Side Hustle Boom 2026: How Brits Are Turning Hobbies into Extra Income
Side Hustle Boom 2026: How Brits Are Turning Hobbies into Extra Income
The mono job culture is dead. Long live the side hustle!
Our view of what it means to have two, or even three, jobs at the same time has shifted. No longer is it a negative or the preserve of the overworked and underpaid (although, given the ongoing cost of living crisis, every penny helps!).
Instead, the language has shifted to something more complementary. Something smarter. We’re in the age of multiple income streams, turning hobbies into side hustles and monetising unwanted items in a new fiscally-savvy era.
A 2025 study by Royal Mail confirmed the positive sentiment around side hustles. While earning extra income was the main motivation (68%), 51% said their side hustle gave them a greater sense of purpose and 30% used side hustles to fill spare time. Additionally, 23% said a side hustle allowed them to pursue a passion.
Everyday we’re hustling…. more
Analysis conducted by finder.com found our appetite for side hustles is growing. In 2025, 39% of Brits had a money-earning side hustle. Fast forward a year to 2026 and 46% have at least one side hustle as an additional source of income.
Earn extra to invest
Scottish Widows also released results from a side hustle survey in 2026. It found 17% of women have a side hustle, rising to 26% among Gen Z. Additionally, half of women with side hustles say they started one to increase their disposable income and 1 in 10 are hoping it becomes a full-time job.
While boosting disposable income is clearly a popular reason for having a side hustle, the survey also found that 1 in 10 respondents were investing their side hustle income. Finder.com’s results were in agreement, discovering 14% of side hustlers were earning extra to build future wealth or save for a specific financial goal, such as buying a house.
The most popular side hustles
With side hustles becoming more mainstream, the thirst for knowledge was inevitable. In 2025, Ink Digital released its Ultimate UK Side Hustle Index, highlighting the top-earning side hustles:
If you’re not cut out to be the next DanTDM or don’t own a property to rent out, don’t fret. Other top side hustles include: Uber driving, food delivery, professional photography, calligraphy and voiceover services, selling digital products, freelance writing, and personal training.
Feeling these side hustles are still too niche? Social media is awash with people sharing friendly projects, including:
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Completing online surveys
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Join research groups
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Selling unwanted items on Vinted, eBay and other marketplaces
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Babysitting
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Pet sitting & dog walking
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Selling handmade & baked goods
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Refurbishing tech
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Renting out things they own: tech, clothes, gadgets, and parking spaces
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Creating content
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Manual labour
Every little helps
The Royal Mail survey found the average online side hustle generates £5,420 annually. Millennials earn the most at £6,923 a year, with 31% earning at least £400 extra per month.
Where to find side hustles
37% of side hustlers reported their additional income sometimes exceeded their main salary. Scottish Widows found 37% of Brits are considering starting a side hustle. The industry has become more sophisticated, and opportunities are available via apps and platforms:
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Mystery shopping: Roamler, Shepper, SmartSpotter
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Surveys: MSR, THX, Attapoll
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Selling: Vinted, eBay, Etsy
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Pet sitting/walking: Rover, Tailster, Bubblesitter, Cat in the Flap
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Testing websites: UserTesting, Trymata, Testerwork
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Renting out items: Llama, ByRotation, JustPark
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Market research: Saros, Angelfish Opinions, People for Research
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Babysitting: Bubble, Babysits, Korus Kids
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Property visits: Viewber
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Freelance work: Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer
Will my employer mind my side hustle?
Millions of people are hustling outside of their main job. Some contracts require disclosure or prevent conflicts of interest. Always check your employment contract before starting a side hustle.
Tax matters
The £70 billion side hustle contribution to the UK economy has caught HMRC’s attention. Platforms like eBay, Vinted, Airbnb, and Etsy are legally required to report seller data to HMRC.
Sporadic selling of unwanted personal items doesn’t need declaring. Serious side hustles, however, may require a self-assessment tax return or accounting software to comply with Making Tax Digital (MTD). MTD applies to side hustlers earning:
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£50,000+ from 6th April 2026
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£30,000+ from 6th April 2027
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£20,000+ from 6th April 2028
Side hustle can support state payments
You can start a side hustle while receiving benefits, but declare income to the DWP. Universal Credit, ESA, and Jobseeker’s Allowance rules may impact your benefits.
Add Viewber to your side hustle list. We offer flexible, no-contract work for vetted individuals. Property appointments are local and available evenings and weekends. Get in touch to learn more!
