How To Make Extra Money on Maternity Leave in 2024

This post will teach new mums how to make extra money on maternity leave in the UK in 2024. We have taken time to find the top 10 ways to make more money as a new mum so that you can treat your baby, and yourself, in those first few months. Having a child comes with a number of extra costs and earning extra money during your maternity leave could be a great way to boost your financial situation.

Here are the best ways to make extra money on maternity leave in the UK 2024.

make extra money on maternity leave

Best Ways To Make Extra Money on Maternity Leave in The UK 2024

Here is an overview of the best ways to make money on maternity leave in 2024. To find out more about each side hustle for mums, keep reading.

  1. PaidOnlineWritingJobs: Earn up to £75 per hour with simple online writing jobs. Make money from your laptop and work hours that suit you.

  2. Sell clothes on Depop: The easiest way for new mums to make extra money during maternity leave. Free to start and takes just 1 hour per day.

  3. Pinterest affiliate marketing: Great way to earn extra money for social media-savvy mums.

  4. Car renting: Earn up to £600 per month extra as a new mum. Low-effort way to make money on maternity leave.

  5. Sell digital products on Etsy: Passive side hustle idea for new mums on maternity leave that you can start for free.

  6. Online surveys: Easy way for mums to make extra money quickly in the UK.

  7. Switch banks: Earn up to £250 by switching to a new banking provider in 2024.

  8. Start a blog: A good way to build up an extra stream of income whilst you’re on maternity leave.

  9. Set up a freelance gig: Make money doing something you love. Use your existing skills to make extra money on maternity leave.

  10. Sell your photos: Great way to make extra money for new mums who love to take pictures. Make money from photos that are already on your phone.

How To Make Extra Money on Maternity Leave - 11 Ways That Actually Work!

There are plenty of ways that new mums can make extra money on maternity leave in the UK 2024. Here’s a closer look at the top 11 ways to make money on maternity leave and how to start.

Also read: 10 best side hustles for couples in the UK

1. PaidOnlineWritingJobs - Earn up to £75 per hour from your laptop

PaidOnlineWritingJobs is a platform that we have used ourselves to find high-paid online writing gigs that are perfect for new mums.

The platform connects users to a range of online writing jobs that pay up to £75 per hour, are completely flexible, and are beginner-friendly.

You do not need to be a pro writer to start making money from this option. Many of the jobs are perfect for beginners and only require basic typing skills. The types of writing jobs available include caption writing, email writing, blog writing, and copywriting.

PaidOnlineWritingJobs reduces the time that it usually takes to find online work by sending opportunities straight to your inbox. Users have to apply for each opportunity however, there are hundreds of open positions currently listed on the platform which means that there are lots of chances to start getting paid.

To access the job board and start getting new opportunities, you will need to pay a £1 subscription. From our experience, you will get aid opportunities sent to your inbox as soon as you sign up.

2. Sell clothes on Depop - The easiest way to make extra money on maternity leave

Selling your old clothes on Depop is one of the easiest and quickest, ways to earn extra money on maternity leave. As a new mum, you probably have a few old outfits that haven’t been worn for several months. You could easily sell these on Depop for free and make some extra cash.

it is completely free to sign up to Depop in the UK and the process of selling clothes is very easy. Simply take pictures of the clothing you want to sell, write a detailed description, and upload it to your Depop shop. Other good platforms for re-selling clothes in the UK include Vinted, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace.

3. Pinterest affiliate marketing - Great way to earn extra money for social media-savvy mums

It is possible to make money with Pinterest affiliate marketing, even if you don’t have millions of followers. Like TikTok, Pinterest posts can be seen by millions of users no matter who they are posted by. Therefore, Pinterest is an excellent platform to use if you want to start affiliate marketing in 2024.

Read: The best affiliate marketing programs for beginners

Affiliate marketing involves promoting products or services and earning a commission every time someone shops through your affiliate link. Pinterest allows users to place links directly onto posts. This makes it easy to reach millions of potential customers and start earning commissions.

Pinterest is a largely aesthetic app which means that people use it to search for visual inspiration. Interior design, outfit ideas, and makeup ideas are examples of popular searches on the platform. As a result, the best type of products to promote are lifestyle, beauty, or decor products.

As a new mum on maternity leave, you could take photos of products that you use and promote these by signing up for Amazon affiliates. The key to making money through Pinterest affiliate marketing is to post several times each day. It could take up to a month before you start seeing results.

4. Car renting - Make up to £600 per month whilst on maternity leave

Did you know that it is possible to rent out your car for cash in the UK? Many car rental platforms offer car owners the opportunity to make an extra £600 per month by renting their car out to people who need a vehicle.

This money-making idea works best for people who live in busy cities where there are a high number of tourists. However, it is possible to sign up for a car rental platform from anywhere in the UK. Simply create an account, fill out your vehicle details, and start making money.

Most car rental platforms allow you to choose when your vehicle can be rented out. This means that you don’t have to give up your car completely! You could choose to rent it out for a few days a week or just at the weekends. The longer you can rent out your car, the more money you could make.

It is completely free to sign up and see how much you could rent out your car for in the UK.

5. Sell digital products on Etsy - The best way for creative mums to make money on maternity leave

If you’re a new mum with a creative side, selling digital products on Etsy could be a fun way to make some extra cash during those rare hours when your new baby is asleep. Digital products can be created for free and don’t require any inventory or shipping. Some examples of popular digital products to sell include workout plans, planners, templates, and printables.

To start making money by selling digital products in 2024, set up an Etsy shop and upload your products with good descriptions. You may need to experiment with several different products before you find one that sells. Most successful Etsy sellers have multiple listings on their Etsy store so that customers can find the exact product that they need.

It may take some time to make your first sale through Etsy. However, with persistence, it is very possible to replace your full-time income by selling digital products on Etsy in 2024. This is a great way for mums to make extra money on maternity leave and build a small business that could support their future.

6. Online surveys - Easy way for mums to make money on maternity leave

You can make extra money online by taking simple surveys that can pay up to £75 in the UK. Surveys collect data that is then used by companies to guide decision-making. The best way to find paid survey opportunities is to sign up to a survey site such as i-Say or Swag Bucks. These platforms will connect you with survey opportunities that are posted by companies.

It is important to check the payment offered by each site before you sign up. While it is possible to find survey sites that pay cash in the UK, many online survey platforms reward users with points that can eventually be exchanged for cash or vouchers.

Surveys are a great side hustle for mums on maternity leave because they can be done in less than 20 minutes and require no specific skill set or training. All you have to do is answer simple questions.

7. Switch banks - Earn up to £250 by switching to a new banking provider in 2024

If you’re looking for extra money on maternity leave, one of the easiest things to do is to switch your bank. I the UK, a number of reputable banking providers are currently offering cash incentives to new customers who sign up for an account.

The best offers are worth up to £250, which is debited directly into the new account that you create. All that you have to do is sign up for a new bank account and close your current account. The process usually takes around 7 working days to complete and the money will be available when the switching process has finished.

Current banks that are offering sign-up bonuses include First Direct, Lloyds Bank, and Halifax. You must read the terms and conditions before applying and make sure that you understand that switching process.

8. Start a blog - A good way to build up an extra stream of income whilst you’re on maternity leave

Mum blogs are very popular amongst other new mums who want to read about the experiences of others. If you’re looking to build a new stream of income on maternity leave, you could share your experiences as a new mum online by building your own blog.

Bloggers make money through ad revenue, affiliate links, sponsored posts, and merchandise. It is very possible to turn a small blog into a six-figure business by staying persistent and delivering high-value content to your audience.

Blogging isn’t an instant way to make money. In fact, most bloggers won’t make any money for the first six months of posting. However, overtime can become a very lucrative side hustle for mums. The key to building your blog into a profitable stream of income is to post as much valuable content as possible. You could use your evenings to sit down with a glass of wine and write whatever comes to your mind.

Read: How to promote your side hustle

Blog posts about parental dilemmas are very popular and can be easily monetized by recommending helpful products to your readers. You can start a blog for free using platforms such as Squarespace or Wix. A good way to drive traffic to your mum blog is through Pinterest.

9. Set up a freelance gig - Use your existing skills to make extra money on maternity leave

One of the most flexible ways to make extra money on maternity leave is to set up a freelance gig on Fiverr. Freelancing provides new mums with the opportunity to make extra money in a way that best suits their lifestyle. As a freelancer, you choose when you work and how much you work.

You can do almost anything as a freelancer in the UK. Some popular freelance jobs include copywriting, graphic design, translation, virtual assistance, and content creation. A good idea is to choose something that you are already good at.

Fiverr allows you to set up your own freelance gigs which can be seen by individuals who are looking to outsource tasks to freelancers. You can choose how much you charge and the exact services that you provide.

To be successful as a freelancer on Fiverr, spend time creating a professional portfolio that showcases your skills. Also, encourage customers to leave positive reviews when jobs are completed to attract more customers to your gig.

10. Sell your photos - Great way to make extra money for new mums who love to take pictures

Another good way to make money on maternity leave is to sell stock photos online. Anyone can sign up to stock image platforms and start earning passive income for photos that are already in your camera roll. The best platforms for beginners are Shutterstock and iStock Photo.

To start, simply sign up to a stock photo platform and connect a payment method to your account. Then, upload any pictures that you would like to sell as stock images. Generic photos that can be used for various niches sell the best. The more photos that you upload, the better your chances will be of making money. It is possible to make money selling stock photos online without any professional equipment. However, high-quality images definitely sell best! Try taking some photos next time you’re on a walk with your newborn.

Most platforms pay around £0.20 per photo sold. While this doesn’t sound like much, it can quickly add up over time. Some of the best sellers make hundreds each month by selling stock photos.

Conclusion

It is possible to boost your income on maternity leave by starting a side hustle that you can do from home. The best ways to make extra money on maternity leave include selling clothes on Depop, matched betting, and Pinterest affiliate marketing. As a new mum, you probably have very little free time. Therefore, it is important to prioritize yourself before your money! Side hustles can be a great way to stretch your budget but remember to give yourself enough time to rest in between taking care of your newborn.

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Related posts:

  1. Best side hustles for nurses

  2. Best side hustles for teachers

  3. How to use your side hustle to build wealth

FAQs

  • It is possible to earn other income while on maternity leave as long as you are working on a self-employed basis. By doing this, your SMP will not be impacted. However, it is a good idea to check your contract before starting any side hustles whilst you’re on maternity leave.

  • In the UK, Statutory Maternity Pay is paid for up to 39 weeks. The amount that you get paid is the lower option between £172.48 or 90% of your weekly pay. Some companies will offer different maternity leave contracts or bonuses and it is important to check this before you take your leave.

  • The best way to survive financially on maternity leave is to save in advance and take advantage of side hustles that you can do around looking after your new born. Selling clothing online, and renting out your car are examples of easy side hustles that could stretch your budget whilst on maternity leave.

All of our articles are written to help our readers to learn about different side hustles, how they work and how to start earning money from them. Although we mention potential earnings, it is important to understand that there is no guarantee that you will make money from any of the side hustles that are mentioned on our site. Making money from a side hustle requires consistency and significant effort. While we aim to provide useful insight into each side hustle opportunity, it is down to you to follow the right steps towards making any profits.

About The Author

Ruby is the founder of The Rich Girl Guide and has been writing content around personal finance, side hustles and wellbeing for over 3 years. You can find some of Ruby’s published articles on The Motley Fool UK, Tradingplatforms.com and Buyshares.co.uk.