and prepares everything.
Clothes, hair, make up, props, lighting
Many of them sell their children's childhoods out for money
It's not real!

Sorry not read the whole thread so apologies if someone already suggested this.
As you don't work school holidays, could you maybe do some childminding during that time for working parents? There is always a huge demand for that where I live.

Another possibility (which I was thinking about today while having my ears microsuctioned at a cost of £70 for about 10 mins) was that it would be a great way to make money, you only have to go on a 2 day course and buy the equipment and you can set yourself up and charge that sort of money! You could do that as a side hustle and if it worked out even more full time, but is totally flexible as you only book appointments when it's convenient to you

Ear Wax Removal Specialist Training Courses | UK Microsuction — UK Microsuction

Thank you... I do believe I am good at the jobs I have done, both payroll, finance and now business support in a school. I probably don't give myself enough credit tbh. Ive got spreadsheets to manage our finances 🤭 and thankfully, apart from mortgage, we don't have any other debt 🤞 I have to give credit to other half for doing the majority of diy in our house, fitting windows, fitting bathrooms, plastering etc 😅

I've always tried to do my best in my roles, even when I was a stay at home mum. No pay and the hardest of all tbh 🤣

But I know I am capable of so much more but lack confidence in the interview process which is damaging and held me back. Some jobs I've applied for I've not got because of my inability to speak when under pressure and just make a mess at the interview, but If i got any of them jobs I know hands down I could easily do them and they would have no regrets at employing me.. its just getting that break.

I may look into getting into a solicitors offoce and work my way up with experience, that definately interests me.

Yes im really not one to put my child on social media at all and certainly against these family vloggers types or anyone with platforms ran by parents with their children as content. It's exploitation in my eyes, they are vulnerable and it opens up a dangerous world for them making them even more vulnerable. God knows who's watching them 🤮

It's a bugger about the interviewing problem.
Do you have a friend or colleague who is good at that kind of thing who might help you practice your interview technique? There's only a limited number of questions they can ask so you could prepare your replies and practice what would help you speak more fluently. Taking a deep breath before starting, and speaking slowly, might help. So might some kind of 'mind game' such as seeing the interviewer as a really nice person who wants to help you, rather than a powerful authority figure.

Unfortunately working in education support is never going to earn you 100k. I loved working in education support but knew it wasn't really a career and I didn't have the finance background for school business manager. I retrained in HR and now have solid progression

DH earns over 100k. He did this by joining a tech start up about 8 years ago and clinging on for dear life during multiple acquisitions and take overs etc. he has to travel occasionally and sometimes is up early or working late for international meetings.

The other way is a really good business idea or invent something, but I would have no idea where to start with that.

Or become a successful influencer

Choose a boring/unpopular area where there is a shortage of skilled people.

I work in a technical area of finance. You generally need a degree and an accountancy qualification. Its boring & complicated by most people's standards, very unglamorous.

Its 9-5, rarely any overtime, and pays £150k at senior levels.

Another idea I never even thought about 😂 this is why I posted here to help come up with ideas that people forget about 🤭

I actually did my own last year.. it was so disgustingly satisfying 😆 but I can't pop/squeeze spots lol! Ewww!

See yofodont realise all these crazy little jobs.. someone has to do them, something like this I wouldn't mind one bit 🫣

Not sure if it’s been said but the civil service is a great option. Not great pay at AO/EO level but plenty of scope for progression and good benefits. You need to be willing to gain experience for promotions though.

I'm that bad, that even with my partner of over 20 years, I can't do a practise interview with! It's ridiculous and sounds pathetic I know! But God it's a real issue I need to conquer fast 😬 I don't even know what you call it when it's as extreme as it is.. but this hurdle is like a massive mountain I just can't seem to get over 😭 I nearly didn't turn up for the job interview for the job i am in now due to it! I could have a script played out a million times and do it perfectly but the minute I open my mouth it's gone and i have nothing, i forget the question.. eugh!! It's crippling 😒

You definately have some good points I can use in the future though. I think I do look at them and panic thinking there superior.. 😉

I recommend NHS admin-based careers. You could get a Band 3 admin job so easily right now (£24/£25K annually). Maybe junior accounts or something Band 4 (£27-£29K). Really throw yourself into it. They are likely to still take you if you offer 30 hours a week and yes, you need to sort school holidays and after school care etc, but this is how you build a career.

Take every training you can. Show yourself to work hard and have initiative. If there is any possible way you can manage someone, even a volunteer or apprentice, take it.

You can do it!

You make a very good point. The office manager role was the 1st to be culled post Covid. When hardly anybody went into the office any more.
Whether that will be resurrected or not remains to be seen
But I think most administration will be replaced by AI in the coming years. I have Software that is a better administrator than I ever could’ve been and has increased my productivity by at least 50%.
So now there’s only one of me required not two for now.

Do you mind if I ask what you do for work? I have 10 years big Four. ACCA and I’m not on 150 grand 😢

I realise this isn't the point, as you want ways to earn more, but personally I think you and your DH have found a good balance. So many people can only dream of having a happy marriage, children, a house, and being able to get by healthily, yet have quality family time, plus the added luxury of a holiday abroad: it's brilliant!

I get the shyness (I have that too) and the wishing for more security/extras for future needs, though.

Perhaps finding a type of work that would be flexible, which you could add alongside your current job, and training for it in the time you have at the moment, could help. I doubt there are careers that would earn you a fortune, that way, but at least extra to save for repairs/car/uni. Something transferable were you ever to work abroad, and which AI is less likely to take over like hairdressing!