St Kilda couple made $21k by renting their car to backpackers, neighbours

Tying the knot isn’t cheap, but one St Kilda couple came up with a novel way of making extra cash for their big day. And in less than a year, they had enough to pay for a spectacular European wedding and honeymoon.

A St Kilda couple has made thousands of dollars by renting out their car to backpackers and neighbouring residents.

And the spare cash meant they could pay for their dream wedding in France.

Campbell White said his car was “sitting in the garage gathering dust” and about to be sold when his partner, Clemence, suggested he list it on booking platform Car Next Door.

He charges $5.70 an hour or $29 a day (plus 33c per kilometre driven) for the Toyota Corolla, which is regularly booked out during summer.

Campbell White rented his car through Car Next Door to help pay for his wedding. Picture: Supplied

In the past two-and-a-bit years the couple has made about $21,000 through the scheme.

Mr White said it has proved to be “quite a good little side hustle”.

“There are a couple of locals who use it, including one lady down the street — I’ve seen it parked in her driveway which was a little weird at first,” he said.

“And a lot of backpackers borrow it. It goes to the Great Ocean Road, the Yarra Valley and Mornington a lot.”

Mr White said he’d copped a few speeding fines in the mail but records kept on the Car Next Door app made it easy to nominate the right lead-foot driver.

“It’s a really smooth process and the support from Car Next Door is great,” he said.

“It’s a no-brainer to rent out your car if you’re not using it — why not make some extra money rather than just leave it sitting there?.”

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The couple will also use some of their side hustle funds to go to Europe for a friend’s wedding later this year.

Mr White has also used Car Next Door to find a ride when his own car has been off on adventures.

“There’s only been a couple of times where I’ve needed the car but it’s been hired out by someone and I’ve just jumped on the app and hired someone else’s car,” he said.

Car servicing and tax are deducted from the total profits, but Mr White said that just meant the car paid for itself “and then some”.

“If you’re not using your car definitely think about putting it on Car Next Door,” he said.

“It’s super simple and it’s nice to know there’s some extra cash sitting in our account for when we need it.”

For more information, visit carnextdoor.com.au