Side hustle ideas UK: how to make extra money in 2024

Looking for side hustle ideas in the UK? We've rounded up 34 of our favourite ways to make extra money, from survey sites and data entry to foot modelling and petsitting.

Side hustles can be a great way to earn extra money quickly or invest time into a real passion. 

Whether you want to invest in a hobby or just an income boost, learn how to make money with side hustles with our guide.

Rent out & sell your stuff

Make yourself some passive income with assets or simply have a clear-out.

1. Have a clear-out

If you have clothing to resell, sites like eBay, Depop, Vinted, Thrift+ and Facebook Marketplace are ideal for listing an item in minutes. You’ll need to factor in postage and packaging for most of these sites, so make sure you have packaging available and price your p&p accurately.

How does Vinted work? Your guide to saving in style

Check out sites like Preloved and Gumtree for clothing, furniture, homeware and vintage items. LEGO can be particularly valuable and is sold by weight on sites like Zapper, We Buy Games and musicMagpie, where you can also sell your old CDs, DVDs and books in bulk.

eBay is a big player for all sorts of goodies and you can sell everything from vinyl records to vintage magazines.

Give your pre-loved wedding dress a new lease of life by selling it and recouping some of your wedding costs. There are entire websites dedicated to reselling bridal items where you pay a fee or commission for them to sell them for you. 

Sell in person at an auction house near you, which can be particularly useful for a house clearance or a large amount of good quality furniture. Auctions are also ideal for antiques, vintage items and valuable jewellery and you can always set a reserve price.

2. Get paid for your rubbish

Make money with paid recycling schemes for an old phone, laptop or other tech items. Many places will give you cash for old and sometimes damaged devices.

Some tech recycling programmes include Envirofone, ecoATM and Giffgaff Recycle. They’ll give you a quick valuation based on your make and model and speedy payment for your device, plus it’s an eco-friendly way of clearing out.

Sell on common home recycle items in bulk, like wine corks, glass jars and even toilet roll tubes. These are popular for crafting and wedding décor, so keep these items aside and resell on eBay for local collection.

Turn your home compost into cash if you have excess you can't use. Sell your compost to local nurseries or gardening enthusiasts. 

Use clothing recycling schemes like the reGAIN app to receive vouchers for popular retailers in exchange for clothing donations. Many high street retailers also offer vouchers when you bring in unwanted clothing, like Schuh's Sell Your Soles scheme.

3. Rent out designer clothing

If you have high-end designer pieces in your wardrobe but don’t want to part with them, make money by renting them out. 

Renting out designer clothing can be a profitable side hustle, especially if you’re good at finding high-end items second-hand. You can make your investment back in just a few rentals.

On top of postal considerations, you’ll also need to factor in a dry cleaning service for each rental. The top sites to rent out your clothes in the UK are By Rotation and Hurr.

4. Rent out your car

Working from home more? Share your car when you don’t need it and earn extra money. Earn anywhere between £50 and £300 a day by letting it out.

One of the best things about this side hustle idea is its flexibility; choose the dates and times that work for your own schedule, set hourly, daily or weekly prices and your own rules.

Your car will need to meet certain checks for age and mileage and of course be roadworthy. Any renters will go through a strict ID check and a rental will include a safe keyless technology so there’s no meeting involved. 

Check out car-sharing apps Hiyacar, Turo and Getaround for a fuss-free way to boost your income while working from home or away on holiday.

5. Rent out part of your property

Earn up to £200 a month by renting out your driveway or garage for parking. Most profitable areas are by airports, train stations and popular city centres. Sites like JustPark, ParkLet and Your Parking Space are free to list but charge a commission once you’ve booked a rental. 

Rent your furnished spare room to a lodger and you can earn up to £7500 a year before you owe tax. You can rent on weekends for visitors to the area, Monday to Friday for commuting professionals, or as much as you want. Try sites like Airbnb, SpareRoom or Gumtree to advertise your space.

Got extra space in your garage? Rent it out on Stashbee to those who need temporary storage for their possessions. Even if you charge significantly less than commercial spaces, you can still make a steady income of around £40 a month.

Side hustles for animal lovers

If you love animals, make money by taking care of them. Not only can you make extra cash, but these side hustle ideas can reward you with a furry friend for life.

6. Dog walking

Use a dog-walking platform like Rover and Care.com to match with pet owners in your area. Decide on your prices, how many dogs you can walk at once and how far you’re willing to travel.

A 30-minute walk is usually charged at £8–£15, but remember this is in all weather conditions. These platforms also charge a commission fee, so it’s a good idea to advertise locally with flyers and by word of mouth.

7. House sitting

As a house sitter, you’ll take care of someone’s home, and usually pets, while they’re on holiday. This could be anything from a few days to a few months and is a great income boost.

Your responsibilities can include house maintenance, home security, plant care, gardening, taking in post, and looking after pets — being an animal lover is a must.

You’ll need some experience and recommendations first, which may require you to start offering your services for free. With some time investment, house and pet sitting can be one of the most lucrative side hustles, starting around £20 a day, depending on the pets and requirements.

Check out popular sites like Trusted Housesitters and Rover to match with homeowners and consider setting up your own website to charge for your services.

8. Pet boarding

Home boarding is a great alternative to kennels and catteries. Many pet owners don’t like leaving their animals for more than a few hours, whether it's a short trip away or a long day at work.

If you can offer your home up to dogs and cats, you can make good money to boost your income. You can even board pets while you work remotely at your full-time job, but make sure to factor in playtime, feeding time and dog walking.

You’ll need to apply for a licence from your local council, as well as insurance. Someone will inspect your residence to ensure its suitability for boarding animals and your knowledge of animal care.

Even with the upfront costs, pet boarding businesses can be a profitable long-term side hustle for animal lovers. Get started with online platforms like Rover or advertise locally with flyers, on Gumtree and Facebook groups.

Earn money online

All you need is a computer for these side hustles, ranging from easy online tasks to fun long-term projects.

9. Transcription

You’ll need to be a fast and accurate typist with good English skills to try your hand at transcription work.

Other requirements include a computer and a good internet connection. Headphones are useful for hearing the audio properly and you can also pick up a foot pedal that allows you to pause and play quickly, although it’s not essential.

The beauty of this online side hustle is that you can claim the jobs as and when you want and usually get paid weekly. 

You’ll get faster as you get more practice and can expect to earn around £9 an hour at a decent speed. Take a look at sites Way With Words and McGowan Transcriptions.

10. Get paid for your opinion

Survey sites are a popular way to make money online fast. Once you’ve filled out your profile, you’ll be matched with surveys when they become available.

With survey sites like Valued Opinions and Swagbucks, you can earn anywhere from 50p to £3 for a survey that takes 10–20 minutes. Online surveys are popular as they can be done from anywhere you have internet, even while you watch TV, but can be inconsistent in their availability.

11. Become a product tester

Product testing is how companies ensure their products are ready for market. Sign up with a product testing site and fill out your profile so they can group you within certain demographics. 

They’ll send out unbranded goodies for you to try out and give your honest feedback on. Payments can vary from getting stuff for free to vouchers and cash.

Try third-party sites like Ipsos i-Say, Toluna and Clicks Research. Some of the more sought-after sites include Tesco Home Panel and Boots Volunteer Panel and Amazon Vine, although it’s harder to earn a place with these programmes.

12. Matched betting

Also known as risk-free betting, this short-term side hustle can rake in a fair amount of cash. The reason it’s risk-free is that it’s based on maths rather than chance.

Instead of betting one way on an outcome, you bet both ways, so you’re bound to win. Using the free bets you get from signing up as a new customer to bookmakers means you’ll win money for free.

There is a little bit of maths involved in matched betting, so use a site like Outplayed (formerly Profit Accumulator) to figure out the details for you. You’ll need to invest some time signing up as a new customer to all the betting sites you can, which means that there is a shelf life to this side hustle.

Even for a short-term side hustle, it’s pretty lucrative and you can make £100s in just a few weeks. As a bonus, your money is counted as winnings so you won’t be taxed on it.

13. Review websites & apps

Site testing or user testing is another easy online side hustle. You’ll be matched with companies whose websites or apps need testing for improvements. This can include checking for bugs, page load time, usability and overall feedback on the experience. 

Each site test will require different feedback, some more in-depth than others, but it can be pretty interesting and you’ll soon learn what they’re looking for. Sign up to UserTesting and Tester Work to offer your services and make money from home.

14. Data entry

Those with good organisational skills and attention to detail could benefit from this easy online task. Data entry is an administrative role that consists of managing, transferring and updating information using databases and spreadsheets.

It’s a fairly straightforward role but is important for companies to keep their information up to date and organised. You can find adverts for data entry roles on Indeed, Fiverr, Upwork and Clickworker.

15. Review music

Slicethepie is a website where you can listen to and review unsigned bands and artists for cash rewards. You’ll get a star rating for the quality of your reviews, which can lead to higher earnings.

All payments are made in US dollars, which you can convert through PayPal. It’s not high paying (around 10p per review for a five-star rated user), but it can be an enjoyable one if you love discovering new music.

16. Dropshipping

Source low-cost items directly from a manufacturer or wholesaler and advertise them for a higher price on eBay, Amazon or your chosen ecommerce platform. Once someone places an order with you, you’ll then order it from the manufacturer to be shipped to the customer. That’s dropshipping in a nutshell.

The great thing about this side hustle idea is there are no upfront costs; you only purchase the item once someone has placed an order from you, so you make a profit straight away.

Bear in mind that if there’s a delay or issue with the item, the customer will come to you to complain or sometimes request a refund. If you have a good eye for items that can sell online for a higher price and you put the time in, you can make £100s every month.

17. Virtual assistant

Highly organised people with good administrative and time management skills could be well suited to this role. A virtual assistant is responsible for a variety of tasks like data entry, calendar management, and replying to social media comments.

As a flexible remote job, it’s ideal for working around a full-time role, although you’ll need to organise your time quite strictly to meet all your responsibilities.

Content creators often require virtual assistants for organising their workload and time. Reach out to YouTubers, popular bloggers and podcasters you follow to see what they might need. Otherwise, you’ll find plenty of opportunities on job boards for freelance and remote positions.

A virtual assistant can make £10+ an hour, so the more competent you are, the more you can make from this profitable side hustle.

18. Take part in focus groups

Make extra money on the side by sharing your opinion with focus groups. This previously in-person activity is mostly conducted online now and can be quite a lucrative way to boost your income.

Companies will organise focus groups for market research purposes to get feedback on a product or service. While you may need to fit a certain demographic, you won’t need any special skills.

How to earn extra money with paid focus groups

To participate in online focus groups, sign up to plenty of market research agencies like Angelfish Opinions and Research Opinions. One of the most important parts of focus groups is to be completely honest with your opinion and about yourself – it’s obvious when you’re not. 

Focus group sessions usually run for one to two hours and can pay anywhere from £30 to a whopping £200. Shop around for the highest-paying sessions as there’s a limit to how many you can take part in within a year.

Side hustles with equipment

These side jobs are ideal if you’ve already got certain equipment (other than a computer) in your home, so there’s no upfront cost.

19. Set up an ironing service

Love ironing? Sign up to work for a local company or start your own ironing service by advertising locally and on Gumtree. To get started, you’ll need quality ironing equipment and space in your home to do it. You may also need to pick up and drop off items for people, so having access to a car may be required.

Ironing services charge by the item, so get started with a price list of what you’ll charge for each item. Consider everyday clothing like trousers and dresses, as well as bed sheets in different sizes, children’s clothes and business suits.

20. Deliver in your spare time

Work part-time for Uber Eats, Deliveroo or Just Eat and all you’ll need is a bicycle and a smartphone. Get in touch with your local takeaways to see if you can offer delivery services for them via car, motorbike or bicycle.

There are plenty of big companies you can contact for side income delivery jobs, too. Reach out to companies like Amazon, Yodel and Evri, where you can select your available blocks of time. Royal Mail also hire delivery drivers for flexible work, although it’s more reliable around Christmas time when they see an influx of post.

Depending on the company, pay ranges between £9 and £16 an hour, although bear in mind it’s not consistent work and will revolve around evenings and weekends.

21. Become a rideshare driver

Offering your ride services is a great way to make extra money and a cheaper alternative to taxis for the rider.

Nationwide service Uber has a huge network of active riders which can be a great company to get started with if it’s available in your area. You can also check out other companies like Bolt or London-based ridesharing company Ola.

Monetise your hobbies & skills

Got a special skill, passion or hobby? Put it to work with a long-term side hustle that can reap rewards, provide enjoyment and build on a potential new career.

22. Teach a skill

Got special knowledge in a musical instrument, coding or maths? Tutoring part-time can be a time-intensive, but ultimately profitable, side hustle.

Starting as a tutor in your spare time is a great idea if you want to build a client base and turn it into a full-time job. You don’t need a licence or qualifications to teach a musical instrument, but you’ll obviously need to demonstrate great skill.

Private music lessons usually take place in your own home, so you’ll need a good quality instrument and plenty of sheet music and materials to get started. Advertise locally with leaflets and by word of mouth and decide what level you’d be comfortable teaching.

There are plenty of IT skills you can teach through online courses or in person, like basic coding, Adobe Photoshop, and Microsoft Excel. Explore tutoring GCSE students in subjects like English, maths or science. Sign up to an online platform like Fiverr or advertise locally to start building a client base.

As with all of these skills, you’ll likely be teaching under-18s, so it’s strongly advised to get an advanced DBS check. Tutoring is technically two skills in one, as teaching is certainly not easy. Spend some time learning about techniques, materials and the best ways to teach.

23. Freelance

Head on to freelancing platforms like Fiverr or Upwork and market your skills across a plethora of categories. These websites are popular within the so-called ‘gig economy’, where you’re hired for a one-off, short-term or long-term job on a contract. Set your price based on your skill and experience and aim to get a high rating from each job you complete so you can increase your client base and your price.

This is a great way to build a career for the future or simply spend your free time making money doing something you love. Popular ventures for freelance writing jobs include copywriting, proofreading & editing, voiceover work, website development and graphic design.

24. Blogging & affiliate marketing

Lots of people start their own blogs but don’t make a profit from them. To earn money blogging, you’ll need to offer something new and write interesting posts.

Do you have a unique experience or lifestyle, interesting travel experiences, practical tips people will find useful or an unusual hobby? Brainstorm ideas and do some research around other blogs and how well they do.

Starting a blog is very time-intensive, so make sure writing and designing the layout will be something you enjoy; blogging is a long-term side hustle that can take time to make a profit on.

It’s fairly straightforward to get started with affiliate marketing. This means you’ll add a link within your content and earn a small commission with each click through from your site.

There are plenty of affiliate programmes to get started with, like Awin, which contain big names like Tesco, Boots and ASOS, and eBay Partner Affiliate Network.  

Some bloggers can earn up to £100 or £200 extra a month, while some are able to make it their full-time job.

25. Offer DIY services

Many DIY tasks around the house require special skills, so if you’re handy with a toolkit, make extra income from local tasks.

Check out platforms like Taskrabbit and Airtasker to offer your services for local jobs. These tasks will usually revolve around manual activities like furniture assembly, help moving house, mounting a TV and basic plumbing work.

26. Sell your creations on Etsy

Crafty and artistic folk can monetise their hobbies by selling what they make on Etsy. The online marketplace connects artists with customers for a commission of their sales.

You’ll need a genuine love of creating for this side hustle, but it can be a great way to motivate your passion. You can sell almost anything on Etsy, whether it’s handmade jewellery or hand-painted greeting cards. 

As well as creating the items yourself, you’ll need to spend time working on your brand: creating your seller name, designing a logo, deciding on fonts, colours and imagery. 

You’ll also need to research marketing techniques and conduct keyword research to integrate into your page. Take some time scrolling through similar vendors to get ideas and inspiration in creating your seller shop. 

Etsy charge fees per listing and take a commission on the sale price, which can add up in the beginning. So, while you can make good money as an Etsy seller, it may take some time, good reviews from buyers and lots of promotion. Promote as much as you can through friends and family and social media, and consider setting up a separate social media account as well.

27. Sell your photos online

Whether you’re an amateur or full-time professional photographer, you can make passive income from your talent. Stock photos are highly searched for and are used for all sorts of marketing purposes on the internet.

Do some research to see what photos will be the best to get started with. These could be very popular images, very niche images, or a combination of the two. If you have knowledge on a niche subject, you’ll have less competition when it comes to which one people choose.

Once you have a batch of stock photos, upload them to sites like Getty Images or Shutterstock. These sites work as stock photo libraries where people can search for a keyword and download the image they want. That means you only have to upload it once and it can be sold again and again. 

You’ll then get a cut of the price for each image, which varies depending on the site/s you choose. Some sites pay you a higher cut if you’re exclusive to them. The profitability of selling your photography can vary massively, but it can be a great way to practise your hobby and make passive income at the same time.

28. Upcycle furniture for profit

Furniture flipping is a fantastic way for creatives to put their skills into action and make extra money. For this side hustle, you’ll need a good eye for vintage or antique furniture, some DIY skills and artistic talent. You’ll also need materials like paint, sanders and screwdrivers. 

The major benefit to this side job is how much fun you can have with it. From sourcing hidden gems on Gumtree and in charity shops to creating something beautiful, those with the right skills and motivation can really make this side hustle their own.

Depending on the piece and your talent for revamping, you can make £100s on upcycling furniture for profit. Sell on platforms like Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace and eBay. 

Weird & unusual side hustles

These last few side hustle ideas are a bit out of the ordinary. So if you’re okay with doing something a little unusual for money, they could be right up your street. The good news is the more unusual it is, the less competition you’ll have.

29. Model your feet

Yes, you can become a foot model! If anyone has ever commented on how nice-looking your feet are, this one could be for you.

You’d be surprised at how many industries require images of feet; they can be used for pedicure images, selling socks, modelling toe rings and anklets, and even advertising skincare products.

Finding these opportunities isn’t that easy, so it might be worthwhile signing up to a modelling agency to seek them out for you.

You'll also need to dedicate yourself to daily skin maintenance, nail care, hair removal, avoiding bruises and staying active for good circulation. Once you’ve put in the time to find work and keep your feet in top condition, you could earn up to £500 per shoot.

There are all sorts of body parts you can make money with: eyes, mouth, legs, ears and more... 

30. Pose for art classes

Life drawing is a major skill for artists to hone and you can make easy money modelling for art students.

Unlike other forms of modelling, there’s absolutely no requirement for a specific type of body or appearance. All you need to get started is to get your name out there (and a little bit of body confidence). Contact local art schools, colleges and studios to see if they have any life drawing classes on their schedule. 

During class, you’ll need to find interesting poses that are comfortable enough to hold for a long time. While you can bring props along with you, you generally can’t wear any clothing. Life modelling in the UK ranges in pay from £10 to £14 an hour.

31. Become a mystery shopper

Earn cash, gift vouchers or freebies as a mystery shopper for huge supermarket chains. Mystery shopping is popular with big supermarkets who want an objective way of evaluating their service. As a secret shopper, you’ll be hired to visit the shop and rate the quality of service and goods available. 

Secret shopping opportunities aren’t available consistently, and the offers will vary mostly on your location and how far you’re willing to travel.

Pay ranges vary significantly and you may sometimes receive vouchers or freebies in lieu of cash. If you’re travelling for the assignment, factor in the pay to decide whether or not it’s worth your time.

Check out our guide to mystery dining to learn about getting paid to eat.

32. Invigilate exams

As an exam invigilator, you’ll be in charge of closely monitoring a room full of students as they sit for GCSEs, A-Levels, and university exams.

Exam invigilators keep a close eye on the activity and well-being of the students in the room, escort students to the bathroom, and provide them with any equipment they need.

This side hustle is usually only available in early summer, although there are sometimes resits throughout the year. Start searching for roles or reaching out to local schools six weeks in advance of the exam period. Standard pay is around £10 an hour.

33. Work as a film & TV extra

Even if you’re not a professional actor, you can sign up to an agency to get work appearing as an extra. Film and TV extras appear in the backgrounds of scenes and don’t have any speaking parts.

Extra work can be fun, a great way to meet new people, and an interesting thing to add to your CV.

It’s less reliable in terms of consistency, but you can earn around £50 a day. You'll usually have lunch provided, although you may have to pay for your own travel. 

34. Get paid to watch TV

Sign up with The Viewers and make money from your opinion on TV programmes. There are a variety of tasks and projects you can take part in, from short online surveys to in-person discussion groups.

Some of these projects will involve watching and reviewing new programmes from home and will pay around £10 an hour or £3 for up to 15 minutes. If you go to an in-person group discussion, you can be rewarded with £40+ and will be provided with refreshments.

How to pick your side hustles

Figuring out how to make a side hustle work for you comes down to personal choice. What’s your end goal: to make extra money or pursue your hobby? 

Evaluate what skills, time, and equipment you have available

What are you good at?

Are you willing to put in some upfront costs?

Do you have a few hours to set aside every week?

Are you looking for a short-term income boost of long-term passive income?

Remember that this is for supplementary income, so make sure any extra projects you take on don’t affect your day job.

Lastly, try to pick something you find enjoyable or at least satisfying. If you find fulfilment from your side gig, you’re more likely to stick with it and do it consistently.