How Would an Extra $4,000 Help you?

This year we have a strong focus on making extra money in ways anyone can (we are excluding blog and business income) and saving it all.

One of the specific saving goals is $30,000 for something important.

We made an extra $3,200.17 in January (which you can read here), February we forgot to publish an update, but here are the details for March. So far, we are ahead of my goal!

This post contains affiliate links to some services we use.

How I Made Extra Money

We shared loads of ways to make extra money here (some of which net you over $20,000 a year). March had a few random things, but it was a lot of fun!

1. Medical Research – $2,050

All up, we were paid $4,000 to do a trial for a treatment which is the same but a cheaper version of medication we might need in the future.

The final payment for the last bit of the research came in early March.

You can find out more about medical research or clinical trials here.

2. Bank Bonuses – $1,300

Various banks offer bonuses. ING had a big one recently which generated a decent amount.

It was completely unexpected and when the money landed in our account we were so confused until we saw what it was.

Banks regularly have bonuses for various savings accounts, credit cards and similar.

If you choose to sign up to get the bonuses, be aware it will impact on your credit score which can have a negative impact if you are going for a loan.

3. Sold Clothing – $200

We didn’t have time to list as much as we wanted this month, we also haven’t been to an op shop in ages.

When we focus on selling, we have made over $10,000 in a month. Find out how here.

4. Trolleys – $5

A little random and not something we go out of our way to do. We live near Woolworths, people here are lazy and leave their trolleys near our apartment.

We sometimes pick one on our way to Woolworths which still has the money in it, use the trolley as we shop then load up our backpack, return the trolley and pocket the $1 or $2 from it.

5. Market Research

We don’t do these regularly anymore, but every now and then one will come up which we agree to do.

This month they were worth $450 and done in my home. You can find out more about doing market research here.

Saved Money

Usually, we aim for 20% of our income to go to savings. Right now, due to some extreme money goals, everything extra coming in is going into our savings, except a small amount we divert to investing.

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How will I make more in April?

The focus of these posts has been things anyone can do to make money, not including blog or other work income.

Our plans for April include:

1. Selling Off Everything

Clothing, shoes, some books, coins (the collection was given to me at Christmas we were told we could), some of the things our kids no longer use and a few household things.

2. Finish Training and Enrol in Another Course

While this won’t make money immediately, it is an important part of making money on the side in the future and part of a career change we would like eventually. It will take time but we are excited by it.

3. Focus On Business

We share the side hustles as they are things anyone can do but it does detract from time on business and business is where our future and main income is.

Ideally, we will focus more on business in the coming months, increase income and outsource more.