Top 5 Side Hustles to Pay Off Debt Faster: Earn Extra Income

Paying off debt can feel daunting, but earning extra income through side hustles can significantly speed up your journey to becoming debt-free. A side hustle is a part-time gig you can do alongside your regular job, bringing in additional cash to put toward your debt payments. Whether you’re tackling credit card debt, student loans, or personal loans, even a small amount of extra income can help you pay off debt faster and save on interest.

In this article, we’ll explore five top side hustles to pay off debt faster, each designed to fit different skills, schedules, and income goals. From freelancing online to delivering food, these side gigs can help you earn extra income without committing to a second full-time job. We’ll also share the story of Liam, a 29-year-old office worker who used a side hustle to pay off £3,000 in debt faster than he thought possible, showing how a little extra effort can lead to big financial wins.

To see how much faster you can pay off your debt with side hustle income, we’ll show you how to use our free Debt Payoff Calculator. Adding even £50 or £100 a month to your debt payments can shave months—or years—off your repayment timeline. Ready to earn extra income and clear your debt? Let’s dive into the best side hustles to help you achieve your debt-free goals.

Side Hustle 1: Freelancing Online

Freelancing online is a flexible side hustle to earn extra income for debt repayment. If you have skills like writing, graphic design, or social media management, platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer can connect you with clients. Even without specialized skills, you can offer services like virtual assistance or data entry.

Freelancers can earn £10-£50 per hour, depending on the gig. If you spend 10 hours a week writing at £20 per hour, that’s £200 a month. On a £5,000 debt at 15% interest with a £100 minimum payment, the Debt Payoff Calculator shows that adding £200 a month cuts your payoff time from 94 months to 31 months, saving £3,200 in interest.

To start, create a profile on a freelancing platform and take on small projects to build your portfolio. Set a schedule—perhaps 2 hours a day—and dedicate all earnings to your debt. Use our Debt Payoff Calculator to see how freelancing can accelerate your debt repayment.

Side Hustle 2: Ridesharing or Delivery Driving

If you have a car, ridesharing or delivery driving can help you make money to pay off debt. Apps like Uber, Lyft, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats let you earn by driving passengers or delivering food, with the flexibility to work on your schedule, such as evenings or weekends.

Drivers often earn £8-£15 per hour after expenses. If you work 10 hours a week delivering for Deliveroo and earn £120, the Debt Payoff Calculator shows that on a £3,000 credit card debt at 18% interest with a £75 minimum payment, adding £120 a month reduces your payoff time from 59 months to 23 months, saving £1,400 in interest.

Sign up with a delivery or ridesharing app, complete their onboarding, and work during peak hours—like Friday evenings—to maximize earnings. Track expenses (fuel, maintenance) to ensure profitability, and apply all earnings to your debt. Use our Debt Payoff Calculator to see how this gig speeds up your repayment.

Side Hustle 3: Selling Items Online

Selling items online is a low-effort side hustle to earn extra income to clear debt. Platforms like eBay, Etsy, and Depop let you sell unused clothes, electronics, or handmade crafts. It’s perfect if you have items to declutter or enjoy creating things like jewelry or art.

Earnings can range from £50-£150 a month. If you sell £100 worth of items monthly, the Debt Payoff Calculator shows that on a £4,000 debt at 10% interest with a £100 minimum payment, adding £100 a month cuts your payoff time from 58 months to 32 months, saving £700 in interest.

Take clear photos, write detailed descriptions, and price competitively. Dedicate a few hours a week to listing items, and reinvest profits into your debt. This side hustle helps you declutter while bringing you closer to debt freedom. Use our Debt Payoff Calculator to see the impact of your earnings.

Side Hustle 4: Tutoring or Teaching Online

If you’re knowledgeable in a subject—like math or languages—tutoring online can be a lucrative side hustle to pay off debt faster. Platforms like Tutorful, Preply, and iTalki connect you with students, or you can offer local tutoring in your community.

Tutors often charge £15-£40 per hour. If you tutor 5 hours a week at £20 per hour, that’s £100 a month. On a £6,000 debt at 12% interest with a £150 minimum payment, the Debt Payoff Calculator shows that adding £100 a month cuts your payoff time from 62 months to 37 months, saving £1,500 in interest.

Sign up on a tutoring platform, set up your profile, and schedule sessions around your job—perhaps evenings. Use Zoom for online lessons and apply all earnings to your debt. Use our Debt Payoff Calculator to see how tutoring can help you become debt-free faster.

Side Hustle 5: Online Surveys and Microtasks

Online surveys and microtasks are a simple way to earn extra income for debt repayment with minimal time or skills. Sites like Swagbucks, Prolific, and Amazon Mechanical Turk pay for surveys, videos, or small tasks like data categorization.

Earnings range from £20 to £80 a month. If you earn £50 a month by spending an hour a day on surveys, the Debt Payoff Calculator shows that on a £2,000 debt at 15% interest with a £50 minimum payment, adding £50 a month reduces your payoff time from 58 months to 32 months, saving £450 in interest.

Sign up for reputable survey sites, set aside 30-60 minutes a day, and apply earnings to your debt. Avoid scams by sticking to well-known platforms. Use our Debt Payoff Calculator to see how small earnings from surveys can speed up your debt repayment.

Cautionary note on side hustles to pay off debt

While these side hustles can be effective, it’s worth noting that popular hustles like ridesharing or online surveys can become saturated, making it harder to earn consistent income. The other situation if living in a Western country is that you are competing for freelance gigs against others who live in a lower-cost country and can bid a cheaper rate. The above models are still valid but it is best to add your brand into it to make your offering more unique from you. Choose a gig you’re passionate about, as you’re more likely to stick with it and excel. For example, if you love woodworking, you could create bespoke wooden animals to sell on Etsy, turning a hobby into profit.

Alternatively, align your side hustle with your values—consider becoming a local handyman to help elderly neighbors who can no longer paint their homes, combining earning potential with a sense of purpose. By thinking creatively and tapping into your unique skills or values, you can find a side hustle that not only helps you pay off debt but also brings fulfillment and stands out in a crowded market.

One other cautionary note is to check your tax code. Some countries require you to pay taxes over a certain level of side hustle income.

Case Study: Liam’s Debt Payoff Success with a Side Hustle

To see how a side hustle can transform your debt repayment, let’s look at Liam, a 29-year-old office worker from Leeds who paid off £3,000 in debt faster by driving for Uber on weekends.

Liam had a £3,000 credit card debt at 18% interest with a £75 minimum payment. His office job barely covered his bills, and the Debt Payoff Calculator showed it would take 59 months to pay off his debt, with £1,900 in interest. Determined to speed things up, Liam started driving for Uber 10 hours a week on Friday evenings and Saturdays. After fuel and expenses, he earned £120 a month, which he applied to his credit card.

The Debt Payoff Calculator showed that adding £120 a month reduced his payoff time to 23 months, saving £1,400 in interest. Liam tracked his progress monthly, celebrating each £500 milestone, which kept him motivated. After 23 months, he made his final payment and became debt-free, gaining confidence to save for future goals. Liam’s story shows that a side hustle can make a huge difference. Use our Debt Payoff Calculator to create your plan and see how much faster you can pay off your debt.

Conclusion

Earning extra income through side hustles is a powerful way to pay off debt faster and reduce financial stress. Whether you choose freelancing, ridesharing, selling items, tutoring, or surveys, each gig can help you bring in cash to put toward your debt. Even small amounts—like £50 or £100 a month—can shave months off your repayment timeline and save hundreds in interest, as shown with our Debt Payoff Calculator.

Liam’s success story proves that a side hustle can transform your debt repayment journey. By driving for Uber, he earned £120 a month, paid off his £3,000 debt in 23 months, and saved £1,400 in interest. His story shows that with extra effort, you can achieve your debt-free goals faster. Pick a side hustle, set a schedule, and dedicate your earnings to your debt. Use our Debt Payoff Calculator to see how much faster you can become debt-free.

Have questions? Check our FAQ page, or contact us for support. Start today—earn extra income and clear your debt faster!