3 ways to boost your bank balance

Here are three ways to boost your bank balance.

| More on:
a woman

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

There are a number of different things you can do to boost your bank balance.

Increasing your bank balance is a very respectable goal. Perhaps you want to start an emergency fund and boost it to $1,000.

Having extra cash when times are looking a bit more uncertain is very important.

Here are three ways you can boost the bank balance of your Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) or Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) savings account:

Sell items

We all have items that we bought a while ago and perhaps shouldn't have. Quite a few of these items can be worth something to someone else on Gumtree, eBay, a Facebook buy/sell page or even in a garage sale.

Clothes, musical instruments, games, good condition baby items (eg a pram), quality furniture and so on could all be worth selling. My household has probably sold over $1,500 worth of items over the past few years.

Work on a pay rise

Full-time employment is most people's main source of income. Although wage increases are fairly limited these days, it is definitely possible to get pay rises.

The data suggests that switching jobs to a competing company is the best way to get a pay increase. But, apart from that, if you can show to your employer that you have been performing well and the industry average pay for your experience is a bit higher, you may be able to negotiate a pay rise.

Another way to get a pay rise is to undertake further education. In some professions, it could just be the case of getting an additional qualification to improve your worth to your employer.

Whatever you do, you have to believe that you are worth a bit more than your current pay packet and negotiate for it.

Get a side hustle

Unless you're already studying further education in your spare time, I think it could be a good idea to get a side hustle – preferably one you enjoy, then it won't really feel like a second job.

It could be as simple as doing quick online surveys through a business like Pureprofile Ltd (ASX: PPL) to make a few dollars whilst watching TV.

My own side hustle was writing Fool articles until I made the move to do it full-time.

Whether it's working at a café, a bit of Uber driving or whatever else, doing something on the side is good to boost your cash balance.

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Personal Finance

A business woman looks unhappy while she flies a red flag at her laptop.
Tax

3 red flags the ATO looks for in retirement tax returns

You don't want 'that' phone call from the ATO.

Read more »

A man sits in contemplation on his sofa looking at his phone as though he has just heard some serious or interesting news.
Cash Rates

Contrarian view: The RBA will keep interest rates on hold according to these experts

The RBA has already cut rates twice so far in 2025.

Read more »

man and woman discussing superannuation
Personal Finance

Thinking about making a concessional superannuation contribution today? Read this first

What are the rules?

Read more »

Frazzled couple sitting out their kitchen table trying to figure out their finances or taxes.
Personal Finance

End of financial year: Should I sell my loss-making stocks today?

What's the verdict?

Read more »

Tax time written on wooden blocks next to a calculator and Australian dollar notes.
Tax

Franking credits from ASX dividend stocks can lower your bill this tax time. Here's how

Who knew investing can help lower your tax bill?

Read more »

A businesswoman weighs up the stack of cash she receives, with the pile in one hand significantly more than the other hand.
Investing Strategies

Should your portfolio be holding cash in this market?

It's an age old question for investment portfolios.

Read more »

Man ponders a receipt as he looks at his laptop.
Personal Finance

Tax planning: Are international shares treated differently?

Do you own international shares?

Read more »

Smiling business woman calculates tax at desk in office.
Personal Finance

3 tips to maximise your tax refund from the ATO in FY25

Are you missing anything?

Read more »