Top ways to make extra money while working full-time

Earn extra income alongside your full-time job as a UW Partner

UW Partners can earn up to £300 for each new customer they sign up to our services.

Want to start earning? Find a UW Partner in your area or learn more about how they can help others save on their monthly bill.

Why do more and more people want to earn extra income on top of a full-time job?

If you feel like you could use a little extra cash, even when working full-time, you’re not alone. Recent research has found that 2 in 5 Brits have a second job to earn more income in 2025.

Market changes, inflation rises, and job instability can strike at any time, so having multiple income streams has become more popular than ever before as people aim to save for the unexpected.

Here are a few reasons why people are turning to additional income opportunities:

• To make ends meet — Sometimes, your regular payslip just doesn’t stretch far enough to cover everything, from bills to everyday expenses. A side hustle can provide that extra cushion, helping you avoid stress when money’s tight.

• To save for something big — Planning for a holiday, a new car, or even a home? Having another income stream can give you the boost needed to reach your savings goals faster.

• To add financial security — More income means more savings or paying off debt faster. It can also serve as a safety net if something unexpected comes up.

• To gain more control over your finances — Want the freedom to choose what you earn and when? Having additional income can help you diversify your money streams and give you more flexibility to decide how much (or little) you want to work.

What’s the difference between a full-time job and a side hustle?

A full-time job and a side job, or side hustle, are both ways to earn money, but they come with different setups, responsibilities, and, importantly, levels of flexibility. Let’s break down some of the differences:

• Full-time job — This is your main gig, which often requires most of your time and commitment. It usually comes with a set salary, benefits like health insurance, and a clear structure. Full-time jobs are traditionally worked 9am-5pm (but that can vary), with set hours, bosses, and expectations. These jobs tend to be more reliable but not as flexible.

• Side job — This is the flexible counterpart to your full-time job. A side hustle can be anything you do in your spare time, outside of your primary work, to earn more money. The key difference? Side hustles offer a lot more flexibility as you decide how much time you want to commit, when you want to work, and which tasks you want to take on.

One key thing to note is that side hustles don’t tend to come with the benefits of a full-time job, like health coverage or a pension plan. However, if you're looking for something to fit in around your day job, a side hustle can provide the extra income you need with the flexibility you want, and you still get to benefit from the perks of your main work.

You can learn more about side hustles here.

10 best ways to make extra money in your spare time 

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to ways to earn extra money – some work for your schedule, while others may not fit as well. The beauty of side hustles, though, is that there’s something for everyone.

Here’s a list of some of the best job ideas to help you make more money while working full-time:

1. Become a brand ambassador

Looking for a way to earn extra money that fits around a full-time role and lets you share products or services you really believe in? Becoming a brand ambassador or representative offers just that — the chance to work flexibly, build your own network, and get rewarded for helping others discover great deals.

Brand ambassadors can make money by sharing a company’s products or services and encouraging other people to buy into that product. For each new customer they sign up or sell to, they earn commission for the sales or leads they generate.

One of the biggest perks of this role is the flexibility; you can usually set your own hours, allowing you to work around your full-time job. Whether you’re posting on social media, attending events, or engaging with potential customers online, you’re building a network and growing your income as you go.

Benefits:

• Extremely flexible

• Choose your hours

• Big earning potential

• Build your own network

Drawbacks:

• Requires some initial training to get started

If you’re looking for extra work that offers all of the above and the chance to help people save money, becoming a UW Partner could be the perfect fit. With UW, you could earn up to £300 for each customer you sign up for at least four UW services, like broadband, energy (gas and/or electricity), and mobile.

And the best part? You can do this around your full-time job.

Our Partners are dedicated to helping people save money on their household bills, and this can take any form to fit around your lifestyle and commitments. Learn more about becoming a UW Partner and if it’s right for you here.

2. License your photos or videos to earn royalty income

If you have a collection of photos, videos, or other creative work, you can actually make money from them by licensing them. That’s because when others use your licensed content, whether it’s for websites, ads, or printed content, you’ll receive payments as they’re technically using something you’ve created.

To get started, you’ll need a decent-quality camera or smartphone and basic editing skills to make your content look professional and appealing to buyers.

Once it’s ready, you can upload it to stock websites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or Getty Images, where it becomes available for businesses, marketers, and publishers to license. Each time someone downloads or uses your content, you earn a royalty payment. Over time, as you build a diverse portfolio, your earnings can become a steady source of semi-passive income that fits well around your full-time job.

Benefits:

• Earn ongoing income

• No need to manage products or customers directly

Drawbacks:

• Income could be inconsistent

• Earnings might start small and grow slowly

• Requires some initial time investment

3. Dividend and capital gains income

For anyone looking for a truly hands-free way of earning extra cash, and you have some money that you can afford to set aside, putting it to work through investing can be a smart way to make passive income without adding more hours to your day.

Dividends are payments that some companies give to their shareholders as a way of sharing profits. When you buy shares (which means owning a small part of a company), you might receive dividends regularly, like every few months, or once a year. It’s like earning a small reward just for holding onto your shares.

While some people hang onto their shares to continue getting their dividend payments, some people sell them back for more than they paid for them, and this is called capital gains. It can be a bit riskier, as you might not always be able to make money when you sell your shares back, as they might be worth less than what you bought them for. But if you time it right, you can grow your money over time.

Getting started is easier than you might think; you just need an investment account with a platform like Hargreaves Lansdown or AJ Bell, plus a bit of learning about the basics. However, investing comes with risks, so it’s essential to do your research before diving in.

Benefits:

• Potential to earn passive income without actively working

• Flexibility to invest at your own pace and risk level

Drawbacks:

• Investment value can go down as well as up 

• It may take time before you see significant returns 

• Requires some knowledge or willingness to learn about investing

4. Rent out your belongings

Got tools, camera gear, camping equipment, or even party supplies gathering dust? Renting out your belongings to people nearby who need them temporarily can turn those unused items into a steady source of extra income instead of letting them sit in storage.

Platforms like Fat Llama make it easy to list your items, set your price, and arrange rentals securely, and it’s relatively easy to get going – you just need to set aside some time to set up and upload your tools or equipment.

Some popular household appliances that people rent out are carpet cleaners, camera equipment, and even items in your wardrobe. 

Benefits:

• Generate income from items you already own.

• Flexible 

• Low maintenance

Drawbacks:

• Some items may require upkeep or maintenance

• Potential risk of damage 

• Demand varies depending on your location and the items you offer

5. Cashback

Earning cashback isn’t necessarily a job, but it’s an easy way to make money while working full-time. There are a few ways you can earn some pennies back:

• Going through a cashback site like TopCashback — These sites give you exclusive cashback rates, like 5-10%, if you shop using the link they provide. You’ll have to purchase via this link, but earn some money back from your order.

• Using a cashback card — Certain businesses offer cashback cards, like credit cards, that give you a set percentage of cashback on each purchase whenever you buy something using your card. This is usually deposited into your account at the end of each month.

For UW customers, the UW Cashback Card is a fantastic way to earn money with each purchase. You’ll get 10% cashback each time you use the card at our retail partners, and 1% everywhere else*. Then, at the end of the month, your cashback earnings will be automatically applied to your UW bill.

We have over 450,000 cashback cardholders as of 1 January 2025**, and our cardholders can earn, on average, £461 a year in cashback savings.***

Find out more about the UW cashback card here.

6. Rent out your driveway or parking space

If you have an extra parking space, driveway, or even a garage that you don’t use, renting it out can be a simple and effective way to earn additional income. This side hustle works especially well in areas with limited parking or close to city centres, public transport, or popular attractions.

You can list your space on platforms like YourParkingSpace or JustPark, where drivers can search for available spots in an area and book them for short or long-term use. Depending on where you live, renting out your parking space can be a consistent source of passive income. For example, if you live near a football stadium or entertainment venue, you could make consistent cash on matchdays or when there’s a live event on.

Benefits:

• Easy passive income

• Very flexible

• Little upkeep or maintenance is required

Drawbacks:

• Can be difficult to find customers if you don’t live in a high-demand area

• Earnings are dependent on demand

• Could be insurance considerations to be aware of

7. Mystery shopping

As far as jobs go, getting paid to shop or dine out isn’t bad at all. Mystery shopping is a fun way to make extra money, and as a mystery shopper, you’ll visit retail shops and restaurants and then provide feedback on your experience.

This can include customer service, product quality, cleanliness, or even how well the business maintains its safety standards.

Mystery shopping is a popular side hustle in the UK, and opportunities are available through companies like Market Force, Mystery Dining, and Shopper's View.

Each company will have its own requirements, and you'll typically be asked to complete a report after your visit. Some assignments may also reimburse you for the items you purchase or meals you eat, which is an added bonus as well as the income you’re earning.

Benefits:

• Can choose jobs that fit around your schedule

• Some jobs will cover the cost of your shopping or meals, making it feel like you're getting paid to shop

Drawbacks:

• Can be difficult to secure consistent mystery shopping opportunities

• Pay can be lower and less frequent than other jobs

8. Rent out storage space

Just like renting out your driveway, if you have extra space in your home, garage, or shed, you can rent it out as storage space to people who need it.

Websites like Stashbee and Storemates let you list your available storage space, and you can rent it out to individuals or businesses looking for a place to store their belongings. It’s an easy way to earn income, and once it’s set up, it requires little ongoing effort.

Benefits:

• Once set up, there’s very little management needed

• If your space is in demand, you can earn regular payments

Drawbacks:

• Can be difficult to find renters quickly

• You need to have space that people are willing to pay for

9. Write and sell templates or printables

If you’ve got a knack for design and organisation, selling digital templates can help you bring in some extra cash while doing something you enjoy. Think things like planners to keep your week on track, budget sheets to help save money, party invitations to make celebrations easier, or even workout logs to stay motivated. The best part? You create your product once, then sell it again and again without having to restock or ship anything.

You don’t need to be a design pro either, as tools like Canva make it simple to put together eye-catching templates, without having to invest hours and hours into creating them. Once you’ve got some designs ready, sites like Etsy make it super easy to sell your work, reaching customers all over the world.

Spend a few hours here and there building your library, then sit back and watch the sales roll in without the usual ongoing hassle of a physical business.

Benefits:

• Passive income potential 

• Extremely flexible

• Low upfront costs 

• No physical inventory

Drawbacks:

• Very competitive 

• Requires some design skills

• Marketing your products takes time

10. Customer support roles with flexible hours

Customer support jobs aren’t just for the 9-to-5 crowd anymore; lots of companies now offer part-time or flexible remote roles where you can help customers from the comfort of your home, and even outside traditional office hours. From answering questions and troubleshooting problems to managing orders, these opportunities can be perfect for fitting in around your full-time job.

As with any customer service role, you’ll need strong communication skills, but most employers will provide training to get you up to speed. 

Benefits:

• Work from home 

• Consistent pay 

• Develop customer service skills 

Drawbacks:

• May require working evenings or weekends

• Handling difficult customers can be challenging

• Some roles may have minimum-hour contracts

Earn extra income alongside your full-time job with UW

Balancing a full-time job with another income stream is a great way to boost your savings and work towards your financial goals. The key is to find something that fits your lifestyle and schedule, and with the right balance, you can easily integrate it into your day-to-day routine.

As a UW Partner, you’ll be able to make money by helping others, all while fitting it around your current responsibilities. So, if you’re interested in a rewarding and flexible way to boost your cash flow, learn about becoming a UW Partner here.