Three simple strategies that could make you $20,000 richer in 2018. Yes, really.

Oh.

If you’re anything like us, you’ve just glanced at your bank account and regretted that last burrito you ordered on UberEats. And those six dresses you just had to buy during the Boxing Day sales.

And that cheese of the month club you just had to join (OK, maybe not that last one).

It’s only the start of the year and you’re already struggling to scrape enough money together for a cheeseburger and… and… your rent.

But never fear, the cash money experts are here to let you in on a lil’ secret… you could earn a cheeky $20,000 this year with minimal effort.

Yep, 20,000 smackeroos.

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According to Bessie Hassan, Finder.com’s money expert, you can earn plenty of money putting your spare time – and assets – to use.

Become an Uber driver

You know those marvellous people who pick you up in the middle of the night and give you free water and life advice? You could become one of them!

According to Hassan, the average Uber driver is earning $10,490 for their side hustle.

All you need is a car, the ability to keep your road rage to yourself, and some spare time.

Rent out your spare room

You know that spare room where you keep all those things you accidentally bought on the home shopping channels after one too many proseccos?

Why not rent it out on a site like AirBnB and collect some cash?

Finder.com’s money expert says property owners can earn around $8, 140 a year just for renting out their spare room.

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Become an Airtasker

If you don’t mind helping people out with all sorts of weird and wonderful tasks, you can list your services on Airtasker or Fiverr.

According to Hassan, you could earn up to $590 just by picking up people’s dry cleaning, assembling Ikea furniture, and doing odd jobs… like, possibly, some very odd jobs.

All up, around 1 in 5 Aussies are already making money from the share economy and side hustles, banking at around $7,300 a year in additional income.

Yep, that’s a whole lot of burritos.

However, if the whole idea of odd jobs just doesn’t appeal to you (I’m looking at you, introverts), Hassan says there are some other ways to rack up some savings in 2018.

“Commit to a ‘zero spend’ day a week where you actively avoid buying anything including a morning coffee, and stop paying too much for financial and insurance products,” she says.

“Let 2018 be a fresh start for your finances – don’t waste another 12 months regretting not making changes.”