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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think there MUST be a way to top up my income

136 replies

SparklyOpalEagle · 15/07/2025 19:28

I have a job , a career , that has progression. Absolutely love my job but I have a lot of debt. I only work term time so would love to find something, not too time consuming , that I could do on the side during holidays . But not an actual job.

I’ve done a few “ side hustles “ in the past , made a bit extra around Christmas making Christmas gifts. I’m quite handy with design, so I did used to have a small business making stationary but this was during uni when I had more time. I don’t have the space for that now either.

Every time I look online I see surveys or digital marketing and I’m not interested in that. Surveys I’ve made maybe £30 - that’s not enough.

Im not looking for MLM or any get rich quick scheme - does anyone have any advice ?

I've tried :

  • Amazon Flex - I’m on the waiting list
  • Pay per text message - it was just sex talk and it was misleading people so I’m not into it
  • Tutoring - too much time , most people want you in the evening and I can’t commit

Not willing -

  • actual jobs - bar work, care etc - I don’t have the time to commit to set shifts , I have children and I also want to enjoy my time off
  • Mystery shopping / market research - it’s not reliable and I am signed up to loads already anyway and get nothing
  • Cashback - I don’t need to spend anymore
  • switching banks - I have a massive overdraft that I live in
  • Dog walking - too many in my area
  • Ironing - not a thing where I live and also I’m awful at it
  • Matched betting
I’m looking for something I could do with my children around- a hobby I could turn into a venture , I would deliver leaflets etc but I can’t find anything like that .
OP posts:
PeonyPatch · 15/07/2025 21:37

House-sitting, cat or dog-sitting. Child-minding. Babysitting. Leaflet dropping. Cleaning. Beauty treatments (requires training), tutoring, exam marking, invigilator for exams. Fostering.

stressedteachersos · 15/07/2025 21:37

Have you thought about reselling on Vinted?

yakkity · 15/07/2025 21:37

NotrialNodeal · 15/07/2025 21:33

You work term time therefore you do not work full time.

Show quote history

You think teaching isn’t a full time job?

Original poster
SparklyOpalEagle · 15/07/2025 21:37

EternalLodga · 15/07/2025 21:33

Well dont judge me but....

I think there are actually quite a few complete fucking perverts out there who contact sellers on Vinted asking tjem to send items but only if they have been worn. They actually offer to pay way more than asking price if you wear them first.

Am I insane for actually considering this? 😅

No you’re not I would 100% do it if I knew how!

OP posts:
Original poster
SparklyOpalEagle · 15/07/2025 21:36

NotrialNodeal · 15/07/2025 21:33

You work term time therefore you do not work full time.

Show quote history

I work enough.

OP posts:
NotrialNodeal · 15/07/2025 21:33

SparklyOpalEagle · 15/07/2025 21:23

Please don’t pretend to know my life , I have not ran up debt with “ good times “.

I am not looking for an actual job because I work full time as it is. I am thinking more of small businesses - a hobby I could turn in to a little bit of extra cash. It is possible as I have done it before , so I was asking for advice on anything similar

Show quote history

You work term time therefore you do not work full time.

EternalLodga · 15/07/2025 21:33

Well dont judge me but....

I think there are actually quite a few complete fucking perverts out there who contact sellers on Vinted asking tjem to send items but only if they have been worn. They actually offer to pay way more than asking price if you wear them first.

Am I insane for actually considering this? 😅

Original poster
SparklyOpalEagle · 15/07/2025 21:32

FortheloveofCheesus · 15/07/2025 21:29

You’ve literally ruled out every other job- unless you expect someone to pay you just to exist you’re out of options.

This - its really difficult to earn any meaningful amount of money "around your children" without giving up a lot of your time (such as evenings) which you don't seem willing to do.

Hobbies are hobbies because they are fun & don't bring money in. To get them to generate profit requires a lot of time & effort unless you have an exceptional skill level (so could perform on a musical instrument or teach a language for example).

I’m happy to give up my time - at home. I would be more than willing to use my evenings , but not leaving the house or set shifts. I have children and I have a child with additional needs and no childcare ( not that I would want to give up my summer with them anyway )

OP posts:
Original poster
SparklyOpalEagle · 15/07/2025 21:30

BusMumsHoliday · 15/07/2025 20:25

The easiest thing, especially if you work with children, would be to get a job in a holiday club/play scheme. But you'd have to commit to specific hours and you're ruling out "actual jobs".

Ad hoc babysitting?

But really, you say you don't have time for either a job or a small business - which is ok, few people can work more than one full time job which is often what "side hustle" actually means. But that pretty much rules out all options!

I did used to do this , but I found not having the break from work led to me being burnt out. My job is teaching SEN FE and I really need to be 100% in the game to give my all to them and provide them with what they deserve so I couldn’t risk that for a bit of extra cash. Not only that but the chance of progression in my career is what will eventually help me out of this situation , so that needs to remain priority

OP posts:
JaceLancs · 15/07/2025 21:30

You say not dog walking but how about other pet services - I paid £15 a day for someone to come in and feed my cat recently
I used to do bookkeeping and some admin from home when DC were younger for local sole traders

FortheloveofCheesus · 15/07/2025 21:29

You’ve literally ruled out every other job- unless you expect someone to pay you just to exist you’re out of options.

This - its really difficult to earn any meaningful amount of money "around your children" without giving up a lot of your time (such as evenings) which you don't seem willing to do.

Hobbies are hobbies because they are fun & don't bring money in. To get them to generate profit requires a lot of time & effort unless you have an exceptional skill level (so could perform on a musical instrument or teach a language for example).

coffeeandmycats · 15/07/2025 21:28

SparklyOpalEagle · 15/07/2025 21:27

My only worry is that I will have to move my main account , leaving an overdraft . Then I would have to arrange to pay that off - sounds silly I know , but right now I live in it so it costs me no extra I did look at my fees and they aren’t that high as I never go over it

Show quote history

sorry you missunderstand, say if you bank with santander already, all you need to do is open an account with a random bank such as barclays, and then close the barclays account down by switching it into the one that has the switchign bonus.

the only requirement is usually 1000 paid in within 30 days and sometimes 2 direct debtis for which you can use
https://www.50pdirectdebit.co.uk/

50p Direct Debit for Bank Switching

Quickly setup a cheap 50p Direct Debit. Cheapest Direct Debit you can setup in a couple of minutes.

https://www.50pdirectdebit.co.uk

Original poster
SparklyOpalEagle · 15/07/2025 21:28

Nicebush · 15/07/2025 20:50

You could provide holiday childcare or set up a business doing domestic cleaning or gardening/power washing service.

This is extremely difficult to set up. I looked into a holiday club before but it really wasn’t easy to do. I know my stuff , I am qualified , but it’s quite difficult to start

OP posts:
Original poster
SparklyOpalEagle · 15/07/2025 21:27

coffeeandmycats · 15/07/2025 21:05

open a new account, and then switch into it for switching bonuses

Show quote history

My only worry is that I will have to move my main account , leaving an overdraft . Then I would have to arrange to pay that off - sounds silly I know , but right now I live in it so it costs me no extra I did look at my fees and they aren’t that high as I never go over it

OP posts:
Original poster
SparklyOpalEagle · 15/07/2025 21:25

Agapornis · 15/07/2025 20:55

Is the catsitting market as saturated as the dog walking one? You normally visit once a day at a time of your choosing for about 35 minutes, play with cat, feed, scoop poo. Earns about £10-11 a visit if you're new to the market. Very popular around bank holidays.

Print on demand/pdf selling via Etsy, Red Bubble etc. Requires churning out designs at the start, but could give you a regular passive income eventually.

Never thought of cat sitting ! Would be happy to do that .

I did a kind of print on demand service before - wall prints mainly , but it seemed to really drop off once Christmas was over .

i was thinking about printing cake toppers , logos etc . But I’m hesitant to spend money on a printer and then it not work out .

OP posts:
coffeeandmycats · 15/07/2025 21:25

SparklyOpalEagle · 15/07/2025 21:23

Please don’t pretend to know my life , I have not ran up debt with “ good times “.

I am not looking for an actual job because I work full time as it is. I am thinking more of small businesses - a hobby I could turn in to a little bit of extra cash. It is possible as I have done it before , so I was asking for advice on anything similar

Show quote history

I know you said no to switching accounts but idea would mean your main account is stable.

Original poster
SparklyOpalEagle · 15/07/2025 21:23

Ohmygodthepain · 15/07/2025 20:44

So you've had the food times and run up debt, but now don't want to face the consequences of servicing that debt, which categorically involve getting a second job, which you've ruled out?

Yeah, go on then.

I've got no debt, work full time and would really like someone to magically add to my exotic holiday fund without taking on any responsibility or additional work, never going to happen...

Please don’t pretend to know my life , I have not ran up debt with “ good times “.

I am not looking for an actual job because I work full time as it is. I am thinking more of small businesses - a hobby I could turn in to a little bit of extra cash. It is possible as I have done it before , so I was asking for advice on anything similar

OP posts:
coffeeandmycats · 15/07/2025 21:05

SparklyOpalEagle · 15/07/2025 19:28

I have a job , a career , that has progression. Absolutely love my job but I have a lot of debt. I only work term time so would love to find something, not too time consuming , that I could do on the side during holidays . But not an actual job.

I’ve done a few “ side hustles “ in the past , made a bit extra around Christmas making Christmas gifts. I’m quite handy with design, so I did used to have a small business making stationary but this was during uni when I had more time. I don’t have the space for that now either.

Every time I look online I see surveys or digital marketing and I’m not interested in that. Surveys I’ve made maybe £30 - that’s not enough.

Im not looking for MLM or any get rich quick scheme - does anyone have any advice ?

I've tried :

  • Amazon Flex - I’m on the waiting list
  • Pay per text message - it was just sex talk and it was misleading people so I’m not into it
  • Tutoring - too much time , most people want you in the evening and I can’t commit

Not willing -

  • actual jobs - bar work, care etc - I don’t have the time to commit to set shifts , I have children and I also want to enjoy my time off
  • Mystery shopping / market research - it’s not reliable and I am signed up to loads already anyway and get nothing
  • Cashback - I don’t need to spend anymore
  • switching banks - I have a massive overdraft that I live in
  • Dog walking - too many in my area
  • Ironing - not a thing where I live and also I’m awful at it
  • Matched betting
I’m looking for something I could do with my children around- a hobby I could turn into a venture , I would deliver leaflets etc but I can’t find anything like that .

open a new account, and then switch into it for switching bonuses

AlertCat · 15/07/2025 21:01

Do you have any hobbies TO turn into a venture? Kids yoga? Simple arts and crafts? Singing circle?

snippysnap234 · 15/07/2025 20:57

Sundaycrunch · 15/07/2025 20:04

I make on average £100-130 a month on market research/ survey sites so I think you've been quite quick to rule this out.
Can you sell anything on eBay?
Also search for the Earn £10 a day threads on here where there may be some more ideas.

Would you mind sharing which ones you use please?

Agapornis · 15/07/2025 20:55

Is the catsitting market as saturated as the dog walking one? You normally visit once a day at a time of your choosing for about 35 minutes, play with cat, feed, scoop poo. Earns about £10-11 a visit if you're new to the market. Very popular around bank holidays.

Print on demand/pdf selling via Etsy, Red Bubble etc. Requires churning out designs at the start, but could give you a regular passive income eventually.

Nicebush · 15/07/2025 20:50

You could provide holiday childcare or set up a business doing domestic cleaning or gardening/power washing service.

Ohmygodthepain · 15/07/2025 20:44

So you've had the food times and run up debt, but now don't want to face the consequences of servicing that debt, which categorically involve getting a second job, which you've ruled out?

Yeah, go on then.

I've got no debt, work full time and would really like someone to magically add to my exotic holiday fund without taking on any responsibility or additional work, never going to happen...

FloraBotticelli · 15/07/2025 20:26

YouTube - make videos about your life, be relatable, share some skills and experience and build up a following. I’ve known people to pay their mortgage doing this.

BusMumsHoliday · 15/07/2025 20:25

The easiest thing, especially if you work with children, would be to get a job in a holiday club/play scheme. But you'd have to commit to specific hours and you're ruling out "actual jobs".

Ad hoc babysitting?

But really, you say you don't have time for either a job or a small business - which is ok, few people can work more than one full time job which is often what "side hustle" actually means. But that pretty much rules out all options!