How your everyday fun could pay you back

Let’s be honest, most of us already enjoy eating out, shopping, or just getting creative in our free time. But did you know some of these pastimes could actually bring in a bit of extra cash?

In times when every pound counts, turning leisure into extra income can make life feel that little bit easier. Whether it’s cashback on your weekly shop or a side hustle built from a hobby, these ideas fit around your lifestyle without taking the fun out of it.

Get paid to eat out

• How it works: Restaurants often hire “mystery diners” to test their service and food quality. You’ll usually get your meal paid for and sometimes receive extra cash for your feedback.
• Where to apply:
• HGEM Mystery Dining
• Market Force
• What you could earn: Usually £20-£100 per assignment, often covering the cost of the meal. Some companies only reimburse food, others add a small fee.
• Extra tip: Combine it with cashback apps like Quidco or TopCashback for extra savings.

Shop and earn

• How it works: Mystery shopping tasks can involve visiting shops, supermarkets, or even car showrooms and reporting back on your experience. Cashback sites give you money back for everyday online and in-store purchases.
• Where to apply:
• Mystery shopping: Grass Roots, Ipsos i-Say
• Cashback: Quidco, TopCashback, or loyalty schemes like Nectar
• What you could earn: Mystery shopping pays around £5-£25 per task. Regular cashback users can save £200-£400 a year just by shopping as normal.
• Extra tip: Always check the fee upfront. Some assignments only cover costs, while others pay cash too.

Turn hobbies into income

Love baking, crafts, or teaching others? Your hobby could pay you back.

• Where to try:
• Sell crafts or handmade goods on Etsy or Not On The High Street
• Sell bakes locally via Facebook Marketplace or community pages
• Tutoring: Tutorful, First Tutors
• Music or creative services: Fiverr or AirGigs
• What you could earn:
• Crafts & baking: £50-£200 a month as a side hustle (more if demand grows).
• Tutoring: £15-£35 an hour.
• Freelance creative work: £5-£50 per job when starting out.
• Extra tip: Start small. Test demand with friends and family before investing more.

Quick cash from online tasks

• How it works: Companies pay for opinions or testing websites. It’s not huge money, but it can add up for a bit of pocket cash.
• Where to sign up:
• Prolific (UK academic studies often higher paying than standard survey sites)
• Swagbucks (surveys, cashback, and small online tasks)
• UserTesting (test websites and apps)
• What you could earn:
• Surveys: 50p - £5 each, with Prolific sometimes paying £10-£15 per study.
• Website testing: £5-£10 for a 15-20 min test.
• Extra tip: Stick with reputable platforms and avoid anything that asks for upfront fees.

Pet and home services

If you love animals or have spare space, this could be for you.

• Where to apply:
• Pet care: Tailster, Rover
• House-sitting: HouseSitMatch
• Rent out space: Airbnb for rooms, JustPark or ParkLet for driveways
• What you could earn:
• Dog walking: £10-£15 per walk (more in London).
• Pet sitting: £20-£40 per night.
• House sitting: Often £20-£50 a day, though sometimes it’s just free accommodation.
• Renting driveways: £50-£200 a month depending on location.
• Extra tip: Always check reviews and safety policies before signing up.

Sell pre-loved items

Decluttering can be surprisingly profitable. Clothes, furniture, and gadgets you no longer need could find a new home.

• Where to sell: Vinted, Depop, eBay, Shpock
• What you could earn:
• Small items: £20-£200 a month.
• Larger clear-outs: Some people make £500+ when selling lots at once.
• Extra tip: Take clear, well-lit photos and be honest about item condition for faster sales.

Word of warning

While there are plenty of genuine ways to earn extra money, always watch out for scams. If you see adverts offering “Netflix reviewer jobs” or “get paid to binge TV”, it’s likely a scam designed to steal personal details. Stick with well-known, trusted platforms.