20 Easy Ways To Make Extra Money In Reading
Let’s be honest, life in Reading isn’t cheap. Between the rising cost of rent (average monthly rent here is over £1,300 according to Zoopla) and everyday expenses, it’s no wonder more people are turning to side hustles to keep their bank balance in check.
The good news? There are plenty of ways to earn a little extra cash in Reading, from flexible weekend jobs to online gigs you can do from your sofa.
n fact, one in five UK workers already has a side hustle, with average yearly earnings close to £5,000.
If you’re ready to join them, we’ve pulled together 20 easy ways to make extra money right here in Reading. And if you want even more personalised money-earning tips, make sure you click through to Prograd to find side hustles that fit your lifestyle.
Children’s Entertainer
Reading has no shortage of families, and parents are always looking for party entertainers to keep kids busy.
Local companies pay £40-£80 an hour to dress up as superheroes or princesses for parties, and you get the bonus of flexible weekend work. Perfect if you’ve got confidence and energy to spare.
Earning potential: £80 for a two-hour party
Food Delivery Driver
With Reading’s huge student population and busy town centre, takeaway culture is thriving. Signing up with Deliveroo, Just Eat or Uber Eats means you can use a bike, scooter or car to make quick deliveries around the city.
You’ll especially cash in on weekends and late evenings when orders surge.
Earning potential: £12–£15 an hour plus tips
Tutoring
From GCSE support to university-level help, tutoring is always in demand. Reading has a mix of schools and the University of Reading, making it a hotspot for students who need extra academic support.
You can tutor online via Zoom or face-to-face in town.
Earning potential: £15–£30 an hour
Playing Online Games for Cash
Yes, you can actually get paid to play games. Sites and apps offer cash rewards or vouchers for competing in online tournaments or testing new games. It’s not going to make you rich, but if you love gaming, why not earn while you play? Just make sure to stick to legit platforms.
Earning potential: £5–£10 an hour, with bigger wins possible in tournaments
Retail Jobs in Reading Town Centre
With The Oracle and Broad Street Mall packed with shops, retail work is an easy win for extra cash.
Seasonal jobs at places like Card Factory or Boots are perfect for students who want flexible hours, especially during Christmas.
Earning potential: £10.50–£12.50 an hour plus staff discounts
Freelance Writing
If you’re good with words, turn that skill into extra income. Businesses in Reading and beyond are always looking for blog writers, website content creators and copywriters. It’s flexible, remote, and can build into a solid freelance career.
Earning potential: £20–£50 per article when starting out
Dog Walking and Pet Sitting
Reading’s leafy parks like Prospect Park and Christchurch Meadows make it a dream location for dog walkers. Plenty of owners work long hours in London and need someone reliable to take their pets out. Bonus - you get exercise and fresh air while being paid.
Earning potential: £10–£15 per walk, more for overnight sitting
Online Surveys
Quick, easy, and sofa-friendly. Companies pay for your opinions to shape their products and ads. Sites like Swagbucks or LifePoints give you cash or vouchers for answering surveys. You won’t pay your rent with it, but it’s simple extra pocket money.
Earning potential: £50–£200 a month depending on effort
Social Media Management
Loads of small businesses around Reading - from cafés in Caversham to gyms in Earley - need someone to manage their Instagram or TikTok pages. If you know how to create content and grow a following, you can sell your skills to local businesses.
Earning potential: £200–£500 a month per client
Babysitting
Reading has a big commuter population, with many parents heading into London daily. That means babysitters are always in demand for evenings and weekends. Spread the word in your local area or use childcare apps to find families.
Earning potential: £10–£12 an hour
Food & Hospitality Shifts
From pubs in Friar Street to restaurants by the Oracle riverside, hospitality is always hiring. Roles like waiting tables, bar work, or kitchen assistance can slot in around your studies or main job. Plus, you get tips on top.
Earning potential: £12–£14 an hour plus tips
Virtual Assistant
If you’re organised and tech-savvy, you can manage emails, scheduling, and admin tasks for businesses from home.
Plenty of Reading start-ups and entrepreneurs look for part-time support. It’s flexible and fits well around other commitments.
Earning potential: £12–£20 an hour
Sell Second-Hand Items
With students constantly moving in and out of Reading, there’s a big market for second-hand clothes, books and furniture. Apps like Depop and Vinted are perfect for selling clothes, while Facebook Marketplace is great for bigger items.
Earning potential: £100+ a month depending on what you sell
Airbnb Hosting
Got a spare room in your Reading home? Rent it out on Airbnb. With Reading’s proximity to London and regular events like Reading Festival, there’s always demand for short stays.
Earning potential: £30–£80 a night depending on location
Sell Crafts on Etsy
If you’re creative, sites like Etsy let you turn your handmade jewellery, art prints or candles into cash. Students at Reading Uni often sell their designs at fairs and online. Pair it with social media and you can build a small business.
Earning potential: £100–£500 a month depending on demand
Parcel Delivery
Companies like Amazon and Flow Logistics are always looking for delivery drivers. If you’ve got a car or van, you can earn solid day rates delivering parcels around Reading and the Thames Valley.
Earning potential: £150–£200 a day
Gardening Services
Plenty of Reading households with gardens need help with mowing, planting, and general upkeep. This is especially true in suburbs like Tilehurst and Earley. If you enjoy being outdoors, it’s an easy way to earn extra cash locally.
Earning potential: £12–£20 an hour
Ironing Service
It might sound old school, but people hate ironing, and they’ll pay you to do it. Offer pick-up and drop-off around your neighbourhood and advertise on local Facebook groups.
Earning potential: £1 per item or £10–£15 an hour
Play Music at Events
If you play an instrument or DJ, weddings, pubs and private events in Reading are a solid source of gigs. The city’s nightlife and events scene means there’s plenty of work if you’re willing to promote yourself.
Earning potential: £100 - £300 per event
Work at Reading Festival
Each summer, thousands of people flock to Reading Festival. Temporary jobs range from bar staff to stewarding, and you often get free entry on top of your pay. It’s hard work, but you’ll have an unforgettable experience.
Earning potential: £10–£12 an hour plus perks
Making Money in Reading
Living in Reading doesn’t come cheap, but there are so many creative and flexible ways to make extra money.
Whether it’s freelancing online, helping local families, or making the most of the city’s festival scene, there’s an option for every lifestyle.
Start small, test out a few side hustles, and who knows, one of them could turn into something long-term. For more personalised tips and ideas tailored to you, check out Prograd and find side hustles that work with your life, not against it.