How to Make and Save $5,000 Extra

There are 4 months left in the year and considering how expensive the end of the year can be for many, now is a great time to look at your finances and set a goal to make and save extra money.

How great would it feel to have an extra $5000 by the end of the year? You could put is in savings, use it to clear debt, keep it as an emergency fund or put it towards something that is important to you.

If $5,000 feels unrealistic, what about aiming for $1,000 or $2,000 instead?

Essentially, set a goal that feels a little out of reach then create a plan to help you achieve it. We have some goal trackers you can use here.

Check out the following articles for ideas on how to make money and change the end of your year.

​Here are some of the easiest ways I've made money.

​43 ways for single parents to make money​

​An easy $100 from ING in a few steps which can be a great place to start your savings and keep the money separate from your regular account, $15 instantly from Up Bank which is backed by Bendigo and $30 from Ubank in a few steps. All of them are fee free too.

Try these side hustles that all make over $25hr.

​Have a look at Octopus Group, Australia's highest paying online survey site who now also do market research for even better rates.

Give reselling a go. Look up what is selling in your area or what is easy for you to get to resell and go from there. Check out all my tips for reselling here.

If you want to try online surveys, the ones I have used and can recommend are here.

​How to save $10,000 in a year has ideas to help and can be applied to a shorter timeframe.

To save more, check out these 24 ways to easily save money.

What I Am Doing in the Coming Months

I just had my 5th baby so am taking time off but we have some big goals to end 2025. Here they are and how we will achieve them.

1. Travel: Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga are combined into 1 trip when my eldest finishes year 12. We have business and real estate to check in Vanuatu plus the family will meet our youngest. As such, the business over there essentially pays for this trip plus I get freelance writing income through our travels. See how to become a freelance writer or check out more about me.
2. Move: Our move from Sydney to Perth was delayed but all set now. Since this was something we already had planned, it is pretty much covered. However, I have to go through and sell more of our stuff again as I paused that when it was delayed.
3. Upgrade car: We need a larger car which will be paid for with savings, a tax return and selling 1 vehicle.
4. Health: Healing after the birth, increasing our strength, flexibility, improving sleep, eating habits etc again are all important.
5. Another business: This is my favourite way to make money. I'll share more details soon but since our transport business in Vanuatu is managed by family, as is the real estate and we have other projects here being outsourced more, it's a good time to get into something our family has wanted for some time. See how to start a business for under $100 for ideas.

When I took over The Thrifty Issue my life was super frugal, I was dealing with a long, expensive custody battle and living as a single mother. I've spent time on Centrelink, been homeless and struggled at times in my life.

My life now is completely different and I know a lot of it isn't relatable. I am sharing it to be open about my life but with my new projects, I will be on here less.

Our Meal Plan

Meal times can be tricky and since I have 4 active kids who eat a lot, if I don't plan my meals, the budget can get blown. I have 20+ tips to reduce the cost of groceries plus how to reduce waste/what to do with scraps and leftovers.

To save time and headspace, we use discounted meal kits and rotate through the discounts. Meaning, we use one discount, when that has finished we cancel it and use the next meal kit service and so on until we've used them all. During this time, the first meal kits will send discounts again so you never have to pay full price for them.

Here are the discounts we use (note they are for new customers only):
​Up to $180 off EveryPlate: Up to 6 main meals for the family you cook yourself plus add ons you can choose from
​Up to $190 off MarleySpoon: Up to 6 main meals for the family you cook yourself plus Everyday Rewards
​Up tp $144 off Dinnerly: Up to 6 main meals for the family you cook yourself plus options such as a fruit box

Our breakfasts are usually eggs, toast, cereal or smoothies. Lunches are leftovers, sandwiches, rice dishes etc and snacks are mainly fruit and veg, sometimes crackers.

What I Am Reading

​The Art of Forgiveness: Let go, find peace explores a range of winning philosophies - from the Stoics to Zen Buddhism - sharing how to properly let go and find peace.

Personally, when I am living a peaceful life, without anger or resentment, my finances do better too.I have a few articles about it on my other site to:
​How to forgive yourself​
​9 tips for forgiveness​
​How to let go​

Discounts For You!

​$100 from ING​

​$15 from UP​

​Up top $200 off meal kits​

​Other freebies and discounts are here.

The Thrifty Issue Community

For more and to connect with others check out The Thrifty Issue Facebook group, Facebook page, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.​