As a mum, you may have wondered if it’s worth it to pursue your education further. Indeed, investing in yourself can be one of the best investments you make. Spending the time and money to go to school may seem daunting; but in fact can pay back dividends through the valuable experience it offers. As well as the higher pay you may be eligible for afterward.
But how can you pay for tuition? This is one of the biggest setbacks for parents considering a degree. Of course, you can always go the traditional route and work a full- or part-time job to pay for school. Or you could also take out student loans, but these build up debt that can wear you down even years after your schooling is complete. If you’re in need of fresh ideas, check out this list of 7 unconventional ways to earn money toward your dream degree.
Tutor or teach English
If a particular subject area comes easily to you, offer to tutor your fellow students in that subject. Ask to put up flyers in the local library, ask local schools (even elementary, if you feel more comfortable teaching a younger crowd), or put up an ad or post on your social media account. Tutoring can be a great way to earn you a little extra cash every month.
As a twist on traditional tutoring, look into teaching English to students from various countries throughout the world. There are many opportunities to teach English online—even if you don’t yet have a degree!
Apply for scholarships and debt forgiveness grants
Applying for scholarships and grants may seem like a no-brainer to some, and yet so many still miss out on opportunities by not putting forth a little extra effort to take advantage of these strategies. So, it’s worth mentioning as a reminder to give it a try. Do some research to see if there are scholarships associated with your talents or hobbies. There are also plenty of resources, such as Bold and Wisegeek, that feature lists of scholarships that are super easy to apply to.
Freelance
The digital world we live in makes it possible to earn quite a bit of extra money with only a computer and Internet access. Whatever your area of expertise—social media management, photography, graphic design, writing, or assisting—offer your services online using freelancing platforms, or simply spreading the word through your network of friends or social media connections.
Blog
Running a blog can be a fun hobby, giving you a place to write about topics you excel in or the events of your day-to-day life. And it just happens to be a hobby that can be monetized. You can host companies’ ads on your blog, or use affiliate marketing (giving you a percentage from the sales that come from products you recommend on your blog). If you keep content consistent and grow your following, a blog can become a profitable source of income to help pay for your education. 
Sell your things
If you’re the crafty type, you can create all sorts of clothing items, accessories, or home decor pieces to sell on Etsy. If you have rarely-used clothes, books, toys, or cooking gadgets gathering dust at your home; instead of throwing them out, you can sell these items on eBay or Facebook marketplace.
Create a passive income source
There are a handful of strategies to earn passive income—meaning, money that you earn without much effort on your part, beyond the initial setup processes. These include investing in stocks or real estate, renting out a room to travelers, selling an online course, or even writing a book (or an ebook, for a quicker project).
Review companies’ user experience
Earning money toward your tuition can be as simple as browsing and reviewing various websites and apps. These websites simply need users to record their thoughts on what works and what can be improved about their platform. And lucky for you, they’re willing to pay for such a simple service.
Similarly, becoming a mystery shopper allows you to be paid to visit stores or restaurants as a regular customer, but then to provide the company with your feedback about your experience. Shopping is something you have to do anyway—may as well earn a bit of extra money doing it!
Budget and save
Utilizing a budget will be instrumental as you plan for tuition expenses and income streams. This helps you track all your earnings and essential expenses throughout the month; so you always have a clear idea of the state of your finances. It also provides an excellent starting point for setting financial goals, such as pursuing education, getting out of debt, or increasing your income.
Getting your degree is a big deal and an exciting experience. While at times it feels like a lot of work and costs to pay, remember that this investment will be well worth the knowledge you gain; and the career opportunities that will become available to you in the long run.
Contributed by MATT SATELL
