Thursday, 10 September 2026

Looking for a Work-From-Home Side Hustle? The Truth About Viral Pen and Craft Assembly Jobs

Social media adverts claim you can make extra money assembling decorative pens and crafts from your sofa. We investigate whether these work-from-home side hustles are genuine, reveal the warning signs and suggest safer ways to earn.

The idea of a flexible side hustle you can do from home is understandably appealing. Whether you need extra money around another job, want work that fits around childcare or simply cannot commit to a regular commute, assembling and packing small products can look like an easy answer.

That may explain why adverts claiming people can get paid to assemble decorative pens and crafts at home are attracting attention on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.

The videos show people fitting colourful beads, charms and pen components together before carefully packaging the finished products. Some suggest that materials will be sent to your home and that you will receive money for every completed item.

It looks like the perfect home-based job: no commute, no experience and the freedom to work whenever you have time. However, anyone looking for a work-from-home side hustle needs to proceed carefully.

MoneyMagpie’s finding: Genuine packing, assembly and piecework jobs exist, but we could not verify a reputable nationwide UK employer currently recruiting people through social media to assemble decorative pens and small crafts at home in the way these adverts suggest.

Some videos show legitimate small-business owners packing products they have sold themselves. Others may lead to schemes that make money from selling starter kits rather than paying workers. More concerning versions can expose jobseekers to advance-fee fraud, identity theft or parcel mule scams.

What are the pen and craft adverts offering?

The wording varies, but these adverts commonly appear to promise work involving:

  • Assembling decorative pens
  • Adding beads, charms or embellishments
  • Making small handicraft products
  • Packaging completed items
  • Preparing products for online shop orders
  • Receiving craft materials through the post
  • Being paid for every finished item

Some use phrases such as “handicraft assembly”, “product assembly from home” or “home packing work”. “Pens”, “crafts”, “handicrafts” and “assembly work” are more accurate than calling the products “trinkets”.

The distinction the videos may not explain

  1. A small-business owner makes and packs products they have sold.
  2. An employee is paid by an established business to assemble or pack its products.
  3. A social media advertiser recruits strangers to receive materials, assemble products or redirect parcels from home.

The first two can be legitimate. The third requires considerable caution.

Many satisfying “make an order with me” or “pack an order with me” videos are created by independent sellers. They earn money by selling pens, stationery, jewellery, keyrings and other products. They are not necessarily being paid by another company simply to assemble them.

Why work-from-home side-hustle adverts are so convincing

These offers appeal directly to people who need genuinely flexible ways to earn, including parents, carers, disabled people, students, pensioners and employees looking for additional income.

The videos also make the work appear calm, creative and satisfying. Colourful materials, neat packaging and on-screen earnings can make the opportunity feel both enjoyable and profitable.

Before assuming it is a paid job, consider what the video could be showing

  • A seller packing orders for their own business
  • A creator promoting supplies through affiliate links
  • Someone selling a course or starter kit
  • Entertainment content rather than a vacancy
  • An earning claim that has not been independently verified
  • A route into a bogus job or task platform

Always establish where the advertised income comes from. Selling a finished product to a customer is very different from being paid to assemble somebody else’s products.

Yes. UK employment law recognises workers paid according to the number of items they produce or tasks they complete. This is known as output work or piecework.

Eligible workers must receive either the minimum wage for every hour worked or a properly calculated “fair rate” for each task. A fair rate must be based on how quickly an average worker performs the task, and the employer should provide written information explaining the calculation.

Minimum wage rates from 1 April 2026

  • £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over
  • £10.85 an hour for workers aged 18 to 20
  • £8 an hour for workers under 18
  • £8 an hour for eligible apprentices

Check the latest figures through Acas and the government’s rules for work paid by the task or piece.

Minimum wage protection depends on employment status. Someone genuinely running an independent business is treated differently from a worker who has simply been labelled “self-employed” by an employer.

What should a genuine offer include?

  • The employer’s full legal name, address and official email
  • A written job description and contract or statement of terms
  • Confirmation of your employment status
  • The pay rate, calculation and payment dates
  • Details of who supplies and owns the materials
  • Arrangements for collecting completed products
  • Rules covering damaged or rejected items
  • Confirmation that you do not have to pay to access the work

Nine warning signs that a pen or craft job may not be genuine

1. You must buy a starter kit

The advertiser might ask you to buy pen components, beads, tools or packaging before starting. The paid work may never appear, or the scheme may profit from repeatedly selling supplies rather than buying completed products. A real employer will normally supply the materials needed for its work.

2. You have to pay a registration or security fee

Be suspicious of registration, training, insurance, activation, deposit or membership charges. Real wages should flow from employer to worker. Employment agencies are generally prohibited from charging work-seekers for finding them a job. Read the GOV.UK agency rules.

3. The pay sounds exceptionally high

Claims that beginners can make hundreds of pounds a day assembling simple items deserve scepticism. Ask why a business would pay an unusually high rate for a task it could arrange more efficiently through its own staff or a fulfilment company.

4. Everything moves to WhatsApp or Telegram

A messaging app does not prove fraud, but be wary if an unsolicited advert immediately sends you to a private chat. Warning signs include disappearing messages, several administrator identities, urgency and refusal to use an official business email.

5. Earnings appear on an unfamiliar website or app

Task scams may display invented earnings and then demand a deposit, tax charge, upgrade or payment to correct a negative balance before withdrawal. Never pay money to release supposed wages.

6. You are promised a large return for almost no work

Calculate the implied hourly rate. If an advert promises £200 for two hours of elementary assembly, ask why an employer would pay £100 an hour for a task requiring no qualifications or specialist equipment.

7. Parcels arrive in somebody else’s name

This could be a parcel mule or reshipping scam. The products may have been bought using stolen payment details. Never redirect unexplained goods on an unverified stranger’s instructions. See official information about recruitment scams.

8. The company’s identity does not add up

Check Companies House, but remember that registration does not prove the advert is genuine. Fraudsters can impersonate real companies. Find the official website independently and ask the company whether the vacancy and recruiter are real.

9. Personal information is requested too early

Do not provide banking logins, card details, passwords, security codes or excessive identity documents simply to learn about a vacancy. Never let a supposed employer use your bank account to receive or redistribute money.

Never do these things for a “side hustle”

  • Pay money to unlock a job or withdraw earnings
  • Receive or move money for somebody else
  • Forward unexplained parcels
  • Download an unofficial app
  • Share a banking password or one-time security code

Real work-from-home side hustles and safer alternatives

None of the following guarantees income, and self-employed work may involve tax, insurance and record-keeping responsibilities. However, these routes are more transparent than responding to an unidentified social media recruiter.

Apply for legitimate assembly and packing jobs

Warehouses, retailers, manufacturers, pharmacies and ecommerce businesses employ people to prepare products for dispatch. Search terms include “picker packer”, “assembly operative”, “packing assistant”, “production assistant”, “order fulfilment” and “ecommerce warehouse assistant”.

Use the employer’s official careers website or the government’s free Find a Job service. Most genuine roles of this kind take place at business premises rather than in somebody’s spare room.

Contact established local craft businesses

Stationers, gift shops, jewellers, candle companies and personalised-product businesses may need temporary help during busy seasons. Contact them through an official website or established premises and agree the hours, pay and responsibilities in writing.

Offer freelance packing support

An experienced organiser or ecommerce assistant could offer fulfilment help to a known local seller. Agree the rate, packaging and postage costs, stock records, responsibility for damage, data protection and invoice dates in writing. Check that your insurance covers stock kept at home.

Make and sell your own products

You could make pens, keyrings, bookmarks, jewellery or other crafts for sale through a suitable marketplace, at craft fairs or on your own website. This is what many genuine packing videos show, but it is running a business, not being paid simply to assemble items.

Calculate components, packaging, platform fees, postage, refunds, marketing and your time before buying stock. Test a small batch rather than purchasing hundreds of items because a creator says they are profitable.

Provide ecommerce support from home

Real online sellers may need remote help with product descriptions, stock records, customer enquiries or postage administration. Verify the client, agree your price and never allow a business to use your bank account to process its payments or refunds.

Sell a skill instead of buying a kit

Other potential side hustles include virtual assistance, proofreading, tutoring, pet sitting, alterations, gift wrapping, product photography or social media support for local businesses. Start with skills you already have and remain alert to fake clients.

Five rules for choosing a work-from-home side hustle

  1. Do not pay to access a job.
  2. Calculate the real hourly return, including admin and costs.
  3. Verify the person or company paying you.
  4. Start small before buying stock.
  5. Protect your identity and bank account.

Check the tax position

If you make or buy products specifically to sell for profit, HMRC is likely to consider you to be trading.

The UK trading allowance can cover up to £1,000 of gross trading income per tax year, subject to its conditions. This is income before expenses, not simply the profit remaining after material costs.

Selling your own unwanted possessions is usually treated differently from regularly making or purchasing goods for resale. Check HMRC’s guidance on selling through a digital platform and the trading allowance. Keep records of sales, fees, supplies, packaging and postage.

A 60-second legitimacy check

  • Can I identify the legal employer?
  • Is the vacancy on its official website?
  • Have I contacted the company independently?
  • Is there a written job description and pay rate?
  • Does the arrangement comply with minimum wage rules?
  • Am I being asked to buy supplies from the recruiter?
  • Do I have to pay a registration or withdrawal fee?
  • Will parcels arrive in somebody else’s name?
  • Am I being rushed onto WhatsApp or Telegram?
  • Can the business explain why the work must be done at home?

What to do if you have already responded

Stop communicating and do not send any more money. If you supplied financial information, contact your bank immediately using the number on its official website or your card. You can also dial 159 to reach participating UK banks securely.

Change reused passwords and activate two-factor authentication. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, report fraud or attempted fraud through Report Fraud or call 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101.

Forward suspicious texts free to 7726 and scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. See the government’s reporting guidance. Do not forward, sell or use unexplained goods delivered to your address.

Frequently asked questions

Can you genuinely get paid to assemble pens at home?

Genuine home-based piecework can exist, but we could not verify a reputable nationwide UK employer recruiting through social media for the viral pen-assembly opportunity. Verify the employer and written terms before accepting anything.

Should I pay for a craft assembly starter kit?

Do not pay for a kit merely to access promised employment. Buying supplies for your own independently planned craft business is different, but sales and earnings are never guaranteed.

Are packing jobs from home legitimate?

Some home-based packing arrangements may be genuine, but most established packing vacancies are based at business or warehouse premises. Avoid any role requiring you to redirect unexplained parcels.

Do pieceworkers receive the minimum wage?

Eligible UK workers paid per task or item are generally entitled to minimum wage protection through hourly pay or a properly calculated fair piece rate. Employment status affects individual rights.

Do I have to pay tax on a craft side hustle?

If you make or buy goods to sell for profit, you may be trading. HMRC’s trading allowance can cover up to £1,000 of gross trading income per tax year, subject to its rules.

The MoneyMagpie verdict

People searching for flexible work or a way to earn from home deserve clear information, not exaggerated income claims and vague recruitment promises.

It is possible to make money assembling and packing products. However, the most realistic options are working for a verified employer, providing an agreed service to a genuine small business or selling products through your own properly managed venture.

The viral pen and craft videos often blur these arrangements. Someone packing dozens of colourful orders may be a successful shop owner, but that does not mean a company featured in an advert will pay viewers to perform the same task.

Walk away if you are asked to pay an activation fee, buy a compulsory starter pack, move money through your account or redirect unexplained parcels. A legitimate side hustle should leave you better off, not require you to risk your savings or identity before earning anything.

Editorial verification: Employment, minimum wage, tax and fraud-reporting information checked against current GOV.UK, Acas, HMRC and Report Fraud guidance on 9 September 2026. No individual advertiser has been labelled fraudulent without an official finding.

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The post Looking for a Work-From-Home Side Hustle? The Truth About Viral Pen and Craft Assembly Jobs appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

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posted by Online Earning Room @ September 10, 2026   0 Comments

Wednesday, 26 August 2026

Grandparents doing the school run could boost their State Pension by £359 a year

As children return to school, grandparents helping with drop-offs, pick-ups and after-school care are being urged to check whether they can claim a little-known National Insurance credit.

Quick answer: Grandparents below State Pension age who care for a grandchild under 12 may be able to claim Specified Adult Childcare National Insurance credits. A full qualifying year could add around £359 a year to someone’s State Pension at current rates, although the actual benefit depends on their National Insurance record.

The new school term does not just mean fresh uniforms, packed lunches and an alarming number of missing PE socks.

For many families, it also means grandparents stepping in to cover school runs, after-school care and the awkward gap between the final bell and the end of the working day.

This support can save parents hundreds or even thousands of pounds in childcare costs. However, grandparents may be able to get something valuable in return, particularly if helping the family has left gaps in their National Insurance record.

Before September arrives, families should check the financial support available, agree how the school-run arrangement will work and make sure everyone understands the rules.

Getting ready for September? Read our complete back-to-school money guide, including practical help for parents worried about the cost of the new term.

The little-known pension boost for grandparents

Grandparents who look after a grandchild under 12 may be able to claim Specified Adult Childcare National Insurance credits.

These are not a cash payment and grandparents are not paid directly for doing the school run. Instead, the credits can fill gaps in their National Insurance record and potentially increase the State Pension they eventually receive.

The credits can be particularly useful for a grandparent who:

  • Has reduced their working hours to provide childcare
  • Has temporarily stopped working
  • Earns too little to pay National Insurance
  • Has gaps in their National Insurance record
  • Is not already receiving another qualifying National Insurance credit

You do not have to provide full-time childcare. Regular school runs, after-school care or helping during school holidays may count. HMRC says a Class 3 credit can be awarded for each week, or part of a week, in which eligible care was provided.

Who can claim grandparents’ childcare credits?

A grandparent or another eligible family member can apply if:

  • They cared for a related child under the age of 12
  • They were aged 16 or over but below State Pension age when the care was provided
  • They were ordinarily resident in the UK, excluding the Channel Islands and Isle of Man
  • The child’s parent or main carer claimed Child Benefit
  • The parent did not need the attached National Insurance credit themselves
  • The parent agrees to the credit being transferred

The scheme is not limited to grandparents. Other eligible relatives can include great-grandparents, adult siblings, aunts, uncles and certain relatives of the parent’s spouse or partner.

How could one year be worth around £359?

The full new State Pension is £241.30 a week in the 2026/27 tax year. Under the new State Pension system, one additional qualifying year will commonly add around one thirty-fifth of the full rate.

That is approximately £6.89 a week, or just over £358 a year. Over a retirement lasting 20 years, that could add up to more than £7,000 before future State Pension increases are considered.

However, this is not a guaranteed payment. The amount will depend on the grandparent’s individual National Insurance history, whether they were contracted out in the past and whether they are already on track to receive the full State Pension.

Check before claiming: Grandparents can use the government’s free State Pension forecast service to see their National Insurance history and whether filling a gap could improve their pension.

How are the credits transferred?

A parent claiming Child Benefit for a child under 12 normally receives an automatic National Insurance credit.

If the parent already builds a qualifying year through their own job or self-employment, they may not need that credit. It can potentially be transferred to the grandparent or another eligible relative who provided childcare so that the credit is not wasted.

The parent or main carer must agree to the transfer and provide their details on the application.

There is only one credit available for each Child Benefit claim, not one credit for every child. If two grandparents share the childcare, the parent will generally have to decide who should receive it.

However, if the grandparents care for grandchildren belonging to two different adult children, there may be two Child Benefit recipients and therefore two separate credits available.

When can grandparents apply?

Families must wait until 31 October after the end of the relevant tax year before applying. This allows HMRC to check whether the parent has already built a qualifying National Insurance year and can transfer the childcare credit.

For example, applications relating to care provided during the 2025/26 tax year can be made from 31 October 2026.

Claims may also be made retrospectively for eligible childcare provided as far back as 6 April 2011. Grandparents whose grandchildren are now teenagers may therefore still be able to fill old gaps in their National Insurance record.

Families can check the full rules and download the relevant form through the government’s Specified Adult Childcare credits service.

Important: The parent should not transfer the credit if they need it to complete their own National Insurance year. Both the parent and grandparent should check their records first.

Can parents pay a grandparent for childcare?

Parents can make a private arrangement with a grandparent and may choose to cover petrol, food, days out or other expenses. They can also agree to pay the grandparent for their time.

However, regular payments could count as taxable income. If a grandparent is being paid frequently, they should keep a record of what they receive and what they spend providing the childcare.

They may also need to tell HMRC if the arrangement becomes regular paid work or if their relevant trading income exceeds the tax-free trading allowance.

Additional earnings could affect means-tested support such as Universal Credit, Housing Benefit or Pension Credit, so grandparents receiving benefits should check before agreeing to regular payment.

Can Tax-Free Childcare be used to pay grandparents?

Parents cannot normally use Tax-Free Childcare to pay for an informal arrangement with a grandparent.

In England and Scotland, Tax-Free Childcare may generally be used to pay a relative only when that relative is a registered childminder and looks after the child somewhere other than the child’s own home.

A similar rule applies in Wales. Northern Ireland has its own childcare approval requirements and additional conditions can apply when the childcare provider is related to the child.

Informal care provided by a grandparent also does not qualify for England’s Free Childcare for Working Parents scheme.

Parents should use the government’s childcare support checker before attempting to claim Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit childcare costs for care provided by a relative.

Do grandparents need to register as childminders?

A grandparent looking after their own grandchildren under a private family arrangement will not normally need to register as a childminder.

The position can change if they begin looking after unrelated children for payment or start operating a wider childcare business. Registration requirements differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Anyone planning to turn a family arrangement into paid childcare work should check the rules with their local authority or childcare regulator.

Do grandparents have parental responsibility?

Regularly looking after a grandchild does not automatically give a grandparent parental responsibility.

Parental responsibility includes important legal powers and duties, such as making decisions about a child’s education, consenting to medical treatment and applying for a passport.

A formal legal arrangement will not normally be needed for occasional school runs or after-school care. However, parents should give the school permission to release the child to the grandparent.

Schools may use collection lists, passwords or identification checks. Families should update these details before the first day of term rather than waiting until the first collection.

Grandparents must follow the car seat law

The driver is legally responsible for making sure a child under 14 is using the correct restraint.

Children must normally use an appropriate child car seat until they are either 12 years old or 135cm tall, whichever happens first. After that, they must use an adult seat belt.

A seat that fits correctly in a parent’s car may not be suitable for the grandparent’s vehicle. It should be checked and fitted before the first school run.

The full requirements and limited exceptions are set out in the government’s child car seat guidance.

Still buying uniform?

Before paying full price, see our updated guide to the cheapest school uniforms in the UK. It includes £5 supermarket bundles, second-hand options and ways to find free uniform locally.

What if the grandchild lives with the grandparent?

Grandparents who are bringing up a grandchild, rather than simply helping with childcare, may qualify for more substantial financial support.

Depending on the family’s circumstances, this could include:

  • Child Benefit
  • The child element of Universal Credit
  • Council Tax support
  • Disability benefits for the child
  • Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment
  • Local authority kinship care support
  • Guardian’s Allowance in certain circumstances

Guardian’s Allowance is £22.95 a week in 2026/27 and is paid on top of Child Benefit. Eligibility is tightly defined, including circumstances where one or both parents have died.

Kinship care support varies depending on where the family lives, the child’s needs and whether the arrangement was made privately or through a local authority. Grandparents in this position should request a kinship care assessment and independent benefits advice.

Back-to-school checklist for grandparents

  • Ask the school to add the grandparent to its approved collection list
  • Share any collection password or identification requirements
  • Fit and check the correct car seat
  • Provide emergency contact numbers
  • Write down details of allergies, medication and medical conditions
  • Agree how petrol, food and other expenses will be covered
  • Keep a simple record of the weeks in which childcare is provided
  • Check whether Specified Adult Childcare credits could fill a pension gap

The MoneyMagpie verdict

Grandparents provide an enormous amount of unpaid childcare and often make it possible for parents to stay in work.

Specified Adult Childcare credits will not pay for the petrol, snacks or emergency stationery runs, but they could protect a grandparent’s National Insurance record and make a meaningful difference to their retirement income.

The important thing is to check. The credits are not awarded automatically, and families may be able to claim for eligible care provided in previous years.

Remember: These credits are designed to fill National Insurance gaps, not provide an immediate cash payment. Check both the parent’s and grandparent’s records before requesting a transfer.

Frequently asked questions

Can a grandparent claim for doing one school run a week?

Potentially, yes. HMRC states that eligible credits can be awarded for each week or part of a week in which care was provided. All the other eligibility conditions must still be met.

Are grandparents paid cash for looking after grandchildren?

There is no general government cash payment for informal grandparent childcare. Specified Adult Childcare credits protect the grandparent’s National Insurance record rather than providing money immediately.

Can grandparents claim after reaching State Pension age?

The grandparent must have been below State Pension age during the period when the childcare was provided. Someone who has since reached State Pension age may still be able to claim for an earlier eligible period.

How far back can grandparents claim childcare credits?

Eligible claims can potentially be made for childcare provided since 6 April 2011.

Can both grandparents claim for the same child?

Only one credit is available for each Child Benefit claim. If grandparents share the care, the Child Benefit recipient will normally need to decide who receives the available credit.

This article provides general information and does not constitute legal, tax, pension or financial advice. Childcare and kinship care rules can differ across the UK and according to individual circumstances. Rates and rules checked on 25 August 2026.

The post Grandparents doing the school run could boost their State Pension by £359 a year appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

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posted by Online Earning Room @ August 26, 2026   0 Comments

Monday, 24 August 2026

Yes, you can get paid to brush your hair – here’s how this unusual side hustle works

Getting paid to brush your hair sounds almost too good to be true, but there really is a market for it. From relaxing hair videos and ASMR to subscriber content and brand work, your locks could potentially become an unusual little side hustle.

Harry Potter actress Jessie Cave has put the idea firmly in the spotlight after revealing just how much money she has made from hair-focused content online.

Cave, who played Lavender Brown in the Harry Potter films, joined subscription platform OnlyFans in 2025 and has spoken openly about creating non-explicit videos centred around her exceptionally long hair.

That has included brushing it, plaiting it, styling it and simply playing with it on camera.

Speaking about the venture in August 2026, Cave said she made more than £15,000 on her first day and has gone on to earn more from the platform than she did across her acting career.

That’s an extraordinary result and emphatically not what somebody starting from scratch should expect. Cave already had a sizeable public profile and an existing fanbase.

But her experience highlights something much bigger: there is a genuine online audience for hair content, and there are several ways ordinary people can potentially make money from it.

💡 The MoneyMagpie takeaway

You don’t need to earn celebrity-sized sums for this to be worthwhile. A niche online audience can potentially generate money through subscriptions, advertising, brand work, affiliate commissions or paid content. Start small and see whether anybody actually wants to watch before spending money on equipment.

Why do people pay to watch someone brush their hair?

It might sound strange until you realise how big the audience for niche video content has become.

Hair videos already attract viewers across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. People watch elaborate braids, dramatic hair transformations, hair washing, styling tutorials, curly-hair routines and videos involving particularly long or unusual hair.

Then there’s ASMR, or autonomous sensory meridian response.

Some viewers find repetitive sounds and slow movements relaxing. Brushing, combing, washing and playing with hair can work particularly well in this type of content.

For some creators and viewers it is simply relaxing or satisfying content.

For others, there can be another element.

Yes, there can be a kink or fetish market for hair content

It would be misleading to talk about paid hair content without acknowledging that some of its audience comes from people with a particular attraction to hair.

Hair can be a kink or fetish for some adults, and there is a paying market for content involving long hair, brushing, twirling, washing, cutting, particular hairstyles and similar activities.

There’s no need to sensationalise that. If consenting adults choose to create and buy legal content, that’s their decision.

What matters for somebody considering this as a money-making idea is understanding that what a customer finds appealing and what you agree to create are two separate things.

Jessie Cave has specifically described her own content as non-explicit. A creator can make hair-focused material without agreeing to nudity or sexual activity.

⚠ Set your boundaries before money gets involved

Decide exactly what you are and aren’t comfortable creating before you open an account. A paying subscriber is buying access to content you choose to offer. They aren’t buying the right to decide your boundaries.

How to get paid to brush and play with your hair

So how would somebody without a Harry Potter credit actually try this?

The sensible approach is to treat it like any other small online business: test whether there’s an audience before investing much money.

Step 1: Find your niche

Start by working out what might make your content interesting.

You could have exceptionally long hair, unusual curls, striking natural colour or simply be very good at braiding and styling.

You don’t necessarily need remarkable hair at all. Some creators succeed because they make beautifully filmed, relaxing or useful videos.

Hair content ideas to try

  • Slow hair brushing
  • Hair combing
  • Hair twirling
  • Braiding and plaiting
  • Hair washing routines
  • Hair ASMR
  • Very long hair routines
  • Curly hair routines
  • Heatless curls
  • Vintage hairstyles
  • Hair transformations
  • Haircare product demonstrations
  • Hair accessories
  • Before-and-after styling videos

Step 2: Decide whether you’ll show your face

You don’t necessarily need to reveal your identity.

Hair content could potentially be filmed from behind or framed so that your face isn’t visible.

If privacy matters to you, think about this before creating your accounts rather than trying to remove personal information later.

Step 3: Test your idea for free

You don’t have to immediately put your content behind a paywall.

TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts can help you find out what people actually want to watch.

Try several types of videos and look at what performs best.

If a 30-second hair tutorial gets 600 views but your slow brushing video gets 40,000, that’s useful information.

You can then decide whether there is enough interest to build more content around it.

Step 4: Don’t spend a fortune getting started

You almost certainly don’t need a studio.

A decent smartphone, good natural light and an inexpensive tripod may be enough to test the idea.

If your content begins earning money, you can then consider upgrading your lighting, microphones or camera equipment.

💷 MoneyMagpie tip

Don’t spend £300 creating a side hustle before you’ve established whether it can make £3. Test it with equipment you already own first.

How can you make money from hair videos?

There isn’t just one way to monetise hair content.

1. Paid subscriptions

You can potentially charge followers a monthly fee for additional or longer content.

OnlyFans is the platform associated with Jessie Cave’s story, but subscription models exist elsewhere too.

Check the rules, fees and age requirements of any platform carefully before opening an account.

2. Paid individual videos

Some creator platforms allow people to sell individual pieces of content rather than relying entirely on subscriptions.

You might offer longer versions of popular videos or more specialised hair routines.

3. YouTube advertising

Hair ASMR, tutorials and transformation videos can also work on YouTube.

If your channel eventually qualifies for YouTube’s monetisation programme, advertising could become another income stream.

This is unlikely to produce quick money, but successful videos can potentially continue attracting viewers long after they were uploaded.

4. Make videos for brands

Don’t overlook user-generated content, usually called UGC.

Haircare companies need real people demonstrating shampoos, brushes, hairdryers, styling tools, accessories and treatments.

Sometimes a company wants access to your audience. But in other cases it simply wants you to create a good video that the brand can publish itself.

That means you don’t necessarily need hundreds of thousands of followers.

5. Affiliate links

If viewers regularly ask which hairbrush, shampoo or styling tool you’re using, affiliate links could potentially generate extra income.

You receive a commission when somebody follows your tracked link and makes a qualifying purchase.

Always clearly disclose advertising and affiliate relationships and follow the relevant UK advertising rules.

6. Hair modelling

You can also take your locks offline.

Hairdressers, salons, training academies, photographers and haircare companies sometimes require models for demonstrations, competitions and promotional material.

Just make sure you understand exactly what is being done to your hair before agreeing.

What about personalised and custom requests?

Once people start paying for content, creators may receive requests for particular videos.

That could be something as straightforward as somebody asking you to demonstrate a braid.

It could also be a highly specific request linked to an individual’s kink or fetish.

You are under absolutely no obligation to agree.

Before accepting a custom request

  • Decide whether you’re genuinely comfortable with it.
  • Check that the request complies with the platform’s rules.
  • Agree exactly what you’re creating before filming.
  • Agree the price in advance.
  • Keep communication and payment on reputable platforms where possible.
  • Don’t reveal personal information.
  • Never allow a higher payment to push you past a boundary you’ve already set.

Protect your privacy before you upload anything

This matters for every creator, but it becomes particularly important when making content that could attract highly engaged or personally interested followers.

Before publishing a video, stop and look at the background.

🔒 The 30-second privacy check

Can viewers see any of the following?

  • Your address on a letter or parcel
  • Your child’s school logo
  • A car registration number
  • Your workplace name badge
  • Family photographs
  • A recognisable view from your home
  • A phone or computer displaying private information
  • Anything revealing exactly where you live

Consider using a separate email address and separate creator social accounts.

And remember an important reality of digital content: you cannot guarantee that something uploaded behind a paywall will stay behind that paywall forever.

Material can be copied, screen-recorded or redistributed.

Think carefully about what you would be comfortable potentially existing online in future.

Could you really make £15,000 brushing your hair?

It’s possible for an individual creator to earn an extraordinary amount, as Jessie Cave’s experience illustrates.

But using her first-day earnings as a benchmark would be wildly unrealistic.

Cave went into this with something most new creators don’t have: international name recognition, an existing following and considerable press interest.

Somebody starting today with no followers might make a few pounds, might eventually build a useful income or might make absolutely nothing.

Keep the numbers realistic

Stories about creators earning thousands make great headlines, but they tell you very little about what a typical beginner will earn. Think of this as an experiment rather than guaranteed income. Start cheaply, measure what works and only invest more if your audience grows.

Do you need to tell HMRC?

Potentially, yes.

Money you earn from creating online content can count as trading income.

HMRC currently provides a £1,000 trading allowance. Broadly, if your total gross trading income is more than £1,000 during the tax year, you may need to tell HMRC about it.

Gross income means the amount you receive before expenses are deducted.

You should keep accurate records of what you earn, even if you’re currently below the threshold.

Check HMRC’s current guidance on income from online platforms here.

Important tax note

The £1,000 trading allowance doesn’t simply mean everybody can earn £1,000 from every separate side hustle tax-free. Your circumstances and other trading income matter. Check HMRC guidance or speak to a qualified tax professional if you’re unsure.

Don’t fancy filming it? You can sell your actual hair instead

There is another way to make money from your locks that doesn’t involve becoming a content creator at all.

You can sell your hair.

Human hair is bought for wigs, extensions and hair pieces, and longer, healthy hair can be particularly desirable.

Buyers can be very specific about the length and condition they’ll accept, so don’t simply cut off a ponytail and assume somebody will buy it.

✂ Thinking of selling your hair?

We’ve already put together a full MoneyMagpie guide covering what buyers look for, how to prepare your hair, how it should be cut and the different ways you can potentially sell it.

Read: How to make money by selling your hair

MoneyMagpie’s verdict

The real lesson from Jessie Cave’s story isn’t that everybody should buy a hairbrush and expect £15,000 to appear in their bank account.

It’s that the internet has made some remarkably specific niches commercially viable.

You don’t always need an idea that appeals to millions of people. A relatively small but enthusiastic audience can potentially be valuable if those people are prepared to subscribe, watch, buy products or pay for additional content.

And yes, with hair content, some of that audience may have a kink or fetish interest.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with acknowledging that. The important things are that everyone involved is an adult, what you’re doing is legal and consensual, and you remain completely in control of what you create.

Your privacy and boundaries are more important than a payment.

For everyone else, there are still plenty of non-adult routes into the same niche, including ASMR, tutorials, UGC, hair modelling, affiliate marketing and selling the hair itself.

So if you’d happily spend half an hour brushing your Rapunzel-length locks anyway, putting a camera in front of you could be an interesting experiment.

Just don’t hand in your notice yet.

MoneyMagpie disclaimer

Income from content creation is never guaranteed and unusually high earnings reported by individual creators should not be regarded as typical. Adult-oriented subscription services are for adults only. Check the terms and rules of any platform before joining, protect your personal information and consider the tax implications of money you earn. MoneyMagpie is not a financial or tax adviser and the information in this article is for general guidance only.

Frequently asked questions

Can you really get paid to brush your hair?

Yes. People can potentially earn money from hair-focused videos through paid subscriptions, advertising, brand deals, UGC, affiliate links and other forms of content creation. Earnings vary enormously and there is no guarantee that a new account will make money.

Why do people pay for hair videos?

There are several audiences. Some viewers enjoy hairstyling and haircare content, others watch relaxing ASMR videos, while some adults have a particular kink or fetish interest in hair.

Do hair videos have to be adult content?

No. Hair tutorials, ASMR, haircare, styling and brushing videos can all be completely non-explicit. Creators should establish their own boundaries and only make content they are comfortable publishing.

Can I make money from my hair without appearing on camera?

Yes. You could potentially create videos without showing your face, work as a hair model or sell sufficiently long and suitable hair to specialist buyers.

Do I have to pay tax on money earned from hair videos?

Income from creating online content may count as trading income. HMRC currently has a £1,000 trading allowance, but your individual circumstances and other trading income matter. Keep records and check current HMRC guidance.

Can I sell my hair in the UK?

Yes. There are specialist buyers for human hair, particularly longer, healthy hair suitable for wigs and extensions. Check a buyer’s requirements before cutting it. MoneyMagpie has a dedicated guide to making money by selling your hair.



The post Yes, you can get paid to brush your hair – here’s how this unusual side hustle works appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

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posted by Online Earning Room @ August 24, 2026   0 Comments

Tuesday, 18 August 2026

This sofa side hustle could pay £250+ just for sharing your experiences

Make Money From Home by Sharing Your Healthcare Experiences

Looking for a flexible way to make extra money from home without committing to another job?

Your everyday experiences of healthcare could potentially earn you anything from a few pounds for an online survey to £250 or more for taking part in a healthcare research interview or focus group.

You don’t need medical qualifications or specialist knowledge. Paid healthcare market research is specifically interested in hearing from real patients, carers and members of the public about their experiences and opinions.

It can often all be done around your existing commitments, with many opportunities available online or by telephone.

So, could sharing your healthcare experiences become your next side hustle? Here’s how it works.

QUICK MONEYMAGPIE GUIDE

Paid healthcare market research can involve online surveys, video calls, telephone interviews and focus groups. Patient First Research says rewards can range from £5 to £60+ for surveys and £60 to £250+ for some interviews and focus groups. Opportunities and eligibility vary, so treat this as occasional extra income rather than a guaranteed wage.

What is paid healthcare market research?

Before launching or improving healthcare services, treatments and products, researchers need to understand the experiences of the people who actually use them.

That might mean researching what it’s like to:

  • Live with a particular health condition
  • Take prescription or over-the-counter medication
  • Care for somebody else
  • Use NHS or private healthcare services
  • Attend GP, hospital or specialist appointments
  • Manage healthcare for your children or family
  • Make decisions about your health and wellbeing

Research can take several forms, including paid online surveys, telephone interviews, video interviews, focus groups and online discussions.

Patient First Research is a UK healthcare market research community that connects patients and caregivers with paid research opportunities.

And don’t automatically rule yourself out because you don’t think of yourself as a “patient”. Researchers can be interested in a wide range of experiences depending on the particular study.

MONEYMAGPIE TIP

Paid market research isn’t a replacement for regular employment and opportunities aren’t guaranteed. However, it can be a useful addition to your collection of flexible side hustles.

How much can you make from healthcare market research?

This is where healthcare research can become particularly interesting.

According to Patient First Research, typical rewards can include:

Online surveys: £5 to £60+

These can often be completed entirely online and fitted around work, childcare and other commitments.

You might complete one while sitting on the sofa in the evening, for example, without travelling anywhere.

Telephone interviews and focus groups: £60 to £250+

Longer or more involved studies can offer considerably higher rewards.

An interview might involve spending an hour discussing your experiences with a researcher over the phone or by video call.

If the study is a good match, that could mean earning £100 or more for an hour of your time.

However, don’t start calculating your new monthly income just yet.

The amount you can make will depend on which research projects are running and whether your circumstances and experiences meet the criteria for a particular study.

You might receive several suitable opportunities at one point and very few at another.

For that reason, we’d treat healthcare market research as a way to earn occasional extra money, rather than income you can depend on every month.

Do you need experience or qualifications?

No.

In fact, researchers aren’t generally looking for professional survey takers. They want to hear from real people with relevant real-world experiences.

You don’t need a medical qualification or previous market research experience.

You simply need to answer questions honestly and be willing to discuss your experiences and opinions.

That’s one of the reasons this can work well as a flexible side hustle.

WHY IT CAN WORK AROUND YOUR LIFE

  • No regular shifts
  • No commute
  • No requirement to accept every opportunity
  • No need to give up your existing job
  • Many opportunities can be completed from home

A survey could potentially be completed in your pyjamas from the sofa. Interviews can often be arranged around work, studying or childcare.

If an opportunity doesn’t suit you, you don’t have to take part.

Who could paid healthcare research suit?

Healthcare research could be particularly useful for people who want to make money around:

  • A full-time or part-time job
  • Childcare
  • Studying
  • Retirement
  • Caring responsibilities
  • Freelance or self-employed work
  • Other side hustles

It may also appeal if you’re looking for ways to make money online from home but don’t want to sell products or commit to fixed working hours.

What happens if you don’t qualify for a study?

One frustrating thing about many market research sites is spending time answering screening questions only to discover you don’t qualify.

Patient First Research says it tackles this with its Always Reward Promise.

HOW THE ALWAYS REWARD PROMISE WORKS

If you qualify for a research project and complete it, you receive the advertised study reward.

If the study isn’t a match, Patient First Research says you’ll still receive a smaller Participation Reward for completing the initial eligibility questions.

That doesn’t mean every application will result in a big payment, of course, but it means your time spent answering the screening questions can still be recognised.

What could you do with the extra money?

The great thing about an occasional side hustle is that even relatively small amounts can be put towards something useful.

For example, you could use research payments to:

  • Top up your weekly food budget
  • Build an emergency fund
  • Save towards Christmas
  • Cover a family day out
  • Put money towards a holiday
  • Pay down debt
  • Add to your savings

A £10 survey won’t transform your finances. But several small payments, combined with the occasional £60, £100 or £150 research opportunity, can add up.

Patient First Research members can also choose to donate some or all of their rewards to charity.

Is paid healthcare market research safe?

Whenever you’re asked to share information about your health, it’s sensible to check carefully who you’re dealing with and what will happen to your information.

Patient First Research is a UK-based company specialising in healthcare market research. It says it operates in accordance with UK GDPR requirements and healthcare market research industry standards.

The research is conducted for research purposes rather than as a way of selling products directly to participants.

You should still read the privacy information and terms for any study before agreeing to participate, particularly when sensitive health information is involved.

Never feel pressured to reveal information you’re uncomfortable sharing.

STAY SCAM-AWARE

A legitimate research opportunity should explain what you’ll be asked to do and how you’ll be rewarded. Be wary of unexpected messages asking you to send money or provide banking passwords, PINs or security codes.

You should never have to pay to join a legitimate market research panel.

How to get started with Patient First Research

Joining Patient First Research is free.

After registering and verifying your account, you’ll be asked to complete a profile. This helps the company identify studies that may be relevant to your experiences.

When there’s a potential match, you may be invited to answer some screening questions.

Before agreeing to eligible research, you should be told what’s involved, approximately how long it will take and what the reward will be.

That means you can decide whether the payment is worth your time before taking part.

If it works for you, accept it. If you’re too busy, you can give it a miss.

Want to see what paid studies are available?

MoneyMagpie regularly lists opportunities where you can get paid to take part in market research.

VIEW CURRENT PAID RESEARCH STUDIES

JOIN PATIENT FIRST RESEARCH

Can you really make money sharing your healthcare experiences?

Yes, but it’s important to have realistic expectations.

Paid healthcare market research isn’t a reliable salary and there is no guarantee you’ll qualify for particular studies.

What it can offer is a flexible way to earn extra money from home by sharing experiences and opinions you already have.

With online surveys potentially paying from £5 to £60+ and some interviews and focus groups offering £60 to £250+, a suitable opportunity could provide a worthwhile boost to your budget.

For people looking for flexible ways to supplement their income without taking on another regular job, it’s certainly one to investigate.

Frequently asked questions

How much can I earn from paid healthcare research?

Patient First Research says typical online survey rewards can range from £5 to £60+, while telephone interviews and focus groups may offer £60 to £250+ depending on the project. Earnings aren’t guaranteed because eligibility depends on the studies currently recruiting.

Do I need a medical condition to take part?

Not necessarily. Some research projects are looking for people with specific diagnoses, but others may want carers, family members or people with experience of particular healthcare services, treatments or decisions.

Do I need medical qualifications?

No. Researchers are generally looking for genuine experiences and opinions rather than medical expertise.

Can I do healthcare research from home?

Many studies can be completed remotely through online surveys, telephone interviews, video interviews and online focus groups.

Do I have to pay to join Patient First Research?

No. Patient First Research says registration is free.

Will I qualify for every study?

No. Research studies usually have particular eligibility requirements. Patient First Research says that under its Always Reward Promise, people who complete initial screening questions may receive a smaller Participation Reward even where a particular study isn’t suitable for them.

MONEYMAGPIE NOTE

Paid research opportunities, eligibility and reward levels can vary. Participation isn’t guaranteed. Always check the terms, privacy information and payment details before taking part.



The post This sofa side hustle could pay £250+ just for sharing your experiences appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

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posted by Online Earning Room @ August 18, 2026   0 Comments