A side income (often called a side hustle) is money you earn outside your main job, anything from renting out your driveway to freelancing or selling online. In the UK you can earn up to £1,000 a year tax free under the trading allowance before you need to tell HMRC.
We asked some of the UK’s top financial experts for the side income ideas that actually pay. Below are 15 of the best, what they involve, and roughly what you can earn.
Have you ever wondered how other people can earn an income on the side and make it look so easy?
After all, if it were that easy, everyone would be doing it, right?
So we’ve scoured a few methods recommended by employment and financial experts who have followed trends in the working economy and have identified ways you could earn extra income each month.
You might be looking into side incomes to help you pay off debts such as student finance, car loans or credit cards. You might just be looking make an extra £500 a month to help supplement the cost of living.
In this article, we’ll share some of these experts’ top picks, and maybe you might find something that you could start straight away.
If you want to find out more about these side income opportunities, read on.
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Podcast Episode - Jared Bauman
Jared Bauman serial entrepreneur and self-confessed side hustle aficionado joins us on the podcast this week to discuss all about his new side hustle with the Amazon Influencer program.
We also discuss about how Jared is growing digital businesses through building websites, blogs and running his own digital agency.
Click the link above to access the full episode on your mobile device or press play below to listen to the podcast while you read this article
15 Side Income Ideas To Try in 2026
Amazon Influencer Program
The Amazon influencer program is multi faceted but one strand of it is the shopable videos you can create using your iPhone.
In our recent podcast episode Jared Bauman exaplins that you need around 1,000 followers to sign up but then you can make videos about any product you have in your house which is sold on Amazon.
Think about it – that’s A LOT of products.
These reviews are super simple, easy to do and require minimal editing skills and Jared was earning around £750 a month in his 1st month and now is way higher than this!
Solve Companies Problems
We couldn’t resist looking at what Martin Lewis side hustles were knocking about and there wasn’t a lack of advice available on side hustles.
One of these methods caught our attention, which involves coming up with solutions that can be a lucrative venture if you are knowledgeable in business or science.
The amount you earn will depend on the usefulness of your solution, so it may take some time before you start earning, but it’s possible that you could get a hefty payday if you nail it.
For example, this could be coming up with a piece of software that helps the company’s workforce save 3 hours a day or by solving an issue in their supply chain by providing more local solutions.
The possibilities are endless but this is how you make the big money!
Get Paid To Watch Telly
Another Martin Lewis side hustle is watching a bit of tele.
No seriously this method can be lucrative for that telly enthusiast and pays you for sharing your views for a research panel, it’s that simple.
These projects can include giving feedback on TV shows before they are broadcast to the public and coming up with catchy titles.
This can be done by in-person research groups or fill out surveys at home, and you’ll usually get around £40 for face-to-face group discussions and anywhere between £1-£10 for online surveys.
Virtual Assistant
We’ve also looked at what Alok Astrom, the CEO of the future of work institute by Appjobs, has to recommend to people looking to make some extra money.
One of these ways is by becoming a virtual assistant, so you can sign up to an agency and become hired by an individual or business.
So if you’re good at emails, managing calendars, and general life admin, you should consider this role as you can set your hours and can earn between £11-£16 per hour.
Become A Fixer, Or Labourer
Another recommendation from Astrom is undertaking jobs such as assembling furniture, painting, mounting a TV, and much more.
This type of job would be ideal for those with skills or qualifications in decorating, plumbing, or joining, as you’re more likely to be picked out for jobs when you make your profile.
It can also be worth doing if you’re handy in general and don’t mind some variety in your jobs, as one day you could be moving furniture, the next you could be decorating a bedroom.
Start An Online Course
If we look at what skills employers are looking for, we can see that the top few skills are communication, leadership, interpersonal, self-management, and computer skills, to name a few.
It helps these days to have entrepreneurial spirit too, drive and ambition to succeed are admirable traits and one that could come over in a course.
From this, you could use this knowledge to build a course to help people gain these skills, and you can use specific knowledge such as data analysis or graphic design, for example.
From here, you can create a tailor-made course that businesses and individuals desire and will value so you can finetune your course content to meet certain skill shortages and demands.
Start A Blog
Blogging stands out as one of the top ways to make a side income from home.
It’s a platform not only for sharing your insights and stories but also for generating income through various monetisation methods.
To get started, choose a domain name that reflects your brand and what you have to offer your audience.
When it comes to setting up your blog, platforms like WordPress offer a range of options, from free plans to more premium features which often come with an annual fee.
Investing in a paid plan can give you greater control over your site’s design and functionality, as well as the ability to monetise your content through ads, sponsored posts, or affiliate marketing.
Content is king in the blogging world, so producing high-quality, engaging posts is crucial. This can mean writing articles, creating videos, or curating photos that resonate with your readers.
Remember, successful blogging is a marathon, not a sprint. Building a readership takes time and consistent effort.
To get your blog noticed, SEO is key. Utilise keywords, meta descriptions, and tags effectively to boost your search rankings. Engaging with your readers through comments and social media can also help to increase your online presence.
As your blog grows, so do the opportunities for it to become a significant source of side income. For an in-depth guide on how to turn blogging into a profitable side hustle, check out our comprehensive post on how to start a blog.
Create An App
Any marketing expert or insider will recommend this as it’s a good way to create a game or performs a function that will keep users entertained or make their lives easier, so when they download it, you can generate income.
You might want to consider that the popularity of some apps is short-lived, and you might see your income dwindling faster than you expected plus, the over-saturation of apps makes it harder for you to get noticed.
You’ll have to put a considerable amount of time and effort into it, as it might mean you need to hire more people to help you with the app’s functionality and ensure it’s compliant with regulations.
Rent Out Household Items
Confused.com surveyed the most common and valuable items that rental platforms like Fat llama had to offer.
They found that renting out things such as designer dresses and suits, laptops, drones, and even speaker systems can bring in £4,000 a month without having to do much and if you have more than one of these items, you can see your rental income double or triple with each item rented.
Renting out clothes and accessories is like the ultimate side income as you earn money passively from work you’ve already done!
You could also rent out a campervan if you have one, and it could be the start of a lucrative business opportunity if you’re in a good area and keep your campervan in good condition.
Sell Designs Online
Any self-employed freelancer will tell you the opportunities that can come from platforms such as Etsy and Shopify, which allows you to create items with a personal touch.
You also have better customer access to gauge what items you sell work best.
Of course, you’ll have to spend some time making and establishing your product, and it’s always helpful to get feedback so you can determine if your product could sell well or not.
Sell Your Clothes and Clutter
Clearing out your wardrobe and cupboards is the fastest side income to start, because you already own the stock. List unworn clothes on Vinted or Depop and bigger items on eBay or Facebook Marketplace. A good clear out can bring in a few hundred pounds in the first month, and selling your own used belongings is not usually taxable.
Rent Out Your Driveway or Parking Space
If you live near a station, stadium, airport or busy town centre, your empty driveway is worth money. Apps like JustPark and YourParkingSpace let you list a space in minutes. Depending on location, drivers pay anywhere from £50 to £300 a month, and once it is set up the income is almost entirely passive.
Dog Walking and Pet Sitting
Animal lovers can earn steady cash through platforms like Rover and Tailster. Dog walking pays around £10 to £15 per walk and overnight pet sitting pays more, so a handful of regular clients can add £200 to £400 a month with almost no startup cost.
Rent Out a Spare Room
A spare room can be one of the biggest earners on this list. Let it short term on Airbnb or take in a lodger, and the government’s Rent a Room scheme lets you earn up to £7,500 a year completely tax free. In many UK towns and cities that covers a large chunk of your own rent or mortgage.
Tutoring and Freelancing Your Skills
If you are good at a subject or a skill, sell it. Tutor online through Tutorful or MyTutor, or offer writing, design and admin work on Fiverr and Upwork. Rates start around £15 an hour for tutoring and climb much higher for specialist freelance work, and you choose your own hours.
How To Make Income On The Side?
Finding the right side income idea often involves a journey of exploration and experimentation. It starts with looking inward at your own skills and passions.
Are you a whiz at web design, a crafty creator, or do you have a flair for writing?
These personal interests are your compass in navigating the vast sea of side hustle opportunities.
Once you’ve pinpointed a few areas aligned with your talents, the real adventure begins. It’s like trying on different hats to see which fits best.
You might start a blog, sell handmade crafts, or offer freelance services. The key here is not to put all your eggs in one basket right away.
Test the waters with a few options, see what resonates with your lifestyle and has a market demand.
Feedback during this phase is like gold dust. It guides you in fine-tuning your approach, molding your idea into something that not only brings you joy but also has the potential to pad your wallet.
When you do find that sweet spot – a side hustle that clicks with your skills, excites you, and brings in revenue – that’s when you know it’s time to dive in deeper.
Here, commitment and persistence are your allies, helping you to nurture and grow this venture into a fruitful and satisfying source of side income.
Do You Pay Tax on a Side Income in the UK?
Most side income is taxable, but there is a useful allowance. HMRC gives every UK taxpayer a £1,000 trading allowance each tax year. If everything you earn from your side hustles across the year stays under £1,000, you usually do not need to declare it.
Earn more than £1,000 and you must register for Self Assessment and report the income. You only pay tax on the profit above the allowance, and the rate depends on your total income for the year.
A few quick pointers:
- Keep simple records of what you earn and any costs from day one.
- Selling your own used clothes and clutter on Vinted or eBay is not usually taxable. Buying stock to resell is.
- Renting a room in your home can be tax free up to £7,500 a year under the Rent a Room scheme.
If in doubt, check the latest HMRC side hustle guidance or speak to an accountant.
Side Income FAQs
What is the best side income?
The best side income is the one that fits your skills, your spare time and how fast you need the money. For quick cash with no startup cost, selling clutter, renting your driveway and pet sitting are hard to beat. For bigger long term income, blogging, freelancing and selling online scale the furthest.
Do you pay tax on a side income in the UK?
You can earn up to £1,000 a year from side hustles tax free under HMRC’s trading allowance. Above that you need to register for Self Assessment and pay tax on the profit. Selling your own used items is not usually taxable, and renting a room can be tax free up to £7,500 under the Rent a Room scheme.
How can you make an extra £200 a day?
Making £200 in a day usually means stacking higher value gigs rather than small tasks. Think a day of freelance or trade work, renting out a high demand item, a busy day of dog walking and pet sitting, or a strong day of online sales. It is realistic now and then, but most side incomes build to a steady monthly figure rather than a fixed daily one.
What is the highest paid side hustle?
The highest paid side hustles tend to be skilled and scalable: freelancing in areas like software, design and copywriting, building a blog or an app, or renting out high value assets. They take longer to get going than quick gigs, but the earning ceiling is far higher.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many ways to make your money work for you, like cash back on purchases or investing in funds that pay out dividends, which can be a minefield in itself.
As good as the experts are in their respective fields, you might want to be wary of these suggestions as no one can accurately determine where the next trend is going to take place.
As this is in terms of making an income stream, having a good knowledge of the area you’re looking into is a good place to start.
You also want to consider the time that you’re going to need to be successful, as we’re aware that a lot of people might not have the time to set up this type of income, whatever ways they decide to undertake, so not overworking yourself is a balance that you’re going to want to work out.
The only person that can make an income stream is yourself, so if you feel that you might not be able to commit that much time or money, consider starting with something small and using that to fund your next project.
We suggest having a look at our top 10 books for entrepreneurs right here to help you get started.
Thank you for reading.
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Disclaimer: Content on this page is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before making a financially related decision.
