The mind boggles!…

[IBOverland]

So, I don’t think I’m an idiot and someone here may tell me otherwise, but I just can’t seem to land on a solid idea for a “side hustle”.

Contrary to many, I actually somewhat enjoy my 9-5 job, ish. Really it’s the people that I enjoy the most and I don’t want to leave what I have as I’ve got it so good.

The wife and I live in relative comfort, rent a lovely little cottage, both work day jobs, no kids as yet (early stages of having one of the way, all being well). I earn £26.5k doing a fairly easy job, I’m after sales care for a national tool wholesaler so I’ve got to know the ins and outs of welders, compressors, starter-chargers and the list goes on. 11,000 odd products, so I have a good grasp of engineering principals, both electrical and mechanical and obviously tooling, no formal qualifications though. Outside of work, interests include 4x4s and travel (overlanding), I volunteer for our local Search and Rescue and generally enjoy the outdoors.

However, our housing costs eat around 65% of our income alone and then we have our personal bills which are as minimal as can be, whilst we do also save we’re not saving as much as I’d really like and even then, we’re each left with a little over £100 a month spending money, which doesn’t go far.

I’ve been ragging my head to the point of exhaustion to come up with something I can do on the side in addition to the day job, just to add a little income. I’m not looking to make my millions, but something that I can just grow into maybe an extra £10-15k a year in income.

I keep coming back to e-commerce but every man and his dog seems to be doing this, is it really viable to start out buying via Ali-Baba and selling online? Is it just a case of good marketing to beat the flooded markets that already exist?

I’ve also had one product idea recently but haven’t a clue as to how to go about R&D and how to figure out if it’s at all viable in the UK. It would build on products that are available in the USA but the off-roading accessories market appears much larger over there than here.

I guess I’m just trying to spark a conversation with those who have possibly been here before and gleam some information or advice. Apologies for the humongous post!

 

[Deleted member 335660]

Well your not alone, I’m 75 and still looking.

I have a younger wife and she came up with idea of a gift shop so we have used our savings to get it started ( 3 days before the Covid Lockdown).

The idea was right, and people love the shop, we are getting some orders over the Internet from around the world, but we are still struggling to get into profit.

Firstly, if you have no savings, don’t give up the day job. Business does take time to develop.

Secondly, yes e-commerce has got much harder and unless you come up with something special or really niche then it will take time and money.

If you have a product idea, you first need a prototype. One of my students had an an idea for a board game and made it up herself to test the game out. So you need to test if the product will work and if people will buy it. You also need to price it up. You need to sell it for at least twice what it cost you.

Finally, don’t give up and if you really think you have found something, have ago. Otherwise you will regret it for the rest of your life

 

[IBOverland]

Well your not alone, I’m 75 and still looking.

I have a younger wife and she came up with idea of a gift shop so we have used our savings to get it started ( 3 days before the Covid Lockdown). Ouch! Typical eh? My brother went self employed just before lockdown also. Wasn’t ideal, bless him, but he made it through with a little help.

The idea was right, and people love the shop, we are getting some orders over the Internet from around the world, but we are still struggling to get into profit.

Firstly, if you have no savings, don’t give up the day job. Business does take time to develop. In fairness, I currently have no plans to leave regardless. The team I work with is just too good.

Secondly, yes e-commerce has got much harder and unless you come up with something special or really niche then it will take time and money.

If you have a product idea, you first need a prototype. One of my students had an an idea for a board game and made it up herself to test the game out. So you need to test if the product will work and if people will buy it. You also need to price it up. You need to sell it for at least twice what it cost you. My struggle here is that it would be a circuit board based product. I have seen UK based board producers, I would hazard a guess I would really need to come up with a quality “product specification” before I can take this much further?

Finally, don’t give up and if you really think you have found something, have ago. Otherwise you will regret it for the rest of your life Thank you for the encouragement, Trevor!

 

[MBE2017]

E-commerce is hard to make a decent profit at, you basically are competing with the whole world.

For the small amount £ side hustle you are looking at, investigate sports spread betting, playing bookies odds off against an exchange. Done correctly you should make £1-200 a week with relative ease, and as importantly no risk.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

The Aussies are a massive force in 4x4 market and have some great attachments to most 4x4's. as a Ex Land rover owner I would suggest you look at what's made in Australia with the potential to import direct with the new trade agreements coming into force

 

[IBOverland]

E-commerce is hard to make a decent profit at, you basically are competing with the whole world.

For the small amount £ side hustle you are looking at, investigate sports spread betting, playing bookies odds off against an exchange. Done correctly you should make £1-200 a week with relative ease, and as importantly no risk.

Spread betting I have heard of but haven’t ever looked in in any anger, if there really that much to be made from it? I’ll have look this evening, might be something to tide us over. Thanks.

The Aussies are a massive force in 4x4 market and have some great attachments to most 4x4's. as a Ex Land rover owner I would suggest you look at what's made in Australia with the potential to import direct with the new trade agreements coming into force

They are! By what you say I’m guessing these newer trade agreements are going to make import to the UK cheaper and easier? Certainly an avenue I’d be interested in investigating.

 

[SEODEV#338055]

This has got to be a joke thread right?

I could come up with 100 side hustle ideas right off the bat

Do you want that list?

 

[IBOverland]

This has got to be a joke thread right?

I could come up with 100 side hustle ideas right off the bat

Do you want that list?

Please! Do enlighten me!

 

[Chris Ashdown]

This has got to be a joke thread right?

I could come up with 100 side hustle ideas right off the bat

Do you want that list?

Ok Lets see you do it without the obvious Amazon / Ebay fight to the bottom easy goods
Go for it

 

[alan1302]

This has got to be a joke thread right?

I could come up with 100 side hustle ideas right off the bat

Do you want that list?

We're waiting!

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

I think there is some disconnect here possibly due to the use of the term “side hustle”. What are you meaning?

Normally if someone said a side hustle, personally I would think of something very basic, low barrier to entry, ad-hoc, perhaps dare I even say cash in hand. Maybe a bit of delivery driving, gardening, leaflet delivering, maybe buying and selling second hand stuff, upcycling furniture, spread betting etc.


I think the things you are talking about are more towards establishing a “proper” business which may end up taking a lot more time than you expect alongside a full time job.

If you really just want a couple of hundred extra pounds a week then maybe think a bit more “basic”? I have a thread in the main forum about Uber delivery driving, could be an option?

 

[Dave Boatman]

Spread betting I have heard of but haven’t ever looked in in any anger, if there really that much to be made from it? I’ll have look this evening, might be something to tide us over. Thanks.

Matched betting was a good way of collecting 95% of bookies sign on bonuses when I was doing it. Initially I made a decent amount but found that after a while bookmakers reduced my bet limits so the returns diminished

 

[SEODEV#338055]

Dropshipping anything in Amazon top 100 most popular products

Amazon.co.uk Best Sellers: The most popular items on Amazon

Not difficult

 

[intheTRADE]

E-commerce is hard to make a decent profit at, you basically are competing with the whole world.

For the small amount £ side hustle you are looking at, investigate sports spread betting, playing bookies odds off against an exchange. Done correctly you should make £1-200 a week with relative ease, and as importantly no risk.

Was just about to recommend Matched Betting

Have a look at OddsMonkey or Profit Accumulator.

If you can spare an hour or so a day you can easily clear £700-1000 per month

 

[alan1302]

Dropshipping anything in Amazon top 100 most popular products

Amazon.co.uk Best Sellers: The most popular items on Amazon

Not difficult

Is that the best you can come up with? Thought you had 100 ideas...anything less obvious on your 'list'?

 

[Fagin2021]

Offer a service that no-one else can, or does, in your local area.

For example and quite unbelievably, there's nowhere near me that owners can board their giraffes when they go away on holiday! An opportunity going begging.

 

[SEODEV#338055]

Is that the best you can come up with? Thought you had 100 ideas...anything less obvious on your 'list'?

Why, aren't you capable of running a turnkey dropshipping business in 2022?

Too busy to list 100 side hustles

They are all listed online, just look on Google

Nothing wrong with copying successful side hustlers

Literally anything can be a side hustle

January - sell diaries and calendars

February - sell umbrellas

March - sell garden plants and gardening tools

April - sell Easter eggs

May - sell sunglasses

June - sell suntan lotion

July - sell US independence day gifts

August - sell football shirts

September - sell school pencil cases

October - sell Halloween costumes

November - sell fireworks

December - sell Christmas tree decorations

 

[intheTRADE]

Offer a service that no-one else can, or does, in your local area.

For example and quite unbelievably, there's nowhere near me that owners can board their giraffes when they go away on holiday! An opportunity going begging.

That's to high risk for my liking

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

That's to high risk for my liking

What's up, aren't you prepared to stick your neck out....?

 

[MBE2017]

What's up, aren't you prepared to stick your neck out....?

I’m surprised since it is a towering opportunity.

 

[fisicx]

Dropshipping anything in Amazon top 100 most popular products

Not difficult

Maybe not difficult for you but learning how to source products, market and manage an Amazon sellers account isn’t simple for many.

 

[japancool]

Become an international arms dealer. Demand is about to skyrocket.

 

[AlanJ1]

Why, aren't you capable of running a turnkey dropshipping business in 2022?

Too busy to list 100 side hustles

They are all listed online, just look on Google

Nothing wrong with copying successful side hustlers

Literally anything can be a side hustle

January - sell diaries and calendars

February - sell umbrellas

March - sell garden plants and gardening tools

April - sell Easter eggs

May - sell sunglasses

June - sell suntan lotion

July - sell US independence day gifts

August - sell football shirts

September - sell school pencil cases

October - sell Halloween costumes

November - sell fireworks

December - sell Christmas tree decorations

You have to be joking right?

Coming up with a "hustle"* is a tiny part of the battle. There is every other aspect needed to be done to actually turn that product into a profit.

Your comment about "dropshipping" from the top 100 on Amazon is actually hilarious. I have multiple products in the top 100 of categories, good luck dropshipping those. Same with every other branded product in that list.

Also dropshipping is highly frowned upon on Amazon now. Amazon are asking for invoices for any new account for ASINs that you list. You can't do this if you dropship.

*** Side note, nothing you mentioned above is a "hustle." If it was everything in the world would be.

 

[AlanJ1]

Maybe not difficult for you but learning how to source products, market and manage an Amazon sellers account isn’t simple for many.

He also forgot to mention getting an Amazon account is taking roughly 3-4 months to be verified right now as well and then limits on said account when opened.

 

[IBOverland]

Crikey, there's a bit here to come back to, and a few chuckles, but here we go;

I think there is some disconnect here possibly due to the use of the term “side hustle”. What are you meaning?

Normally if someone said a side hustle, personally I would think of something very basic, low barrier to entry, ad-hoc, perhaps dare I even say cash in hand. Maybe a bit of delivery driving, gardening, leaflet delivering, maybe buying and selling second hand stuff, upcycling furniture, spread betting etc.


I think the things you are talking about are more towards establishing a “proper” business which may end up taking a lot more time than you expect alongside a full time job.

If you really just want a couple of hundred extra pounds a week then maybe think a bit more “basic”? I have a thread in the main forum about Uber delivery driving, could be an option?

I don't particularly like the term side hustle, I cringe everytime I see it but it's seems the only way to describe it. Maybe somewhere in the middle, is that just me being a awkward bugger? Establishing a "proper" business that could be built over time that could be started along side the 9-5.

Was just about to recommend Matched Betting

Have a look at OddsMonkey or Profit Accumulator.

If you can spare an hour or so a day you can easily clear £700-1000 per month

I think someone previously mentioned spread betting, which having looked into both are very different things. Matched betting may fill a void in the short term however, thanks.

Why, aren't you capable of running a turnkey dropshipping business in 2022?

Too busy to list 100 side hustles

They are all listed online, just look on Google

Nothing wrong with copying successful side hustlers

Literally anything can be a side hustle

January - sell diaries and calendars

February - sell umbrellas

March - sell garden plants and gardening tools

April - sell Easter eggs

May - sell sunglasses

June - sell suntan lotion

July - sell US independence day gifts

August - sell football shirts

September - sell school pencil cases

October - sell Halloween costumes

November - sell fireworks

December - sell Christmas tree decorations

As someone else has mentioned, this forever seems to be a race to the bottom and at this stage, more hassle than it's really worth. Maybe I'm missing something? I think maybe I have mis-led with the term "side-hustle".

Become an international arms dealer. Demand is about to skyrocket.

Oh really, why's that? ??

 

[alan1302]

Why, aren't you capable of running a turnkey dropshipping business in 2022?

I expect I could give it a shot...just thought you may have some other ideas that are a bit more unique after you derided the thread as a 'joke'

 

[japancool]

Oh really, why's that? ??

My mate Vlad told me...

 

[SEODEV#338055]

I don't quite get the purpose of this thread

ANYTHING can be a side hustle

Selling eggs, mint leaves, car stickers, candles, greeting cards, embroidered pillows, second hand smartphones, car parts, the list is as endless as this thread will probably end up being

Just choose something you're interested in and start selling it

 

[MBE2017]

I mentioned sports spread betting, I meant matched betting. Started years ago and stopped for a while, just started again in the last few weeks.

Much easier than people think and risk free. I make £150/200 a week, but then again, I am very lazy.

 

[IBOverland]

I don't quite get the purpose of this thread

ANYTHING can be a side hustle

Selling eggs, mint leaves, car stickers, candles, greeting cards, embroidered pillows, second hand smartphones, car parts, the list is as endless as this thread will probably end up being

Just choose something you're interested in and start selling it

Okay. So let’s take you up on this and see where I’m going wrong. I’ll pick something I’m interested in, so let’s say EDC (every day carry).

So torches, knives, multi tools, wallets, phone cases, just to start. About as flooded as any of the other items you’ve mentioned and arguably the torches are going “out of season” at this point, but for arguments sake.

You mentioned drop-shipping several times, so, what, build a Shopify store, list the items I want to sell and drop ship them from stores I already know. At inflated prices presumably to generate any profit? Or do I have to go looking for items that are discounted/on sale?

Everyone makes drop-shipping sound so easy so there must be something I’m missing?

 

[Trapbarn]

Sports betting!! Absolute madness.
The system always wins in the end.
If you want a bet - I bet you can't find a poor bookie.

 

[intheTRADE]

Sports betting!! Absolute madness.
The system always wins in the end.
If you want a bet - I bet you can't find a poor bookie.

Matched Betting is risk free. You cover all outcomes to generate a profit

 

[IBOverland]

I mentioned sports spread betting, I meant matched betting. Started years ago and stopped for a while, just started again in the last few weeks.

Much easier than people think and risk free. I make £150/200 a week, but then again, I am very lazy.

After looking over the weekend, I had assumed you'd meant matched betting. I was looking into spread betting and thinking "I've been here before with CFDs and this is certainly not a great way of making money!" ?

Sports betting!! Absolute madness.
The system always wins in the end.
If you want a bet - I bet you can't find a poor bookie.

Matched Betting is risk free. You cover all outcomes to generate a profit

Yes, having looked at this I understand it a little more now, a little loop in the system it seems but no bookies seem bothered about it at all. A short term solution I think.

 

[fisicx]

Everyone makes drop-shipping sound so easy so there must be something I’m missing?

Marketing.

There are thousands of people all setting the same tat from the same dropshipper. Everyone all fighting for the same very thin slice of the pie.

You will spend all your time and most of your profits marketing the business. If you aren't a brilliant salesman and have a whole raft of tricks up your sleeve you probably won't sell a single thing.

 

[MattRumbelow]

First of all, I like your honesty. You've got a job you're happy with, but you'd like a bit of extra cash, so you're looking to do something extra. The conversation on this thread has got a bit toxic, so it's good to start there.

I guess one thing to ask is, do you have any particular skills? For instance companies like Fiverr exist for designers/audio/video/voice over people to do a bit of extra work for shitty pay. I've never got on well with them, but they're out there.

I also get the impression that there are people who do stuff like buy cheap furniture off of FB Marketplace, glam it up and resell it. Routes like these seem possible if you're handy.

As for the product design side of things... These can take a lot longer and a lot more resources, but they are doable. Someone I know from my local startup community came up with a simple solution for fixing chains on bikes. He got a prototype working, went on Dragons Den, and now has a successful business (https://rehook.bike/). Sometimes you can get quite far with a simple idea, done well.

 

[MarkOnline]

If I were you I would look at swapping time for money rather than using up your admittedly limited funds. Swap your youth and energy for extra cash. Any extra money you earn save it all and build a small nest egg .
What the work you decide to undertake to earn that extra cash is down to your personal choice and oportunities local to you, you are going to have to do a bit of research to find out. If you dont want to do the research then forget it and learn to make do or ask a forum that offers some not very good ideas. Forget e commerce you will waste your valuable time and resources.

 

[SEODEV#338055]

Okay. So let’s take you up on this and see where I’m going wrong. I’ll pick something I’m interested in, so let’s say EDC (every day carry).

Good start

So torches, knives, multi tools, wallets, phone cases, just to start.

Avoid items which require batteries - torches

Avoid items which are age restricted - knives, check on multi tools

Avoid bulky or heavy items which don't fit in letter boxes or cost arms and legs to ship

Wallets and phone cases are your best ideas so far

About as flooded as any of the other items you’ve mentioned and arguably the torches are going “out of season” at this point, but for arguments sake.

Yes seasonality is hugely important

Summer is approaching - what do people in UK buy for the summer?

Flippy floppers, sandals, sun glasses, wallets, sun tan lotion, swimming shorts, bikinis, swim suits, underwater cameras, swim goggles, beach towels, mini and USB fans, t-shirts, board games, blenders, bbqs, ice cream makers, ice pop moulds, insect repellent, water bottles, paddling pools, balloons, beach bags, inflatable boats and pool floats, super soakers, sun hats, hiking sticks, tents, sleeping bags, picnic mats, hammocks, garden hoses, wet hairbrushes, dresses, bandanas, moisturisers...............

Forget going into business if you are afraid of competition

You mentioned drop-shipping several times, so, what, build a Shopify store, list the items I want to sell and drop ship them from stores I already know.

Yup, and other suppliers

At inflated prices presumably to generate any profit? Or do I have to go looking for items that are discounted/on sale?

That too, why not? Ah, it involves effort!

Everyone makes drop-shipping sound so easy so there must be something I’m missing?

Nothing is easy otherwise we'd all be doing it

Start something with a clear set of objectives and a simple plan

Then get to work

Your biggest asset, and the thing that's running out even as we speak.....is time

Use it wisely

 

[IBOverland]

First of all, I like your honesty. You've got a job you're happy with, but you'd like a bit of extra cash, so you're looking to do something extra. The conversation on this thread has got a bit toxic, so it's good to start there.

Thank you. There I was thinking it was just me who thought it was getting a little off hand..

I guess one thing to ask is, do you have any particular skills? For instance companies like Fiverr exist for designers/audio/video/voice over people to do a bit of extra work for shitty pay. I've never got on well with them, but they're out there.

I do know of Fiverr and other such freelance companies, I've always steered clear however as it's mostly digital skills. SEO, social media, website design, language based transcription and similar. Arguably there are possibly some things I could do there but it would be limited to data entry and basic transcription at best.

Most of my skills are physical rather than digital skills, I love taking stuff apart and working out how it works. I have been a mechanic and worked on farms previously but neither are jobs I want to return to. 12v electrics, accessories, split charge systems and batteries are areas that I'm by no means an expert in but have a decent knowledge and interest in.

I also get the impression that there are people who do stuff like buy cheap furniture off of FB Marketplace, glam it up and resell it. Routes like these seem possible if you're handy.

Again, arguably I could... But I have very little interest in this.

As for the product design side of things... These can take a lot longer and a lot more resources, but they are doable. Someone I know from my local startup community came up with a simple solution for fixing chains on bikes. He got a prototype working, went on Dragons Den, and now has a successful business (https://rehook.bike/). Sometimes you can get quite far with a simple idea, done well.

Nice little product! Well done to him. But certainly I think the product design route is going to be a longer term solution. As you mention, resources!

If I were you I would look at swapping time for money rather than using up your admittedly limited funds. Swap your youth and energy for extra cash. Any extra money you earn save it all and build a small nest egg .
What the work you decide to undertake to earn that extra cash is down to your personal choice and oportunities local to you, you are going to have to do a bit of research to find out. If you dont want to do the research then forget it and learn to make do or ask a forum that offers some not very good ideas. Forget e commerce you will waste your valuable time and resources.

To be fair, most of our funds are stuck in a S&S LISA, the rest is an emergency fund which we've had need for recently so that's being repaid at present also (yay, vet bills!).

At the risk of causing more controversy, there certainly seems to be two sides to this e-commerce story!!

Good start

Avoid items which require batteries - torches

Avoid items which are age restricted - knives, check on multi tools

Avoid bulky or heavy items which don't fit in letter boxes or cost arms and legs to ship

Wallets and phone cases are your best ideas so far

Yes seasonality is hugely important

Summer is approaching - what do people in UK buy for the summer?

Flippy floppers, sandals, sun glasses, wallets, sun tan lotion, swimming shorts, bikinis, swim suits, underwater cameras, swim goggles, beach towels, mini and USB fans, t-shirts, board games, blenders, bbqs, ice cream makers, ice pop moulds, insect repellent, water bottles, paddling pools, balloons, beach bags, inflatable boats and pool floats, super soakers, sun hats, hiking sticks, tents, sleeping bags, picnic mats, hammocks, garden hoses, wet hairbrushes, dresses, bandanas, moisturisers...............

Thank you. Out of curiosity, would you build a brand around this type of supply or would this be another faceless Amazon shop, with all of the items above, changing with seasonality?

You mentioned to pick something I'm interested in, which I did, but you've then listed items that have little or no relation. I understand why you've added those examples above but maybe don't understand why you've said "pick an interest" when this was the road you were going down?

Forget going into business if you are afraid of competition


Yup, and other suppliers

That too, why not? Ah, it involves effort!

I'm not afraid of competition, as I understand it (and others with more experience may have different views on this) a flooded market with plenty of competition in this day and age shows there is demand for said service or items. But this is then where it comes down to marketing. Effort is also not an issue.

Nothing is easy otherwise we'd all be doing it

Start something with a clear set of objectives and a simple plan

Then get to work

Your biggest asset, and the thing that's running out even as we speak.....is time

Use it wisely

I appreciate the reply, but certainly the nonchalant replies you made earlier in the thread give the impression of "it's easy, just get on with it".

Thank you everyone for your replies thus far.

 

[fisicx]

So let’s get back to the beginning. What’s more important: earning a bit of extra cash or doing something you enjoy? You may be lucky and find something that does both but you need to decide which is more important to you.

If it’s a bit of cash then e-commerce in any form isn’t easy if you are starting from scratch. It could take years to build up the necessary skills to actually make more than a few bob.

Have you looked at working in a pub, an Uber driver, working for deliveroo or similar. These could easily bring in useful cash.

Why does your house eat up 65% of your income? Have you spoken to a financial advisor about reducing this?

 

[IBOverland]

So let’s get back to the beginning. What’s more important: earning a bit of extra cash or doing something you enjoy? You may be lucky and find something that does both but you need to decide which is more important to you.

Am I allowed to say both? Short term, cold hard cash. Long term, a more sustainable income stream so, business. In fairness, I would say that the matched betting others have mentioned would suit me for the short term. I've looked into and for the most part understand what's happening there.

If it’s a bit of cash then e-commerce in any form isn’t easy if you are starting from scratch. It could take years to build up the necessary skills to actually make more than a few bob.

Have you looked at working in a pub, an Uber driver, working for deliveroo or similar. These could easily bring in useful cash.

Uber etc on a bike I have considered, need to look into this however as unsure our local area is fitting of this delivery method. I'm reluctant to use either of our cars however.

Why does your house eat up 65% of your income? Have you spoken to a financial advisor about reducing this?

We haven't and likely won't in all honesty. It's an old 3 bed cottage with storage heaters that we rent. Heating is expensive, insulation is lacking but we have a medium sized garden and a garage-come-workshop. It's a farming estate rental so we'll likely never be kicked out. Moving to a more modern house to rent would cancel out with higher rents and introduce a risk of eviction so we'll stay put till we have our deposit money to buy.

Granted, when I say "housing", I should have said "bills" as this includes our food, fuel, insurances, phone bills, everything we deem as "necessary". We have already thinned this down as best we can.