The Side Hustle Hiding in Your Local WhatsApp Group – Without Annoying the Neighbours

From dog walks to click-and-collect runs, your neighbourhood WhatsApp group could be the easiest place to find paid side hustle work – if you do it kindly, clearly and without sounding like a pyramid seller.

During the pandemic, local WhatsApp and Facebook groups sprang up everywhere. Villages set them up. Market towns set them up. London boroughs set them up. They helped people stay connected, collect prescriptions, check in on older neighbours and look after each other when life felt uncertain.Years later, many of those groups are still going. They are where people ask to borrow ladders, look for lost cats, recommend plumbers and find someone to pop round when they are stuck at work and the dog needs letting out.

That is where a clever side hustle opportunity may be hiding.

Not in a “DM me hun” way. Not in a “I’ve discovered an amazing business opportunity” way. And absolutely not in the pyramid-selling, aloe-vera-pushing, miracle-supplement style that makes everyone silently mute the group.

This is different. This is about offering a genuine, useful local service to people who already know you, trust you and may actually need your help.

MoneyMagpie angle

Your local WhatsApp group is not just a place to advertise. It can be the bridge between “I do the odd favour for neighbours” and “I have a small, trusted local side hustle.”

The overlooked side hustle: turning local goodwill into paid work

Most side hustle advice focuses on selling online, renting out a room or starting a digital business. But there is another option much closer to home: charging fairly for the practical help neighbours already ask for.

Think about the messages that appear in local groups all the time:

• “Can anyone let the dog out at lunchtime?”
• “Does anyone know someone who could mow a small lawn?”
• “Can anyone collect a prescription for my mum?”
• “Is there someone local who can feed the cat while we’re away?”
• “Can anyone help my dad set up his new phone?”

These are not fantasy side hustles. They are real, everyday problems. And people often prefer to pay someone local, reliable and already known in the community rather than book a stranger through an app.

This is not about flogging products

Let’s be very clear: this is not about using your local group to sell products, recruit people into schemes or post constant “small business” adverts that turn out to be multi-level marketing.

Most people are tired of that. The beauty products. The wellness powders. The “passive income” pitches. The posts that pretend to be friendly but are really sales funnels.

This article is about something else entirely: offering practical services that solve real local problems.

Do not be this person

• Do not cold-join a group just to advertise.
• Do not post every few days.
• Do not push MLM, pyramid-selling or recruitment-style offers.
• Do not guilt neighbours into booking you.
• Do not turn every community conversation into a sales opportunity.

When is it OK to offer your services?

It is usually fine to post about your side hustle if you have genuinely been part of the community first.

Ask yourself:

• Have I been in the group for a while?
• Have I helped or contributed before?
• Would people broadly recognise my name?
• Am I offering something useful and local?
• Would this feel like a neighbour sharing a service rather than a stranger dropping an advert?

If the answer is yes, you are probably on safe ground.

Quick rule of thumb

If your first ever contribution to the group is “Hi ladies, I’ve started a new venture!”, it’s probably a no. If you’ve spent two years helping neighbours, answering questions and being part of the community, it’s a very different story.

Five side hustle ideas to offer in your local WhatsApp group

1. Dog walks, pet pop-ins and “let the dog out” visits

This is one of the easiest local services to offer, especially if you are already known as someone who likes animals.

You could offer:

• letting dogs out for a wee
• short lunchtime walks
• cat feeding
• holiday pet checks
• feeding fish, rabbits or guinea pigs

What to charge:

• £8–£12 for a 15-minute pet pop-in
• £12–£18 for a 30-minute dog walk
• £20–£30 for two visits in one day
• £10–£15 for cat feeding or small pet checks

MoneyMagpie Tip

If you are already checking on several neighbours’ dogs most weeks for free, it may no longer be a favour. It may be an unpaid job. Emergency one-offs can stay free if you want, but regular weekly care should be priced.

2. Lawn mowing and garden tidy-ups

Lots of people do not need a professional gardener. They just need someone to mow the lawn, sweep leaves, water pots or tidy the garden before visitors arrive.

What to charge:

• £15–£25 for a small lawn mow
• £25–£40 for a larger garden tidy
• £15 per half hour for weeding, watering or general upkeep
• a monthly price for regular customers

3. Click-and-collect, prescription runs and errands

This is one of the best post-pandemic side hustle ideas because it started as community help and still solves a real problem.

You could offer:

• prescription collections
• click-and-collect pickups
• parcel drop-offs
• small emergency shops
• dry-cleaning collections

What to charge:

• £5–£8 for a quick local collection
• £10–£15 for a larger errand run
• £20+ for multiple errands in one trip
• a weekly regular slot for repeat clients

Why this works so well

This kind of errand service is one of the easiest local side hustles to start because it doesn’t need specialist qualifications – just reliability, flexibility and a willingness to help with the jobs people struggle to fit into the day.

4. Holiday house checks, plant watering and cat feeding

When people go away, they often need someone to water plants, put bins out, check post, feed cats or make sure the house looks occupied.

What to charge:

• £8–£12 for a short visit
• £15–£25 for a longer visit with pet care
• £40–£70 per week for a simple house-check package

5. Tech help and life admin support

This is the sleeper hit. Every community has people who need help with everyday tech and admin but do not know who to ask.

You could help with:

• setting up phones or tablets
• printing return labels
• online forms
• scanning documents
• Zoom, WhatsApp or smart TV setup
• basic digital troubleshooting

What to charge:

• £15–£20 for 30 minutes
• £25–£35 for a one-hour home visit
• £10 for quick one-off tasks

The side hustle people forget

Tech help is often overlooked because it sounds too small to be a “real” business. But helping someone set up a phone, print labels or navigate online forms is exactly the kind of practical task people ask about in local groups all the time.

How often should you post?

Less often than you think.

The point is not to become a permanent advert in everyone’s pocket. Post once clearly, then let recommendations, repeat customers and word of mouth do the work.

Posting rules

Do:

• Post one clear introductory message.
• Post again when it is seasonally relevant.
• Reply when someone directly asks for recommendations.
• Ask happy customers if they would recommend you.

Don’t:

• Bump your advert every week.
• Hijack unrelated posts.
• Use pushy sales language.
• Copy and paste the same message constantly.

As a rule, posting about your service once every couple of months is plenty unless the group has a specific day or thread for local businesses.

What language should you use?

The best posts sound neighbourly, clear and low-pressure.

Use phrases like:

• “If it’s useful…”
• “I’m now offering…”
• “Happy to help with…”
• “I’ve got room for a couple of local clients.”
• “Feel free to message me if you’d like details.”

Avoid phrases like:

• “Exciting opportunity”
• “DM me hun”
• “Passive income”
• “Boss babe”
• “Limited spaces” unless you really mean it

Example of good wording

“Hi everyone – I’m based in and I’m now offering local pet pop-ins, dog walks and small errand runs. I already help a few neighbours and thought I’d mention it here in case it’s useful to anyone else. Happy to chat through what’s needed.”

What if you have already been doing it for free?

This is the awkward bit, and it happens a lot.

Maybe you started checking on a neighbour’s dog during the pandemic. Then another neighbour asked. Then someone else needed help. Suddenly you are letting out five dogs most weeks, doing the odd walk and fitting your day around everyone else’s pets.

You never charged because it started as kindness. But now it is regular, time-consuming and starting to look like a job.

The answer is not to send a backdated invoice. It is to reset expectations going forward.

Script to move from free favour to paid service

“I’ve really enjoyed helping with the dogs and I’m very happy to keep doing it when I can. Because it has become a regular part of my week, I’m starting to offer pet visits and dog walks more formally as a paid side service. From [date], regular visits will be £X and walks will be £Y. I wanted to give you plenty of notice so you can decide what works best for you.”

An easier way to think about it

You are not suddenly charging for kindness. You are separating one-off neighbourly favours from repeat weekly care. That is a perfectly fair boundary to draw.

A WhatsApp post you can adapt

“Hi everyone – after helping a few neighbours with dog walks, pet pop-ins and errands over the last couple of years, I’m starting to offer it more formally as a small local side hustle. I’m based in and can help with dog walks, letting pets out for a wee, cat feeding, holiday pet checks, simple errand runs and the odd garden job. Prices depend on what’s needed, but I’m very happy to chat it through. If it’s useful, feel free to drop me a message.”

The bottom line

If your local WhatsApp group is full of pyramid sellers and constant product posts, it is easy to assume there is no tasteful way to use it for business.

But there is.

The trick is to stop thinking, “What can I sell these people?” and start thinking, “What do people in this community already need help with, and could I offer that reliably for a fair price?”

Your neighbours probably do not want another sales pitch. They may well want someone trustworthy who can check on the dog, collect a prescription, water the tomatoes, mow the lawn or sort out the printer.

And if you are already the person quietly doing those things for free, your WhatsApp group might not just be where the work comes from.

It might be the place you realise you had a side hustle all along.

Bottom line

The best WhatsApp-group side hustles are not the spammiest ones. They are the useful, trustworthy, local services people genuinely need – offered by someone who already feels like part of the community.

FAQs

Can I advertise my side hustle in a local WhatsApp group?

Yes, if you are already part of the community and are offering a genuinely useful local service. Keep the post clear, friendly and low-pressure.

How often should I post about my services?

Usually once every couple of months is enough, unless the group has a specific local business thread. It is better to rely on recommendations than constant posting.

What are good side hustles for local WhatsApp groups?

Good options include dog walking, pet sitting, lawn mowing, click-and-collect runs, prescription collections, holiday house checks, plant watering and tech help.

Should I charge neighbours if I used to help for free?

Yes, if the favour has become regular. One-off emergency help can stay free, but repeated weekly work should be priced fairly.

How do I avoid sounding like a pyramid seller?

Offer a practical service, not a vague opportunity. Avoid phrases like DM me hun, passive income or exciting business opportunity. Be specific about what you do and what it costs.

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The post The Side Hustle Hiding in Your Local WhatsApp Group – Without Annoying the Neighbours appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

How to Make Money Selling Homemade Jam and Chutney

Love making jam, chutney or marmalade? Your kitchen hobby could become a profitable side hustle — but only if you do it properly.

Homemade preserves are brilliant small-business products. They are relatively low-cost to make, easy to batch-produce, attractive as gifts and ideal for selling at markets, online, through social media or via local farm shops and delis.

But because you are selling food, there are legal and safety rules to follow. This guide explains how to start selling homemade jams and chutneys in the UK, including registration, food hygiene, labelling, pricing and where to sell.

At a glance

• You can sell homemade jam and chutney from home in the UK, but you usually need to register as a food business.
• You should register with your local authority at least 28 days before trading.
• Your jars need compliant labels, including ingredients, allergens, best-before date, net weight and business details.
• Pricing must include jars, labels, energy, market fees, packaging and your time — not just ingredients.
• Start with one or two products, sell locally first, then scale once you know what works.

Can you make money selling homemade jam and chutney?

Yes. Selling homemade preserves can be a very good side hustle, especially if you enjoy cooking, have access to seasonal fruit or vegetables, and like the idea of building a small food brand.

A jar of homemade jam or chutney might sell for around £3.50 to £6.50, depending on the ingredients, jar size, branding and where it is sold. Premium flavours, local ingredients and gift sets can often command more.

The key is margin. A jar that costs £1.50 to make and sells for £5 gives you room for profit. A jar that costs £3.20 to make and sells for £4.50 leaves very little once you include time, packaging and fees.

Why jams and chutneys work well as a side hustle

Jams, chutneys and preserves are popular because they are familiar, giftable and easy to sell in small batches. You do not need to launch with a huge product range or expensive premises. Many small sellers start from a domestic kitchen, provided it is suitable and they follow food safety rules.

They also suit seasonal selling. Think strawberry jam in summer, blackberry and apple jam in autumn, and spiced chutney gift sets at Christmas.

How to get started in 10 steps

1. Choose one or two products. Start with a simple range, such as one jam and one chutney.
2. Cost each recipe. Include fruit, sugar, vinegar, spices, jars, lids, labels, energy, packaging and your time.
3. Standardise your recipe. Write down exact weights, timings, temperatures and jar yield.
4. Register your food business. Do this with your local authority at least 28 days before selling.
5. Prepare your kitchen. Set up cleaning routines, safe storage, pest control and food-safe working areas.
6. Create food safety paperwork. Keep batch sheets, supplier records, cleaning logs and allergen notes.
7. Take food hygiene training. A Level 2 Food Hygiene/Food Safety course is a sensible starting point.
8. Design compliant labels. Include the food name, ingredients, allergens, best-before date, net weight and business details.
9. Pick your first sales channel. Try markets, local shops, social media, Etsy or your own website.
10. Launch small and improve. Sell a test batch, collect feedback, adjust pricing and scale your bestsellers.

The legal basics of selling jam and chutney in the UK

1. Register as a food business

If you prepare, store, handle or sell food, you will usually need to register your food business with your local authority. This applies whether you sell from home, online, at markets, through social media or to local shops.

Registration is generally free and should be done at least 28 days before you start trading.

2. Make sure your home kitchen is suitable

You do not necessarily need a commercial kitchen to start. However, your domestic kitchen must be clean, organised and suitable for producing food safely.

You should think about washable surfaces, handwashing, ingredient storage, keeping pets away during production, pest control, cleaning routines and safe storage for finished jars.

3. Follow food safety rules

When you sell food, you are responsible for making sure it is safe to eat. For jam and chutney, this includes using safe recipes, clean jars and lids, proper sterilising methods, reliable batch records and suitable storage instructions.

Be especially careful with low-sugar recipes, unusual ingredients or anything where the acidity, sugar level or shelf life may not be straightforward.

4. Keep basic food safety records

A small food business should have a food safety management system based on HACCP principles. In plain English, this means you should know what could go wrong and how you prevent it.

Keep records of:

• ingredients and suppliers
• batch dates
• recipe quantities
• jar numbers or batch codes
• cleaning routines
• allergens
• where batches were sold

5. Label your jars correctly

Pre-packed jars usually need a clear label including:

• name of the food
• ingredients list in descending weight order
• allergen information clearly emphasised
• best-before date
• net weight
• storage instructions where needed
• business name and address
• batch or lot information

If you describe a product as jam, jelly or marmalade, be aware that those names have specific compositional and labelling rules. For example, jam labels may need fruit and sugar content statements.

Important legal note

Food rules can vary depending on what you sell, how you package it and where in the UK you are based. Always check with your local authority or environmental health team before launching.

What equipment do you need?

You can start small, but you will need reliable, clean equipment. Useful basics include:

• large preserving pan or heavy stock pot
• digital scales
• jam funnel
• ladle
• sugar thermometer or digital probe thermometer
• glass jars and new lids
• labels
• cleaning products suitable for food preparation areas
• storage boxes or shelving
• batch record spreadsheet or notebook

Best jam and chutney ideas to sell

Do not launch with too many flavours. A small, strong range is easier to make, label, price and sell.

Good beginner jam ideas

• strawberry jam
• raspberry jam
• blackberry and apple jam
• rhubarb and ginger jam
• chilli jam

Good beginner chutney ideas

• caramelised onion chutney
• tomato chutney
• apple chutney
• mango chutney
• spiced Christmas chutney

How to price homemade jam and chutney

Many new sellers undercharge because they only count ingredients. You must include every cost.

Your price should cover:

• ingredients
• jars and lids
• labels
• tamper seals or tags
• energy
• cleaning products
• market stall fees
• card payment fees
• website or marketplace fees
• postage and packaging
• your time

Simple pricing example

Imagine one batch makes 12 jars of chutney.

• Ingredients: £11
• Jars and lids: £8.40
• Labels and seals: £3.60
• Energy and cleaning: £2
• Market/overhead allowance: £3

Total batch cost: £28

Cost per jar: £2.33

If you sell each jar for £4.95, turnover is £59.40 and gross margin before wider business costs is £31.40.

Where to sell homemade jam and chutney

Farmers’ markets and craft fairs

Markets are one of the easiest places to start. You get instant feedback, can offer samples where permitted, and can sell gift sets face to face.

Local shops and delis

Farm shops, independent delis, butchers, bakeries and gift shops may be open to stocking local preserves. Take samples, a price list and clear product information.

Social media

Instagram, Facebook and local community groups can work well for seasonal launches, limited batches and local delivery.

Etsy and online marketplaces

Marketplaces can work for gift sets, but fees and postage costs must be built into your pricing.

Your own website

A website is best for long-term brand building. It gives you control over your product pages, email list, SEO and repeat customers.

How to make your products stand out

Good branding makes a homemade product feel professional and giftable. Focus on clear labels, consistent jars, attractive photography and flavour names that people understand.

For example, “Spiced Plum Christmas Chutney” is clearer than “Winter Warmer”. You can still add personality in the description.

Do you need insurance?

Product liability and public liability insurance are strongly recommended when selling food. Some markets and retailers may require proof of insurance before allowing you to trade.

Do you need to tell HMRC?

If you are selling regularly and making money, keep proper records of income and expenses. Depending on your earnings and circumstances, you may need to register as self-employed and declare your income to HMRC.

Common mistakes to avoid

• pricing too cheaply
• launching too many flavours
• guessing shelf life
• forgetting allergen labelling
• not registering as a food business
• using inconsistent recipes
• failing to keep batch records
• ignoring postage and packaging costs

Is selling jam and chutney worth it?

Yes — if you enjoy making preserves and are prepared to treat it like a real food business.

Start with a small range, register properly, label your jars correctly and price for profit. Then test your products at local markets, through social media or with independent shops.

It may begin with a few jars on a kitchen table, but with the right systems and branding, homemade jam and chutney can become a reliable long-term side hustle.

FAQs

Can I sell homemade jam from home in the UK?

Yes, but you will usually need to register as a food business with your local authority and make sure your kitchen and processes are suitable for producing food safely.

Do I need a food hygiene certificate to sell jam?

You need to understand food hygiene and handle food safely. A Level 2 Food Hygiene/Food Safety course is a sensible and inexpensive way to show you have basic training.

Do I need to register with the council to sell chutney?

Usually yes. If you are preparing or selling food, you should register with your local authority at least 28 days before trading.

What needs to go on a homemade jam label?

Your label will usually need the food name, ingredients list, allergens, best-before date, net weight, storage instructions where needed, business name and address, and batch information.

Can I sell jam on Facebook or Etsy?

Yes, but online selling still counts as selling food. You must follow food business registration, food safety and labelling rules.

How much should I charge for homemade jam?

Many small sellers charge around £3.50 to £6.50 per jar, depending on ingredients, size, packaging and sales channel. Always calculate your real cost per jar before setting your price.

Read about how to set up a cake shed here. 

“`

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Weird Ways to Make Money: Yes, You Can Get Paid to Insult People Online

Fancy getting paid for being sarcastic? Believe it or not, people are handing over real money to be roasted, mocked and hilariously insulted online.

We love sharing weird and unusual side hustles with you and this is no different. From personalised video takedowns to comedy roast requests, there is a growing market for creators who can deliver witty banter on demand and literally get paid to insult people. While it sounds ridiculous, some people have turned roasting strangers into a genuine side hustle.

And no, we are not talking about trolling.

We are talking about customers who actively pay for custom insults, funny reality checks and personalised comedy content.

Here is how the bizarre business works, and how you could make money from it.

In This Article

• Why people pay to be insulted
• Where to find paying customers
• How much money you can make
• The rules you need to follow
• Tips for becoming a successful roast creator

Yes, People Really Pay For This

Starter: £20 to £100 per month

Part-time creator: £100 to £500 per month

Established creator: £500+ per month

The more entertaining and shareable your content becomes, the more opportunities you will have to earn through subscriptions, tips and custom requests.

Wait… Why Would Anyone Pay to Be Insulted?

It sounds backwards.

Most people spend their lives trying to avoid criticism, yet plenty of people willingly pay for personalised roasts every year.

The appeal is simple: people love being the centre of attention.

A well-written roast feels like a personalised comedy routine. Customers often order them for:

• Birthdays
• Stag and hen parties
• Office jokes
• Friendship gifts
• Social media content
• Personal challenges
• Novelty entertainment

Think of it as the modern equivalent of hiring a comedian to poke fun at you in front of your friends.

The key difference? You are doing it online.

Where Can You Get Paid to Roast People?

1. OnlyFans

Although OnlyFans is best known for adult creators, it also hosts creators offering niche entertainment.

Some roast creators sell:

• Personalised insult videos
• Sarcastic voice notes
• Humorous advice sessions
• Reality check messages
• Comedy character content

Subscribers can pay monthly fees, while custom roast requests can command premium prices.

2. Fiverr

Fiverr has become one of the easiest places to launch unusual side hustles.

Search for roast-style gigs and you will find creators offering:

• Video roasts
• Funny critiques
• Character-based insults
• Comedy reviews
• Brutally honest feedback

Many sellers start at £5 to £10 but increase prices as reviews grow.

3. TikTok

Many creators build audiences by posting funny roast content for free.

Once they have followers, they can monetise through:

• Creator rewards
• Gifts
• Memberships
• Brand deals
• Paid requests

If you are naturally funny, TikTok can become a customer acquisition machine.

4. YouTube

Longer-form roasting content can also work well on YouTube.

Popular formats include:

• Subscriber roasts
• Fashion critiques
• Social media profile reviews
• Reality TV commentary
• Honest opinion videos

A single viral video can generate ad revenue while bringing in paying customers.

The Biggest Myth About Roast Creators

People are not really paying for insults.

They are paying for personality.

The most successful creators are not the meanest. They are the funniest.

Comedy, timing and creativity are worth far more than cruelty.

How Much Can You Actually Earn?

Like most creator side hustles, earnings vary wildly.

Here is a rough guide:

Service	Typical Price
Text roast	£5 to £20
Voice note roast	£10 to £50
Personalised video roast	£20 to £100+
Monthly subscriptions	£5 to £25 per subscriber

Someone with 100 subscribers paying £8 per month could potentially generate around £800 monthly before fees.

Add custom requests and the figures can climb further.

What Makes a Great Roast?

The best roasts are:

• Clever
• Specific
• Unexpected
• Light-hearted
• Entertaining

The worst roasts are simply offensive.

Professional comedians roast people all the time without crossing into genuine nastiness. That should be your goal too.

Do Not Get Yourself Banned

Never create content that:

• Harasses real people without consent
• Targets protected groups
• Encourages self-harm
• Includes threats or intimidation
• Breaks platform community guidelines

Customers should always understand they are purchasing comedy content.

How To Start Your Own Roast Side Hustle

Step 1: Create Sample Content

Film a few short roast videos aimed at fictional characters, celebrities or common situations.

Potential topics include bad dating profiles, messy bedrooms, terrible fashion choices or awkward social habits.

Step 2: Develop a Style

Are you dry and sarcastic? Over-the-top dramatic? Deadpan? Fake angry? Brutally honest but lovable?

A memorable style helps people remember you.

Step 3: Pick a Platform

Many beginners start with Fiverr, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels or OnlyFans.

Cross-posting content can dramatically increase your reach.

Step 4: Offer Custom Requests

Custom content is where the real money often sits.

Customers love personalised entertainment because it feels unique.

Could You Actually Do This?

This unusual side hustle is best for people who are:

• Naturally witty
• Comfortable on camera
• Quick thinkers
• Confident performers
• Looking for a low-cost side hustle

You do not need qualifications, expensive equipment or specialist training to get started.

Could This Side Hustle Actually Work?

Ten years ago, nobody would have believed people could earn money watching videos, playing games, whispering into microphones or organising cupboards online.

Yet all are now legitimate income streams.

Getting paid to roast people is another example of how the creator economy rewards personality as much as traditional skills.

If you have sharp humour, good timing and know where the line is, this strange side hustle could turn your sarcasm into a surprisingly profitable source of extra income.

After all, there are not many jobs where being cheeky is part of the business model.

FAQ

Is it legal to get paid to insult people?

Yes, provided the content does not amount to harassment, threats, discrimination or otherwise break the law or platform rules.

What is the best platform to start on?

Fiverr, TikTok and YouTube are often the easiest places for beginners to test demand and build an audience.

Do I need followers?

No. Many creators begin by offering low-cost custom roasts before building a following.

Can you really make money doing this?

Some creators earn a small side income, while those who build a strong audience can generate significantly more through subscriptions, tips and personalised requests.

 

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