New research by Aviva has found that the majority of people who started a ‘side hustle’ during the coronavirus pandemic are still keeping them up.
Nearly a fifth (19%) of the 2,000 people across the UK polled by the insurance provider said they had taken up a side venture at some point since March 2020 and 63 per cent are continuing to pursue them.
Selling handcrafted products was the most popular activity chosen, followed by freelancing. Some had dabbled in art, photography and driving a taxi, while others had tried their hand at being a social media influencer, which was particularly popular among people aged 16 to 24.
However, something everyone with an internet connection might want to consider doing during the cost of living crisis is surveys.
One of the members of the Daily Record Money Saving Scotland Facebook group recently shared how he has been making extra cash by completing online surveys and has also received a raft of branded freebies, including breakfast packs, from retailers looking for product testers and reviewers.
Andy has received everything from shower gel to dog food and board games to bottled water - all free, simply by signing up.
To get your hands on some handy freebies, Andy explains: “It’s worth joining Just Free Stuff, Only Free Stuff and Best Free Stuff.
“In the last three months I’ve had three Hasbro board games, a football, toothpaste, stickers for kids, cereal bars and keyrings - all for nothing.”
For those thinking about trying their hand at free online surveys that offer a financial reward - which can take a fair bit of time to earn - Andy recommends Panelbase.net, mingle.respondi.com and YouGov.co.uk.
He also highlighted how by completing surveys on mycreativekitchen.co.uk you are automatically entered into a monthly prize draw to win one of 80 Amazon gift vouchers worth between £10 and £100.
Andy’s highest win to date is £100, but over the last eight months he’s received a few for between £10 and £50.
Last year, Martin Lewis shared the success story of Julie Icke who has already netted over £5,000 in online surveys since being made redundant.
The 47-year-old from Nottinghamshire shared how some of the surveys pay by points and others by cash or vouchers.
Speaking on the Martin Lewis Money Show Live at the time, Julie said: “Within a few months it had got up to £400 a month, this particular month I’ve had a really good month and it’s looking more like £600 or £700.”
Starting a side hustle isn’t always about making extra money, although during these challenging financial times, it definitely can’t hurt.
More than a quarter of those who took part in the Aviva survey said their new vocation was to empower themselves and gain confidence or improve their mental health, while 16 per cent wanted to try out skills they had acquired.
Nearly two-fifths (38%) of people used the money from their side hustle for day-to-day living expenses, such as rent, food or clothes.
A quarter (25%) had used the extra cash to save for the longer term.
Commenting on the survey results, Alistair McQueen, head of savings and retirement at Aviva, said: "The pandemic has transformed how we relate to work and our research reveals two sides to this story.
"For some, the pandemic has brought greater work-life flexibility. This appears to have fuelled a boom in side hustles, but for others, the pandemic has brought greater financial strain and this appears to have fuelled a need to look elsewhere to make ends meet.
"The enterprise is to be admired and the talents are to be celebrated.”
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