12 Top Side Hustle Ideas to Make Extra Money in 2025

Make extra money 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.

What is a side hustle?

A ‘side hustle’ is any activity you take on outside of your primary job that generates income. It’s something you can do in your spare time, often at your own pace, to earn extra money and help you reach your financial goals. Whether it’s working a few hours a week or turning your passion into profit, a side hustle can offer you the flexibility to work when it suits you.

In the UK, 39% of Brits have at least one side hustle in 2025, and they’re only getting more and more popular. People are realising that they don’t have to rely solely on a traditional 9-to-5 job to make ends meet. And with the rise of online platforms and new opportunities, there’s now a side hustle for almost everyone, no matter your skill set or interests.

Why side hustles a great way to make extra money

Side hustles offer a flexible way to earn more money without a full-time commitment. Here’s why they’re such a great option:

• Flexibility – Many side hustles can be done in your spare time, on weekends, or even during lunch breaks. This means you can fit them around your regular job, family commitments, or hobbies.

• Multiple income streams – Instead of relying on a single payslip, side hustles give you the chance to build a number of different income sources, which can make your finances more stable.

• Control over your earnings – As you develop your side hustle, you have the ability to scale it up or down depending on your needs and goals.

• Learning and growth – Side hustles aren’t just about the money. Many people use them to learn new skills, meet new people, and explore different career paths.

• Transition to full-time – Some people turn their side hustle into a full-time job once it grows and becomes more profitable.

How much can you earn from a side hustle?

One of the most important questions when considering a side hustle is: How much can you actually earn? The answer, however, isn’t always straightforward.

The amount you can make will vary depending on the type of work you’re doing, and how much time and effort you put in. For example, some have a tried-and-tested method that’s reliable and likely to generate earnings, like taking on freelance copywriting or design work.

Other activities, like reselling second-hand items online, are riskier due to higher competition. They may need some upfront investment and can take some time to see results.

However, recent research has found that the average income from side hustles in the UK is £210 a week or £914 a month.

Top side hustle ideas for 2025

There are countless side hustles out there, catering to different situations and income goals. While this list isn’t exhaustive, here’s a look at some of the most popular options that work for many people in the UK:

1. Brand representatives

Becoming a brand representative or affiliate is an excellent way to earn extra income, especially if you're passionate about a particular product or service. As a brand rep, you’ll promote a company's products, engage with its audience, and earn commissions based on the sales or leads you bring in.

The earning potential, however, can vary widely. Some brands might pay a small percentage commission on each sale, while others offer higher rates or set amounts for more targeted or higher-value products. Earnings are often performance-based, which applies to a lot of side hustles, so the more effort you put in, the higher your income potential.

There are plenty of affiliate programs and networks where you can start promoting products, but you can also partner with businesses that align with your values and interests, so you’re only promoting what you’re interested in.

A good example of this is becoming a UW Partner. Our Partners are passionate about helping people save on their household bills and earn extra income when they help new customers make the switch to UW.

We’ll go on to talk about how being a UW Partner is one of the most rewarding side hustles later on, but you can also learn more about them here.

2. Freelancing

Freelancing is one of the most popular and in-demand side hustles because many common freelancing services are required by a wide range of businesses – big and small. For example, some popular freelancing roles are copywriting, graphic design, and web development. If you already know how to write copy like a pro or build a website, you can easily pick up projects outside of your full-time work without needing extra training or qualifications.

Freelance copywriters in the UK can earn £675, graphic designers £521, and web developers £590 on average in a week.

There are plenty of platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Indeed where you can market your services to pick up new projects, and the more experience you gain, the higher you can set your rates. The only thing to be aware of is that earnings can fluctuate depending on demand, and freelance work often comes with a lot of admin, like managing contracts and invoicing.

3. Driving/delivery apps

Driving for taxi or delivery services is another popular side hustle, offering flexibility and the potential for decent earnings. The food delivery market, in particular, has seen a huge boom in recent years and is expected to hit an overall market volume of £63.75 billion by 2029. With consumer demand continuing to grow, there’ll no doubt also be an increasing need for delivery drivers.

Whether you're transporting passengers or delivering food, these jobs allow you to choose your hours and work around your main job. You don't need additional qualifications, just a car or bike for deliveries, and a valid driving license to get started.

Taxi drivers in the UK can earn £527 per week on average, while delivery drivers typically earn around £742 weekly. However, earnings can vary depending on location, demand, and even the time of day.

Several platforms, such as Uber, Bolt, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats, let you start earning right away.

The more you drive, the more you can earn, especially during peak times such as weekends and holidays. However, keep in mind that earnings can fluctuate based on demand, and there are also running costs like fuel, car maintenance, and insurance to account for.

4. Selling online

Whether it’s second-hand goods, handmade creations, or items you’ve sourced in bulk, online selling can be an extremely profitable way to make money from home. Carboot and jumble sales have been popular in the past, but with UX-friendly sites and a large market of people looking to buy from the comfort of their homes, selling online has become a fast-growing industry.

Platforms like eBay, Amazon, and Etsy allow you to set up shop quickly and start making sales right away. There are also sites like Vinted, which specialise in selling clothes and accessories and have an estimated 16 million UK users.

You can sell anything from vintage clothing to homemade crafts, or even dropship products directly from suppliers. If you have a knack for finding bargains or want to resell items you no longer use, this hustle can be a rewarding way to earn extra money.

5. Tutoring

If you have expertise in a specific subject or skill, online tutoring can be a lucrative side hustle that lets you share your knowledge and help others. You could teach school subjects, language skills, or even niche topics like music or coding, all while working hours that fit your lifestyle.

In the UK, freelance tutors can earn around £27 per hour on average, but this varies depending on the subject, their expertise, and the academic level of their students.

There are specific websites where you can advertise your services and find clients, but you could also offer private tutoring sessions or group lessons if you already have a potential client base.

The main thing to be mindful of is that tutoring can require a lot of preparation and commitment, especially if you're teaching multiple students or subjects and also teaching full-time for a living. 

6. Focus groups

Taking part in focus groups is a great side hustle if you’re looking for a relatively easy way to earn some extra cash. Focus groups involve giving feedback on products, services, or concepts – usually in a group setting – either in person or online. Companies then use this feedback to improve their products or services and will pay for your feedback.

In the UK, you can make around £40 an hour or even up to £120 for two-hour studies.

You can sign up for focus group opportunities through market research companies or platforms, and many can be completed online through surveys or video discussions. One of the biggest benefits of focus groups is that they require very little effort – just your time and opinions, but it can be trickier to find consistent opportunities.

7. Creating homemade products

If you're crafty or are passionate about your DIY projects, creating and selling homemade products can be a fun and profitable side hustle. Whether it’s candles, jewellery, soap, or baked goods, there’s always a demand for unique, handmade products that stand out from mass-produced alternatives.

You can even up your earnings by offering personalised items for things like gifts, baby showers, weddings, and other occasions.

Selling online lets you reach a bigger audience, but you can also set up stalls at local markets or supply your homemade wares to independent businesses – which can take away some of the customer service work, so you can focus on creating what you love.

8. Content creation

In 2023, it was estimated that there were over 16 million content creators in the UK. If you’re not social-savvy, these are people who produce engaging content online, whether it’s blog posts, podcasts, social media posts, or even YouTube videos.

Thanks to the rise in social media, there are so many different avenues to explore, from gaming to exercise or recipes and tutorials.

Successful creators grow large followings and can monetise their work through ads, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and other revenue streams. Being a content creator can be extremely rewarding and bring in a lot of income, but while the potential earnings are high, building up to that level of success takes time, dedication, and consistency.

9. Childcare

Childcare is another way to earn extra money that can be extremely fulfilling and rewarding, especially if you enjoy working with children. Babysitting, childminding, or offering after-school care services tend to always be in demand, so it can make a reliable stream of extra income.

Babysitting usually means you’ll watch over a child in their home, so you’ll need to factor in any travel expenses, while childminding normally means opening up your space to children. This also comes with its own costs, though, as you’ll need to pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and register with Ofsted to become a childminder.

Babysitting for friends and family is a good way to build up experience and your reputation, but once you become more established, it’s worth having the proper background checks and first aid certifications to help you strengthen trust with new clients.

10. Petcare

If you're more of an animal lover, pet care can be a fulfilling side hustle where you can spend time with pets while earning extra income. Whether it's dog walking, pet sitting, or providing grooming services, petcare offers a lot of flexibility and is in high demand, especially in urban areas.

Dog walkers can make an average salary of £464 a week, but this can change depending on how many pets you look after. You could also charge extra for more specialised services like grooming or overnight stays.

One thing to be aware of is the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), where many local councils in the UK only let you walk up to four dogs at once in specified areas. This is upped to six in certain areas, but it’s best to check with your local council as you could land a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice if you breach this.

11. Translating

If you’re bilingual or multilingual, translation services can earn you a decent amount of money. As more and more businesses want to expand into international markets, translators can help them convert written materials from one language to another. This could include everything from websites and product descriptions to marketing materials.

Freelance translators in the UK can earn around £14 an hour on average, but some may prefer to set a rate per word – especially if they’re translating a more complex or less popular language.

While it’s a very flexible hustle, it requires strong language skills and attention to detail. Keep in mind that some clients may also require certified translations.

12. Testing apps and websites

Testing apps and websites is an easy-to-start side hustle that involves reviewing digital platforms and providing feedback on their functionality, user experience, and design. Companies pay for this valuable insight to make sure their products are user-friendly and perform well across various devices.

You can sign up for testing platforms to get started, and you’ll be provided with tasks where you’ll review websites or apps, complete specific actions, and provide feedback. The main benefit of this side hustle is that it requires minimal experience, but it does involve attention to detail and the ability to communicate your thoughts clearly.

Why becoming a UW Partner is one of the best side hustles

When it comes to side hustles, becoming a UW Partner stands out as one of the most flexible and rewarding opportunities. Unlike many traditional side hustles, you don’t need any specific qualifications to get started or dedicate specific hours of your day.

Instead, you can fit it around your current commitments and earn money by simply helping others find great deals on essential home services, like energy, broadband, and mobile.

Here’s why becoming a UW Partner is one of the best side hustle options:

• High earning potential – As a UW Partner, you earn a commission for every customer you help switch to UW services, as well as for every new Partner you recruit. You’ll also earn residual income on a percentage of your customers’ bills as long as they stay with UW. This means the more customers and Partners you bring on board, the more money you can earn. To give you a rough idea of the potential extra income you could make, UW Partners can earn an average of £510 a month.

• Work flexibly – Being a UW Partner means you can work on your own schedule. Whether you want to work a few hours a week or dedicate more time, it’s up to you. There’s no set routine, so you can work at your own pace, making it easy to balance with your existing job or other commitments.

• Training and support – As a UW Partner, you’ll have access to training, tools, resources, and mentoring to help you get started. You’ll be guided through the process, giving you the knowledge and confidence to refer customers and grow your Partner team effectively.

• Rewards — Along with commission and residual income streams, you’ll also be able to unlock a variety of rewards and incentives, like retreats for high achievers.

How UW Partners can combine their side hustle with other income opportunities

Balancing multiple side hustles can be challenging, but with the right tactics in place, you can manage your time effectively and maximise your earnings. Here are some tips to help you organise your workload as a UW Partner with other side hustles or income streams:

• Set clear goals and priorities

It’s important to set realistic goals for each side hustle and prioritise them based on your current workload and financial needs. For example, if your UW Partner commissions are based on referrals, you may want to set a weekly or monthly goal for the number of people you plan to sign up. 

• Create a time-blocking schedule

Time blocking is a great way to make sure you're dedicating enough time to each side hustle without overwhelming yourself.

Allocate specific hours of the day or week for your UW Partner work, and keep those times consistent. By blocking out time for each hustle, you’ll avoid feeling like you’re juggling too many tasks at once, helping you stay productive and focused.

• Stay consistent but flexible

Consistency is key when managing side hustles, but it’s also important to stay flexible. Some weeks may be busier than others, so it’s key that you can adapt. If you’re not able to meet your goal one week, don’t stress!

Assess and think about how you can set more achievable targets for the future, then plan accordingly for the next. Flexibility will allow you to stay motivated without feeling burned out.

How to get started as a UW Partner

It’s never been easier to sign up and get started. Find a UW Partner near you, and they can explain all the details, answer any questions you might have, and get you signed up.

Start earning extra income

Side hustles are an excellent way to boost your income, gain new skills, and explore different career paths. Whether you’re looking to make a little extra cash or build a more substantial income, there are countless opportunities out there to fit your schedule and lifestyle.

Becoming a UW Partner is one of the best side hustle options for making money and helping others save money, too. So, if you’re looking for a rewarding and flexible way to earn extra income, find out more about becoming a UW Partner today.