Side Hustles to Help Beginners Get Started
Side hustles are a great way to earn extra money without needing a lot of training, experience, or startup costs. You don’t have to invest large amounts of your own money to get going.

Before choosing a side hustle, it’s important to do some research to see what suits you best. Look for something that matches your interests and skills, but also make sure it won’t take up so much of your time that it affects your personal or work life. You want it to be enjoyable and manageable.

How Much Can You Make?
One of the good things about side hustles is that many are based on proven ideas. This makes it easier to get started, lowers the chance of failure, and helps you begin earning sooner.

For example, selling online is one of the simplest ways to start. Sites like eBay and Amazon give you access to many potential buyers. The more you sell, the more you can earn. Some side hustles can even become quite profitable. It’s estimated that nearly half of people in the UK with a side hustle make about £800 a month from it.

What Are the Most Popular Side Hustles?
There are many side hustles out there, but here are 12 of the most common and possibly profitable ones to try in 2025:

1. Selling Used or Refurbished Items Online
It’s become popular and eco-friendly to sell used items like clothes, books, furniture, games, and other things through platforms such as Gumtree, Vinted, and Facebook Marketplace.

• If you start making regular sales, you can use Royal Mail’s free home collection service to save time
  
• You could also improve or personalise items like furniture to increase their value
  
• Reworking clothes or fixing up vintage electronics like old radios, consoles, or record players can also bring in money
  

2. Selling Homemade Products
You can also make money from hobbies where you create items from scratch.

• Sell your handmade goods on your own website, through online marketplaces, or at local craft fairs
  
• Popular homemade items include cakes, candles, and custom portraits of pets or children
  

3. Selling Photos and Media Content
There’s a steady demand for quality images, animations, music, and video. Sites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Getty Images pay contributors for good content.

• You can earn from £1 to hundreds of pounds for each sale, depending on the quality and size of your work
  
• Some platforms pay a flat fee, while others offer a share of each sale
  
• Not all platforms accept every submission, so check the rules before applying
  

4. Content Creation
You can make extra income from blogging, podcasting, or creating videos. YouTube has billions of users, which means there are lots of opportunities if you have a good idea—whether it’s cooking, DIY, fitness, or anything else.

• Starting a blog, vlog, or social media channel is a way to earn money as your audience grows
  
• With a larger following, you can earn from ads, affiliate links, or by selling your own products
  

5. Pet Care
If you enjoy being around animals, you can offer dog walking, pet sitting, or grooming services. Many pet owners prefer personal care over kennels when they travel.

• Dog walkers earn about £15 an hour, and pet sitters can make around £22 an hour
  
• Local rules usually limit how many dogs you can walk at once (often four to six), so check with your council
  
• If you offer pet care at home, you’ll need a Boarding Licence from your local council
  

6. Childcare
You can babysit in the child’s home or offer childminding from your own. Starting with children of friends or family can help build strong references. Learn about the responsibilities involved so you’re ready for any challenges.

• Babysitters usually earn about £14 an hour
  
• You must register with Ofsted to care for children at home, and this costs £35
  
• It’s a good idea to take a first aid course for babies and children
  

7. Delivery or Driving Work
If you have a car, bike, or motorbike, you can deliver food or packages for services like Just Eat, Deliveroo, or local companies. Courier services like Gophr and CitySprint often need drivers in cities.

• Pay depends on the provider, time, location, and distance, and you keep 100% of your tips
  
• Always tell your motor insurer you’re working as a delivery driver. Bike riders may also need insurance
  
• Another option is to rent out your car through a car-sharing service. You earn a percentage of the rental fee
  

Car sharers often make 60% to 70% of the daily rental cost. Turo says its average car owner earns £6,500 per year, while Hiya reports monthly earnings of around £650 for its users.

8. DIY and Home Services
If you’re good with your hands, offer services like building furniture, cleaning gutters, gardening, or washing cars. There’s always demand for basic home maintenance tasks.

• How much you earn depends on the job, but some people make up to £5,000 a month
  
• You may need public liability insurance in case of accidents or damage
  
• You’ll usually use your own tools, although many customers may let you use their equipment
  

9. Mystery Shopping
Mystery shopping involves giving feedback on your shopping experience, usually through a short survey. You might be asked to visit a store, make a call, or contact a business online.

• Sign up with agencies like Serve First or Mystery Shoppers
  
• You could earn from £4 to £40 per job, with payments made monthly
  
• The agency will cover any costs you have during the job
  

10. Competitions, Surveys, and Focus Groups
Companies often run competitions or offer payments to collect opinions. While winning contests takes luck, surveys and focus groups are more reliable sources of income.

• Sites like Ipsos i-Say give points for surveys, which you can trade for vouchers
  
• A 250-point survey is worth about £2.50. You can cash out for £5 or £10 once you collect enough points
  
• Focus groups often pay in cash, with rates from £40 to £200 depending on the session
  

11. Tutoring
Tutoring is a great way to use your existing knowledge. You can teach subjects like maths, science, languages, or music—either in person or online.

• Most tutors earn between £15 and £40 per hour, depending on the subject and format
  
• For help getting started, look into guides on becoming a private tutor
  

12. Translation
As more companies go global, the need for translators has grown. If you speak more than one language, this could be a good way to make extra money.

• Sign up with platforms like Fiverr, PeoplePerHour, or Lionbridge and compare their pay rates and reviews
  
• Translators are usually paid per word or per hour, depending on the job and how difficult or urgent it is
  

These 12 ideas show just how many ways there are to earn extra money on the side. Whether you’re looking for something simple or want to turn your hobby into a business, there’s likely a side hustle that suits your interests, skills, and schedule.