Best side hustles for UK beginners

The starting shortlist we'd hand a friend who wanted to earn something extra without touching MLMs or crypto.

There is no shortage of 'side hustle' content online. Most of it is either affiliate-heavy fluff or borderline scam. Here's the shortlist we'd actually recommend to a beginner in the UK.

  1. 1

    Bank switching

    The easiest legitimate cash. Every serious UK earner cycles through the switch offers over the course of a year or two.

  2. 2

    Cashback on everyday spending

    Not exciting, but stacks up in the background. Prioritise a general cashback site plus receipt-based apps for grocery shops.

  3. 3

    Referral bonuses on services you already use

    Referring your bank, mobile network, energy provider or investing app is money you're leaving on the table if you don't.

  4. 4

    Matched betting (if the maths appeals)

    Requires reading, patience and comfort with betting products, but returns are genuine. Read our matched-betting hub first.

  5. 5

    Paid research and surveys

    Prolific and YouGov are the two most consistent UK-friendly options. Not for hourly income, but useful downtime earning.

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