Easy Ways To Make Money On Maternity Leave

AD. There are lots of unknowns when it comes to pregnancy and parenting. And it's the fear of the unknown that's our greatest worry. We worry about how we’re going to cope as parents. Whether our bodies are going to go 'back to normal' after we’ve given birth. We worry about how we’re going to survive on a maternity wage, especially with the rising cost of living crisis. We’re worriers, it's in our nature! There are lots of things we can’t control during pregnancy, childbirth and parenting, but one thing we can take control over is our finances. There are ways, easy ways, we can make money on maternity leave.

Going from a full time wage (even on minimum wage) to a statutory maternity wage is quite a shock. It’s daunting but thankfully most of us get 9 months to prepare. There are numerous ways we can save money in the run up to maternity leave, but today I want to give you a few tips on how you can make money on maternity leave.

^{[Photo by} Visual Stories || Micheile on Unsplash^]

How To Make Money On Maternity Leave

1. Complete Market Research Surveys

Whilst you’re nap-trapped under a newborn you could be making money from the comfort of your phone by completing market research surveys. There are numerous facilities you could go through. One of the easiest is YouGov as they send you regular emails asking for specific research surveys to be completed. In most cases you’ll complete a number of surveys, racking up points which you can then turn into cash.

Market research surveys

• YouGov
• I-Say
• Survey junkie

2. Sell Any Unwanted Items

I’m a big believer in buying and selling unwanted or second hand items. Not only do they make space in your home, but they can give your bank balance a bit of a boost too. I’ve found Vinted to be the easiest (and most friendly) selling platform to use however there are numerous ones out there online. Failing that you could even make a day of it at a local car boot sale. This isn’t something I’ve done personally, but car booting is something I know I'd enjoy. Selling clothes for cash is great for sustainability and giving items a second lease of life. It’s a win win for all parties.

Places you can sell unwanted items.

• Vinted
• Ebay
• Facebook marketplace
• Gumtree
• Depop
• Shpock
• Preloved
• Cash converters

3. Start A Blog

One of the best ways (and in my opinion the most fun and rewarding) ways to make money online is through a blog. Whether you want to blog about your experience as a mother on maternity leave, or any other passions of yours, there can be big money made in blogging. Starting a business as a stay at home mother can be a difficult process, but it’s one that can be super rewarding and open up a whole bunch of possibilities for you post maternity leave.

4. Use Cash Back Sites

We can’t be 100% on it all the time with our money. There are going to be times on your maternity leave where you’ll need a ‘treat yourself’ purchase. I don’t believe in fully limiting yourself if you don’t have to. But we can be clever, when it comes to online purchases by using cash back apps. Sites such as Top Cash Back give you a percentage of the money spent straight back into your account. They state that members on average earn £345 cashback a year, which is you ask me is 100% better than nothing.

Cash back sites.

• Top cash back
• Quidco

5. Utilise Your KIT Days

Whilst on maternity leave you’re entitled to 10 paid keeping in touch / KIT days. In order to survive on a maternity wage I think it’s really important to use all ten days and use them wisely. With my first daughter I took 12 months off work which meant I had 9 months paid and three months unpaid leave. I used my KIT days during the last three months as I knew they were going to be the toughest financially. Having the extra boost of income was great, but it also massively helped me acclimatise and get back into the working environment.

6. Sell Any Vehicles or Large Assets You’re No Longer Using

Maternity leave can be a great opportunity to take a step back and look at all the things you own, especially if your lifestyle has changed since welcoming a baby. You may find that there are larger items that are no longer being used as often as they once were, yet they’re still costing money to insure, store, or maintain. Before making any decisions, it’s sensible to have your caravan valued so you can understand what it’s worth in the current market. Even if you ultimately decide to keep it, knowing its value can help you weigh up your options more confidently. If you choose to sell, the extra money could provide a great financial cushion during your maternity leave, helping with everyday expenses or boosting your savings. It’s a simple way to make the most of the assets you already own without taking on additional work during an already busy time in your life.

I know it’s daunting surviving on a maternity wage, but with these tips and tricks you can definitely make money on maternity leave.