Escape the PAYE Grind: Proven Strategies to Take Control of Your Income, Wellness & Stress Management for Financial Issues

Evidence-backed tips for moms, creatives, and session/ tactical/ gig workers who want control without burnout, and stress management for financial issues

Ok, So Let’s Be Honest — Not Everyone Wants a Traditional Job

Not all of us work a regular PAYE job anymore (and well, not all of us want to). 

What Made Me Realise I had Enough?

I worked one for just over 1.5 years but I just couldn’t do it anymore. Maybe it was the 4 walls? Maybe it was watching people from the windows floating by in their summer clothes? Well I’m a creative, so maybe all of the above… My colleagues were nice 🙂 — except for the new slightly unhinged management (LOL!), to say the least, who had a track record to prove it. Ok, so enough of that…

During this difficult time, personal stresses were piling up. I just couldn’t be a superwoman to all of those who needed me. The combination of emotional weight and mounting work pressure was too much. With this, I realised it was time to leave. 

So, one day at work, in a ‘moment of madness’, I typed up a resignation letter, printed it using the office printer, slid it into one of their own envelopes, and handed it in by lunchtime, to the shock of my manager at the time.

As I walked away, the thought struck me: “What did I just do?!!!!!!” I had no solid plan for when I left — just an uncertain job offer that very shortly after that fell through. I had to think smart and do something quickly. So, the following are the steps I took to plan my finances while between work and manage my stress during the process. I managed to arrange some work that would cover my bills for the next few months. I used local adverts to find odd work and used these as a network opportunities to gain more work. To take off some pressure, I planned to focus on the first 3 months, and following this to plan for 6 months. The change from a full time contract seemed terrifying but just focussing on what I could manage, which was the next few weeks, seemed more achievable. This worked for me.

Steps I followed;

Step 1: Define What You Actually Need – Stress Management for Financial Issues

I started with Step 1: How much do I need to live? I listed:

• All monthly bills
• Living expenses
• What expenses were now gone (like commuting to work)
• Desired spending money (I love shopping and holidays!)

This simple act of planning was my first step in stress management for financial issues. It shifted my mindset from panic to positivity, working slowly to my goals.

Then I started listing the things I’m often asked to do — the ones I’m repeatedly told I’m good at. That became the base of my money-making plan. These were my strong points.

Your Monthly Income Goal

OK, so let’s say you need £2,000/month. Break that down:

• Weekly target: ~£445/week
• Daily target (5 days): ~£89/day

You can now see how it is possible to achieve this goal through a mix of:

• Regular work
• Odd jobs
• Side hustles
• Virtual work
• Selling items
• Flexible local work — but work out your taxes to avoid disappointment! Flexible work that is local takes a bit of juggling to arrange but you can fit more into your time if you are smart with it. You can also take time off when you really need it.

Evidence: MoneyHelper UK(2024) shows weekly financial planning helps avoid debt and increases saving success. This is a key part of stress management for financial issues, as it reduces anxiety and builds confidence in yourself and your skills in planning.

Track Expenses First — Always

Before dreaming about income, write down what absolutely must be paid:

• Rent/mortgage
• Utilities
• Food
• Child-related costs
• Travel
• Personal essentials

Visualising this (in a notebook, app, or printable sheet) reduces financial anxiety. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about seeing all of this clearly.

Money Saving Expert (2024) reports that visual tracking reduces anxiety by 40%. It’s one of the most underrated tips for stress management for financial issues.

Predict Pay Dates (Expectation vs. Reality) – Stress Management for Financial Issues

In flexible work, you don’t get the same amount, on the same day, every month. That’s ok — but you need to anticipate it. Note these expected pay dates and amount of pay in your diary. Next to scheduled work put a note next to work to be invoiced/ tick when invoiced and date invoice sent next to the work scheduled date in your diary, and put a note on the date that the invoice is to be paid with amount to be paid,with work done date. This makes it easy to chase up payments. Tick when paid on date scheduled and paid date.

This sounds complicated but it really isn’t and this will become a good habit! You can add up all expected incomes to a total to then work out if your expenses will becovered and what you will have to live off.

Job Type	Pay Day	Amount
Client A	1st of month	£500
Regular work	Weekly (Tues)	£200
Etsy	Bi-weekly	Varies

Planning this way reduces late bill payments and stress.

Freelancer Wellbeing Survey (2024): 68% of freelancers who map pay dates avoid last-minute shortages. Another step toward effective stress management for financial issues.

Work, Rest & Play: Essential for Stress Management for Financial Issues

Working with several income streams, you are your own HR department. That means YOU must schedule:

• Breaks
• Sleep
• Walks
• Social time
• Time off

Burnout doesn’t help any part of this process. Planning rest and play is critical for emotional resilience.

Health & Work UK (2025): Scheduling even 1 hour/day of non-work reduces burnout and improves decision-making. Incorporating fun and rest are non-negotiable parts of stress management for financial issues.

Real Money-Making Ideas That Work in 2025 (And Reduce Financial Stress)

Odd Jobs & Flexible Work

• Childcare help: £12-£16/hour
• Garden/cleaning shifts: £15/hour+
• Pop-up event staff: seasonal roles rising post-pandemic

Selling + Resale

• Facebook Marketplace/Vinted/Etsy
• Digital goods (done for you items such as checklists, templates, journals are ‘big’ right now)

Remote Work

• Virtual admin, email support, transcription
• Tutoring: £20-£50/hour online

ONS (2025): Flexible/part-time hiring rose 31% from 2023-2025 in remote admin and digital services. This kind of ‘gig’ economy growth offers more solutions for stress management for financial issues.

Tie It All Together with a Real Plan

Track your:

• Weekly money goals
• Job list & estimated pay (very important to record and monitor)
• Core expenses
• Time blocks for work/play (be strick to keep your boundaries. When you say you are finished for the day, STOP! Break time is precious. This will keep you able to work and to enjoy time off )

You don’t need a perfect plan. You need a real one. One that fits your energy, your family, and your reality. This is what practical stress management for financial issues looks like.

Final Thought: You’ve Got This – Stress management for financial issues

“Balance is not something you find. It’s something you create.” — Jana Kingsford

You’re not less smart or capable because you work differently. You’re building income your way. On your terms too. And busy mom, that’s something to be proud of.

Which Side Hustle Pays The Most – Most Lucrative Side Hustles (2025)

1. Online Course Creation / E-Courses

• Platforms like Udemy or Skillshare allow creators to earn up to £500,000 per year from a popular course. The Sun
  
• Ideal for those with expertise—and potential for sustained, passive income.
  

2. Blogging / Content Creation

• With affiliate links, ads, sponsored content, and digital products, some successful bloggers earn over £100k annually. thewealthlist.com
  
• Requires consistent content production and audience growth.
  

3. Affiliate Marketing

• Highly scalable—some top affiliates make £5k–£50k+ per month. thewealthlist.comWhop
  
• Best suited for those with platforms like blogs, social media channels, or email lists.
  

4. Freelance Writing / Copywriting

• Experienced writers in specialized niches (e.g., tech, health) can earn £50k+ per year. thewealthlist.comWhop
  
• A flexible hustle with low startup costs and immediate applicability.
  

5. Print-on-Demand & Digital Products

• Creating and selling planners, templates, or custom merchandise can yield £10k+ per month. thewealthlist.comHostinger
  
• Low maintenance once the product is designed and uploaded.
  

Bonus: Emerging High-Earners

• Luxury Picnic Services + Online Ventures (Grace Ryu): Earned £78k annually from multiple micro-hustles like pet sitting, affiliate marketing, and digital products, all working just ~10 hours/week. The Scottish Sun
  
• Digital Products (Etsy + AI Tools): One creator made up to £7,200/month selling AI-generated designs as printables. The Sun