While we haven’t been actively focusing on side hustles lately, August was a good month.
We settled into our new home (we moved on July 27th) and hosted exchange students during the middle of the month so my time and attention were elsewhere.
However, we still managed to generate $6,862.62 in extra money!
Each month, we share the ways we have made money on the side and how much was made. In January we made $3,200.17, February we forgot to do a post, but looking over everything we made $3,833.37.
In March we made $4,005 then in April we made $1,600.70 but also spent it all.
May was the month we switched my focus to business and managed to double the business income!
June was similar, though we also made $851.15 and in July we made $1,881.96..
What Worked Best in August?
Getting our life sorted made the biggest difference this month.
By following up with paperwork and doing what we had been putting off for months, it was discovered something was done incorrectly a while ago and resulted in a $4,000 payment.
Paperwork – $6,040
You read that right over $6,000 was through paperwork alone, although not all the money has hit our account yet. This is not a tax return either.
When is the last time you went through and checked your receipts, Medicare rebates, refunds for items (e.g. Ikea has a 365 day return policy) and other paperwork? How much could be sitting there, waiting?
Selling Things – $500
In 2017, we focused heavily on buying things to resell and did quite well with it (getting up to making over $10,000 a month.) This year we focused less on it, however, still sell a few things here and there.
This month, we didn’t list anything for sale but were asked to sell one thing by a friend of a friend, so we did. It was a quick $500.
With moving, settling into the new house and hosting exchange students this month, listing things for sale wasn’t practical.
Money Found – 15 cents
Huge, right? While it might not be a lot, we still like to include the money we find in these updates. When we first noticed it, we thought they were foreign coins. Turns out we picked up a commemorative coin worth $27.
Gift Cards – $297.50
While not technically the same as cash, they are treated like cash. Our gift cards included one for a favourite clothing store, $200 Stanley Rogers voucher thanks to a friend referral and other friend referrals. Another way to get gift cards is to sign up to loyalty programs. You can find a list of Aussie ones we use here.
Freebies – $24.97
The other month we joined Woolworths Bunch to test it out and this month we picked up a soft drink, blue cheese, a chicken schnitzel and the Woolworths version of Tim Tams.
It was more than we expected.
Goals for September
The focus is still business, plus we are studying so side hustles are less of a priority. We are heading to Cairns, Fitzroy Island and the Daintree Rainforest this month, plus school holidays start, so time is limited. We might sell a few things, but mostly, the focus will be on this site and studies.
Other Ways To Make Money
One of the most popular posts on this site is our list of the best Australian online survey sites. We’ve tested them all and let you know how much you can expect to make from them.
Many readers make $2,000 to $5,000 a year through online surveys.
Also, check out 43 ways for single mums to make money and 18 ways to make money in 2018.
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Wow, over $6000 by going through old paperwork. That’s amazing. I need to check my bills.