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Original poster

Easy side hustle for when I'm bored?

88 replies

workingcocker · 18/09/2025 13:36

I run my own successful business, I have a team of 5 employees. Some weeks I am rushed off my feet, others not so much. I need it to be like this so I can pick up the slack when it's busy. The rest of my time is spent doing admin and getting in new business.

However, this means some weeks I have a lot of spare time, I also get bored in the evenings. I do relax, so it's not like i'm overdoing things.

Is there any side hustle that would fit around this? I'm not into MLM and don't want to advertise to anyone that I am doing this. I am happy to put stuff together or put things in envelopes etc? Or Surveys?

Does anyone do something like this?

OP posts:
rainbowstardrops · 18/09/2025 13:42

I don’t but I’m interested if other people have suggestions.
Years back when I was younger, my mum did several different ‘home’ jobs. I wonder if they’re even a thing now?

Returnlamp · 18/09/2025 14:41

Goodness, surely focus on building up your current business

There is ALWAYS something to do as a business owner, especially one with 5 people employed

Returnlamp · 18/09/2025 14:42

You want to stuff envelopes as a side hustle??

and you run a successful business with 5 employees??

How about focussing on making those quiet weeks for your business not so…. Quiet

Original poster
workingcocker · 18/09/2025 15:17

Without going into too much detail, my business has natural peaks and troughs. The size of my team is currently perfect in that during the busy times we are all out working, and during the quiet times they are all out working and I'm not. I then pick up the slack as well as do all the running of the business.

Don't worry about my business, that is doing perfectly fine. I just get bored and end up spending too much time in front of Mumsnet or looking at holidays/spending money.

Maybe I should go and walk the dog more often.

OP posts:
Returnlamp · 18/09/2025 15:18

Exercise
Get a dog and lots of walks!
go for a swim!
Read? Cook?

presuming you don’t need the money, so why stuff enveloped in precious spare time?
do you have children?

Returnlamp · 18/09/2025 15:19

So during the quiet times…. Your 5 employees remain as busy as ever?

Original poster
workingcocker · 18/09/2025 15:22

Returnlamp · 18/09/2025 15:19

So during the quiet times…. Your 5 employees remain as busy as ever?

They work their contracted hours, Yes. But, their workload is lighter for sure. Should I be letting them sit at home on full pay, whilst I go out and do the work just for the sake of it?

OP posts:
Returnlamp · 18/09/2025 15:23

workingcocker · 18/09/2025 15:22

They work their contracted hours, Yes. But, their workload is lighter for sure. Should I be letting them sit at home on full pay, whilst I go out and do the work just for the sake of it?

Show quote history

Maybe just have the time to relax OP
or suggestions above

Returnlamp · 18/09/2025 15:23

do you need the money? If not, just enjoy fun activities as the perks of a successful business owner

Original poster
workingcocker · 18/09/2025 15:24

Returnlamp · 18/09/2025 15:18

Exercise
Get a dog and lots of walks!
go for a swim!
Read? Cook?

presuming you don’t need the money, so why stuff enveloped in precious spare time?
do you have children?

The thing is I need to be available, I take phone calls and emails etc. I can't really go off out and about too much. I was thinking about something I could do from my computer.

I do have dogs, who get lovely long walks daily on the beach. I have a teenage child who is doing well at school and is happy.

OP posts:
deirdrerasheed · 18/09/2025 15:24

Voluntry work?

Original poster
workingcocker · 18/09/2025 15:25

Returnlamp · 18/09/2025 15:23

do you need the money? If not, just enjoy fun activities as the perks of a successful business owner

Nope, don't need the money.

It's just that I can't stray too far from my work during the day that's all.

OP posts:
PullTheBricksDown · 18/09/2025 15:26

Download Duolingo or a similar app and learn a language? It's good for the brain

Original poster
workingcocker · 18/09/2025 15:27

PullTheBricksDown · 18/09/2025 15:26

Download Duolingo or a similar app and learn a language? It's good for the brain

That is a great idea!! thanks - I will actually do that.

OP posts:
Mymanyellow · 18/09/2025 15:28

workingcocker · 18/09/2025 15:17

Without going into too much detail, my business has natural peaks and troughs. The size of my team is currently perfect in that during the busy times we are all out working, and during the quiet times they are all out working and I'm not. I then pick up the slack as well as do all the running of the business.

Don't worry about my business, that is doing perfectly fine. I just get bored and end up spending too much time in front of Mumsnet or looking at holidays/spending money.

Maybe I should go and walk the dog more often.

You could walk other peoples dogs. Woman I work with pays £25 an hour. I said I’d do it for that.

rookiemere · 18/09/2025 15:29

I collect Avios points by doing online surveys as we get the free annual companion voucher through Amex. Can get very boring, but easy to do in spare time. Before that I did one where you got points that added up eventually to £50 credit. But it probably was worth about a £1 an hour Grin.

Original poster
workingcocker · 18/09/2025 15:30

Mymanyellow · 18/09/2025 15:28

You could walk other peoples dogs. Woman I work with pays £25 an hour. I said I’d do it for that.

Show quote history

I can't commit to things like that though unfortunately as I can't always tell when I will have free time. I was thinking about something I can pick up when I want to.

OP posts:
Returnlamp · 18/09/2025 15:32

workingcocker · 18/09/2025 15:24

The thing is I need to be available, I take phone calls and emails etc. I can't really go off out and about too much. I was thinking about something I could do from my computer.

I do have dogs, who get lovely long walks daily on the beach. I have a teenage child who is doing well at school and is happy.

Show quote history

Surely you can go for a swim or a run or gym during one of your quiet times op?

Original poster
workingcocker · 18/09/2025 15:32

rookiemere · 18/09/2025 15:29

I collect Avios points by doing online surveys as we get the free annual companion voucher through Amex. Can get very boring, but easy to do in spare time. Before that I did one where you got points that added up eventually to £50 credit. But it probably was worth about a £1 an hour Grin.

I think I get Avios points with my bank account. I also love a holiday! I might look into something like this.

OP posts:
Returnlamp · 18/09/2025 15:32

workingcocker · 18/09/2025 15:27

That is a great idea!! thanks - I will actually do that.

Show quote history

Definitely this!!

Returnlamp · 18/09/2025 15:34

workingcocker · 18/09/2025 15:25

Nope, don't need the money.

It's just that I can't stray too far from my work during the day that's all.

Show quote history

Ok so in that case op, don’t even consider stuffing envelopes!!

bake?

Original poster
workingcocker · 18/09/2025 15:34

Returnlamp · 18/09/2025 15:32

Surely you can go for a swim or a run or gym during one of your quiet times op?

Show quote history

I often go swimming in the evenings. I can't be out of reach from my team really, so have to stay nearby at home with my computer.

OP posts:
Original poster
workingcocker · 18/09/2025 15:35

Returnlamp · 18/09/2025 15:34

Ok so in that case op, don’t even consider stuffing envelopes!!

bake?

Show quote history

Nooooooo I would just eat it all. 😂

OP posts:
nomas · 18/09/2025 15:43

I am happy to put stuff together or put things in envelopes etc? Or Surveys?

I had a school friend who did envelope stuffing in the 90s. It paid like £10 for 500 envelopes. I helped her once, it was mind-numbing, slave labour work.

If you're a successful business woman, I'm nonplussed as to why you value your time so little. No man would do this. You'd be better off volunteering.

Returnlamp · 18/09/2025 15:45

nomas · 18/09/2025 15:43

I am happy to put stuff together or put things in envelopes etc? Or Surveys?

I had a school friend who did envelope stuffing in the 90s. It paid like £10 for 500 envelopes. I helped her once, it was mind-numbing, slave labour work.

If you're a successful business woman, I'm nonplussed as to why you value your time so little. No man would do this. You'd be better off volunteering.

You said it better than me. This was precisely my point