HOUSEHOLD budgets are continuing to be stretched due to the high cost of living.
If you are struggling, there are ways you can earn extra cash without even leaving your home.
In April, the energy price cap dropped from £1,928 to £1,690 meaning the average household saw their annual bill decrease by £238 a year.
However, the price of energy is still much higher compared to a few years ago.
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The weekly shop is also costing more, and many people are having to sacrifice the things they enjoy just to pay for essential living costs.
However, it is possible to bank some extra cash through a side hustle.
Here are nine ways you could add to your bank balance and get back to being able to afford to treat yourself.
Surf the web for cash
If you enjoy being online you can earn money by surfing the internet.
All you need to do is download and register with the Qmee app or use a browser add-on to surf the web and get paid.
It works by helping advertisers reach specific users - so the adverts will be more tailored for you.
If you click on one of the ads you like, you'll be paid.
Usually, it's around 7-15p a search but sometimes you can earn up to £1.
There is no minimum cashout amount, and you can withdraw your earnings through PayPal, Venmo and gift cards.
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Install an app
Some apps will pay you to install other apps on your phone.
Just by installing an app on your phone, you could earn £20 in online vouchers.
By downloading Ipsos Media Cell, a consumer data tracking software, you will receive a £20 voucher by installing an app on your phone. You also have to fill in a quick survey.
You will then get £10 each month that you keep the app installed on your phone.
The app is owned by renowned research company IPSOS Mori.
It's designed to get more information about how people consume media, what they watch and listen to and what devices they use.
TaskRabbit specialises in DIY and other more physical tasks such as home repairs, cleaning and moving house.
The app also runs a partnership with furniture store IKEA, where "taskers" get paid to assemble flat pack furniture for its customers, meaning a steady stream of work.
Share deals and get paid
If you find a good deal you could get paid for sharing it with others.
Some sites give people vouchers for sharing the deals they find in stores and online.
LatestDeals is a money-saving community in the UK and they hand out vouchers for people who share deals on its website.
Members of LatestDeals earn points and Amazon vouchers, for sharing deals, vouchers, competitions and commenting and voting on deals.
You have to get to a minimum of 5,000 points before you get a £5 Amazon voucher.
There's a guide to how many points you can earn for different activities on the LatestDeals.co.uk website.
Earn cashback
Cashback sites are becoming more and more popular as shoppers become more savvy.
A cashback site will give you cash back when you spend money online.
TopCashback and Quidco are two of the most popular and sometimes you can earn hundreds.
The Quidco website states that their average member earns around £300 per year.
When you're shopping, make sure you click through the websites to get some extra cash.
Both have widgets you can download and add to your browser so you never forget.
They are free to use but there are plus memberships that cost £5 a year and can give you a higher rate of cashback.
For example, last month TopCashback was offering shoppers a free cup of coffee when they purchased a hot drink from any cafe or supermarket.
Get paid to watch TV
If you enjoy watching TV then it could be another great way for you to fill your pockets.
Theviewers.co.uk puts together research panels for broadcasters and programme makers so that they can get feedback on TV programmes before they hit the screens.
You can attend face-to-face research groups, fill in surveys online or do both.
It is free to register and it is up to you whether you'd like to take part in anything on offer.
You can tailor what you would like to hear about such as focus groups, online surveys, or reviewing new TV programmes.
You can earn between £40 and £70 for a discussion group and it's usually cash in hand.
Snap photos of receipts
You can also earn money when shopping by turning your receipts from everyday shopping into cash.
Some apps will give you cash or Amazon vouchers for taking photos of receipts.
All you need to do is just upload your receipt, it doesn't matter what you buy.
For example, Receipt Hog will give you points that you can redeem for a £3 voucher once you've earned 1,000 of them.
Each receipt is only worth a few points but it quickly adds up if you snap every receipt you get and have surveys you can fill out for cash.
Complete easy tasks
Money-earning website 20Cogs gets you to complete 20 tasks over a few weeks and it is free to join.
One savvy consumer made £180, in just a few short weeks. They can be things like competitions, offers, gaming and surveys.
Conveniently, the questionnaires and offers can be cancelled at no cost.
Fill out online surveys
Online surveys are one of the most popular ways to get hold of some extra cash.
They are quick and relatively easy and you can get paid up to £6 per survey. There are many sites you can use but the easiest ones are YouGov.co.uk.
Get paid for music
SliceThePie will reward up to 10p for every song you listen to and rate.
The better your reviews, the more you will earn. The more you listen, the more they'll reward you.
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