How to Make £500 Extra This Month as a UK Mum (10 Real Ways)
If you need an extra £500 this month, the good news is that there are real, tested ways to get there as a UK mum, most of which don’t require any special skills or upfront investment. The bad news is that there isn’t one magic method. The people who consistently make significant extra income tend to combine two or three approaches that suit their schedule and situation.
This is a guide to the ten most realistic methods, what each one can earn, how quickly, and where to start.
⭐ Our Top Pick: The fastest way to start earning is to sign up to TopCashback and Quidco today. You earn on purchases you’re already making, so it’s not really extra work, just making existing spending work harder.
Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you sign up, at no cost to you. I only recommend tools I have personally used or researched thoroughly.
10 real ways to make extra money as a UK mum
1. Cashback apps (earn: £100 to £300 per year)
The easiest starting point. Sign up to TopCashback and Quidco, install the browser extensions, and earn money back on shopping you’re already doing. It requires almost no effort once set up.
2. Matched betting (earn: £500 to £1,500 in the first few months)
Matched betting uses free bets from gambling sites to generate guaranteed profit. It sounds complicated but platforms like Outplayed walk you through every step. The potential earnings from welcome offers alone are substantial. It’s not suitable for everyone, but for most people it’s a genuine way to make a significant sum in a short time.
3. Switching energy and broadband (earn: £200 to £500 per switch)
If you haven’t reviewed your energy tariff in the last 12 months, you’re almost certainly overpaying. Use Uswitch to compare and switch, and earn additional cashback through TopCashback on top of the tariff saving.
4. Selling on Vinted (earn: £50 to £300+ per month)
If you have clothes, shoes or children’s items you no longer use, Vinted is the best place to sell them. There are no selling fees for sellers, the platform has a large active buyer base in the UK, and children’s items sell particularly well.
5. Online surveys (earn: £30 to £150 per month)
Not life-changing money, but consistent. Prolific is the highest-paying survey platform in the UK, typically paying £6 to £12 per hour for academic studies. Worth doing in the evening or during quiet moments.
6. Freelance work from home (earn: varies widely)
If you have a professional skill from your working life, such as writing, design, bookkeeping, social media management or administration, there is freelance demand for it. Platforms like PeoplePerHour, Upwork, and Fiverr are the easiest starting points.
7. Tutoring (earn: £15 to £40 per hour)
If you’re strong in a school subject, tutoring is one of the most flexible and well-paid ways to earn extra money. You can tutor in-person in your area or online via platforms like Tutorful or MyTutor. Demand is consistently high, particularly for maths, English, science and primary school subjects.
8. Mystery shopping (earn: £5 to £30 per task)
Mystery shopping involves visiting shops, restaurants or services as a regular customer and reporting back on the experience. Pay per task is modest but it’s flexible, and food or retail mystery shopping often includes reimbursement for what you buy.
9. Renting out a room or driveway (earn: £100 to £600+ per month)
If you have a spare room, the UK government’s Rent a Room Scheme lets you earn up to £7,500 per year tax-free from taking in a lodger. If renting a room isn’t for you, renting your driveway via JustPark or YourParkingSpace can earn £50 to £200 per month in many urban areas.
10. Cashback credit cards (earn: £50 to £300 per year)
If you pay off your credit card in full each month, a cashback credit card earns you a percentage on everything you spend. The American Express Cashback Everyday Card and the Santander All in One card are two of the best options for UK residents.
How to reach £500 this month specifically
Start with cashback apps today, as they cost nothing and require no effort. If matched betting is suitable for you, that’s where the biggest potential income is in a short timeframe. Combine it with Vinted sales to clear out items you no longer need. Add Prolific surveys in the evenings. Three of those four together gives most people a realistic path to £500 extra within a month.
Want to track your extra income properly?
The UK Family Budget Starter Kit includes a ready-made spreadsheet with a savings goals tracker and bill tracker. Get everything in one place for just £7.
