A side hustle doesn’t need a business plan, a logo or a loan from the bank. The best ones use skills or things you already have, fit around your existing commitments and can be started with very little money. Here are some practical ideas to get going.
1. Sell what you no longer need
It’s the easiest place to start. Clothes, books, gadgets, furniture and baby gear all sell well on sites like Vinted, eBay and Facebook Marketplace. You declutter and get paid – a rare win-win.
2. Offer a skill locally
Dog walking, pet sitting, gardening, ironing, small DIY jobs and tutoring are always in demand. Local Facebook groups and neighbourhood apps such as Nextdoor are good places to find your first customers.
3. Freelance online
If you can write, design, edit, do bookkeeping or manage social media, platforms like Fiverr and Upwork let you sell your services to people anywhere. Start small, build a few good reviews and raise your prices as you go.
4. Print on demand
Design artwork or slogans and sell them on t-shirts, mugs and prints without holding any stock. The printing company makes and ships each order, and you earn the difference. It takes time to build up, but it’s low risk.
5. Affiliate marketing
Recommend products you like through a blog, social media or a newsletter and earn a commission when people buy. It’s a slow burner rather than quick cash, but it can grow into a steady income over time.
The boring but important bit: tax
If you earn money from a side hustle, you may need to tell HMRC. There is a trading allowance that lets you earn a certain amount of side income each year tax-free, but once you go over it you’ll usually need to register for Self Assessment. Selling your own unwanted belongings is generally treated differently from trading. Rules can change, so check the latest guidance on GOV.UK or speak to an accountant.
Before you start
- Be realistic about the time you have – a few hours a week done consistently beats a burst of enthusiasm that fizzles out.
- Avoid anything that asks you to pay a large fee up front to ‘unlock’ earnings. That’s usually the only person getting rich.
- Keep simple records of what you earn and spend from day one. Future you will be grateful.
This article is general information, not financial advice. See our Disclosure & Disclaimer.