Making money from home

By Marc Lockley

Alphabet T There are so many opportunities to make money from your home. Marc Lockley looks through the keyhole and finds some novel money-making ways around your home:
HouseHouse

Spare room studies

Hosting foreign students. There are many students coming from abroad to study. If you are happy to welcome a student into your family then visit a site such as http://interstudies.com.

Become an event host. If you live in or around Wimbledon, St Andrews, London in 2012 or similar big events then there likely to be opportunities to rent out rooms or even your house.

Renting a room permanently. Under the governments rent a room scheme you can earn up to £4,250 tax free for a furnished room, but make sure you draw up a good tenancy agreement.

Computer room capers

'PAs required, need own computer.' Are you an organised person who is computer savvy, organised and can type? If so, advertise your skills as a virtual secretary. Many small businesses cannot afford full-time secretaries, but need someone to do the administration.

Fancy yourself as a travel writer? Be paid for your travel experiences. Post articles at http://www.simonseeks.com and gain income from the advertising revenue.

Survey success. Complete on-line surveys like http://www.e-rewards.co.uk where you can earn Air Miles that will help fund your flights to faraway places.

Carport profit

De-clutter and profit at the same time. Sell your unwanted items in a garage sale. Make sure you advertise it well by creating a leaflet and posting it through people's doors and putting up signs in the area, promoting some of the key items and the date and time of your event.

Rent out your drive. As previously mentioned - see the article Use your spare time to make money - if you have space on your driveway, why not rent it out and earn yourself extra cash?

Front–room funds

Selling for success. Become a salesperson in your own home, inviting friends and neighbours over. Tupperware, Pampered Chef and Body Shop are some examples of parties that you can create in the comfort of your own home.

Press for pounds. Promote your ironing skills locally, especially to cash-rich, time-poor executives. Offer a cleaning service as well and you could increase the hours you notch up.

Embrace the revival of flat-packed furniture. If you have a knack of assembling furniture, promote this in your own area and work from your front room while watching one of those Changing Rooms-type programmes.

Marc Lockley is a negotiation coach who writes for the Guardian online. He is the author of 'How To Pay Less for More', a consumer guide to getting the best deals whatever you are buying. Marc's opinions are his own and for general information only. Always seek independent professional advice. This article was published on December 9, 2009.

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