In today’s fast-paced economy, many people are looking for quick ways to make money in the UK. Whether you need extra cash to cover unexpected expenses, want to save for a big purchase, or are looking to supplement your income, there are numerous opportunities to earn money fast—both online and offline.
From side hustles and freelancing to leveraging cashback apps and selling unwanted items, this guide explores the top money-making strategies for 2024 that are legal, flexible, and accessible to most people in the UK.
Quick Online Money-Making Opportunities
Take Online Surveys & Get Paid for Opinions
✔ Earn money by sharing your opinions on survey platforms.
✔ Popular UK survey sites:
- YouGov (trusted by brands and governments)
- Prolific (pays well for academic research surveys)
- Swagbucks (offers cashback and surveys)
✔ Earnings: £5-£50 per month depending on availability.
💡 Tip: Sign up for multiple survey sites to maximize earnings.
Sell Unwanted Items Online
✔ Declutter and make money by selling clothes, electronics, books, and furniture.
✔ Best platforms for selling:
- eBay – Great for second-hand goods.
- Vinted – Best for clothing and accessories.
- Facebook Marketplace – Ideal for local sales.
✔ Earnings: £10-£500+ depending on the items sold.
💡 Example: Selling an old iPhone can fetch £150-£400, depending on the model and condition.
Start Freelancing (Writing, Design, Programming, etc.)
✔ Offer skills like copywriting, graphic design, web development, or virtual assistance.
✔ Best platforms:
- Fiverr (small gigs from £5+)
- Upwork (freelance projects with hourly rates)
- PeoplePerHour (UK-based marketplace for freelancers)
✔ Earnings: £10-£500 per gig, depending on expertise.
💡 Tip: If you have strong writing skills, consider blog writing or SEO content creation to earn consistently.
Test Websites & Apps for Cash
✔ Companies pay users to test websites and apps before launching.
✔ Best platforms:
- UserTesting – Pays £10 per 20-minute test.
- Testbirds – Offers UK-based testing opportunities.
✔ Earnings: £50-£200 per month for active testers.
💡 Example: Testing a company’s new e-commerce website can earn you £10-£15 per test.
Quick Ways to Make Money Offline
Rent Out a Spare Room or Property
✔ Airbnb and SpareRoom let you rent out extra space.
✔ Ideal for students, professionals, or short-term visitors.
✔ Earnings: £100-£1,000+ per month depending on location.
💡 Tip: Under the UK’s Rent-a-Room Scheme, you can earn up to £7,500 tax-free per year.
Deliver Food or Packages
✔ Work as a delivery driver or cyclist for Uber Eats, Deliveroo, or Amazon Flex.
✔ Flexible hours, paid per delivery.
✔ Earnings: £10-£20 per hour + tips.
💡 Example: Delivering 4-6 orders per hour can bring in £80-£120 per shift.
Get Paid for Odd Jobs & Manual Work
✔ Offer services like gardening, cleaning, furniture assembly, or moving help.
✔ List your services on:
- TaskRabbit (handyman and home services)
- Nextdoor (local community-based gigs)
✔ Earnings: £15-£50 per hour depending on the task.
💡 Tip: Many people are willing to pay for quick household repairs or furniture assembly.
Participate in Market Research & Mystery Shopping
✔ Get paid to shop, review customer service, or attend focus groups.
✔ Best platforms:
- i-Say & Toluna – Paid focus groups.
- Market Force – Mystery shopping opportunities.
✔ Earnings: £10-£50 per assignment.
💡 Example: A mystery shopping gig at a high-street retailer could pay £20-£30 plus reimbursed purchases.
Passive Income & Quick Investment Strategies
Get Cashback on Everyday Purchases
✔ Use cashback apps and cards to earn money while shopping.
✔ Best cashback platforms in the UK:
- TopCashback & Quidco – Earn up to 10% cashback on purchases.
- Airtime Rewards – Get cashback on mobile bills.
✔ Earnings: £50-£200 per year depending on spending.
💡 Tip: Link your bank card to cashback apps for automatic savings.
Invest in Stocks & ETFs (Beginner-Friendly)
✔ Use platforms like Trading 212, Freetrade, or Hargreaves Lansdown.
✔ Invest in low-risk ETFs for steady returns.
✔ Potential Earnings: 5-10% returns annually (varies with market trends).
💡 Example: Investing £1,000 in an S&P 500 index fund could grow to £1,100 in a year with an average 10% return.
Rent Out a Parking Space
✔ If you live near a city centre, train station, or stadium, rent your parking spot.
✔ Use YourParkingSpace or JustPark to find renters.
✔ Earnings: £50-£250 per month.
💡 Example: A parking spot in London or Manchester city centre can earn £100+ per week.
Make Money from Your Skills & Hobbies
Sell Handmade Products or Crafts
✔ If you enjoy painting, knitting, or jewelry-making, sell on:
- Etsy – Best for handmade and vintage products.
- eBay or Depop – Great for fashion and collectibles.
✔ Earnings: £50-£1,000+ per month depending on sales.
💡 Example: A handmade candle business could bring in £500+ monthly if marketed well.
Teach Online or Offer Tutoring
✔ Teach English, maths, coding, or music online.
✔ Best tutoring platforms:
- Preply & Cambly – Teach English online.
- Superprof & Tutorful – Offer academic tutoring.
✔ Earnings: £10-£50 per hour.
💡 Example: Teaching 3-5 students per week can earn £500+ per month.
Conclusion
There are plenty of quick ways to make money in the UK in 2024, whether you’re looking for a side hustle, a passive income stream, or a short-term financial boost.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Online options like freelancing, surveys, and testing websites offer quick cash.
✅ Offline methods like food delivery, renting out a room, and odd jobs can generate consistent earnings.
✅ Passive income ideas like cashback apps and investments can provide long-term benefits.
✅ Using your skills—whether in teaching, crafting, or services—can become a sustainable side income.
💡 Start today! Choose the best money-making strategy for your skills and lifestyle, and boost your income in 2024. 🚀💰