The simple side hustles that could net you thousands: From selling unwanted clothes to ‘dropshipping’ and dog walking, SCARLETT MOFFAT reveals what’s really worth trying to top up your savings

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It all began with a £4 pair of leopard-print ankle boots. Scarlett Moffatt, known for her role on Gogglebox, found them at a car-boot sale and resold them online for £12. She was thrilled – she even screamed with excitement, much to the amusement (and slight annoyance) of her partner, Scott. Scott, a police officer, received excited messages from Scarlett while at work each time another item sold. While she eventually realized taking photos and listing the clothes was hard work, she was amazed by how quickly things sold.

Many people are feeling the strain on their finances right now, so it seemed surprising to see Scarlett selling her clothes. Was she really struggling that much, especially with a wedding to fund? Actually, she was doing it for a TV show called ‘Can You Make £10k In 10 Days’ on Channel 4, experimenting with selling clothes on sites like Vinted.

This show dives into the increasingly popular world of ‘side hustles’ – having a second job or way to earn money alongside your main one. Scarlett experiments with different at-home income streams while juggling her regular work and the demands of raising her energetic two-year-old, Jude. The idea for the project came from her own experiences. After having Jude, Scarlett realized how common side hustles had become when she and her friends constantly discussed them over coffee. She was surprised to learn that roughly half of people in the UK have a side hustle, and many are earning around £10,000 a year from it.

It’s often said that some jobs are easier to get than others, but that’s not always the case. In this show, Scarlett meets people who are making surprisingly good money through unconventional methods. For example, Becky from Manchester earns £85,000 a year reselling clothes. She started selling used items online while at university in 2019 and now runs her own shop on TikTok. Just the night before meeting Scarlett, she made £1,500 in just 90 minutes. Then there’s Sophie from Surrey, who claims to earn £100,000 a year folding laundry, though her income is actually from something called ‘affiliate marketing’. She uses Instagram to attract viewers with satisfying laundry-folding videos, then encourages them to buy home organization products through links she provides.

Can someone with no experience actually earn a significant income while relaxing at home? Scarlett is on a quest to discover if it’s possible. She and two helpers tested various side jobs, like selling crafts, offering printing services, and walking dogs. To keep things fair, she used a fake name, knowing that her existing large social media following would influence the results.

One of the biggest things for me about Scarlett’s approach was how real she kept it. She made a firm rule that she wouldn’t pretend to have more time than she actually did. Since Jude doesn’t go to nursery and she wasn’t planning on getting childcare just for filming, everything had to fit into the time she genuinely had available. That meant filming on train journeys or whenever Jude was napping! It also meant the ‘side hustles’ she featured had to be super accessible. She really wanted to avoid anything that needed a big initial investment – she didn’t want people needing to spend £250 just to get started. Some of them were completely free, and the ones that cost anything were usually around £12, which felt so much more achievable.

How did she do? We can’t say if she’ll reach her goal – and maybe giving up her regular job isn’t the best idea! – but the project got off to a good start. Scarlett began by visiting a car-boot sale to find clothes she could resell. She also bought unclaimed luggage online from airport lost-and-found sites. There were a few unpleasant surprises – some of the clothes smelled after being packed away for months – but she ended up with a huge pile of items to clean, photograph, and list for sale. While she could have done without all the laundry (she already has plenty with a child!), she was happily surprised by how manageable the whole process was.

I’ve seen a lot of people try dropshipping lately, and it’s a really interesting concept. Basically, you create an online store, but instead of holding any inventory yourself, the products ship directly from the supplier to your customer. It’s a great way to start an online business without needing a ton of space! I was chatting with Scarlett about it, and she found it a bit overwhelming. She put in a lot of effort, but ultimately couldn’t quite finish building her website. It just wasn’t the right fit for her, and that’s totally okay – not every side hustle will be!

She hadn’t heard of direct printing before, but it’s pretty simple: you create an online shop and design things people can personalize – like phone cases and bags. These items are then shipped directly to the customer. Scarlett doesn’t need to be a designer; she uses AI to create cute images, and just like that, she has a product – or rather, a whole line of them. She’s amazed when her first order comes through.

She scores another victory – a boost to her confidence, even if it doesn’t immediately bring in a lot of money – by starting a website to sell handmade goods. As a passionate ballroom dancer, she notices a demand for kits that let dancers easily decorate their dresses with adhesive beads.

Okay, so she knows she’s probably not going to get rich doing this, but honestly, the reaction she gets is amazing! It’s not about the money, it’s about the thrill of finding these things and getting them to people who will love them. And the best part? It feels good knowing she’s keeping stuff out of landfills – it’s a win-win, seriously! It’s just… so satisfying to see everything get a second life.

One of the supporting characters is a woman who lost her job but discovers that walking dogs as a side job helps her regain a sense of independence and confidence. “It showed her she’s capable of taking care of herself,” explains Scarlett.

Okay, so this show is just perfect. It’s so easy to watch, and honestly, it doesn’t get bogged down in whether using AI for fashion is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ – which is amazing! Scarlett gets it, though. She told me it’s exactly the kind of thing she loves to watch, and that’s why she signed on to host. I knew she’d be brilliant, and it’s just… everything I hoped for!

Can you believe it’s been twelve years since I first appeared on Gogglebox? As a girl from County Durham who just says things as she sees them, I really didn’t expect it to turn into a career! Honestly, I thought it would be a bit of fun, maybe five minutes of fame, but here I still am, and I’m absolutely amazed!

After winning ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’ in 2016, Scarlett landed presenting roles on popular shows such as ‘Streetmate’ and ‘Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.’ She also went on to host her own programs, including ‘Scarlett’s Driving School’ in 2023.

So, has she become wealthy? Her reaction suggests she doesn’t think so. Despite any financial success, she believes that growing up working-class means you always feel the need for a financial cushion, no matter how much money you earn.

You know, one of the things I admire most about Scarlett is how wonderfully down-to-earth she is. She briefly tried the London life when she became well-known, but she realized her heart was back in County Durham with her husband, Scott. What’s amazing is having both sets of parents so close – it means she doesn’t need to worry about formal childcare, which is a huge help. Honestly, she’s told me she’s much happier embracing a slower pace of life. She’s a true country girl at heart, and she loves the strong sense of community there. That’s exactly the kind of environment she wants for her son, Jude – a place where he can really grow up feeling connected.

After having Jude, she struggled with the decision to return to work. She really cherished being a mother, especially since it had taken years to conceive, and wanted to enjoy every moment with him. However, she also loved her career, missed having interactions with adults, and needed to contribute financially.

Now that she has less free time, will she keep up with her side jobs? Probably not, but she’s definitely in favor of buying used clothes for her kids and renting outfits instead of purchasing new ones. She says it’s a practical and increasingly popular approach.

And maybe she can use her craft kits to bling up her wedding dress, which will save a penny or two.

  • Can You Make £10k In 10 Days? airs Friday, January 9 at 8pm on Channel 4

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2026-01-02 15:23