New side hustles you can start today that didn’t exist a few years ago

Many people feel they’ve done every side hustle going. But in the last four years, a whole new set of ways to earn money online has appeared.

Some of them are so new that most people still don’t know they exist.

These ideas don’t need big skills, expensive gear or long training. They fit around real life, whether you’re juggling kids, work, caring or tight money.

Below are eight genuinely modern side hustles, plus clear steps on how you can start each one today.

TikTok Shop live selling and affiliate clips

TikTok Shop is one of the fastest-growing ways to earn extra cash from your phone. You make short videos or go live, show a product, and if someone buys through your link, you earn a chunk of the sale.

This didn’t exist properly in the UK before 2021, and it’s still new enough that early starters do well.

How to start today

1. Create a TikTok account if you don’t already have one.
2. Search for “TikTok Shop Seller Centre” and sign up as a creator.
3. Browse the catalogue and pick a few simple items to promote.
4. Make a 10–20 second clip using your phone showing how you use the product.
5. Add the product link inside the app and post.
6. Once you get confident, try doing a short live session.

What works well
Items under £20, everyday gadgets, home organisers, travel bits and small beauty items.

Action-ready tip:
Start with things you already own, so the video feels natural and takes less than 10 minutes to film.

Amazon review videos for product pages

You can now earn money from Amazon by filming short review videos of items you already have at home. These clips appear directly on Amazon product pages.

Four years ago, this wasn’t something ordinary people could do in the UK.

How to start today

1. Apply to the Amazon Influencer Programme.
2. Walk around your home and pick 5–10 items you can easily talk about.
3. Film a simple clip: what it is, what you like, anything to watch out for.
4. Keep clips between 30 and 60 seconds.
5. Upload through your Amazon dashboard.
6. Once approved, you start earning a small commission whenever someone watches your video and buys.

What works well
Air fryers, toys, cleaning tools, storage items and cheap kitchen gadgets.

Action-ready tip:
Film in natural daylight and speak like you’re chatting to a friend. You don’t need fancy editing.

UGC creator work for brands

UGC means “user generated content”, and brands now pay everyday people to film short videos they can use in adverts or social posts. You don’t need followers because the brand posts it, not you.

This space exploded from around 2022 onwards.

How to start today

1. Pick one theme you’re comfortable with: food, skincare, homewares, pet items or cleaning.
2. Film two or three practice clips, around 15–25 seconds each.
3. Put these into a simple Google Drive folder as your “mini portfolio”.
4. Search for “UGC creator jobs” on Google, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook groups or small creator platforms.
5. Send a friendly message offering to film a test video or bundle.

What brands look for
Friendly faces, normal homes, honest reactions and simple camera work.

Action-ready tip:
Don’t overthink it. Sit near a window, explain how you use the item and show one clear benefit.

Renting out your home EV charger

Community charging apps let you rent out your driveway charger to neighbours. They book through the app, turn up, plug in and pay. You get a cut.

This only became mainstream in the last couple of years.

How to start today

1. Check you have a working home EV charger and off-street parking.
2. Join a UK community charging app.
3. Set your price per kWh or per hour.
4. Add a short description and your availability.
5. Approve bookings and earn each time someone charges.

What works well
Locations near towns, train stations, flats without parking, or places with lots of EV drivers.

Action-ready tip:
Start with low prices to attract your first few bookings, then adjust once you see demand.

Getting paid to rate AI answers

New apps now pay regular people to compare AI answers and pick which one is best. You don’t need training. You just read two answers and choose the clearer one.

This only became a genuine side hustle around 2024–2025.

How to start today

1. Sign up to one or two trusted AI feedback platforms.
2. Complete a short intro quiz so the system knows you can follow instructions.
3. Start rating tasks: you read two replies and choose the better one.
4. Earn small amounts per task, paid weekly or monthly.

What’s realistic
Pocket money, not wages. But it’s easy and good for evenings.

Action-ready tip:
Do it on your phone while watching TV or waiting for kids’ clubs to finish.

Selling AI prompt packs and digital templates

As AI tools have grown, so has the demand for easy, ready-made prompts and templates. People buy guides that help them write posts, plan content or run small businesses more easily.

This wasn’t a thing before late 2022.

How to start today

1. Choose a niche, such as “prompts for small shops” or “AI templates for teachers”.
2. Write a set of clear, simple prompts that solve one problem.
3. Put them in a neat PDF or Canva template.
4. List your pack on Etsy or a prompt marketplace.
5. Add a few screenshots and a simple description.

What sells well
Specific solutions, not giant bundles. People want tidy, focused packs.

Action-ready tip:
Create one pack in under an hour. You can always refine it later once you get your first sale.

Renting out spare internet bandwidth

Some apps now pay a few pounds a month if you let them use a very small part of your spare internet connection. It runs quietly in the background.

It only became mainstream in the last few years as “passive income” apps.

How to start today

1. Make sure your broadband is unlimited.
2. Download a known bandwidth-sharing app.
3. Install it on your computer or phone.
4. Leave it running while your device is connected to the internet.
5. Cash out once you reach the minimum amount.

What to think about
Read the rules and only use apps with good reviews.

Action-ready tip:
Use an old spare laptop or tablet so you don’t notice it running.

Getting paid for your data and shopping habits

A few new platforms let you earn small rewards by sharing your shopping history, phone usage or activity. It’s not loads, but it’s simple.

This idea only became popular around 2023–2024.

How to start today

1. Sign up to a data reward app.
2. Link your accounts or upload receipts each month.
3. Earn points, gift cards or small payouts.
4. Check your rewards once a week and cash out when ready.

What works well
Supermarket shopping, streaming habits, general browsing and monthly bills.

Action-ready tip:
Use a separate email address if you want to keep things tidy.

Final thoughts

These newer side hustles are simple, flexible and made for modern life. You don’t need to gamble money or learn complicated skills. You just need to pick one, try it for a week and see if it fits your routine.