Single, supporting 3 dependents on a stagnant 9-5 corporate job – what realistic side income can I add in the UK right now?
Posted by Dear_Description_167@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 54 comments
Hi r/askuk,
I’m single, working full-time in a corporate 9-5, and supporting a family with 3 dependents. My parents are old and don’t have a pension. We don’t own a house, have basically no savings, and the cost-of-living pressure is getting brutal. My salary raises have been peanuts for the last 4-5 years and I’ve had no luck cracking interviews for better-paying roles despite trying.
I’m desperate for a genuine additional source of income that I can run alongside the day job. I’ve already tried a few things and got burned:
• Trading (stocks/crypto) – lost money
• Drop-shipping – fell for scams and lost more
• Selling stuff on Amazon – listed items but got zero buyers
I’m not looking for “get rich quick” nonsense or anything that requires big upfront capital (because I don’t have it). Just realistic, legal ideas that have actually worked for people in the UK in similar situations – whether it’s a side hustle, freelance gig, evening/weekend work, online thing, or whatever.
Any advice or personal experiences would be massively appreciated. What’s actually working right now for extra cash without needing huge investment or quitting the day job?
Thanks in advance!
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JLaws23@reddit
If you have any particular skills you can become an online tutor. Superprof and those kind of pages are a great place to get started.
longtermbrit@reddit
Does your wife know you're single?
Dear_Description_167@reddit (OP)
Apologies, it was a typo on the title but I’ve corrected the content in the post
3knuckles@reddit
Get your partner working mate. Her tax free allowance means she can earn whatever and keep it all, whereas you'd need to earn at least double to keep the same.
The-Jelly-Fox@reddit
Get your kids involved and start a family business doing something creative. You can make hand printed t-shirts with their designs on it, or do bead work with them, or some kind of other marketable craft. This way you can spend time with your kids doing and activity you both enjoy, while earning money for the family, and they can learn some entrepreneurial business skills and have fun making things. People love supporting these kinds of projects where kids are involved in making things. You can spend some of the extra money on nice things for your kids like meals out, a college fund, or new clothing for school.
Start an Etsy Store, go to craft fairs, sell on fb marketplace.
You are probably tired after your job from work, and not willing to spend more time working alone and away from your kids.
Or you could buy and sell used kids clothing and toys online. Anyway, think about the market for kids products and what people need and want for their kids. There is a huge untapped market there that can earn you a profit.
HeartyBeast@reddit
Why not apply elsewhere for a better paying job?
Dear_Description_167@reddit (OP)
Like I mentioned on the post , I’ve applied and wast lucky enough to crack the interviews
SiDtheTurtle@reddit
Why doesn't your partner work? Are they looking after the kids full time rather than sending them to nursery?
One-Staff5504@reddit
On 65k and struggling to survive. Something about a VERY wrong with this country
Wart_Time_L32@reddit
Sell your unneeded items around the house on vinted, always find the clothes and items you intended to use but never did, people will buy it all.
68_namfloW@reddit
This is a very short term thing though.
Left_Set_5916@reddit
I think you need to go back to your budgeting stuff.
I presume your parents are living with you? Need to make sure there getting the full state pension and other support that is abavaible to them.
What's your and your partner's incomes?
Dear_Description_167@reddit (OP)
My partner doesn’t work , she is full time housewife .. my salary is in the bracket 65k in London .. I am renting currently
walnutwithteeth@reddit
Time for her to get a job. Part time if need be.
Dear_Description_167@reddit (OP)
She applied for 100s of nhs jobs but apparently it’s not straight forward. Not a single interview call was received
imposterindisguis3@reddit
Has she considered domiciliary work? I did that for a while when I needed to.
Anony_mouse202@reddit
Then she needs to broaden her job search.
Anything that pays a wage will do.
3knuckles@reddit
Her unused tax allowance is the magic solution. OP in top tax bracket would need to earn VASTLY more to match what she can earn effectively TAX FREE. Get her to work boy.
Psychological-Bag272@reddit
It is possible that your future won't be in London.. Learn to drive and consider moving out of London. If your skill is saturated in London there may be more market for you outside of London. Also cheaper to live. Do it before the kids are older and they start having friends they don't want to leave. Your wife may need to look at part time job. If you are both grounded, there's always a demand for housekeepers.
Firm-Swimming-6142@reddit
Delivery driver in the evening?
Dear_Description_167@reddit (OP)
I don’t have a licence either , but plan to apply one soon ..
geeered@reddit
Delivery rider in the evening?
Dear_Description_167@reddit (OP)
I don’t have a driving licence , but plan to apply one soon
geeered@reddit
To be clear riding a bicycle or ebike.
juanjuan12345@reddit
I think he meant riding a bike! If you live in a city I guess that’s more likely.
vipros42@reddit
I think they meant you don't need a licence for a bike
K_Kilo_L_Lima_M_Mike@reddit
Think they meant riding a bike to deliver!
PuddingBrat@reddit
I'm confused - are you single or married?
Dear_Description_167@reddit (OP)
Sorry was a typo on the title , I am married
Dear_Description_167@reddit (OP)
Married , two kids under 5
Psychological-Bag272@reddit
What's your job? Honestly, you need to get a driving licence. You not being able to drive probably limits your job opportunity by a huge amount unless you live in London. Learn to drive and get a cheap car. Big one off cost but will save you and improve the quality of life in the long run.
Dear_Description_167@reddit (OP)
Yes , I plan to apply for driving licence soon
BenDavolls@reddit
I think you just need a provisional for a moped to sling pizzas (but it feels like a young man’s game…)
Kittykittycatcat1000@reddit
I have tutored and cat sit a little. Used to make about £500 extra a month which helped.
imposterindisguis3@reddit
Sign up for yougov surveys. It takes a while, but you can do them whilst just watching telly and after a while collect 50 quid. See if someone you know can refer you for a Monzo account as they pay cash back up to 50 quid for referrals. I have one just for spending money, but my daughter referred me, and we got £10 each. They do quite a lot of cash back offers too. Find a credit card that does cashback, make sure you set the cash aside each time you spend on it to pay off each month but earn the rewards. Make sure you get Martin's money saving expert emails each week. Also, I've sold a lot on vinted. Certainly recommend selling kids stuff, but get savvy in charity shops and sell on.
AffectionateLeg9895@reddit
Very funny post. Bar work.
Dear_Description_167@reddit (OP)
There is too much competition, had applied but didn’t get role because of being over qualified
macko939@reddit
Trim your cv to make it look like you are less qualified if that's the problem, there is no law that forces you to put all your experience and education on the cv
CelDidNothingWrong@reddit
Grow and sell a bit of weed? You’d only get suspended if you got caught anyway
yunome301@reddit
What corporate role do you do? Are you able to get qualifications in this role funded by work that could lead to a higher paid position? (Or if not able to get funding from your company, self fund slowly?)
Dear_Description_167@reddit (OP)
I am a data analyst at 40 .. no my company doesnt sponsor personal qualificatjon .. although i tried preparing for Financial risk management exam, but didnt get through at the age of 36..
Technical_Front_8046@reddit
Deliveroo on a push bike. Cleaning job (often early morning or late evening) Virtual assistant for tradesmen Basic book keeping for small business Leaflet delivery for takeaways and local businesses Evening work at a local taxi company on the phones Chip shop evening/weekends Handy man/women for the elderly Shopping service for elderly people too.
I mean, there are literally tons of opportunities. It all depends how hungry you are to go out and find it/work for it.
Dull_Hawk9416@reddit
What skills do you have? If it was easy to make money as a side hustle then everybody would be doing it. I would look to do something manual on the weekend. Labourer, cleaner, gardening. Bonus if you can get paid cash in hand for any of this. What’s your corporate job? Could you use some of those skills to do consulting work for smaller companies and/or individuals.
What’s your feet look like? Always somebody willing to pay for feet pics
Expensive_Usual5186@reddit
I appreciate this isn't advice on a side hustle but taking 12-24 months to invest in yourself with a qualification or similar to help you shift up the job ladder or into a different career could be more valuable long term if you can manage within your current finances while you do that.
jpeach17@reddit
Flipping things on eBay and Vinted has done okay for me in the past. I found that the key was focussing on something I knew fairly well (for example, I just stuck to PS1 games). I'd find listings which seemed like a low price (bundles on Facebook quite often) and only buy if I knew there was a decent chance at selling with a non-miniscule profit. You're not looking at 1000s, but can help for a little extra spending money.
vipros42@reddit
Stuff sells for fuck all on vinted. Great for the buyer but basically would be a low paid full time job to make any money I suspect.
Username_goes_here_x@reddit
I know people who used to make a bit of money on the side doing transcription work. I suspect AI has probably massively reduced the demand for human transcribers now, but might be worth a look.
Dear_Description_167@reddit (OP)
Most of them are clickbait or scammers , hard to find one . Would be really kind of you if you could refer a genuine one
UnderHisEye1411@reddit
You need to pick a specific role that you want to do, and then get the qualifications that allow you to do that job.
Whole-Turnip-6938@reddit
I’ve heard people are making money selling clothes on vinted. Buy cheap at charity shops or car boots or even off vinted, and re sell.
There are places that sell clothes by the £/kg, think massive warehouse filled with random unsorted charity bags that you can rifle through and pay per kg.
IntrepidPassenger466@reddit
Reselling
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