Making Money from the Comfort of Your Home

Side hustles have become increasingly popular in recent years, with nearly half of all Brits having a second income stream on top of their main job. Whether you need extra money to help with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, want to boost your emergency fund, or simply want to have some cash left at the end of the month to spend on the things you love, there’s a lot to be said for having a side hustle.

Boosting your existing income doesn’t necessarily have to be labor-intensive. From renting out your driveway as a parking space to selling your old stuff, there are ways to make extra cash without much effort. It’s worth noting that we all have a ‘tax-free’ personal allowance of £12,570 a year, and you won’t get taxed on ‘casual’ extra income, providing it doesn’t exceed £1,000. This includes making money from home, online, or from small freelance jobs. If you’re in any doubt about your earnings, it’s best to speak to HMRC.

In its research, software provider Sage found that 7 in 10 young people are juggling multiple incomes. The top 10 highest-paid side hustles include Uber driving, babysitting, teaching English online, mowing lawns, house sitting, and gardening. These side hustles can earn you more than £11 an hour, providing a lucrative opportunity to boost your income.

If you’re looking for ways to make money from the comfort of your own home, here are some ideas to consider:

1. Hire out your home: List your home on platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, or Wimdu to earn extra income while you’re away. Letting out your property can be a lucrative way to make money, with potential earnings of hundreds of pounds per month.

2. Start tutoring: Teaching English online is a highly paid side hustle, with an average hourly rate of £12.35. Platforms like Tutorful allow you to teach a range of subjects to students of all ages and levels.

3. Clear your clutter: Sell unwanted possessions on platforms like eBay, Depop, or Vinted. You can also sell CDs, DVDs, games, and books through apps like MusicMagpie, We Buy Books, and Ziffit.

4. Take in a lodger: Rent out a spare room in your home under the Government’s ‘Rent A Room’ scheme to earn up to £7,500 a year tax-free.

5. Rent your driveway: Turn your driveway or parking space into a money-making opportunity by listing it on platforms like Stash Bee, Just Park, or Parklet.

6. Sell your snaps: Sell your photos to picture agencies like Shutterstock, Getty, and Alamy. You can earn up to 50% of the ‘usage’ fee for your images.

7. Make money from tech: Sell old gadgets and IT equipment on websites like Carphone Warehouse, MusicMagpie, Sell My Mobile, or Compare and Recycle.

8. Loan your stuff: Rent out items like sewing machines, bikes, or guitars on platforms like Fat Llama. You can also rent out storage space on Stashbee for passive income.

9. Sell on Etsy: If you’re creative, sell your handmade creations on Etsy. You can earn money by selling items like jewellery, cards, or prints.

10. Sell garden produce: If you grow fruit or vegetables, sell them locally or at farmers’ markets to make extra cash.

11. Offer an ironing service: Take in ironing from people who dislike the chore and earn £12-£18 an hour. Advertise your services locally to attract customers.

12. Watch TV: Participate in market research groups like The Viewers to earn money for sharing your opinions on TV shows and products.

13. Get paid to test: Become a product tester for companies like Philips or Vileda and receive free products to test and keep.

14. Spread the word: Refer friends and family to services like Sky TV, the AA, or Hello Fresh to earn rewards and discounts.

15. Be a prize winner: Enter competitions on sites like Loquax or Latest Free Stuff to win prizes that you can sell for extra cash.

Overall, there are plenty of opportunities to make extra money from home through side hustles. Whether you’re looking to earn a little extra cash or start a new business venture, there’s a side hustle out there for everyone. So why not explore some of these ideas and see how you can boost your income today?