Intro: An Evening of Easy Wins
Not every money move needs a spreadsheet, a PhD in tax or a three-hour admin session.
This guide is a menu of “easy win” setups – mostly one-off tasks you can do in an evening or weekend to get a bit more money, cashback or value from the spending you already do.
No gaming the system. No overspending for the sake of points. Just gentle tweaks that stack up over time.
How I Think About Easy Wins
A few ground rules I follow:
Only use cashback and rewards on spending you’d do anyway. Don’t switch banks or providers lightly – consider service and reliability too. Withdraw or use cashback regularly so it doesn’t just sit there forgotten.
Think of this as levelling up the money you’re already spending, not adding more spending just to chase freebies.
Super-Quick Wins (5–10 Minutes Each)
1. Sign up to one cashback site
What it is
Cashback sites like TopCashback or Quidco give you a cut of the commission they earn when you click through them to online retailers. You shop as normal; they track the purchase and pay you a percentage back.
Why it’s worth doing
Most of the work is once: sign up, save the site/app, log in before bigger purchases. You can earn on things like insurance, broadband, online shopping, and more.
Rough potential benefit
If you run a few big annual purchases (insurance, broadband, tech) through cashback, it’s very realistic to see £50–£150/year, sometimes more if you’re intentional.
Key cautions
Cashback is never guaranteed – track it, but don’t rely on it to pay essential bills. Always compare prices first; don’t buy something more expensive just because of cashback.
❗️Side quest – Do this now (5 mins)
Pick one site (TopCashback, Quidco, Everup, JamDoughnut). Sign up and install the browser extension / mobile app.
(Link to my post on beer money and cashback apps)
2. Turn on supermarket / loyalty schemes you actually use
What it is
Most UK supermarkets and chemists have loyalty schemes (Tesco Clubcard, Nectar, Boots Advantage, etc.) that give you points or discounts.
Why it’s worth doing
You’re probably already shopping there. Offers often stack: you can earn loyalty points and cashback from a site/app.
Rough potential benefit
Even if you only capture 1% back on £300/month of food & essentials, that’s £36/year – and many schemes do better via offers and promos.
Key cautions
Avoid buying extra “because there’s an offer”.
❗️Sidequest – Do this now (5 mins)
Make a quick list of where you actually shop most. Check you’re registered for each loyalty scheme and your card/app is working.
3. Enable your bank’s built-in cashback & savings features
What it is
Many UK current accounts now offer cashback on bills or certain retailers as well as “Save the change” style round-up features into a savings pot.
Why it’s worth doing
It’s usually free and fully automatic once turned on.
Rough potential benefit
Bill cashback accounts can return up to ~1–2% on certain bills, depending on the bank and offers. Round-ups might give you £5–£20/month into savings depending on spending.
Key cautions
Watch for monthly account fees; make sure the cashback outweighs the cost.
❗️Side quest – Do this now (5–10 mins)
Log into your main bank app. Look for sections called “Rewards”, “Cashback”, or “Offers” and toggle on anything that’s relevant to you.
Moderate Wins (20–30 Minutes Each)
1. Switch your current account for a bonus (if it suits you)
What it is
UK banks regularly offer cash bonuses – often £100–£200 – to switch your main current account to them using the Current Account Switch Service (CASS).
Why it’s worth doing
The switch service moves your direct debits and payments for you. You get a lump sum for admin you probably needed to do anyway at some point.
Rough potential benefit
Average switching incentives have been around the £150–£190 mark in recent years, with some deals going higher depending on the bank and timing.
Key cautions
Check: Minimum pay-in requirements Direct debit/usage conditions Monthly account fees Don’t switch away from a bank you love just for a one-off bonus – consider service, app quality, and your overall setup.
2. Compare and switch broadband/insurance via a cashback site
What it is
You use a comparison or cashback site to find a new broadband, mobile, or insurance deal, click through, then get tracked cashback if you sign up.
Why it’s worth doing
You may cut your monthly bill and get a cashback payout. This is one of the biggest “one evening, big win” moves you can make.
Rough potential benefit
Cashback offers on broadband/insurance can be in the £30–£100+ range, plus whatever you save each month.
Key cautions
Always compare total cost and contract terms, not just cashback. Don’t downgrade to an unsuitable service just to save pennies.
3. Audit your subscriptions and “ghost” spending
What it is
Going through your bank statements to find:
Unused subscriptions (apps, streaming, software) Duplicate services doing the same job
Why it’s worth doing
Cancelling even one or two can free up £10–£30/month. That’s perfect “new” money to send to side hustles or investing.
Rough potential benefit
Very realistic to find £120–£360/year in dead subscriptions if you haven’t done this in a while.
Key cautions
Don’t cut things that genuinely bring you joy just to “be good with money”. This is about waste, not punishment.
Additional note: I saved just over £1000 a year with this alongside other benefits. Both me and my husband had Amazon prime accounts. I sacked mine off and just ask him to buy what I want (And send him money). But I also noticed I stopped buying so much random stuff. I have saved a significant sum that’s difficult to put a number too because I naturally wait a day to purchase something now.
4. Set up one “sidequest pot” or savings vault
What it is
A dedicated savings pot in your bank or savings app, labelled something like “Sidequest Fund” or “Beer Money → Investments”.
Why it’s worth doing
Gives all your tiny wins a home. Makes it easier to see when you’ve hit a threshold to move money into your ISA or investment platform.
Rough potential benefit
Behavioural, mostly – but seeing the pot grow makes you more likely to keep going.
Key cautions
Try not to dip into it for non-essentials unless that was the plan.
“Check Once a Year” Wins
These are bigger-picture tasks that don’t need constant tinkering, but are worth revisiting annually.
1. Annual energy / broadband / mobile check-up
Use comparison tools to see if you’re still on a competitive tariff or contract. If not, switch – ideally via a cashback or comparison partner.
2. Review bank switching offers
Once a year, check if there’s a switching bonus that genuinely suits your needs and habits. If moving makes sense and you’re happy with the new bank, go for it.
3. Check your savings interest rate
Make sure your emergency fund isn’t sitting in a 0.0001% account while better rates exist. Move it if there’s a clearly better, reputable, FSCS-protected option.
4. Refresh your rewards setup
Are you still using the supermarket you earn most points with? Is your main credit/debit card still the best match for your spending pattern?
You don’t need perfection. Just nudge things back on track each year.
One-Page Action Plan (Week or Month)
Here’s a simple plan you can copy into your notes app and tick off.
Week 1 – Super-quick wins
1. Sign up to one cashback site (TopCashback or Quidco). Install the browser extension / app.
2. Check you’re registered for loyalty schemes at the places you actually shop.
3. Log into your bank and turn on any relevant cashback/rewards features.
4. Create a “Sidequest Fund” savings pot in your main bank or savings app.
Week 2 – Moderate wins
1. Run a quick subscription audit (last 1–3 months of statements).
2. Cancel at least one thing you don’t use or care about.
3. Price-check your broadband or mobile. If a clearly better, credible deal exists, schedule time this month to switch – ideally through cashback.
Week 3 – Bigger but optional wins
Read up on current account switching bonuses (MoneySavingExpert / bank websites). Decide if a switch makes sense for you this year (service and bonus, not just bonus). If yes, start the CASS switch and jot down what you’ll do with the bonus (e.g. “straight into ISA”).
Week 4 – Tie it into your sidequest
Link your new cashback/bonus sources to your Side Cash Tracker from Guide 1. Decide your rule: e.g. “At £25 in the Sidequest Fund, transfer it to my investments.”
Celebrate one small win: a free coffee, a cheap treat, or just a smug cup of tea.
If you combine these three guides, you’ve basically built:
A tracking system for tiny wins
A calm investing engine to turn beer money into future freedom
A set of easy wins that keep topping up the whole thing
That’s the heart of Side Hustle Sidequest.
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