Extra job where I set the hours?

Siarad

I am looking to earn extra money to help me pay off extra on the mortgage, make home improvements, etc.

My problem is that, between various responsibilities and a fairly busy social life, it's very hard for me to commit to regular extra hours.

'Zero hours contracts' only benefit the employer, it seems like it's very difficult for an employee to pick and choose when they work with such contracts. Lots of the available jobs near me seem to want staff to commit to regular hours, even when they're seemingly bank/bureau jobs like in healthcare.

I do the surveys and so on online but it's very difficult to make any significant money quickly. I've applied for Take Note and other transcription sites but had no feedback owing to a high number of applicants (I'm fairly certain I passed the test).

It would be good to find a joblocally that I could go to when I'm able to that doesn't require me to commit to regular hours. Can anybody think of any kinds of work that might operate more in line with this?

Ebe_Scrooge

The obvious ones that spring to mind are the various catalogue companies - Avon, Betterware, PartyLife, that sort of thing. There are varying opinions on how good they are, and whether you can make any "decent" money at them, but it may be worth looking into ?

I think the problem is, for any standard job where you're employed directly by someone else, then you're going to have to accept that you'll be working the hours as required by their business. The only way you can be truly flexible is to be self-employed in some capacity.

Misty_Blue

Proofreading/editing? You have a deadline, obviously, but as long as you meet it you can do the work as and when to suit you.

Deru

Something from the Gig Economy?

Maybe do deliveries, handy-man services via apps like Task rabbit. You pick what jobs to take on.

trailingspouse

Perhaps you need to prioritise between your need for more cash and your 'active social life'. I'm not being facetious - but if you go out less, you'll spend less, and also have more opportunity for earning money. A win-win.


Have you thought about getting a lodger/doing AirBnB?

Februarycat

Have you tried Rev.com for transcription work, you can work when you want but pay is not great.

System

If you don't mind doing cleaning, look for ads that specify "key holder position", or, if the ad doesn't say the hours of the role, call and ask if it's key holder. This means that you can go in at any time that the business is not open. I had 20 hours per week of key holder cleaning and it's not so awful, you get to work in peace with nobody annoying you at a time of the evening or early morning that suits you!

jayxray

Maybe you should try freelance sites? You can do a lot there

ejury

Contact a local temp agency. You pick what days hours you can do and they let you know if they have anything. Most agencies pay weekly! I temp 1-2 days a week.

joeyjimbles

Maybe try Just Eat delivery if you have a car available and don't mind working some evenings and weekends, you pick when you want to work. However, be aware that you may lose out to people who are more regularly available.

pickledonionspaceraider

My best advice is what someone told me recently (when I asked the same question) , to double down efforts to earn more money in your full time job. Either aim for a promotion , ask for a raise or get another job 

All these things people are suggesting are great, but they pay poorly and do eat in to your life to such a degree you literally feel like you have no time to yourself