Whatever your skills and interests, there are plenty of profitable ways to turn your spare time in to cash for holidays, new cars and paying off those mounting bills. Why stick even more on the credit card when you can have fun making money?
Profit from your love of the countryside by leading trails and nature watches, advertising through local papers, tourist information offices, bed and breakfasts, hotels, other tourist attractions. As soon as things are up and running, contact the tax office to register. Employ other leaders, too. If running a website, remember your emails will look more professional if they incorporate your company name.
If you worried you could become too ill to work take out business insurance to protect you. Also set up a company blog free of charge as a marketing tool.
If you know what makes a successful party, why not set up as a party organiser - network amongst families and friends. As a self-employed worker you need to complete a tax return every year.
As a party organiser hire bouncy castles and inflatables to groups and families for their parties. Take out public and personal liability cover since your new role involves risky activities. Investigate software applications to help run your business - calendars, document producers, spreadsheets.
Use your health and fitness knowledge to become a personal trainer Going self-employed opens you up to a whole world of new risks, but there are plenty of business insurance products out there to help you handle them. As you build a database of clients remember to always backup your valuable data.
If you're a keen gardener try selling bonsai, cuttings, potted plants - sell at fairs, through garden centres. Pot up cuttings of all kinds for sale. Work as a part time gardener, maintaining house and outdoor plants. Professional indemnity insurance is often taken out by individuals carrying out services for customers. If you set up a website ensure you keep your passwords and settings in a secure encrypted database.
Book experts could set up as a bookseller/book finder/dealer/have a book stall at local events. In the event of a disaster, you need a plan to get your business back up and running.
Study for qualifications at home then set up a book-keeping service for small businesses, groups and charities. When you get to the stage where you employ other people, you'll need to take out employer's liability insurance. Make sure you have a relationship with a local IT company that can advise you on the best IT solutions.
Self-publish and sell booklets and e-books on subjects people want to know about. Try E-Bay and Amazon as markets. Employ a book- keeper right from the start and they'll set you up with a solid system for recording your incomings and outgoings; it needn't be expensive. If you're out and about a lot, why not get your emails on your mobile, so you can get orders out fast and build a good reputation.
If you love art and design consider personalised gifts such as cards and bookmarks made from a variety of materials. The money you pay suppliers will count as business expenses - as can the cost of business equipment, office rental, stationery and even part of your mortgage and utility bills if you're working from home. You should also be able to claim capital allowances - tax relief on machinery such as computers or tool kits that you need for your business.
Those with catering expertise could run a burger van or vans - sell food at events and lay bys. Before you start trading you should have a clear idea how you will get finance if you need it, and how you'll balance your books on a day-to-day basis. Have a central location to share your timetable and calendar with your staff.
