9 Money Moves To Boost Your Income in 2026
Written by
Jordan Rosenfeld
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
With the economy still in flux and costs creeping upward, 2026 will demand more creative approaches to earning and growing income. Whether you’re an employee, freelancer or investor, the smartest money moves this year are the ones that make your money, and your mindset, work harder for you.
1. Shift Your Mindset
Boosting your income “starts with a mindset shift,” said Frank Scarso, CEO of Avanza Capital Holdings. “Don’t just think about earning more, think about deploying smarter.”
If you’re not investing your money, it’s losing ground to inflation, Scarso warned. “Direct lending, high-yield savings structures and other steady-return strategies can all enhance take-home pay without adding hours to your week.”
The key is consistency, he added — treating income “not as an event, but as an ecosystem that grows through diversification and disciplined reallocations of capital.” Too many people wait for “the right time” to invest, he said, but yield opportunities don’t wait for the economy to calm down.
2. Treat Yourself Like a Business
One of the most effective moves in 2026 will be “treating yourself like a business with multiple revenue channels,” said Yuri Berg, chief business development officer at FinchTrade. He advised people to “audit what you already own or know.”
“Do you have a spare room? Rent it out. Have professional skills? Sell consulting hours on weekends,” he said. “The goal is creating two or three income sources before you need them. With tariffs raising costs and inflation eating away at purchasing power, relying on one paycheck is risky. Start small but start now. Pick one thing you can monetize within 30 days and commit to it.”
3. Put Your Money To Work
Your money should be working while you sleep, Berg said. “Move cash from traditional savings accounts into high-yield accounts paying 4% or more. That’s free money for doing nothing.”
Other smart steps include locking funds you don’t need for six months into CDs with guaranteed returns, maxing out your employer’s 401(k) match and exploring dividend-paying stocks if you can handle moderate risk.
Even small adjustments pay off. A $10,000 emergency fund earning 4% instead of 0.5% puts an extra $350 in your pocket annually, Berg pointed out.
4. Transform Current Skills Into Income
If you want to earn more, start with what you already know. From remote healthcare support roles like medical coding — which pays around $40 an hour — to skilled trades or tutoring, many in-demand jobs can be done part time.
“Freelance consulting in your industry uses expertise you’ve spent years building,” Berg said. “Pick something that fits your schedule and doesn’t burn you out. Consistency beats intensity every time.”
5. Build Side Hustles That Run Themselves
Scarso added that the best side hustles “are the ones that produce recurring cash flow with minimal oversight.” Think ATMs, self-service car washes, vending machines, parking lots or laundromats. “These are labor-light, recession-resistant and built on repeat business.”
6. Position Yourself for Raises
If you’re employed, start documenting everything you accomplish — projects led, money saved and problems solved. “When review time comes, you’ll have concrete proof of your value,” Berg said.
Also, research market rates for your position so you know what you’re worth. Ask for raises after completing a major project or when budgets are being set — not during company slowdowns. “Most importantly, focus on what you’ve delivered for the company, not what you need personally,” he said.
7. Pay Down High-Interest Debt
Stop bleeding money on interest payments, Berg urged. If you’re carrying credit card debt, prioritize paying off the highest-rate cards first. “That’s an immediate return equal to whatever interest rate you’re avoiding.”
8. Freelancers, Work Smarter
If you work freelance, raising your prices is often easier than adding more work. “Most freelancers undercharge out of fear,” Berg said. “Test a 10% to 15% price increase with new clients and see what happens. Chances are, no one will blink.”
He also advised focusing on high-margin work and dropping clients who drain your time. “Automate repetitive tasks with free or affordable tools so you’re not trading hours for dollars,” Berg added. The goal: Earn more per hour, not work more hours.
9. Create Value That Scales
Stop thinking time equals money, Berg said. “That mindset caps your earning potential at 24 hours per day. Instead, think about creating value that scales.”
For example, an online course might take 40 hours to build but can sell thousands of times. A consulting framework can serve dozens of clients, and a rental property earns income even while you sleep. “Wealthy people build systems and assets,” he said. “Everyone else trades hours for paychecks. You don’t need to quit your job to adopt this thinking — start by asking what you could create once that pays you repeatedly.”
In 2026, the smartest income boost won’t come from working harder, it’ll come from thinking like an investor, treating yourself like a business and turning your time, money and skills into assets that never stop paying you back.
More From GOBankingRates
