In a world where the cost of living is on a relentless rise, Australians are feeling the pinch in their wallets more than ever.

It's no surprise that many are turning to side hustles to supplement their income.

However, amidst the myriad of options available, one mum's simple yet effective method of boosting her family's finances has caught people’s attention.

Rae Graham, a savvy Brisbane mum, has revealed how she and her family turned a common household habit into a lucrative side hustle.

By collecting cans and recycling them for cash, they managed to save an impressive $464.40 in just six months.

This story isn't just about the extra dollars; it's a testament to the power of small, consistent efforts and the importance of being financially savvy in today's economy.

An Australian woman earned $464.40 by recycling cans with her family, showcasing an easy side hustle for extra cash. Credit: Containers for Change WA

The Grahams' approach was straightforward: they collected Pepsi and ginger beer cans, among others, and took them to be recycled for 10 cents each.

‘On average, every time I took four bags in [to be recycled], I would get $20 to $25,’ Rae shared.

However, the real magic happened when they decided to stash the cash away in a classic money tin, resisting the temptation to spend it throughout the year.

‘For me, if I had $20 sitting in there, I’d spend it,’ the mum said.

‘So mum, dad, my daughter and me, we said let’s put it all in [a tin] and at the end of the year, we’ll go and have a really nice Christmas dinner or go do something as a family.’

Adding to the savings, Rae also tossed in any loose coins she had, contributing an estimated extra $100 to the total.

‘There’s money to be made in these cans,’ she remarked.

When they finally opened the money tin, they were greeted with an ‘unreal’ $464.60, comprising $200 in notes and $264.60 in coins.

Rae and her daughter decided to use the money for a getaway together.

‘Every year, my daughter and I go and stay at the casino, so mum and dad said, “How about you two, as a gift from us, go and enjoy the night,”’ she shared.

‘So we had dinner there and some drinks.’

This method of earning extra cash is not just a one-off success story. Finder research indicates that collecting cans and bottles was among the most popular side hustles for Aussies last year, with people making an average of $46 per month.

It's a testament to the fact that even the smallest contributions can add up to significant amounts over time.

Rae mentioned that she has already begun a new money tin for this year and exchanged the containers her family had from the holidays.

‘Yesterday, I went and cashed in all the Christmas ones I had, and it came to $23,’ she shared.

‘I know people go, it’s only $20, but $20 every one or two weeks, it’ll be over $1,000 by the end of the year.’

‘It’s not hard, and there are so many can recycle places around. It’s not like you have to drive and go out of your way,’ the mum added.

Rae posted a video of herself opening the money tin, and other Australians quickly praised her for the simple yet effective idea.

‘What a great idea,’ one commented.

‘I've been doing that with my family. And save it up for our mum to use, so she uses less money of hers. We opened our tin and had $870 in it. Now starting again for next year,’ another shared.

‘We've decided to do the same thing and save towards a holiday at the end of the year,’ a third added.

Nearly all Australian states and territories have container return programs that offer a 10-cent refund for each eligible container:

• NSW: Return and Earn
• Victoria: CDS Vic
• Queensland: Containers for Change
• SA: Container Deposit Scheme
• WA: Containers for Change
• ACT: ACT Container Deposit Scheme
• NT: NT Container Deposit Scheme
• Tasmania: Tasmania will be delivering its Container Refund Scheme called Recycle Rewards

If you're inspired by this Aussie mum's success in earning extra cash with a simple side hustle, you might be surprised to learn that there are even more opportunities out there.

Whether you're looking to kill time during retirement while earning or just looking to boost your income, there are plenty of side hustles that can help you pad your savings and keep your finances healthy.

Check out these 10 side hustle ideas perfect for seniors looking to earn some extra cash.

Key Takeaways

• An Australian woman made $464.40 by collecting and recycling cans with her family, demonstrating an accessible side hustle for earning extra money.
• Rae Graham and her family collected household cans for about six months and deposited the proceeds into a money tin to save for a special occasion.
• The practice of collecting cans for cash is among the popular side hustles in Australia, with a Finder survey noting Aussies earn, on average, $46 per month from this activity.
• Graham recommended the strategy of saving in a money tin as it helps resist the temptation to spend the money, and it can accumulate to a substantial amount over time, with plans to continue her efforts for the current year.

We'd love to hear from you in the comments below. Have you tried any side hustles recently? What creative methods have you used to save or make extra money? Share your experiences and tips with the Seniors Discount Club community, and let's navigate these challenging economic times together.

 

[Zemo]

This is NEW or newsworthy? Nothing like keeping up with the times, SDC ...

 

[RieTreesSilver]

Isnt it funny how everything old is new again. Growing up my grandparents ran a bottle yard. taking in the empties, washing some of them depending on what they had contained and where they were going. Beer bottles, the old soft drink delivered to your door, Milk bottles etc. He worked with the scouts and community groups when they had "Bottle Drives". Countless were smashed for recycled glass. As we got older it was a good way to vent!. But the business was closed down when they retired in the late 70's.

Now we make a big deal about the money back on plastic bottles. At least its keeping the streets cleaner and hopefully the money will encourage the lazy idiot element to stop putting them in their rubbish destines for landfill.

 

[Isis]

A friend has done it , collecting for a long time and has over a $1000 in a ssvings account. You have to be dedicated though

 

[RieTreesSilver]

A friend has done it , collecting for a long time and has over a $1000 in a ssvings account. You have to be dedicated though

not really, just a tub or crate by the back door or beside the bins and then take the time to go to the many recycling places, there's a number by tips or around the suburbs

 

[Jennylolo]

Been doing this since it first began in SA. (1977?). At first it would cover pets food and overheads- cat, dogs, fish etc and I dedicated it to just that. I don't put it in a separate place, it goes in the purse. Then when I buy something of little vlaue eg a drink when out and about, I have the physical money instead of using a card. I have rubbish bins mine go in and then pick that up with lid and drive to recyclers when full.- a min drive away.

 

[deni67]

We use to do it back in the early 2000's when we were both drinkers, we got decent amounts until we stopped drinking.

 

[Gunpark]

Must be my Scots blood but I have been doing this for years. I suggest you get pack of those nice big green garbags for the yard. Put one out side the back door and toss your cans into it, shake it a few time during the filling and you will get about $20 per bag when you check them in. If that is too difficult for you, I am sorry.

 

[Zemo]

Must be my Scots blood but I have been doing this for years. I suggest you get pack of those nice big green garbags for the yard. Put one out side the back door and toss your cans into it, shake it a few time during the filling and you will get about $20 per bag when you check them in. If that is too difficult for you, I am sorry.

And every time I see a discarded can or bottle, I pick it up to recycle. Would you ignore a 10c coin if it happened to be just sitting there on the footpath?

 

[deni67]

My partner would pick up iced coffee containers everytime he saw one, and his work mates saved them for him. Not to recycle but to enter a competition they had on them. Good thing he did, he won $5000 worth of tools just for collecting a couple of dozen.

 

[Soxylox]

I have a bank account that I deposit the money from empty bottles and cans goes into. It's a half hour drive to our "Cash for cans" depot but it's a lovely little coastal town.