Samantha Ellis, a 33-year-old single mother from Wirral, Merseyside, funded her toddler's first holiday abroad using flexible side hustles while on Universal Credit. Determined to give her 13-month-old son, Morgan, a memorable summer, she earned an extra £1,200 in just over a month.
Finding Flexible Work Around Childcare
Ellis struggled to find extra income while caring for Morgan full-time. She needed work that could fit around her son's routine. 'Finding flexible ways to earn extra money around childcare was really important to me,' she said. 'Everything had to fit around Morgan.' She signed up as a food courier for Deliveroo and Just Eat, working only when her son's father could provide childcare.
In just 21 days, she made an extra £842, and after just over a month, she had earned £1,200. 'I worked when I had childcare available and fitted deliveries around being a mum,' she explained. 'If Morgan was with me, I wasn't out doing deliveries.'
Combining Multiple Side Hustles
To reach her goal faster, Ellis combined delivery work with selling items on Vinted and creating content on TikTok. Her TikTok videos documenting her side hustle journey garnered over 2.6 million views and helped her grow an audience of over 10,000 followers. 'Every delivery, every little win felt like it was taking me one step closer to the goal,' she said.
After 21 days, she had saved enough to pay £630 for a week-long all-inclusive trip to Lanzarote in June. The extra money allowed her to relax without constantly checking her budget. 'Watching Morgan on his first flight and seeing him experience the pool, beach and sunshine for the first time was when it really hit me,' she said. 'Those memories made every delivery and every late night worth it.'
Overcoming Challenges and Staying Consistent
Ellis admitted the journey was not easy. Some days she earned very little, which was draining. To stay consistent, she reminded herself of her goal. 'Some days I'd only make a small amount and it felt like I wasn't getting anywhere, but I kept reminding myself why I'd started and focused on the bigger picture,' she said.
She advises others to 'set yourself a clear goal and stay consistent. Don't underestimate how quickly small amounts can add up. Selling things you no longer use, delivery work and other side hustles can make a real difference when you're working towards something important.' Despite some doubts from others, she proved that small efforts can accumulate into significant results.
