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How to Increase Your Income — Start Now, Make It Last

Ever feel like no matter how much effort you put into your day job, your income just isn’t stretching far enough? Trust me, you’re not alone. The good news? There are two powerful ways to change that: boost what you're already earning and build other income streams.

I’ll walk you through both — actionable advice, no fluff — plus pointers to dig deeper if you want. Let’s get into it.

Boost Your Current Income (Career & Salary Growth)

Want more detail? I’ve written a full article on career growth with step-by-step advice — you can find it on my Careers page

Negotiate Your Salary Like a Pro

Do your homework — check market rates via Glassdoor, Michael Page, or industry salary guides to set a realistic target.
Time it right — ideally at the job offer stage or after a big win at work.
Frame the conversation — use phrases like “I’d like to discuss how I’m rewarded”, and share clear examples of your value.
Be open to the whole package — if salary bumps aren’t possible, ask for bonuses, extra holiday, or professional development.
Get it in writing — avoid “it’s agreed verbally,” and ask for everything confirmed formally

Go for a Promotion or Take on More Responsibility

Think about where you want to be in the next 2–3 years. Promotions usually mean a decent jump in salary, so position yourself as someone ready for the next step. That might mean volunteering for stretch projects, mentoring juniors, or developing skills that fill gaps in your team.

A few things to think about before you approach your boss:

Show how your achievements align with the business’s goals.
Communicate with curiosity: “I want to contribute more — and grow. What would stepping up look like?”
Frame it as mutually beneficial — your growth helps the company too.

Invest in Skills That Pay

Look out for high-value skills in demand (e.g., project management, data analytics, copywriting).
Explore low-cost resources like Coursera, Udemy, or employer-funded training programs.
It doesn’t just make you promotable — it opens up freelance or consulting options down the line.

Maximise Bonuses, Overtime & Benefits

Crunch the numbers: is overtime paid enough to beat what you’d earn investing those hours elsewhere?
Negotiate for non-salary perks — think pension matching, tech budget, or flexible work days.
Those “fringe” benefits often add real value over time — don’t overlook them.

Switch Employers

Sometimes loyalty doesn’t pay. Many professionals see the biggest income jumps when they move jobs. If you’ve built experience and a strong CV, don’t be afraid to explore the market. Recruitment agencies and job boards like Indeed can give you a sense of your value.

Create Other Income Streams (Side Hustles & Passive Ideas)

If you’re curious about exploring Side Hustles in more depth, I’ve got a full guide that walks through different ideas and how to get started.

Freelance in Your Field

Turn your day job skills into freelance gigs.
Use platforms like Upwork, Fiverr or just reach out to networks for project-based work.
Start small, deliver great results, and grow from there.

Monetise Your Hobbies

Love photography, writing, or crafting? There's demand for that.
Sell prints, digital resources, or commission work.
Test interest with freebies or small runs before scaling up.

Create Online Content

Building an audience on YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram takes time, but it can turn into a real income stream through ads, sponsorships, or digital products.

Share your know-how via a blog, YouTube channel, or short-form video.
Monetise through ads, sponsorships, ebooks, or affiliate links.

Check out this video below, It shows you how to monetise effectively even before you hit thousands of subscribers — exactly the kind of smart hustle fit for a practical side income.

Start Passive or Semi-Passive Ventures

Options include dividend investing, rental property, print-on-demand, affiliate marketing.
Real-world inspiration: Many Gen Z’ers are making real money this way — TikTok creators selling print-on-demand designs via Printify, using Canva for designs — all in minimal time.
It takes effort upfront but can pay off while you sleep.

Copy and paste the below prompt into ChatGPT to give you some more passive income ideas:

I want to explore passive income ideas. Please give me options that match my skills, budget, and time availability. 
Here’s some info about me:
- Skills: [insert your main skills here]
- Budget to start: [insert your budget here]
- Time I can commit per week: [insert hours here]
- Risk tolerance: [low / medium / high]

Based on this, suggest passive income ideas that are realistic for me, along with a short explanation of how I can get started with each one

Balancing Income Growth With Your Life

You don’t have to burn out chasing more money. Here’s how to keep it sustainable:

Prioritise — focus on a couple of paths that make sense for your skills and lifestyle.
Track ROI — which efforts are giving you the most return (financially and time-wise)?
Set boundaries — decide how many hours you invest from the start. A few focused evenings is enough to get going.
Automate where possible — like redirecting freelance revenue straight into savings or investments.

Balancing Income Growth With Your Life

You don’t have to burn out chasing more money. Here’s how to keep it sustainable:

Prioritise — focus on a couple of paths that make sense for your skills and lifestyle.
Track ROI — which efforts are giving you the most return (financially and time-wise)?
Set boundaries — decide how many hours you invest from the start. A few focused evenings is enough to get going.
Automate where possible — like redirecting freelance revenue straight into savings or investments.

Conclusion: Pick One Action From Each Track

You’re already on your way. Try one career-focused move (e.g. schedule a salary discussion or pick one new skill to learn) and one side hustle idea (e.g. post a freelance gig listing or create a simple design to sell).

You don’t need to figure it all out now — just choose your first step and make it happen. Your future self will thank you.

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