If you have been left without a job due to the pandemic, you’re not alone. With millions of businesses closed or operating at reduced hours, layoffs have become common. But being jobless doesn’t have to leave you stressing about making ends meet. Especially when you can use these tips to supplement your income and stay afloat during these tough times.

Turn Skills into Remote Work

Do you have a knack for helping friends update their resumes? Or maybe you have developed a diet and fitness plan that’s helped you stay in shape for years? Well, you may be surprised to learn that you can parlay these seemingly simple skills into a pretty lucrative remote job. Use those writing and editing skills to become a freelance writer or convert your fitness knowledge into a role as a freelance personal trainer. You can also become a teacher and help folks learn about any subject you can imagine. As you can see, remote work opportunities are endless. The trick to remote work is to keep yourself productive, but there are plenty of tools and tips you can use to accomplish this feat, like setting up a workspace and sticking to a schedule.

Pick Up Some Freelance Work

This tip is similar to the last in that it involves working from home, for the most part. The difference is that with freelance work, you always stay in control of your workflow and schedule, and you can use online job boards to easily connect with new freelance clients.

For example, if you have previous experience using Adobe Photoshop, or have sought-after design skills in color selection, typography, layout and branding basics, you could generate some serious cash flow by offering freelance logo design services. Just gather a few examples of past design projects to show your capabilities, and then create a portfolio to get connected to clients.

Explore Financial Assistance

If you are worried about making ends meet, and you are a veteran of the Armed Forces, know that there may be financial programs available to assist you. In the UK, veterans can take advantage of several special programs aimed at reducing expenses and providing financial support for those who have served this country. If you need more tips for navigating your finances or life in general outside of the service, 4exmilitary.com and therpcgroup.co.uk are both very valuable resources. For those who aren’t veterans, there may be other help available to retain some financial stability. Assistance programs can vary according to whether you are self-employed, laid off by an employer or have children, so be sure to research all of your options.

Look for Work in a Side Gig

Once you begin working full-time again, technically any of the jobs or opportunities mentioned above could become side gigs. If you are looking for a quick way to make some extra cash right now, however, you may want to consider picking up a side gig with an established company. Some of the most popular side gigs hiring in the UK right now include delivery services, mystery shopping and perhaps even hosting foreign students (only from approved countries, of course, and only if you feel safe). Once you find regular employment, you can always keep your side hustle as a way to earn extra income and maybe even pad your emergency savings fund. Then you will be better prepared for the next crisis.

You have been through rough times before so you can make it through this pandemic. Just know that whatever job or means you use to make extra cash right now does not have to be permanent. Treat these opportunities as stepping stones to your next career success. Who knows, you may even be able to continue supplementing your income in the future. So, do not give up because financial hope is definitely out there!

Co-written by Craig Brown and David Beck