Starting a side hustle has never been easier, thanks to the online world opening up so many ways to earn a living or make extra cash on the side. The methods below can all be started today, around your existing job, to make extra income while you're still working full time.

This is a great way to build up some extra cash if money is tight, you're saving for something expensive, or you just want a bit more breathing room each month.

If you need money fast rather than building something up over time, my ways to make money in one hour is a better starting point than this list. What follows here is mostly more about steady extra income you build alongside your full-time job.

I've tried a lot of these myself over the years, alongside my own full-time work, or friends and family have, so I've based this list on what's genuinely realistic to fit around a job rather than just theory.

Read on for ideas you can start this evening, around your existing work and life.

1. Source overtime or better pay from your existing job

Before looking at side hustles, it's worth starting with your current job. If you want to make more money from your full-time role, you can negotiate for a higher salary, ask for a promotion, or pick up overtime if it's going.

If you're able to secure overtime, think carefully about whether the extra hours are worth it for you. Weigh the time and energy against the financial gain, and if you decide it's worth it, communicate clearly with your employer about your availability.

If a raise is what you're after, approach the conversation professionally. Come prepared with examples of your achievements, and be open to discussing how you can keep adding value. It never hurts to ask.

You could also look for other jobs with better pay if your current role isn't meeting your needs.

2. Get a second part-time job

If none of that gets you where you want to be, taking on a second part-time job in the evenings or at weekends is a straightforward option, especially if you'd rather have a set wage and hours than build something of your own from scratch.

It suits people who prefer the structure of employment over the flexibility (and uncertainty) of a side hustle. Retail, hospitality and delivery work are usually the easiest to pick up quickly, and many are genuinely flexible around a full-time job's hours if you're upfront about your availability when you apply.

3. Neighbourhood dog walking

If you love spending time with animals, dog walking is a great way to make extra income around a full-time job. You can walk neighbours' dogs in the evenings or at weekends when they're busy. It's the kind of small pocket of time, often just an hour or so, that fits neatly around existing work.

To get started, reach out to friends, family and neighbours to see who needs help, or advertise through social media and local classifieds. Ask about the dog's breed, size and temperament, and any specific needs or preferences the owner may have.

4. Babysitting

Many parents are in need of reliable babysitters to look after their children while they work or run errands, and it's a job you can do in the evenings around your own full-time work.

Reach out to friends, family and neighbours to see if anyone needs help, or advertise locally. It's a good idea to have a list of references ready and an up to date DBS check, since that builds trust quickly with new families.

5. Take photos of all your receipts

I've used receipt snapping apps for years, and it won't make you rich, but it genuinely adds up for very little effort. Many companies pay for consumer receipts, and by snapping yours and uploading them to the right app, you can earn cash back or reward points you can put towards gift cards.

This side hustle barely takes any time, since you're just photographing something you were going to throw away anyway. I've written up a full list of the receipt snapping apps I actually use, including my own referral codes for a few of them.

6. Offer a house clearance service

If you enjoy organising and decluttering, offering a house clearance service can be a genuinely profitable side hustle. Plenty of people struggle to find the time or energy to sort out their homes, so there's real demand for this.

If you have access to a large vehicle, you can offer house clearances locally. Items with no further use can go to the recycling centre, while anything valuable can be sold on eBay or Facebook Marketplace. You'll need somewhere to store larger items in the meantime, so it's worth looking into local storage options.

One thing to know: if you use a van to drop waste at a recycling centre, this can sometimes be chargeable as commercial waste, so it's often better taken in a large car instead. Some centres also charge for certain materials like tiles or plasterboard, even for residential waste.

House clearances can turn up some genuinely interesting finds, and the skills transfer well into removal or delivery work too.

7. Sell your old stuff online

Selling unwanted items is one of the simplest ways to make extra income around a full-time job, since it's entirely flexible around when you list and post things.

Take inventory of what you no longer need, check whether anything has value to collectors or as vintage pieces, and start listing. eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Depop are the obvious platforms, and a good description with clear, well-lit photos makes a real difference to how quickly things sell.

Don't throw away broken electronics either. People often buy them for spares or repair on eBay, or you can sell working devices to a company like CEX for cash instead. Clearing out unused items also frees up space, which is a nice bonus alongside the money.

8. Start a blog

Starting a blog is a genuinely viable way to build extra income while working full time, if you have a passion or expertise you can share consistently. I've been a full-time blogger myself since 2017, but it started as something I built up alongside other work, starting my blog in 2013.

To get started, you'll need a blogging platform and a web host. I use Create for this website, though it's really built for ecommerce rather than blogging. For blogging specifically, WordPress is what I'd recommend, and it's what I use for my other sites.

You'll also need a niche you're genuinely knowledgeable and passionate about. As your readership grows, you can monetise through advertising, brand partnerships and affiliate marketing.

It's worth being upfront: blogging takes time and effort, and it's not a quick fix if you need money now. But if you stick with it consistently, it can become a real income stream.

How blogs actually make money

Advertising - once your blog has enough traffic, you can join an ad network like Google AdSense, Ezoic or Mediavine. Most have an "auto ads" feature, so you add one piece of code and the ads place themselves in the optimal spots.

Affiliate marketing - you earn a commission by promoting products or services and linking through to them. There are affiliate networks covering hundreds of brands, or some companies run their own independent schemes.

Brand partnerships - a company provides products, services or payment in exchange for a review or promotion. Even without direct payment, any products received can often be resold once you've finished using them for the collaboration.

Featured content - some blogs sell ad space within specific sections, like a homepage slider or a featured article slot.

If you want to go further, here's a list of websites for paid blogging opportunities.

9. Become an online tutor

Online tutoring is a solid side hustle you can run entirely around a full-time job, teaching remotely through platforms like Zoom or Skype in your own spare time.

TEFL is also worth looking at if you enjoy teaching. It stands for Teach English as a Foreign Language, and you can complete an accredited course online, then use it to teach English online or abroad.

To get started, work out which subjects you're qualified to teach and which age groups you're comfortable with. You'll need to set a rate and a schedule that works around your existing job. Dedicated platforms like tutormap.com let you sign up and list your services directly.

10. Complete online surveys and studies

Online surveys are one of the easiest ways to make a little extra cash in the gaps around a full-time job, since you genuinely just need an internet connection and a spare few minutes.

The amount you can earn varies depending on the survey's length and how in-demand the topic is. Some are long and involved, others are just a question or two. Apps like Qmee have short surveys with no minimum payout threshold, so you can cash out even a small amount if you want to.

You can do surveys while doing other things too, like sitting on the bus, on the exercise bike at the gym, or watching TV in the evening.

Check out these reviews of survey and poll sites for current signup bonuses:

• Prolific
• Qmee
• UserCrowd
• YouGov
• Swagbucks

For something higher-paying, Respondent is worth a look too. It's a paid research platform where studies typically pay £10 to £200+ for 15 to 60 minutes of your time, which makes it one of the best-value options if you can only spare an hour or two a week.

11. Become a mystery shopper

Mystery shopping means visiting stores, restaurants or other businesses and reporting back on your experience, which businesses use to improve their service and operations.

There are apps for this too, like Roamler and BeMyEye, where you complete tasks in local shops and supermarkets while doing your regular shopping, and get paid for it.

Assignments are usually flexible and fit around your own schedule, and you get paid for both your time and any purchases made as part of the task. It's a fun, low-effort way to earn a bit extra while you'd be shopping anyway.

12. Refer a friend schemes

Refer a friend schemes are one of the easiest ways to make extra money on the side, since many companies offer cash bonuses, discounts or free products just for referring people you know.

Some companies advertise these schemes prominently, while others require you to ask or already have an account with them. Once you're signed up, you'll usually get a code or link to share via social media, email, text, or simply word of mouth.

I've pulled together some of the best refer a friend schemes in the UK that I've tried myself, if you want a starting point.

13. Freelancing online

Freelancing is one of the most flexible side hustles, since you can choose exactly what you offer and how much time you put in, all from wherever you live.

If you've got a saleable skill, list it on sites like Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr or PeoplePerHour. Browsing what others are offering on these platforms is a good way to find inspiration if you're not sure where to start.

Build your profile with your skills and experience, include samples or portfolio pieces where you can, and as you gain reviews you can raise your rates over time. If you're planning to freelance regularly, it's worth checking whether you need freelancer insurance for the type of work you're offering.

14. Making and selling crafts

Crafting is a genuinely enjoyable way to earn extra money from home, and it's also a good excuse to use up fabric, yarn or other materials that have been sitting around.

Decide what you'd like to make, practise your skills, then find a market for it. That might mean setting up a shop on Etsy, selling at local craft fairs and markets, or reaching out to local boutiques and gift shops.

There's a real range of ways to turn handmade crafts into income, from Etsy listings to print sales to your own website, and it fits well around evenings and weekends since you can work on it whenever suits you.

15. Rent out your home or a room on Airbnb

Renting out your home or a spare room on Airbnb is a genuinely lucrative side hustle, and it doesn't take much to get started beyond a space you're allowed to rent, an internet connection, and a camera. A lockbox means you don't even need to be around for check-ins and check-outs while you're at work.

You could rent your entire home when you're away, or just a spare room while you're at home. And it's not limited to bedrooms either. Campervans, tents, sofas, garden rooms, all sorts of spaces get listed on Airbnb, so it's worth browsing the platform to see what's out there.

There's some effort involved, since you'll need to prepare the space and communicate with guests, but you set your own rates and availability, which makes it easy to fit around a full-time job.

Click here to find out more about becoming an Airbnb host

16. Rent out your campervan on Goboony

If you own a campervan you're not using all the time, Goboony works similarly to Airbnb but specifically for motorhomes and campervans. It lets you earn money from your van whenever it's sitting idle, and the platform provides insurance and support for both owners and renters.

To list your campervan, sign up and add high-quality photos plus a detailed description, highlighting features like a kitchen, sleeping arrangements or outdoor gear. Once it's live, you can start receiving booking requests.

17. Get free stuff

Getting free stuff might sound like a stretch as a way to make money, but if you don't need what you receive, reselling it can genuinely add up.

Free product samples - many companies offer these in exchange for your details or a review, and there are freebie websites that round these up for you.

Contests and giveaways - lots of websites and companies run competitions for free products, gift cards or real cash prizes, so it's worth keeping an eye out and entering regularly.

Loyalty programmes - many shops and restaurants reward you with points or free items for signing up and shopping as normal.

Coupons and discounts - always worth checking before you buy.

Free money offers - I keep an updated list of current free money sign-up offers, and there's a similar list for free gift cards you can earn through surveys, reward apps and bandwidth-sharing if vouchers work better for you than cash.

18. Set up a house cleaning side hustle

House cleaning is in genuine demand, since plenty of people struggle to find the time or energy to keep on top of it themselves.

You don't need much experience or training to offer this. Set your own rates, gather the supplies and equipment you'll need, and advertise locally.  A flyer drop through doors in your area is a good, low-cost way to start.

19. Become a social media influencer or content creator

Social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok are worth exploring as a side hustle if you can find an angle that genuinely holds people's attention as a creator or influencer. Decide on a niche or theme, post regularly, and engage with your audience by replying to comments and interacting with similar accounts.

As your following grows, you can monetise through branded content, merchandise, or advertising. Getting noticed takes finding your own genuine angle quickly rather than copying someone else's. Some people use their knowledge of a specific topic to make an interesting Instagram page, like sharing facts about certain animals or unusual challenges with solutions. Others lean fully into being funny, witty or a bit weird instead, like comedy cooking videos or odd little shorts.

This one requires real time and consistency, and there's no guarantee it takes off, so it's best approached as something you enjoy first, with the income as a bonus if it grows.

20. Writing opportunities on the internet

If you've got a way with words, there's genuine demand for writing online. Blogs and websites are constantly looking for content to help with their SEO, and pay anywhere from a penny a word to hundreds of pounds for a single piece, depending on the client and the work involved.

Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr are a good starting point for connecting with clients. If you want to go further, you can pitch directly to websites and publications, especially if you have expertise in a specific area.

It's worth keeping an eye on how content and SEO trends shift over time, since writing that ranked well a few years ago doesn't always work the same way today. Staying current matters if you want to build this into a steady side income.

21. Creating your own dropshipping business

Dropshipping means selling products online without holding any stock yourself. You add products from a supplier to your store, and when someone orders, you buy from the supplier and have it shipped directly to the customer, keeping the difference as profit.

To get started, choose a niche, find a supplier who offers dropshipping, and set up an online store, either your own website or an ecommerce platform like Create.net, which has ready-made templates.

Once it's live, you'll need to market it through social media, Google and other channels. It takes real time to build an audience and trust, since dropshipping stores are easy to set up and therefore common, so standing out from other similar shops is the main challenge.

22. Handyman work

If you're practical and good with your hands, handyman work is genuinely easy to fit around evenings and weekends. Small jobs like flat-pack assembly, shelving, minor repairs and odd jobs are always in demand locally, and you can take on as much or as little as suits your spare time.

My husband has done this himself alongside his other work. Word of mouth and local Facebook groups are usually enough to get started, and you can build up from there.

Make sure you get the correct insurance before you start completing work on people's properties, since this protects you if anything goes wrong. If you're considering it more seriously, it's worth reading up on what's involved in starting a handyman business in the UK first.

23. Making and selling furniture

If you enjoy woodworking, making furniture to sell is a genuinely rewarding side hustle, and one my husband built up himself alongside his other work. He sold his handmade pieces on Etsy and Facebook Marketplace, which both worked well since buyers are already browsing for exactly this kind of thing.

It became successful enough that he eventually left his job and did it full time, with an 8-week waiting list at one point. He doesn't do it anymore now as a personal choice, but it shows just how far this kind of side hustle can genuinely go if it takes off.

It takes practice, skill and the right tools to get started, but it's flexible enough to fit around evenings and weekends to begin with, and each piece can sell for a genuinely good price if the quality is there.

24. Creating and selling digital downloads

Digital downloads, things like printables, planners, templates or artwork, are another one my husband has tried. You make the item once, then sell it over and over with no ongoing stock or shipping involved, which makes it a genuinely good fit for spare evenings.

Etsy is the obvious place to sell these, since people are already searching there for exactly this kind of product. It takes some upfront time to create a good digital product, but once it's listed, it can keep earning with very little extra effort.

25. Selling gold and unwanted jewellery

If you've got old or broken jewellery lying around, selling gold online is one of the fastest ways to raise some quick extra cash, and it's genuinely something you can sort out in an evening. I've written up how to make money in less than 24 hours by selling gold online, covering exactly how it works and what to expect.

26. Private number plates

If you've got a personalised or unusual number plate you no longer want, or you're willing to buy and sell them, there's a genuine market for this. I've covered how to make money from private number plates if this is something you fancy looking into.

27. Playing games with the Money app

If you enjoy mobile games, the Money app lets you earn cash simply by playing games in your spare time. It won't replace a wage, but it's an easy way to make a little extra from something you might already be doing to unwind in the evening.

Final word on how to make extra money while working full time

Side hustles are a great way to build in some extra income, whether you're saving for a specific goal or just want a more comfortable monthly budget. Having an additional income stream can also bring real peace of mind.

Not every method here will suit everyone, and not all of them pay quickly. Writing and blogging can take time to build momentum, while things like babysitting, tutoring, freelancing, selling unwanted items, completing surveys and mystery shopping tend to bring in money faster if you can find the customers or opportunities.

You can also find plenty of side hustle ideas throughout my online income reports, where I break down exactly what's worked for me. Some of the ideas above are more passive, others need consistent effort, so the key is finding what genuinely fits your own schedule and skills.

I use a mix of a few of these myself, rather than relying on just one, to really maximise the extra income without it taking over my evenings.

Want even more ways to make money?

If you want a bigger list to pick from, check out my 60 ways to make money online and at home in the UK, covering everything from cashback sites to affiliate marketing, all that I've personally tried and tested. And if you're working towards a specific target, how to make £1000 in a month online breaks down exactly how I've done it.