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STARTING A SIDE HUSTLE - DOCUMENTED AS IT HAPPENS

What I tried, what I earned and what actually worked

I’m Alex Vale, and this is my honest account of starting a side hustle alongside a full-time job. I’m exploring affiliate marketing, referral income and other ways to earn extra income online - sharing the progress, mistakes, selected results and the months that produce nothing.

Illustration of Alex Vale with folded arms beside an upward line graph representing his side hustle journey
Building a side hustle after the day job

About the project

A practical record of trying to earn on the side.

Earned on the Side documents my attempt to build additional income alongside a full-time job. It is a personal account of exploring online projects, affiliate marketing and referral opportunities, learning as I go and seeing what can become a worthwhile source of income over time.

I’ll share honest progress, setbacks, selected results and the lessons I am comfortable making public, together with referral offers for products and services I genuinely use. Some operational details will remain private to protect the work behind the project, but anything I publish will reflect my real experience.

Explore the project
Illustrated portrait of Alex Vale at a desk with a laptop, coffee mug and code icons

About Alex Vale

I spent years thinking about it. Then I finally started.

Hi, I’m Alex. I have a background in engineering and IT, and for years I wanted to start a side hustle alongside my full-time job. I wanted something of my own that would challenge me, teach me new skills and could grow into a meaningful source of extra income.

In 2025, I finally bit the bullet. I write under the name Alex Vale, and Earned on the Side documents the progress, setbacks and lessons as I find out what it takes to build something worthwhile.

I also share personal recommendations for products, services and resources I have used myself, including referral offers that may help others save money when starting or running a business.

More about Me

Featured referral offers

Referral offers I’ve personally tried and tested.

Browse all referral offers

Every featured offer below is for a product or service I have used myself. I do not list deals simply because a referral programme exists. Each offer is checked against the provider’s current terms, and the detail page explains my experience, who it may suit and what to check before you apply.

  • Tide

    Earn up to £200 cashback with Tide

    Open a Tide business account using referral code STARTUP200 and earn up to £200 cashback, subject to Tide's qualifying requirements.

    View Tide offer

  • Monzo Business

    Get £50 cashback with Monzo Business

    Open an eligible Monzo Business account using my referral code and receive £50 cashback after meeting the offer requirements.

    View Monzo offer

  • Mettle

    Get £50 cashback with Mettle

    Apply for an eligible Mettle business account using referral code QPBB6 and receive £50 cashback, subject to the current terms.

    View Mettle offer

  • Octopus Energy

    Get £50 Octopus Energy credit

    Switch to Octopus Energy using my referral details and receive £50 account credit after completing an eligible switch.

    View Octopus offer

  • Hostinger

    Save 20% on an eligible Hostinger plan

    Use Hostinger discount code W8XHELLOY1EH for 20% off an eligible new hosting or website purchase.

    View Hostinger offer

  • Xero

    Get 80% off Xero for six months

    Start using Xero accounting software through my referral link and receive 80% off an eligible subscription for the first six months.

    View Xero offer

  • FreeAgent

    Get 50% off for six months plus an extra 10%

    Use FreeAgent referral code 4u0vezmj for an extra 10% off when you subscribe, alongside the 50% introductory offer for the first six months.

    View FreeAgent offer

  • UENI

    Save up to 17% with UENI annual billing

    Compare UENI website plans and save up to 17% by choosing annual billing on an eligible done-for-you website package.

    View UENI offer

  • NordVPN

    Get up to 3 months free instantly

    Subscribe to an eligible NordVPN plan through referral code VJrBsxUZJBp and get up to 3 months free instantly, subject to NordVPN's current terms.

    View NordVPN offer

EXPLORE

Where to go next.

  • About me

    Learn more about who I am, my background, and why I finally stopped thinking about starting a side hustle and took action. I share the motivation behind Earned on the Side, what I’m working towards and the boundaries around what I publish.

    Read my story

  • My resources

    A collection of my personal recommendations, including the websites, tools, services and articles I have tried, tested and found genuinely useful. Everything included has supported me during the journey so far - nothing is added simply because it is popular or offers a commission.

    Explore my resources

  • Contact me

    Earned on the Side is a one-person project, so your message comes directly to me. Get in touch if you have a question, spot something that needs correcting or want to suggest a useful resource or opportunity. I read every message and reply where I can.

    Get in touch

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Affiliate & referral disclosure

Some links on this website are referral or affiliate links. If you use one, we may receive a commission or other benefit. This does not normally affect the price you pay. Offers and eligibility requirements can change; always check the provider's current terms.

Read the full affiliate disclosure