Ways to Make Extra Money After Divorce
Your after divorce checklist naturally has tasks related to the new logistics. Ferrying the kids without an extra driver, fitting in counseling sessions, and navigating your new social standing.
But lately, your post-divorce finances have become a growing concern – you know you need to come up with some ways to make extra money after divorce has shattered your finances.
With a deep sigh, you sit and make note of the internet searches you need to do but have been putting off:
Ways to make extra money from home
Ways to make extra money on the side
Ways to make extra cash
Make money online
Making more money after divorce
Money and divorce
Here at Alimonia Life, we try to address all kinds of during- and post-divorce struggles you may go through. And we know these things because we’ve been there. Right where you are right now – worrying over the finances.
It’s stressful, on top of everything else. So today, we’re just here to brainstorm with you. Hopefully, that can help you feel less alone!
Debts
I can’t say enough about the Dave Ramsey plan that saved me from financial ruin after my divorce.
Note: Dave Ramsey’s website has some free online financial tools to use!
The idea is that you get a contingency account ready with a few hundred dollars in it, at least – preferably money to cover a couple months of bills. That’s set aside for when unexpected expenses arise. And believe me…after divorce, unexpected expenses will arise.
Once contingency is in place, you assess the debts.
List them ALL out in order from smallest to largest. (I use an easy Google Sheets spreadsheet.)
While paying minimum payments on all that require it, you only focus your hard energy on the smallest debt each month.
Get that one thing – the smallest debt or collections account –paid off, then move onto the next.
It’s based on the science that we need small wins to keep us going. For me, it really worked to reduce my post-divorce money stress!
Budgeting (Reduce Wasteful Spending)
Secondly, you can’t spend money the same way that you did when there were two incomes in your home. Assessing your debts after divorce is only part of the post-divorce finances…because budgeting is now even more critical.
This means:
Knowing the minimum average bill money you need each month (This may show you that you’ll need a second job, a side hustle, or to downsize your car, home, TV or cell service, etc. to something you can better afford.
Sorting “wants” and “needs” when it comes to your purchases. It’s time to really prioritize your spending.
“Tighten the belt,” so to speak, wherever you can. Instead of the regular grocery store, go to a budget supermarket. Instead of streaming services, get back into reading books from the library. Instead of drinks out at the bar on weekends, invite a few friends over for a quieter and less expensive wine-and-movie night.
When you get control of your spending, you can often find hundreds of dollars that could be better allocated to bills or to your children’s needs. Or, to your needs.
When you’ve gotten the debts lined up and the spending under control…it’s time to find a few new ways to make money, online or otherwise, to help you get back on your financial feet.
Working
Obviously working more hours could help. Perhaps your boss could throw you an extra half-shift, or keep you in mind more often to fill in for others. Do the math – could a few more hours help? Or would this cost more in terms of daycare?
Side jobs such as pet sitting, babysitting, mowing lawns, or working as a personal shopper – are all good ways to add more work hours if you’d rather mix it up. (Walking your neighbor’s dog at the park while your kids play does sound like more fun than an extra hour at your day job, right?)
Selling
You’ve got all kinds of things around the house that are now yours, but are tied to your life with the ex. Maybe it’s time to let some of that stuff go? Sell it off, replace it with cheaper things, and use the extra money to tick off a debt.
Facebook Marketplace is an easy local option that wouldn’t require you to do any shipping.
Pawn shops in your area would be happy to take the jewelry that you’ll never wear anymore (thanks to the ex!). Remember to keep any heirloom pieces you may want to pass on to your children – the rest, just sell it off for some cash!
Remember ‘ol EBay? Yeah, get signed back into that and unload some small things you’ve got around the house. I sold some cross stitching kits I had in a storage tub for over $100.00 each on EBay! Recently, I sold a large kit I had for over $250.00! Extra money like that can really help when things get tight. If you want, use it as a teaching tool for your kids and help them hone their own entrepreneurial ideas!
There are all sorts of online sites and local consignment shops for selling name-brand items. Raid your closet! You can also find local consignment shops that do very well for slightly used adult and children’s clothing. Make it a fun adventure for the whole family and you can offset another monthly expense.
Side-Hustles
Side hustles can help your finances, but they can also help you restore some confidence, find a new hobby, and begin defining your life outside of your marriage.
After my divorce, I picked up cross stitching again. It was a hobby that helped me to get my head back into my own life – and out of the stress that my marriage had been causing. With the divorce final, I had time to myself, especially at night when the kids went to bed. This extra time meant that my brain literally felt like it was chewing itself alive.
So, I got out my stowed-away needles and fabric, and all those pretty-colored flosses, and I got to work creating things that made me happy.
The stitching helped my brain, but I also found ways to buy small items here and there and resell them for more money online. That provided some extra money. In fact, I kind of used this as a way to pay for the hobby itself. It was so therapeutic for me that I wanted to continue doing it.
I also began writing and blogging. Posting these things online actually brought in some much-needed money!
The point is – do what you love, and find a way to make a little extra money in that field. Side hustles are most fun when you enjoy them. Plus, they can help you try new things, meet new people, and challenge yourself!
Need some ideas for stay-at-home money? Here are a few of my favorites:
Ways to Make Money Online
Freelancing
Nerdwallet suggests picking up some freelance work as a lucrative way to make money online. Making money online could be as simple as:
Polishing up your online profiles on LinkedIn and Indeed, then putting out feelers for taking on clients in your field. Maybe you can offer virtual assisting, social media management, or home health services. Whatever you do for a living, find freelance opportunities in your field!
Creating a Fiverr account can open you up for taking orders in something you can do for people online – creating logos, proofreading, or reviewing websites for people to improve their online visibility and traffic. Again, whatever you’re good at – offer those services on Fiverr!
Turn your downtime into cash. Taking surveys can provide a little extra to ease up the tight monthly budget. Plus, it’s kinda fun!
Savvy Shopping Rebates
Turn your weekly shopping trips into money with Ibotta. And if you clip coupons you could double dip on your purchases. It takes a little time, but gamifying your shopping could mean a big payout! (I made over $150 my first month with Ibotta!)
Tutoring
Have a degree? Why not offer online tutoring services or join a network of tutors? Indeed has some advice on how you could turn your know-how into cash with tutoring.
Write
Websites like Medium.com allow you to write online and earn a little when people read your work. I’ve made thousands with Medium and I found a wonderful online community of friends and fans.
If you prefer having your own blog, consider building a blog on something you know well…then pursuing ad revenue to pad your wallet each month.
Writing is high-competition, but if you do the research, choose good topics to write about, or simply get a big loyal fanbase, you could promote products like with Amazon’s affiliate program and start earning.
Making Extra Cash
Making extra cash after your divorce is only part of what’s needed to financially recover after divorce. There’s more to financial recovery than simply putting out the fires and stopping the financial bleeding. It’s also about your financial health.
There are lots of programs out there – like the Dave Ramsay one I used – that can help you change the way you look at your finances, and empower you to start rebuilding your life. You don’t have to be burdened by a terrible post-divorce settlement and think that you’ll never make it on your own.
You can get your finances under control.
I did it. So, I know that you can do it too!
Christina M Ward