If you’re looking for realistic ways to make money from home in the UK, you’re in the right place.
I’ve been making money online for over 10 years, and one thing I’ve learned is that there isn’t one magic website, app or side hustle that’s going to make everyone rich.
Some ways of making extra money can bring in a few pounds here and there. Others can become a much more substantial income stream. Some take almost no effort, while others require you to put in proper work.
The key is finding the options that fit your time, your skills and your financial goals.
This guide brings together some of the realistic ways you can make money from home in the UK, including things I’ve personally used, tested or built income from.
I’ll also be adding detailed guides to many of these methods, so this page will continue to grow.
Quick disclosure: Some links on MoneyWithMorgan may be referral or affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission or reward if you sign up or purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend ways of making money that I think are worth knowing about.
There isn’t one single “best” way to make money from home.
The right option depends on whether you want:
For example, completing surveys might be an easy way to make a little extra money during spare moments, whereas creating UGC or building a blog can potentially become a much bigger income stream.
I’ve included options at different levels below so you can decide what makes sense for you.
One of the more unusual ways I’ve come across to make extra money is getting paid for shopping and completing product-related tasks.
Brand Allies gives shoppers opportunities to complete tasks relating to products and brands.
Depending on the opportunity, this can involve buying a product, completing a task and submitting evidence.
I’ve written a full guide explaining how it works, what you actually have to do and whether I think it’s worth your time.
Read next: How to Get Paid to Shop with Brand Allies
People who already shop regularly and don’t mind completing a little extra work around their shopping.
If you’re already creating content for TikTok or Instagram, there are platforms that can let you turn some of that activity into extra money.
Social Tip is one I’ve personally used.
The idea is that you can take part in opportunities involving brands and products, create social media content and receive rewards for qualifying activity.
One of the things I like about this type of opportunity is that you’re not necessarily starting from scratch with a traditional freelance business.
Read my full guide: How to Get Paid for Your Social Media Content with Social Tip
People who already enjoy creating TikToks, Instagram posts or other social content.
Paid surveys are probably one of the easiest ways to start making a little extra money from home.
But I want to be realistic here.
Surveys aren’t going to replace a full-time income for most people.
They can, however, be useful for making a few extra pounds while you’re watching TV, having a coffee or have a spare 10–20 minutes.
There are also big differences between survey sites. Some are much better use of your time than others.
That’s why I’ve started creating individual guides for the survey and research platforms I use and recommend.
Read my main guide: Best Paid Survey Sites UK
And then check out my individual reviews:
Prolific is a little different from traditional survey sites because it focuses on paid research studies.
Researchers use the platform to recruit participants for studies, and you can choose which opportunities you want to take part in.
I’ve found research platforms particularly interesting because the time-to-reward ratio can be better than some traditional survey sites.
Read my full Prolific guide: [How to Make Money with Prolific – ADD LINK]
People who want to take part in research studies rather than endless generic consumer surveys.
Pinecone Research is another survey and research platform worth knowing about.
It’s the kind of platform I would put into the “sign up and see what you’re offered” category rather than expecting it to become a major income stream.
Read my full guide: [Pinecone Research Review – ADD LINK]
People looking for another legitimate survey/research option to add to their rotation.
PaidViewpoint is another survey platform you can use to earn rewards by completing surveys.
Again, I wouldn’t treat this as a replacement for employment.
Instead, think of survey sites as one small piece of a bigger money-making strategy.
Read my full guide: [PaidViewpoint Review – ADD LINK]
AttaPoll is designed around completing surveys from your phone.
This can make it particularly convenient if you want something you can do while you’re out and about or have a few spare minutes.
Read my full guide: [AttaPoll Review – ADD LINK]
Surveys aren’t the only way to get paid for your opinions.
There are also:
These can sometimes pay considerably more than a short survey, although opportunities tend to be less frequent.
I’ll be adding individual guides to the research platforms I use here as I go.
See all my research and survey guides: [ADD LINK]
UGC stands for user-generated content, and it’s become a popular way for creators to make money without necessarily having a huge social media following.
Instead of being paid because you have thousands of followers, you’re paid to create content that a brand can use.
That might include:
You don’t necessarily need to become an influencer to get started.
If you enjoy creating videos and can make products look natural and appealing on camera, UGC could be worth exploring.
Read my guide: [How to Make Money Creating UGC in the UK – ADD LINK]
People who enjoy filming and creating content for brands.
TikTok Shop has opened up another potential income stream for creators.
Depending on the programme and opportunity available to you, you may be able to earn commission by promoting products through your content.
The important thing is not to assume that simply posting a product will make you money.
You need to create content that actually makes someone want to click, learn more or buy.
Read my guide: [How to Make Money with TikTok Shop UK – ADD LINK]
Affiliate marketing is one of the longer-term methods on this list.
Instead of being paid for completing a single task, you can earn a commission when someone buys or signs up through your unique affiliate link.
You can use affiliate marketing through:
This is one of the reasons I like combining blogging with other money-making methods.
A useful blog post can potentially continue bringing visitors and affiliate clicks long after you’ve published it.
Read my guide: [How to Make Money with Affiliate Marketing – ADD LINK]
Yes, you can still make money from blogging.
But blogging isn’t a quick-money method.
You need to create useful content, attract visitors and build trust before it becomes a meaningful income stream.
MoneyWithMorgan itself is part of my own attempt to build income through:
If you’re prepared to put the work in, a blog can become much more than a hobby.
Read my guide: [How to Make Money Blogging in the UK – ADD LINK]
One of the quickest ways to make some extra money from home is to look around your own house.
You probably have things you no longer use.
Clothes.
Children’s items.
Homeware.
Electronics.
Beauty products.
Books.
Toys.
Instead of letting them sit there, you could sell them.
And you don’t need to build a business around it.
Sometimes the simplest way to make an extra £50 is to sell the things you already own.
The biggest advantage is that you already own the stock.
You don’t need to buy products to resell if your goal is simply to clear out your home and make some extra money.
Read my guide: [How to Make Money Selling on Vinted UK – ADD LINK]
Anyone with a wardrobe, children’s clothes or household items they want to clear out.
Cashback isn’t technically “income” in the same way as getting paid for work, but it can still put money back in your pocket.
If you’re going to make a purchase anyway, checking whether you can earn cashback before buying can be worthwhile.
Topcashback tends to be my go to cashback site.
Read my guide: [TopCashback Review – ADD LINK]
Don’t buy something you don’t need just because there’s cashback available.
The saving only counts if you would have made the purchase anyway.
JamDoughnut is another cashback option worth looking into.
The idea is simple: use the platform when buying from participating retailers and receive cashback on qualifying purchases.
Read my guide: [How to Earn Cashback with JamDoughnut – ADD LINK]
Shopmium works slightly differently from traditional cashback websites because it focuses on offers and cashback on specific products.
This can be particularly useful if the products are things you were already planning to buy.
Read my guide: [How to Save Money with Shopmium – ADD LINK]
Again, the golden rule is:
Don’t spend £10 to “save” £2.
Only use cashback and shopping apps when the underlying purchase makes sense.
There are lots of apps and websites that offer cashback, rewards or money back.
Some examples you may come across include:
I’ve created individual guides so you can work out which ones are actually worth your time.
See all my cashback guides: [Best Cashback Apps & Sites UK – ADD LINK]
Product testing can be another way to get things for free or earn rewards in exchange for feedback.
Opportunities can vary massively, so don’t expect to receive expensive products every week.
But if you’re happy to test products and provide honest feedback, it’s another option worth adding to your list.
Read my guide: [Best Product Testing Websites UK – ADD LINK]
Mystery shopping involves completing assignments for companies and reporting back on your experience.
This might involve visiting a shop, buying something, checking customer service or completing an online task.
Some opportunities pay cash, while others may reimburse purchases.
Read my guide: [How to Make Money Mystery Shopping UK – ADD LINK]
If you have a skill that somebody else is willing to pay for, freelancing can be a much bigger income opportunity than surveys and cashback.
Think about skills such as:
You don’t necessarily need to work through a freelance platform either.
You can find clients directly through networking, social media or your own website.
Lots of small businesses know they need to post on social media but don’t have the time or confidence to do it themselves.
If you’re comfortable with Instagram, TikTok or Facebook, you could offer services such as:
This can become a recurring monthly income rather than a one-off payment.
Digital products can take more work upfront but have the potential to become a scalable income stream.
Examples include:
The advantage is that you create the product once and can potentially sell it repeatedly.
Read my guide: [How to Make and Sell Digital Products UK – ADD LINK]
Matched betting is another way some people use bookmaker promotions and free bets to generate extra money.
Unlike traditional gambling, matched betting is based on placing qualifying bets and using opposing bets to reduce the impact of the outcome. The aim is to use promotional offers rather than simply betting because you think a particular team or horse will win.
I used matched betting as one of my own money-making methods, and it was one of the ways I was able to generate extra income online.
However, this isn’t something I’d recommend jumping into without understanding exactly how it works.
You’ll need to:
or use a dedicated membership to do all the hard work for you! I use Outplayed for matched betting. You can get a free trial and make up to £45 by joining through this link.
It’s also important to remember that matched betting isn’t suitable for everyone. Gambling products and promotions can change, bookmaker accounts can be restricted or closed, and mistakes can cost you money.
If you’re considering it, learn the process properly before putting any money down and only use money you can afford to have temporarily tied up.
Read my guide: [Matched Betting for Beginners UK: How It Works – ADD LINK]
People who are comfortable following a detailed process, keeping records and understanding the risks involved.
Matched betting is different from ordinary gambling, but it still involves betting accounts and bookmaker promotions. Never chase losses, increase stakes because you’re losing, or treat it as guaranteed income. treat it as a traffic source.
An email list isn’t usually an instant money-maker.
It’s an asset you build over time.
If someone visits your website once through Google, you may never see them again.
If they join your email list, you have an opportunity to provide useful content and introduce them to other ways to save or make money.
That’s why I’ve created my free Money List.
It contains the money-making, cashback, survey and rewards platforms I actually use, recommend or think are worth knowing about.
Want access? Join my free Money List
This is probably the biggest lesson I’ve learned from making money online.
You don’t necessarily need one side hustle.
You can have several.
For example:
£20 from surveys
Suddenly you’ve made £300.
The individual amounts might not look impressive on their own, but together they can make a genuine difference to your household finances.
And once you find something that works particularly well for you, you can spend more time growing that income stream.
If you want to make your first few pounds quickly, I’d start with things that don’t require you to build a business from scratch.
For example:
Try Vinted or another selling platform.
Try surveys and research studies.
Look at cashback and shopping apps.
Look into Social Tip, UGC and TikTok Shop.
Consider freelancing.
Look at blogging, affiliate marketing, UGC, digital products or a service-based business.
This is where I think a lot of “make money online” articles get things wrong.
There is a huge difference between:
making an extra £10
and
building a £1,000+ monthly income.
Surveys and cashback might help you make a few extra pounds.
Selling unwanted items could potentially bring in a few hundred pounds during a big clear-out.
Freelancing, UGC, social media management or a business can potentially generate much more.
Blogging and affiliate marketing can take longer to build but have the potential to become longer-term income streams.
So rather than asking:
“Which side hustle makes the most money?”
I’d ask:
“Which money-making method fits the amount of time and effort I’m willing to put in?”
Unfortunately, the internet is full of people promising easy money.
Be particularly cautious about anything that:
Making extra money usually requires one of three things:
Time, skill or money.
If somebody claims you can make huge amounts with none of those, I’d be very suspicious.
If you’re making extra money, it’s important not to ignore the tax side.
Some types of income are treated differently, and not every payment you receive automatically means you owe tax.
For example, HMRC currently says that the first £1,000 of self-employment income is covered by the trading allowance, although the rules around different types of income can be more complicated. HMRC also says that regularly selling goods for profit or providing services for payment can amount to trading.
The £1,000 figure is not a blanket “you can earn £1,000 tax-free from every side hustle” rule.
If you’re starting to make meaningful money, keep records of what you’re earning and check the current guidance on GOV.UK to see whether you need to register for Self Assessment or report the income.
If you’re unsure about your individual circumstances, get advice from HMRC or a qualified tax professional.
Honestly?
The one you’re actually going to stick with.
If you’ve got ten spare minutes a day, surveys might make sense,
Already shopping, cashback could be an easy win,
If your wardrobe is overflowing, sell some things,
Already creating TikToks, look at creator opportunities,
If you’ve got a skill, sell it.
And if you’re prepared to build something over time, consider a blog, email list, affiliate marketing or your own digital products.
You don’t have to choose just one.
Some can bring in money quickly.
Others take longer.
Some are active.
And some can become more passive over time.
And the goal isn’t necessarily to work every waking hour trying to make money.
It’s to find things that fit around your actual life and make your money work harder for you.
I’ve put together my personal 💰 Money List, which contains the money-making, cashback, survey and rewards platforms I’ve personally used, tried or think are worth knowing about.
It’s free, but it’s available to my email subscribers.
I’ll also be adding new money-making ideas and opportunities to the list as I find them.
I’ll be adding detailed guides to each of the methods mentioned in this article.
Money-making platforms & opportunities
Cashback & rewards
More MoneyWithMorgan guides
Yes. There are lots of legitimate ways to make extra money from home, including surveys, research studies, cashback, selling unwanted items, UGC, freelancing, affiliate marketing, blogging and digital products.
However, the amount you can make varies considerably. Be wary of anyone promising guaranteed or effortless income.
The easiest option depends on what you already have available. Selling unwanted items can be a quick way to raise money, while surveys and cashback can be easy to fit around your existing routine. If you want to build a larger income, freelancing, UGC, blogging or a service-based business may have more potential.
Selling things you already own, completing surveys and research studies, and offering a skill you already have can all be ways to start without a significant upfront investment.
It is possible for some people to generate £100 a day from home, but it isn’t realistic to expect that immediately from surveys or cashback. Higher daily earnings generally require a valuable skill, paid client work, selling, content creation, a business or several income streams working together.
It depends on the type and amount of income you receive and your circumstances. Some income may be taxable and some may fall under allowances or exemptions. If you’re regularly making money from a side hustle, check the latest HMRC guidance rather than assuming it is tax-free.
Some opportunities are scams, but many legitimate businesses, platforms and income streams operate online. Never assume an opportunity is legitimate simply because it appears on social media. Research the company, understand how you’ll be paid and be cautious about anything requiring significant upfront payments or promising guaranteed returns.
You don’t need to discover one secret side hustle that suddenly makes you thousands of pounds.
Start with something realistic.
Make your first £5.
Then £20.
Then £50.
Work out what you actually enjoy doing.
And when you find something that works, do more of that.
That’s exactly what I’m doing here at MoneyWithMorgan — testing different ways to save money, make money and build income around real life.
I’ll keep updating this guide as I try new things, so bookmark it and come back.
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