If you’re hunting for ways to make extra money this weekend, here are simple side hustle ideas you can start today. No pricey courses, no faff, just practical options for quick cash that fit around family life.
Before you start: set a time limit, keep basic records of income/expenses and avoid anything asking for upfront fees.
20 Quick Wins You Can Start Today
These are the easiest ways to make extra money this weekend if you want quick cash without buying a course or learning a brand-new skill. I’ve personally tried user testing, Vinted and mystery shops – here’s what paid best.
(Figures are typical, not guaranteed. Keep records from day one; if annual side income may pass £1,000, read up on HMRC’s trading allowance.)
1) User testing UK (web/app)
Time: 10–30 mins
Typical pay: £8–£15 per test
Setup: Phone or laptop with mic
Give feedback on websites and apps using your phone or laptop. Tests usually take 10–30 minutes and pay per session. A quiet space and a clear voice help you qualify.
2) Mystery shopping UK (in-store or app)
Time: 30–90 mins
Typical pay: £8–£20 + expenses
Setup: Phone, camera, receipt upload
Visit a shop, follow a short brief, keep the receipt and submit a quick report. Choose jobs near home to keep travel costs down; many reimburse small purchases.
3) Online market research
Time: 30–120 mins approx
Typical pay: £15–£60
Setup: Laptop, quiet space
Short focus groups or 1-to-1 interviews on Zoom. Evenings fill fastest. Complete your profile honestly to get matched to higher-paying studies.
4) Vinted listings blitz
Time: 45–90 mins
Typical pay: £3–£25 per item
Setup: Phone, packaging
Photograph outgrown clothes, add accurate sizes and brands and price to sell. Enable bundle discounts so buyers take multiple items in one go.
5) Facebook Marketplace clear-out
Time: 60–120 mins
Typical pay: £10–£80 per item
Setup: Phone, collection window
Shift bulky items locally for collection. Offer clear pick-up windows and stick to cash or instant bank transfer. Meet in daylight and don’t hand over without payment.
6) Car boot flip (Sunday morning)
Time: 2–3 hrs
Typical pay: £30–£120
Setup: Small float, bags, price checks
Look for clean kids’ kit, LEGO and sealed board games. Check recent sold prices on your phone and relist the same day on Vinted or Marketplace.
7) Dog walking trial
Time: 30–60 mins
Typical pay: £10–£15 per hour
Setup: Lead, poo bags
Offer a first walk for neighbours on a set route. Keep it simple: confirm time, distance and rate by message and send a quick photo update.
8) Pet-sitting drop-ins
Time: 15–30 mins
Typical pay: £8–£12 per visit
Setup: Notes, key safe, photo updates
Feed, water and litter-tray checks while owners are away. A short checklist and a photo after each visit builds trust and repeat bookings.
9) Two-hour “reset” clean
Time: 2 hrs
Typical pay: £28–£40 total
Setup: Basic cleaning kit
Offer a fixed two-hour tidy/clean on Saturday. Bring your own kit, agree priorities in advance and take before/after photos to show progress.
10) Ironing stack
Time: 1–2 hrs
Typical pay: £12–£18 per hour
Setup: Iron, board, hangers
Charge per bag or per item and offer next-day turnaround. Collect after the school run and return the following evening to keep it efficient.
(Don’t stop here: the money-saving ideas continue below.)
11) Front-garden tidy
Time: 1–2 hrs
Typical pay: £15–£25 per hour
Setup: Gloves, secateurs, refuse bags
Weeding, sweeping and bagging waste can transform kerb appeal in under two hours. Agree where garden waste will go before you start.
12) Tutoring taster (KS2/GCSE)
Time: 60 mins
Typical pay: £18–£35 per hour
Setup: Notes, worksheets (DBS often preferred)
Pick one subject you’re confident in. Set a clear outcome for the first session and share availability and rate upfront. A DBS is often preferred by parents.
13) Event stewarding shift
Time: 3–6 hrs
Typical pay: £11–£15 per hour
Setup: Comfortable shoes, transport (hi-vis provided)
Venues often need weekend stewards. Shifts are scheduled in advance so you can plan childcare and transport.
14) Photo-to-digital service
Time: 1–2 hrs
Typical pay: £10–£20 per hour
Setup: Scanner or scanning app, shared folder
Scan family photos and deliver via a shared folder. Charge per bundle and include light cropping or straightening.
15) CV or LinkedIn tidy-up
Time: 45–90 mins
Typical pay: £20–£40 per session
Setup: Laptop, clean template
Most people want proofreading, formatting and a clean layout. Offer a fixed-price “refresh” with a 48-hour turnaround.
16) Kids’ kit bundles
Time: 60–120 mins
Typical pay: £15–£60 per bundle
Setup: Phone, flat-lay space
Bundle by age/season (coat, boots, uniform pieces) and sell as a ready-to-go set. Flat-lay photos and a single collection window speed things up.
17) Bake-to-order basics
Time: 2–3 hrs
Typical pay: £20–£60
Setup: Kitchen staples, allergen labels
Traybakes or cupcakes only, pre-orders only. Limit flavours, label allergens and take payment on booking to avoid waste.
18) Car wash or mini-valet
Time: 60–90 mins
Typical pay: £10–£25
Setup: Bucket, microfibres, handheld vacuum
Offer two packages: exterior clean or mini-valet. Cap the number of slots and bring your own microfibres so quality is consistent.
19) Returns-drop service
Time: 30–60 mins
Typical pay: £5–£10 per bag
Setup: Car or walking route, single daily drop
Collect neighbours’ parcels and batch-drop at lockers or counters once a day. Charge a small fee per bag to make it worthwhile.
20) Matched betting (18+, optional)
Time: 60–120 mins
Typical pay: Varies
Setup: Laptop, firm understanding of risks (18+)
Advanced and not for everyone. Only consider if you fully understand how it works and can set strict limits. Always 18+; gamble responsibly.
FAQs
How much could I make in a weekend?
One or two ideas can bring in £20–£60; stack two or three and clearing £100+ is common without marathon hours.
Do I need to register for tax?
If your side income goes over £1,000 in a tax year, you’ll usually need to register as self-employed and file a return. Keep records from day one.
Do I need insurance or checks?
Public liability is sensible for cleaning and pet care. For tutoring, a DBS is often expected by parents.
Final thoughts
Pick one quick win you can do today and one steady earner to build next weekend. Track your time and income so you focus on what actually pays and keep it safe, simple and sustainable. For a quick confidence boost before you start, try money affirmations that actually help.
