Make money online with a side gig and learn how long it will take to see the extra income, whether it’s freelancing online, driving passengers or selling your stuff.

You need extra money, but you’re not sure where to start (or what’s legit). Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

NerdWallet rounded up 27 legitimate ways to earn some extra income — at home or out and about — and listed each option based on how fast you can get started and get paid. While most people prefer fast cash, don’t discount the “slow” gigs, as they may pay more in the long run.

Keep in mind that you are responsible for making sure you pay any necessary tax on income from your side hustles. Currently you can earn up to £1,000 tax-free from self-employed activities like those listed below, but anything you earn over this amount may be taxable.

[Due to the coronavirus pandemic, some of these suggestions may not be currently viable.]

Sell your gently used clothes

Selling clothes you no longer wear is a quick way to make some money. Putting your items up on fashion sites like Depop or Vinted will probably be one of the easiest ways to find buyers, particularly if you have more specific or niche tastes. You could also try selling your clothing on more general websites like Facebook Marketplace or eBay. When selling online, be sure to take clear, well-lit photos of your pieces and research similar items to set competitive prices.

If you have older clothes that may struggle to attract buyers, you can try selling them in bulk via a local “cash for clothes” organisation. It won’t be as profitable as selling them individually as you may only get around £0.50 per kg, but it might be an option to consider if you have lots of unwanted clothes that would otherwise be difficult to sell.

Total time: fast

Set-up: fast

• It doesn’t take long to create an online account and start selling, or to visit an organisation that pays cash.

Payment: fast/medium

• How quickly you get paid will depend on how quickly your item sells and the terms of the individual sites.

Requirements

• Gently worn shoes, clothing and accessories.

Trade in old phones, electronics, and other unused items for cash

Have an old phone, iPad, or gaming system lying around? Or have shelves of CDs and DVDs you no longer need? Sell them to companies like CeX or musicMagpie. There are lots of sites where you can sell old tech goods, especially mobile phones, so hunt around to see which one offers the best price. You could also check out other online marketplaces like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Gumtree to sell your things, as well as Amazon’s trade-in programme, which pays participants in Amazon gift cards.

If you’re in a rush, you can see if there is a nearby ecoATM kiosk which, depending on the model and condition of your mobile phone, may give you cash for your phone on the spot.

Total time: fast

Set-up: fast

• Selling online directly to the customer (e.g. on Gumtree): In most cases, you take photos of the item, write details about it, and post your listing. Some sites review and approve postings, but the time it takes to do this is minimal.
• Selling to reseller (e.g. musicMagpie): Answer a few questions online for an instant quote to see how much you could get for your item(s).

Payment: fast/medium

• Selling directly: When you get paid depends on how quickly your item sells. Once it is sold, payment is fast. Be aware that some sites (like eBay) will take a cut of each sale.
• Selling to reseller: You need to ship your item(s) to the reseller, which will then inspect them before payment is sent. Or, where available, you could go in-store to sell.

Requirements

• A used phone, laptop, gaming system, etc.
• Mobile phones: You will likely need to verify the phone is not stolen or under a repayment plan.

Sell your unwanted items at car boot sales

If you prefer a more old-fashioned approach, you could look at selling any unwanted items at a car boot sale. Car boot sales are full of people looking to get a bargain, so they can be a good opportunity to sell a whole range of assorted items that you no longer want or need.

Total time: fast

Set-up: fast

• Once you find a nearby car boot sale, you just need to load up your car with the items you want to sell, drive to the location, then set-up your display to entice customers over.

Payment: fast

• If people buy your items, you will get paid on the spot. However, sales aren’t guaranteed.
• You will be able to set the prices, but be prepared for customers who will want to haggle.

Requirements

• You will need items in decent condition that people will want to buy.
• Get up early to give yourself time to set up and be ready for potential buyers.

Drive for Uber

Join Uber, or a similar driving service, and earn money by driving passengers around. Just don’t forget to factor in petrol and maintenance costs. You need an eligible car in good condition, a private hire licence, and valid insurance, and you must agree to a background check and a review of your driving history. Most companies will allow you to take on as many or as few fares as you like, so you could choose to drive regularly or simply on occasional evenings and weekends to supplement your income.

Total time: fast

Set-up: slow

• Allow a few weeks for the application process, to get your licence, and for the necessary background checks to be completed.

Payment: fast

• You will be paid for each completed journey and funds will be transferred to your account on a weekly basis, unless you choose the Flex Pay option which allows you to cash out when you choose.

Requirements

• Your car must meet certain requirements, such as year and physical condition.
• Let your car insurance company know of your plans and ensure you have the necessary insurance before you start driving.
• You need a private hire licence from your local authority.

Make deliveries for Amazon, Deliveroo, Uber Eats

Take advantage of the growing delivery trend and sign up for a service like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, or Amazon Flex. You get paid per delivery, in most cases, and can even earn tips. A car isn’t always required; – some companies let you use a bike or scooter to make deliveries. However, a background check is almost always carried out.

Total time: fast

Set-up: medium

• Registering on a site won’t take long, but it will take time before you are finally approved as you will need to supply the necessary documents to prove your right to work in the UK and pass the company’s checks.

Payment: fast

• Delivery services will often pay you weekly; if you want to be paid sooner, you may be able to cash out earlier for a small fee.

Requirements

• You’ll need a way to deliver items. It could be a car, scooter or bike, depending on the service.
• A smartphone is necessary to accept and process jobs.
• Each delivery service has a minimum age requirement, but it varies by service.
• You will need to make sure you are properly insured.

Become a dog walker or pet sitter

Love dogs? Consider becoming a dog walker. Apps like Rover offer on-demand dog walking, so you can pick up walks when your schedule allows. You may also be able to get paid for drop-in visits to check up on pets, looking after a pet for the day, or even pet sitting for a longer period of time. If you have space (and your landlord’s permission, if you rent), you could offer overnight cat or dog boarding. Read the fine print if you sign up for these services.

Total time: fast

Set-up: fast

• It can take up to ten business days for your Rover profile to be reviewed and approved.

Payment: fast

• Rover: Your payments will automatically be transferred directly into your bank account after completing a service. You will normally receive funds within at least five business days.

Requirements

• You’ll need to live in an area where a dog walking or pet sitting service operates, or set up on your own and find customers yourself by advertising locally.
• If you want to pet-sit, you’ll need to live somewhere that allows pets.
• You’ll have to pass a background check.

Get a babysitting gig

Everyone from students to recent retirees can make money by watching other people’s children. Word-of-mouth referrals from friends and family are still a great way to get started, but you can also create a profile for free on sites like Care.com to expand your reach. Note any specialised skills, such as CPR certifications or experience with special needs children, to make yourself more marketable.

Total time: fast

Set-up: fast

• You can create a profile on Care.com in a matter of minutes, but it might take a few days before your profile is reviewed and approved .

Payment: fast

• You typically get paid when you complete your gig.

Requirements

• You usually need to be at least 18 to list as a caregiver on Care.com.
• Some parents will favour babysitters with experience or certain qualifications.

Rent out your driveway

If you have a driveway or off-road parking space that you don’t use, why not make some money from it? There are several websites, like JustPark and Your Parking Space, where you can advertise and let out your parking space hourly, daily, or even on a longer-term basis. You can set the times the space is available and set the price. Especially if you live in a prime city-centre location with limited parking, your space could be popular with both commuters and day-trippers.

Total time: fast

Set-up: fast

• You can normally register your parking space on an online platform within minutes.

Payment: fast

• How and when you get paid depends on the demand for the space and the platform you use. For example, you may receive your earnings in one payment each month or request a withdrawal at a time that suits you.

Requirements

• You will need to own your parking space i.e. you can’t rent out a communal space.
• It is worth checking with your home insurer and your landlord/mortgage lenders that renting your space won’t breach any of your agreements.

Sell unused gift cards

Sell unused gift cards on a site like Cardyard to get cash worth up to a certain amount of the card’s value. You can sell both physical gift cards and e-gift cards in this way, and you will get paid when your gift cards have been received. You could also choose to use the balance to buy another gift card from the site.

Total time: fast

Set-up: fast

• You can get an instant offer or quote via sites like Cardyard.

Payment: fast

• By selling your gift card online you can get cash within a couple of weeks or sooner, depending on whether it is a physical card or e-card. Remember that you will receive less cash than the gift card is worth.

Requirements

• Your gift card may need to meet a minimum balance to be resold. Not all cards will generate offers.

Pick up freelance work online to make money online

Websites such as Upwork, Fiverr and Freelancer.co.uk offer opportunities to do a variety of freelance jobs, such as writing, programming, design, marketing, data entry and being a virtual assistant. Fluent in a second language? Check sites such as Gengo or One Hour Translation, or drum up business through a site of your own. For those who can type fast, why not consider taking on some transcription work through sites like Take Note? No matter what kind of freelancing you do, keep track of the going rate for the kind of work you provide so you know if you’re charging too much or too little.

Total time: medium

Set-up: fast

• It may not take too long to set up your profile, but keep in mind it can take time to land your first freelance gig.

Payment: medium

• Payment varies by site. You may be able to charge per hour or per project, receiving payment when the work is completed and the client is happy.

Requirements

• Some sites may have their own particular rules and requirements, regarding age for example, so check their terms before signing up.

Get paid to write

If you are a skilled writer then there are several ways you could earn some money. For example, you could join sites like Textbroker and Clickworker where clients can pay you to write different forms of content such as blog articles, product descriptions, and more. Other websites may also provide opportunities to submit an article on a subject of your choice, although they may not always publish your submission and not every site will pay.

You could also look offline, as lots of magazines will offer readers money for any letters sent in, sharing opinions and views about recent tv shows for example. However, you will only receive money if your submission is selected for publication.

Total time: medium

Set-up: medium

• Registering for a site can take a while as you may need to pass some preliminary tests and quality assessments.
• It will also depend on how long you spend writing. A short letter or email will be relatively quick, while a lengthier article requiring research will take longer. Learn more about How To Get Paid To Write Articles online earning (With Tips)

Payment: medium

• The time it takes to receive payment will depend on the site or the publication.
• Remember if you submit an article to a site, you will only receive payment if it is approved and published, so payment may not always be guaranteed.

Requirements

• You will need to be able to write interesting and accurate letters, articles, or other content.
• To join some sites that match clients to freelancers, you will need to pass assessments to ensure you can produce good quality and accurate content.

Test websites and apps

Sites such as UserTesting.com will pay you for your thoughts on how well — or not so well — certain websites and apps worked. You’ll have to pass a short test to be accepted, then you’ll be paid for each website test you do, which involves a recording and answering some follow-up written questions. If you participate in a video conversation with a customer after your test you could earn even more.

Total time: medium

Set-up: medium

• You typically need to complete a sample test as part of the application process.
• You will start receiving testing opportunities after your application is approved.
• The timeline for approval can vary.

Payment: fast

• On UserTesting.com you get paid seven days after completing a website or app test.

Requirements

• You need to be at least 18.
• You need a computer, internet connection and microphone.
• Mobile app testers also need an Android or iOS mobile phone or tablet.

Pick up tasks on Amazon’s Mechanical Turk

Even in the age of automation, some jobs still require a human touch. Companies often outsource those jobs via services like Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. As a “worker,” the tasks you’ll be assigned can be tedious — tagging images, transcribing videos, classifying receipts — and can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Temporary employers or “requesters” set the price for each task and get to approve the finished product before paying you. That can leave room for scams, so do your research, and join a community like the MTurk Crowd forum, or the MTurk and Turker Nation subreddits, which can steer you away from shifty dealers. These communities and fellow “workers” can answer questions and give a realistic idea of how much money you can expect to make.

Total time: medium

Set-up: fast

• It takes Amazon up to 3 business days to review your application.

Payment: slow

• After you submit your work, the requester has 30 days to approve it.
• You can have your earnings deposited into your bank account or put on an Amazon gift card.

Requirements

• You must be at least 18 to register for Mechanical Turk.
• You also need an Amazon account to register for Mechanical Turk.

Let out your spare bedroom

Making your home or spare bedroom available on rental sites like Airbnb and SpareRoom can provide you with a lucrative side income. But first, be prepared to spend some money to clean and keep up the property to make sure your accommodation is suitable for guests and lodgers. You should also scrutinise your rental or mortgage agreement before you get started to make sure you are allowed to let out a room.

Under the Rent a Room Scheme, you can earn up to £7,500 tax-free by letting out furnished accommodation in your home.

Total time: medium

Set-up: fast

• You can create a listing and start accepting reservations on the same day, although you’ll need to make sure the accommodation is ready for any occupants.

Payment: fast to medium

• For one-off stays on Airbnb, payment is typically sent about 24 hours after your guest’s scheduled check-in time, but processing time for that payment depends on the payout method.
• For longer-term lodgers you can charge rent weekly or monthly.

Requirements

• Comply with any rules governing short-term or holiday rentals including the terms of your rental or mortgage agreements, home insurance policies, government and local council regulations, safety standards, and tax obligations.

Rent out your car

City-dwellers often don’t use their cars for days or weeks at a time. That idle time can translate to money with services like Hiyacar, Getaround, and Turo, which help you rent out your car by the hour or day. You take home the majority of those earnings, while the car hire platform takes a cut for protecting your car while it’s being rented.

Total time: medium

Set-up: medium

• You can create a listing in under 30 minutes, but account verification can take up to 48 hours.

Payment: medium to slow

• Each platform will have different ways of paying you. After each rental you will receive payment, which may take several days to appear in your account. Some platforms may allow you to choose to get paid in a lump sum each month.

Requirements

• You must own your car. Or, if you lease your car, check the terms of your agreement and financing documents to make sure you’re allowed to share it.
• Your car must meet certain requirements (make/model/year/mileage) and must be insured, taxed, and have an up-to-date MOT.
• You should have a current, valid driver’s licence.
• You must meet the site’s age requirement, which is commonly 21 years old.

Take surveys for money

You can generate a small side income by taking online surveys, but don’t expect to be rolling in the money. Survey sites don’t typically offer a big payoff, and many sites are more useful for earning gift cards than cash. Some of the more popular online survey providers include Swagbucks, i-Say, and Crowdology, but there are many more paid survey sites available.

Qmee is another site that offers surveys, but it also has a feature that enables you to earn cash rewards simply by searching via their browser app and clicking on the results that are relevant to you.

Total time: medium

Set-up: fast

• You can register with a site and start taking surveys in a matter of minutes.

Payment: medium

• The time it takes to get paid depends on the survey site and how much time you dedicate to taking surveys.
• Some sites let you cash out only after you hit a minimum earnings threshold. With YouGov for example, you can’t cash out until you hit £50.
• Other survey sites issue points, which can be redeemed for cash (via PayPal) or gift cards.

Requirements

• Most survey sites have a minimum age requirement, which ranges from 13 to 18, depending on the site.
• Individual surveys may have specific requirements. Don’t be surprised if you are disqualified from a survey without much explanation.

Sell your photography

Turn your photographs into cash via sites like Fine Art America, which lets you upload your images to sell as prints, T-shirts, phone cases and more. Other marketplaces for photographers include Alamy, Foap, SmugMug, 500px and PhotoShelter. Visual artists and photographers can also find success on design and gift shops like Redbubble and Artokingo. Stock image libraries like Alamy, Picfair and Shutterstock also purchase photos. Some sites require a subscription but may provide features ranging from cloud storage to password-protected galleries and a customised website.

Total time: medium

Set-up: fast

• You can set up a profile with sites like SmugMug, PhotoShelter or Fine Art America in a few hours, assuming you already have a body of original work.

Payment: medium to slow

• Payment varies widely depending on the site.
• Some sites may issue payment soon after each sale, while others will calculate and send payments on a monthly basis.

Requirements

• Requirements vary by site, but you need to have all necessary rights to the images you sell.
• Your photos will need to have the right size and dimensions and be in the right format to get accepted. They also need to be good quality photos!

Become a private tutor

Turn your maths, science, foreign-language or test-prep expertise into a lucrative side gig by becoming a private tutor. You can tutor people online or in-person. What you can charge depends on your experience, expertise and what’s in demand. To get started, create a profile on sites like Tutorful or Care.com. You could also advertise your services at local schools and community centres.

Total time: medium

Set-up: medium

• Set-up time depends on demand in your area if you teach in-person. But even if you offer online tutoring, it could take a while to register on a site, be accepted, and then get your first student.
• If you haven’t tutored before, you’ll want to allow for time to prep so students feel like they’re getting the most out of their time with you.

Payment: fast to medium

• How quickly you get paid depends on whether you tutor via a platform or in-person; either way, it likely won’t take long.

Requirements

• You’ll need deep knowledge in an area that people need help understanding, like mathematics, a foreign language or test prep.
• To sign up for tutoring sites you will need to pass their background checks, have the required qualifications, and you may need to supply references. You may also need to pass an interview and go through some training to ensure your teaching is of a good standard.

Make money from your blog as an affiliate

If you’re a blogger who gets decent traffic, you could make money by joining an affiliate network. Affiliates (that’s you) get paid when someone clicks through from their website to the partner site and buys something there. Some bloggers make a lot of money this way. Display ads, affiliate links, and sponsored content are just some of the ways you can earn money from your blog.

Total time: slow

Set-up: slow

• First, you need a blog, social media account or other online presence that draws a healthy number of visitors each month.
• Then, you need to apply for and be approved by an affiliate marketing network like CJ Affiliate, ShareASale, FlexOffers, Awin, or Amazon Associates.

Payment: slow

• Payment schedules and thresholds vary by affiliate network, but expect to wait at least a month or two before you get paid.

Requirements

• A blog, social media account or other online presence that attracts a steady stream of visitors.

Sell your wares on Etsy

Have a penchant for woodworking, jewellery-making, embroidery or pottery? Sell your hand-made goods on Etsy, the go-to site for artisans selling home goods, art and knickknacks. Etsy boasts almost 48 million active buyers and grossed $5 billion in merchandise sales in 2019, according to the website.

Total time: slow

Set-up: medium

• Opening an Etsy shop is the easy part. It can be done in a few hours.
• The prep work before you open up shop is more time-consuming. You need merchandise to sell, photos and descriptions to post, a name for your shop and a business plan to help you succeed. Once that’s done, you’ll still need to find customers. Depending on what you’re selling, that could take weeks, which is why you should expect the overall time for this gig to be slow.

Payment: medium

• Once you sell an item, payment is deposited into your Etsy Payments account.
• In your first 90 days as a seller, funds will take longer to become available for deposit.
• After your first 90 days, funds are available for deposit the next business day.

Requirements

• If you’re over 13 years old but under age 18, you can sell on Etsy but would be considered a minor and must have permission from a parent or guardian.
• You need to have all necessary rights to the merchandise sold in your shop.

Get advertising revenue from your blog or YouTube channel

Turn your cat videos into cash videos. If your YouTube videos or blog posts draw a big audience, you may be able to make money from advertising. With Google AdSense, you create ad spaces on your content and businesses can pay to advertise there. The service is free, but there are requirements you must meet. If you have a successful YouTube channel you could apply for the YouTube Partner Programme to monetise your videos.

Total time: slow

Set-up: fast

• Signing up for Google AdSense is pretty easy, but it can take anywhere from a day to several weeks for your account to be activated.

Payment: slow

• Allow at least two months for ad revenue to start trickling in.
• You can only receive your earnings when your balance is over the minimum threshold.

Requirements

• Your own website that meets the eligibility requirements. It’s best to make sure it has been active for at least six months.
• For YouTube, you need more than 1,000 subscribers and at least 4,000 hours of total watch time in the last 12 months on your channel.
• You must be at least 18.

Become an Instagram influencer

Companies are using Instagram influencers — people with large, dedicated followings on the platform — to rep their products. You can get in on the action by applying for opportunities via a marketing platform like Open Influence, or by contacting the brands you want to work with.

Total time: slow

Set-up: slow

• Creating an Instagram account is quick, but building a following takes time. Allow a few months to build a large enough following to attract advertisers.
• Once you have the numbers, you’ll need to find paid opportunities. You can do this via affiliate networks or by pitching to brands you want to work with.

Payment: slow

• The time to receive your payment will depend on the terms of your agreement, but affiliate networks typically pay out earnings the month after a campaign is completed.

Requirements

• An Instagram account with a dedicated, engaged following.
• You’ll also need to meet the requirements of any affiliate network.

Monetise your Twitch channel

Gaming can be a lucrative side gig once you build a steady following on Twitch, the go-to site for gamers, artists, musicians and other creatives. Broadcasters can receive donations from viewers and even get a share of subscription and ad revenue if they reach Affiliate or Partner status.

Total time: slow

Set-up: slow

• You can launch a Twitch channel and start streaming in a day, but it will take weeks or even months to build a following.

Payment: slow

• Donation revenue can be withdrawn rather quickly, depending on the payout method.
• Subscription and ad revenue earned as a Twitch Partner or Affiliate is paid out 15 days from the end of the month, and you must have a minimum balance to request a payout.

Requirements

• All streamers can earn referral revenue through Amazon Associates, but you need to hit certain viewership and broadcast milestones to become a Twitch Affiliate or Partner and qualify for a share of ads and subscription revenue.

Find seasonal work

Need a gig for a few months? Try something seasonal, like being a lifeguard, working in hospitality, or working at a retailer during the holidays. Employers typically staff up a month or two ahead of their busy season, so plan ahead to get on their payroll. Check shop windows, online job listings, and local classifieds for seasonal opportunities. Consider uploading your CV to a database like CV Library to find seasonal or part-time positions.

During local or national elections, you could also apply to work at a poll station or as a count assistant. Opportunities are limited and can be competitive, so aim to apply early if you are interested.

If you want to assist with charity, Wesser offers seasonal and short-term door to door charity fundraiser positions.

Total time: slow

Set-up: medium to slow

• Allow time for interviews, which can take a few weeks.
• Companies start hiring for seasonal jobs a month or two in advance.

Payment: slow

• Unlike other side gigs, seasonal jobs often operate on a traditional payroll system. That means it may take a month from your start date to get your first paycheck.
• But you can expect a regular salary, and the employer will normally deduct income tax and National Insurance Contributions from your earnings through the PAYE system, which is something other side gigs don’t offer.

Requirements

• It will depend on the specific job, which could include being a minimum age, having a driver’s licence, etc.

Put your drone to work

The market for drones is expanding. Companies hire out work like aerial inspection, photography and land mapping. So if you’re already a drone enthusiast, why not put your aircraft to work? If you haven’t done so already, you will first need to register your drone (if it weighs 250g-20kg) with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), pass an online flyer test, and obtain permission from the CAA to use it commercially. Then, you can apply for gigs as a drone pilot, taking aerial photographs, mapping locations, and recording video shoots for example.

Set-up: slow

• More than a month, in order to pass the tests and get the necessary IDs.
• You need to register as an operator (as well as a flyer), obtain a permission from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and find clients who will pay for your services.

Payment: medium

• Payment will depend on your client.

Requirements

• You’ll need a drone.
• To do this legitimately, you’ll need to pass the relevant tests and get the necessary permissions. Requirements can vary depending on the weight of the drone.

BeCareful Watch out for scams

The internet is full of opportunities to make some quick cash online or from home, but many are questionable, if not outright scams. Be wary of any “opportunity” that asks for an upfront fee, wants you to pay for certification, or requests any financial information, such as your credit card number.Still unsure if an opportunity is legit? Look for community forums, like those on Reddit, for unfiltered reviews and complaints. Research the company and make sure that it is safe and trustworthy before entering any payment details.