Holly Thomas
Rent your garage or driveway
If you have a garage or driveway you’re not using, you could rent it out for others to park in. You can let your garage through a property-letting agent, particularly in major cities which can be even more lucrative if you live near a train station. You could just rent out your driveway by advertising in your local paper or newsagent. Websites such as parklet.co.uk or Parkatmyhouse.com allow you to advertise your available space. You could also use the online notice board at www.gumtree.com - but remember that you’ll have to work out contracts and payments yourself. However, it's worth remembering that if you change the location where you usually park your own car (in order to rent a garage or driveway), you should notify your insurer as this may affect your premium.
Recommend a friend
There are plenty of deals to take advantage of by simply recommending a friend. For example, Sky's Introduce a Friend programme rewards you with £50 of M&S vouchers. For each one of your referrals, you’ll receive a gift, and your friend will get the same.
Sell your car and use a car club
If you don’t use your car much then sell it and sign up to a car club in your area where you simply pay as you go, avoiding tax, insurance and running costs. Visit: www.streetcar.co.uk
Lost accounts
Billions of pounds of unclaimed assets lie in old bank accounts, pensions and investments. You can find out if any belong to you using any of the free services. There are some companies who will help you trace old money but for a fee. Website mylostaccount.org.uk can help reunite people with lost or forgotten cash in a bank, a building society, National Savings & Investments – or all three. The Pensions Service can help find lost pension details, and the Investment Management Association at www.investmentuk.org/contact-us or Association of Investment Companies at www.theaic.co.uk
Sell on eBay
Selling unwanted items can be a great moneyspinner. You will be surprised about what people will buy! The more details you include, the more interest you will get from buyers. Adding pictures will attract more people to bid. Check out eBay's safety centre. It contains a huge amount of information for both sellers and buyers. You could even bag something for free on www.uk.freecycle.org that will save you spending anything.
Cashback websites
You can get paid to shop by signing up to cashback clubs. Each requires you to register to set up an account into which your cash is paid. Some charge membership fees, while others pay you to join. Once logged on, you click on the links to retailers and start shopping. Each offers a different cashback percentage for assorted items. Visit www.quidco.com or www.topcashback.co.uk
Free flights
You can pay for flights with Easyjet using Nectar points, or use a combination of points and cash. Sainsbury’s is one of the big retailers where you can earn points, while customers of partner firms, such as Homebase, BP and British Gas, can also collect points. For those who collect Airmiles through Tesco and Shell among others, they can take a trip for free with British Airways or even redeem points at hotels. Visit www.airmiles.co.uk
Sell your mobile phone
We’re all guilty of hoarding old mobile phones. But companies will pay a decent sum for old handsets. Check what yours are worth on www.envirofone.com
Claim benefits
Billions of pounds goes unclaimed in benefits and grants every year. New figures show an average £675 a year in additional state benefits is unclaimed by pensioners. Find out what you’re missing out on at www.entitledto.co.uk
Online surveys
By giving your opinion you can earn cash. It’s not big bucks, but every little helps. And if you’re the kind of person who enjoys expressing an opinion and filling in forms, it’s perfect! Have a look at www.valuedopinions.co.uk or www.onepoll.com as a starting point.
Written by Holly Thomas, deputy personal finance editor of the Daily and Sunday Express. This article was first published on April 28, 2011. Holly's opinions are her own and for general information only. Always seek independent, professional, financial advice.