Samantha Ellis, a 33-year-old single mother from Wirral, Merseyside, has revealed how she earns an additional £1,200 a month after discovering flexible side hustles. Receiving Universal Credit, she wanted to take her 13-month-old son Morgan on his first summer holiday but was initially daunted by the cost.
Flexible work around childcare
Ellis signed up as a food courier for Deliveroo and Just Eat, working only when her son’s father could provide childcare. She also sold items on Vinted and created content on TikTok. In just 21 days, she made £842 from deliveries alone. “Finding flexible ways to earn extra money around childcare was really important to me,” she told creatorzine.com. “Everything had to fit around Morgan.”
Holiday funded in 21 days
After 21 days of side hustles, Ellis paid £630 for a week-long all-inclusive trip to Lanzarote, Spain, in June. The extra income 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.
TikTok success and consistency
Ellis documented her journey on TikTok, where her videos gained over 2.6 million views and her account grew to more than 10,000 followers. She admitted the challenge was draining at times, especially on days with low earnings. “The hardest part was staying consistent,” she said. “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.”
Tips for others
Ellis encourages others to set clear goals and stay consistent. “Selling things you no longer use, delivery work and other side hustles can make a real difference when you’re working towards something important,” she said. She now plans to take on new challenges and continues to share her side hustle advice online.
