It’s no secret that caregivers often struggle financially. The role comes with many additional costs, which can be hard to anticipate. To make matters worse, your ability to earn money is often compromised.
Many caregivers find that they’re often unable to work their regular job. Even when they can, their working hours may need to be reduced. This just adds to the financial strain.
The gig economy is an interesting area that may help to relieve some financial burden. The term refers to roles that are less formal and structured than a regular job. Being an Uber driver is one example and there are many others.
People working in this field are typically independent contractors. This means that you don’t get the same protections as you would with a regular job. The pay rate is often lower as well.
But… the roles are incredibly flexible.
You get to choose when you work and when you don’t – often with little to no notice. This is fantastic for caregivers. After all, being a caregiver certainly isn’t predictable.
There are far too many jobs to go through here (the site Wonolo has a great list), but I do want to highlight some types and their implications.
Before I do that, I want to make one point clear – research carefully. The gig economy can work very well – something that I’ve learned through practice. Even so, roles are rarely ever as good as they seem. It will often take time to find a rhythm and to optimize your income.
Types of Gig Economy Jobs
Transportation. Companies like Uber, Lyft and Via allow you to make money while driving other people around. You’ll need to pass various criteria first, including a background check
Delivery. Driving people isn’t the only option. UberEATS, DoorDash
Odd Jobs. There are gig opportunities in many different fields. Sites like TaskRabbit and TaskEasy are good for the range of tasks they offer.
Shifts. Sites like Wonolo and Snag.Work give you the chance to find hourly work in your local area. Some of this work could get your foot in the door for a regular job.
Freelancing. Freelancing basically means making money from your skills – and you can freelance just about any skill. Freelance writing has become exceptionally popular. Other popular approaches include graphic design, logo creation, website design, and data entry.
Sites like Freelancer.com and UpWork can be good places to begin until you’re ready to find clients of your own. Just be wary of the competition. Developing a reputation on these sites can take quite some time and the competition is often fierce.
Strike Out on your Own
You’re not limited to a formal company or role either. I’ve seen some people avoid this entirely by building their own business. It could be something simple or complex, depending on your needs and situation.
For example, you might be able to offer services in your home, such as tutoring, babysitting or teaching people to play a musical instrument.
Making money online is another angle. Some people try the affiliate marketing approach, where you promote products, or they earn through ads on a website. I’ve seen others promote services, like writing or editing. There are plenty of sites that facilitate this type of work. You can even simply advertise through Craigslist.
If you have the time and transport, you could try something in the community. Doing odds and ends work can be a great way to stay physically active while not having to travel too far. I’m sure you can find people in your neighborhood that need tasks done, like lawns mowed or gutters cleaned.
These days, conventional jobs aren’t the end of the story.
There are many other options if you’re willing to be a little creative and put yourself out there. Just make sure you plan and research carefully. Some things will sound great at first glance and simply won’t work in practice.
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