From narrating audiobooks to moonlighting as funeral celebrants, journalists can use their skills in many weird and wonderful ways to make some extra money
It's a funny time to work in the news industry. Jobs feel less secure than ever, but the possibilities of work feel almost endless.
When I've needed a bit of extra cash in the past, I've tried lots of different things to balance the scales. I've handed out leaflets (it's a lot of walking for not a lot of money), I've tried doing surveys (seemed like more data to part with than the potential earnings were worth), I've sold possessions that were gathering dust or gaining value. But the best work no doubt came from my journalistic skills, like the odd bit of speaking or freelance work.
In the UK, you can earn £1000 without needing to declare yourself as self-employed or pay tax on it. That covers products you make or sell, a service you provide, or content you make. So that's a nice little nest egg for a rainy day fund.
As a passionate video gamer, I've long thought about those mobile games that promise cash payouts. But a recent post by freelance journalist Qin Xie on her Money Talks newsletter confirmed what I long suspected: potential earnings are less than minimum wage. Plus, that's time spent playing a fishy mobile game, when I could be enjoying my PS5.
Qin Xie
