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47 ways to make money

Learn how you could pocket extra cash in 2023
Which?Editorial team

In this article

Want to make some extra money quickly? Our guide contains 47 money-making ideas, including clever ways to earn cash online, generating income from your home or using the money you already have. 

If you want to continue your money makeover, we've also got a guide on the best ways to save money that you should check out afterwards. 

Make your money work harder

One of the best ways to make some extra money on top of what you earn is simply to make the money you have work harder.

1. Get paid to switch bank accounts

The introduction of the Current Account Switching Service (CASS) has made it easier than ever to change bank accounts, which has made providers keen to tempt switchers.

Some banks will pay you cash or vouchers worth up to £200 to switch your main current account (where you get paid and pay your bills from) using CASS.

Before you jump in, make sure you know what you're getting into by checking how the provider did in our best and worst banks survey.

2. Pay off expensive debts before saving

Don’t make the mistake of saving while you’re still paying off expensive debts – you’ll be throwing your money away if you do, because the amount of interest you’re charged is likely to be a lot more than the interest you earn on savings.

Paying off £2,000 on a credit card attracting 18.9% APR (with 2.5% minimum repayment) would save you £349 a year, while stashing £2,000 in a savings account earning 1.5% would bring in only £30 over the same period.

Also, consider switching the debt to a 0% balance transfer credit card – it means you can freeze the interest for a set period, with some deals lasting up to 30 months. 

This gives you the chance to pay down the debt faster and save money because all your payments will go toward the debt, rather than the debt plus interest.

3. Boost your savings rate

If you've had your savings account for a long time, it's worth checking what rate you're getting. 

Savings providers often offer new customers the best rates and leave loyal savers languishing on poor deals.

The recent hikes in the Bank of England base rate have helped boost the savings market, with some providers paying up to 4.9% AER.

4. Use your Isa tax-free savings allowance

Most savers can earn up to £1,000 in savings interest tax-free using their personal savings allowance, but savings interest that exceeds your allowance will be taxed.

An Isa can protect your savings interest from tax, no matter how much you make.

The overall annual limit to invest in Isas tax-free is £20,000 in 2023-24, and the sum can be split between a cash Isa, stocks-and-shares Isa and innovative finance product.

5. Try your luck with premium bonds

Premium bonds don't pay any interest, but each bond is entered into a monthly prize draw in which holders can win up to £1m.

There's no guarantee that your returns will be as high as those offered by traditional savings methods, but the opportunity to become a millionaire overnight can be tempting.

  • Find out more: our premium bonds guide shows you the odds of winning a prize

6. Use a credit card that pays you

Cashback credit cards reward customers every time they make a purchase.

You receive a  percentage of your spend back on your card as credit. By putting your everyday spending on the card, you could potentially earn hundreds of pounds a year.

However, it's important to avoid spending more than you can afford to pay back at the end of the month, as the interest charges are likely to outweigh any rewards.

7. Start stoozing with your cash

Stoozing is a way to make money from a 0% purchase credit card.

It involves using a 0%-interest credit card for all the spending you would normally do from a current account. This frees you to move the unspent money in your current account into the highest-interest savings account available.

Provided you pay the minimum monthly payment on the credit card and clear the balance (using the money you've saved) before the 0% deal expires, you can potentially make hundreds of pounds a year through the interest you earn.

8. Check your benefits

There are plenty of benefits available from the government that can help boost your finances. The problem is knowing which ones you’re eligible for.

Entitledto.co.uk has a great benefits check-up tool that can help you figure it out.  

9. Reclaim lost cash

Finding £10 in your pocket can make your day – imagine the joy if you found £40 in overlooked premium-bond prizes or £450 in a forgotten bank account? 

These are the average amounts lost, according to asset-tracing service Gretel, and a survey of 1,465 Which? members in January 2023 found that 6% had lost a bank account, and 6% had lost premium bonds.

10. Try investing your money for better returns

If you're willing to learn the basics of investing in equities, you could earn much higher returns from your savings than if you store your cash in the bank.

However, there is always an element of risk involved when putting your money into stocks and shares. Even the most seasoned investors sometimes lose money. 

For this reason, it's often recommended that you spread your funds across a wide range of investments.

11. Use a good investment platform

An investment platform – sometimes called a fund supermarket – allows investors to buy and hold a range of funds from different companies together in one portfolio.

They often provide extensive research and information on each fund, thus reducing the risk traditionally associated with investing, and help customers achieve market-beating returns.

We've asked thousands of real users of major investment platforms to rate their services across a range of aspects, from customer service and online functionality to clarity of charges and value for money.

How to make money online

The internet is adept at parting you from your cash but, with a bit of creative thinking, there are plenty of ways to make money online, too.

12. Sell your stuff on eBay, Vinted or Depop

Unless you've been hiding under a desktop computer for the past 20 years, you will have heard of eBay, the most popular auction site on the web, where you can boost your income by selling virtually anything.

Just watch out for eBay's fees, which can eat into any profits you make.

There are lots of other popular selling sites that have popped up to compete with eBay, such as Vinted and Depop – check out our guide to the best places to sell second-hand online.

13. Sell for less on Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace

Gumtree, Preloved and, more recently, Facebook Marketplace are some of the biggest sites where you can advertise items you want to sell, complete with images and descriptions – free of charge.

14. Share opinions in surveys

There's a fair number of research agencies that pay a small amount to people who complete surveys online – all you have to do is answer the questions. 

Valued Opinions and Toluna are among the bigger agencies. You can expect to earn anywhere from 50p to £5 for each survey.

15. Download money-making smartphone apps

Sites such as Swagbucks and Gift Hunter Club will pay you to complete short tasks, such as playing games, watching videos and answering polls and surveys. You can get the money you earn as a gift card, or as cash paid into a Paypal account. 

If you fancy a short adventure, apps such as Shepper and Field Agent will pay you to complete mystery shopping tasks. The number of available jobs may depend on where you are based and the time of year. 

There are a number of mobile apps that offer to reward you with items such as vouchers, cinema tickets and free coffees if you hit your daily step target. Check out Sweatcoin, Biscuit Pet Care and Vitality Rewards.

16. Sell your photos online

If you can take a decent photo, you may be able to earn some cash from it online.

Shutterstock, Alamy and 123RF pay you a fee when other members download your uploaded images.

17. Share your skills

Lots of online sites can help you make money from your skills in your spare time.

If you’re a dab hand at DIY, for example, you could become a ‘tasker’ via Taskrabbit. The site connects people who need a hand with odd jobs with those who have some time and know-how.

You can also use Fiverr to offer a service, such as graphic design skills, that you can provide online.

18. Review music for cash

If you're a music enthusiast, you might jump at the chance of getting paid to review unsigned artists.

Slicethepie allows you to do just that. Users get paid based on the quality of their reviews, and there is no limit to the number of artists you can review.

19. Rent out the stuff you own

Rather than selling stuff you rarely use, you could rent it to other people online using sites like Fat Llama.

Vehicles, evening dresses and household tools are among the most commonly rented items on these sites, and you can set the price and length of time you are willing to lend your items for.

 

20. Unlock cash on gift cards

Got one too many gift cards for shops you never go to? Don’t let them go to waste! Websites such as Card Yard allow you to unlock the cash on unwanted gift cards.

How to make free money

When times are tight, it can be difficult to balance your budget, but it is possible to generate some extra cash without an initial outlay. 

21. Get cashback from your current account

Many banks and building societies offer cashback on monthly bills and loyalty rewards as an incentive to open or retain an account.

For example, the Chase current account has no monthly fee and offers 1% cashback on all debit card purchases for the first year, capped at £15 per month. 

Many major banks and building societies now offer tailored cashback schemes that pay up to 15% when you spend with your debit card in-store and online.

Halifax, for example, offers Cashback Extras and Lloyds Bank has Everyday Offers.

The cashback opportunities are tailored to your spending habits, but you will need to activate them. You can do this through your online banking or mobile banking app. 

Once you’ve selected the offers you want, you simply need to spend on your linked card to earn money.

22. Refer a friend

Many companies have refer-a-friend schemes that can sometimes earn customers money.

One website – refermehappy – collates these deals and acts as a social network, giving more people more opportunities to benefit from the rewards. But make sure the services you recommend to friends are suitable first.

 

23. Enter competitions

Sign up to sites such as Magic Freebies and Latest Free Stuff, which aggregate all the latest competitions you can enter.

24. Test products for cash

If you're interested in testing new products before they are launched – from food to the latest technology – you can get paid for giving your opinion on them.

Rewards come in the form of either a cash payment or gift vouchers, and you should be told in advance how much you'll receive. 

There are a number of websites online that you can sign up to, including Paid Product Testing.

25. Use cashback websites every time you shop

Get money for buying products you were already going to purchase by going through cashback sites such as Quidco and TopCashback.

  • Find out more: cashback sites explained – we explain the benefits and the problems to watch out for. Or watch the video, below.

26. Try mystery shopping

Mystery shopping lets you get paid for things you already enjoy doing.

Mystery shoppers are regularly used to test supermarkets, retailers, restaurants and hotels. Register with Mystery Shoppers and Market Force to see what assignments they have going.

How to make money from your home

Your home holds plenty of opportunities to make some extra cash. Here are some ideas:

27. Rent out your spare room

The government's Rent-a-Room scheme means you can earn up to £7,500 a year tax-free by housing a lodger.

You can register your room free of charge on sites such as Easyroommate and Spareroom.

The room you want to rent out will have to be furnished, and you'll need to get a tenancy agreement in place.

  • Find out more: Rent-a-Room – more information about the tax-relief scheme

28. Use Airbnb to make money from travellers

If you want to make money from renting your home on a more flexible basis, Airbnb could work for you.

It allows you to list and set the rates for a room, or your whole home, for a few nights to a week, to travellers in search of a place to stay.

29. Advertise on your car

If you don't mind driving around with a logo on your bonnet, you can make money by advertising on your car. You could make hundreds of pounds a month through websites such as Carquids.

You could also make money from renting out your car – we spoke to some users who make £400 a month. 

30. Rent out your home for films

You can rent out your home to film and TV production companies.

Registration tends to be free, although you may have to pay a commission on the total location hire fee – see sites like AmazingSpace for more.

Most of the demand is for large houses with big rooms and plenty of good parking, although all types of property have potential, from contemporary conversions to classic period homes.

31. Host photoshoots from your home

As with films and TV, renting out your home for photoshoots could be a great source of extra cash.

Although it can be inconvenient having a big crew in your house, if you get a shoot that lasts more than a day you could hit the jackpot – anything from £500 to £1,000 and more.

Magazine companies are always on the lookout for places to feature as backdrops for photoshoots – see sites like Beach Studios and Location Works for information and to register your home.

32. Make money from your driveway

Listing your driveway or garage on sites such as JustPark and YourParkingSpace could earn you cash from motorists searching for a cheaper or guaranteed spot.

You decide what to charge, with the going rate dependent on location, demand and facilities, such as lighting and security.

Register your space, free of charge, and you could earn anything from £50 to £800 a month.

33. Rent out your home EV charger

Even if you don't own an electric car, new-build homes will soon all be constructed with electric vehicle chargers – an amenity that local EV drivers might be willing to pay for.

You can set your own rates or, if you prefer, do so via an app that lets you manage your bookings. A couple we've found include JustCharge or Co Charger.

34. Get cash for spare storage space

Your empty loft or garage could be making you money from people who need some short-term storage.

Storemates puts you in touch with storage hunters. It's free to register and list, but the website gets a 15% cut of the monthly rent when you find a match.

35. Use your garden to grow food

You can grow your own plants and vegetables, or keep chickens. This can reduce carbon emissions by cutting food miles and reducing your food bills, and is a good money-making opportunity if you can sell what you grow.

You could set up a stall in your front garden, local fête, allotment association sale or a school event. You could even contact local farmers to see if they'll sell your produce in their farm shop.

 

Recycle for cash

Rather than throwing out your old stuff, you should see if you can recycle it for cash. After all, one person's trash is another's treasure.

36. Recycle your old clothes

Several schemes will reward you for recycling:

  • H&M – receive a £5 voucher (to be redeemed against a £25 shop) if you recycle a bag of unwanted clothes or textiles from any store in any condition at a branch of H&M.
  • Marks and Spencer – receive a £5 voucher (to be redeemed against a £35 shop) if you donate items to Oxfam (either clothing or soft furnishings). The clothes must not be damaged or soiled because they will be resold. You can also donate items in M&S stores under the retailer's 'Shwop' scheme – you won't get a voucher but Sparks members get a free treat by scanning the QR code on the donation box.
  • New Look – take good-quality, pre-loved fashion to a Hospice charity shop (find them here), scan the QR code on the counter and receive 15% off your next shop at New Look.
  • Schuh – receive a £5 voucher (to be redeemed against a £25 spend) when you bring in an old pair of shoes (any brand).
  • Sweaty Betty – receive a £10 voucher (to be redeemed against a £50 spend) when you recycle an old pair of leggings (any brand) to a Sweaty Betty store.

37. Sell baby and children’s clothes

If you have lots of baby clothes and toys to get rid of, there are specialist websites where you can sell them – or just head to eBay and other online marketplaces.

38. Sell old Lego by the kilo

If the Lego in your household has reached critical mass, you can trade it by the kilo for cash on websites including MusicMagpie.

However, if you have unopened or complete Lego sets or figures, they'll probably earn you more on eBay or a specialist Lego marketplace like Brick Owl.

 

39. Rent out your clothes

Rent out your clothes for extra cash using apps such as By Rotation, Hurr and My Wardrobe HQ. 

How much you earn will depend on the number of items you offer and the listing price. By Rotation recommends listing items for 5% of the retail price, and it also takes a commission.

40. Make cash from your trash

You can recycle old toiletries, clothes and printer ink cartridges in exchange for cash and vouchers.

Empty printer ink cartridges can fetch as much as £2.50 on some sites. If you recycled two cartridges (colour and black ink) three times a year, that would be £15 in total – the money you make will depend on the amount of ink you use. Sites such as The Recycling Factory and Inkviro can give you an idea of how much you can earn for empty cartridges.

Some stores also offer rewards when you return empty beauty products. John Lewis, Boots and Lush have recycling schemes offering vouchers or loyalty points that can be used towards your next purchase.

41. Generate your own energy

If you have already installed – or are thinking about installing – renewable technology, such as solar panels, you may also be able to make money by selling some of the green electricity you generate.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) means households with renewable technologies receive money for the energy they produce themselves.

You will need to weigh up the potential to save and make money through your system against the initial outlay for equipment and installation, which can run to thousands of pounds. You should also think about the suitability of the technology for your property and location.

42. Recycle your mobile phone

Sites including Envirophone and Mazuma Mobile offer an instant quote for smartphones – even if they’re damaged.

But don’t stop there. Mazuma Mobile and MusicMagpie will pay you for other old gadgets including tablets, Kindles and smartwatches.

  • Find out more: mobile phone reviews – our guides will help you pick the perfect replacement for your old tech.

43. Recycle old CDs, DVDs and computer games for cash

Whether you're upgrading technology or want to revamp your collection, make money by recycling old CDs, DVDs and computer games instead of throwing them away.

There are lots of websites that offer instant cash valuations for these items, including CeX and MusicMagpie. Get a value for your item (it needs to be in good working condition) by typing in or scanning its barcode number.

44. Make money recycling old books

Don't leave unwanted or unread books on the shelf – pass them on to a new home and make some extra money.

Websites including Amazon let you sell second-hand books via virtual bookstores. Alternatively, you can trade in books for cash instantly using sites such as Ziffit and MusicMagpie.

45. Have a car boot sale

A car boot sale is a great way to make some extra money while reducing the amount of rubbish you throw away.

Buyers will expect to pick up products at knock-down prices, but car boot sales are a good opportunity to bulk-sell items that are unlikely to sell individually online.

You can find your nearest car boot sale by visiting the online directory Car Boot Junction.

Your profit will depend on the products you're selling but remember to factor in the cost of pitching your vehicle, which is usually between £5 and £20.

 

Make money from your side hustle

It’s easier than ever to turn your hobbies into an income. Here are some ideas to get you going:

46. Sell what you make online 

If you have a creative streak and enjoy making items such as soaps, cards, jewellery or other crafts, specialist sites like Etsy can help you sell them worldwide.

It’s US-based but operates internationally, and has a category for just about everything homemade. You can also sell things on eBay, Gumtree and Preloved.

47.  Try house and pet sitting

You may be able to earn some extra cash by looking after someone's home and/or pet while they are away.

Sites like TrustedHousesitters can match up home and pet owners with willing sitters – your housesitting credentials will need to be verified, and you'll receive reviews each time you do it.

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