Prices are rising, and I know many people who don’t want to work a traditional 9-to-5 job but still need a little extra income. Some are retired, others are stay-at-home parents, students, or people who have left work due to health reasons. Others just want to make a little extra money on their own terms.
The good news? There are plenty of ways to earn money without committing to a full-time job. Many of these ideas allow you to work when you want, using the skills or assets you already have. Here are 11 flexible ways to bring in extra cash without clocking in at an office every day.
1. Rent Out Your Driveway
If you live in a city where parking is expensive or near a train station, stadium, or tourist attraction, you could rent out your driveway to people looking for a cheaper and more convenient parking space.
There are websites and apps that help you list your space and find renters. However, if you have a mortgage or a landlord, check that you’re allowed to rent it out first. Some cities also require permits for driveway rentals, so it’s best to check local rules.
🔹 How to Start: Sign up for apps like JustPark or YourParkingSpace and list your driveway when it’s available.
💰 Potential Earnings: £50–£200 per month, depending on location.
2. Start a YouTube Channel or Podcast
If you have knowledge on a topic or simply enjoy sharing ideas, you could start a YouTube channel or podcast. It could be about anything—cooking, history, book reviews, DIY projects, or even personal stories.
While it takes time to build an audience, once you do, you can earn through advertising, sponsorships, and listener support.
🔹 How to Start: A decent smartphone, microphone, and internet connection are enough to get started.
💰 Potential Earnings: £0 at first, but successful YouTubers and podcasters make hundreds or even thousands per month.
3. Turn Your Hobby Into a Business
If you have a hobby like gardening, painting, woodworking, or baking, you could turn it into a small business.
I did this when I was a student. I started a small gardening service, putting up flyers in tennis and golf clubs where I knew wealthier people might need help. It worked, and I earned enough to support myself.
🔹 Ideas:
- Sell homegrown plants or flowers.
- Offer gardening or handyman services.
- Sell homemade crafts or baked goods online.
💰 Potential Earnings: £10–£100 per job, depending on the service.
4. Walk Dogs for Extra Cash
Lots of people own dogs but don’t have time to walk them—especially during work hours. If you love animals, this could be an easy and enjoyable way to make money.
You don’t need qualifications, but it’s good to have pet insurance in case anything happens.
🔹 How to Start: Advertise on social media, post office boards, and dog-walking apps like Rover.
💰 Potential Earnings: £15–£20 per walk.
5. Run Workshops or Classes
If you have a skill or passion, you could run workshops and teach others. I’ve personally run vision board workshops, ecotherapy sessions, and mosaic-making classes, earning £30–£90 per person.
Workshops can be in-person or online, and you can teach anything from painting to budgeting to yoga.
🔹 How to Start: Host in community centers, libraries, or even your own home.
💰 Potential Earnings: £100+ per session.
6. Get Paid to House-Sit
House-sitting is a great way to make money while getting a free stay in a nice home. Some people just want their plants watered, while others need pet care while they’re away.
There are websites where homeowners list their properties and hire people to stay and take care of things while they’re gone.
🔹 How to Start: Sign up on sites like TrustedHousesitters or HouseSittersUK.
💰 Potential Earnings: £25–£75 per night.
7. Take in a Lodger
If you have a spare room, you could rent it out and earn up to £7,500 tax-free per year under the UK’s Rent a Room Scheme.
Some lodgers only need a place during the week, and others stay for 6-month contracts. It’s a good way to earn steady income, but it does mean sharing your home.
🔹 How to Start: Advertise on SpareRoom or local Facebook groups.
💰 Potential Earnings: £400–£800 per month.
8. Rent Out Your Home on Airbnb
If you don’t want a full-time lodger, you could rent out a room on Airbnb for short stays.
You’ll need to keep the space clean and follow safety regulations, but if you live in a tourist-friendly area, it can be a good source of extra cash.
🔹 How to Start: List your space on Airbnb or Vrbo.
💰 Potential Earnings: £30–£150 per night, depending on location.
9. Rent or Sell Your Belongings
Do you have tools, camping gear, gym equipment, or musical instruments sitting unused? Instead of letting them collect dust, you could rent them out.
You can also sell items you no longer need on platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace.
🔹 How to Start: Use rental platforms like Fat Llama to rent out items.
💰 Potential Earnings: £5–£50 per rental or £100s per sale.
10. Rent Out Your Garage or Storage Space
If you have a garage, loft, or shed that you don’t use, you could rent it out as storage for people who need extra space.
Some people store furniture, business inventory, or even classic cars in rented garages.
🔹 How to Start: Advertise on Facebook Marketplace or Stashbee.
💰 Potential Earnings: £50–£250 per month.
11. Rent Out Designer Clothes and Accessories
If you own designer handbags, dresses, or shoes, you can rent them out to people attending weddings, parties, or events.
Websites like By Rotation and HURR help you list and rent out high-end fashion items.
🔹 How to Start: List your items on fashion rental platforms.
💰 Potential Earnings: £20–£100 per rental.
A Note of Caution
Any extra income you earn may be taxable if it pushes you over the tax-free threshold. It’s important to keep accurate records of your earnings and consider hiring an accountant to help with taxes.
Banks and HMRC can now track transactions, so it’s best to be transparent about extra earnings.
Final Thoughts: Making Money on Your Own Terms
You don’t need a traditional job to earn money. With a little creativity, you can find flexible ways to boost your income while doing something you enjoy.
The key is to think about what you already have—whether that’s a spare room, a skill, or extra time—and use it to bring in extra cash.
Have you tried any of these ideas? Or do you have other ways to make money on the side? Let me know—I’d love to hear your thoughts! 💰😊
