It hasn’t been easy, but let’s be real, things feel heavy right now. Prices keep rising, jobs are harder to find, and even those earning well are struggling to stay ahead. Many people I speak to, including consultants and professionals, are asking the same question: How do I actually make more money in today’s UK economy?

I understand that feeling completely. I’ve had moments where it seemed like no matter how much I worked or planned, things didn’t add up the way I expected. Over time, though, I learned that the real solution isn’t just about saving or cutting back. It’s about finding smarter and more sustainable ways to earn and grow.

In this article, I’ll share practical lessons and personal insights that helped me move from financial frustration to building multiple streams of income. These ideas can work for anyone who’s serious about improving their financial position while maintaining a sense of balance and purpose.

1. Start by Understanding the Reality Around You

Before we talk about making more money, it’s important to acknowledge the world we’re living in. Inflation has pushed up the cost of almost everything, from groceries to energy bills. The average salary in the UK sits somewhere between £35,000 and £38,000 a year, but for many people, it no longer feels like enough. Even those earning six figures, often called “HENRYs” (high earners, not rich yet), still feel the strain.

This is not just about individual choices or habits. It’s part of a much bigger picture that includes global conflicts, supply chain issues, and shifts in power and politics. But understanding this landscape helps you see the bigger truth: the challenge is not simply about managing money, it’s about creating more of it.

When I first started working independently, I realised I couldn’t just focus on saving. I needed to build more income streams. That meant understanding two key ideas: active income and passive income.

2. Use Active Income as a Foundation

Active income is the money you earn by exchanging your time and skills for payment. It’s the most common way we earn, and there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, it’s often the starting point that gives you the resources to build something greater.

Your job is not your enemy

Many people dream of leaving their jobs to become their own boss. I get that. But before you walk away, remember that your current work can serve as the financial engine that fuels your next steps. When I began consulting, my contract roles helped me invest in training, equipment, and new opportunities. My job wasn’t a trap; it was a launchpad.

Freelancing and consulting

Freelancing or consulting allows you to use your expertise on your own terms. You can set your rates, choose your clients, and focus on projects that align with your strengths. For example, when I transitioned from a permanent role into independent consulting, I used a simple method I call the PAR approach:

• Problem: I wanted to earn more while having greater control over my work.
• Action: I moved into independent consulting, focusing on programme management.
• Result: My income increased, and I gained the freedom to design a career that fit my goals.
  

The lesson here is that when you can clearly explain how your skills solve real problems, your value increases naturally.

Learn to sell with authenticity

Even if you’re not in a sales role, you still need to understand how to communicate and sell your ideas. I have a good friend who works in sales and consistently exceeds her targets. When I asked how she did it, her answer was simple: “I just listen.”

She focuses on understanding people and helping them make the right decisions. That experience reminded me of a trip I once took to Morocco. A man selling argan oil took the time to educate us about how it was made, the science behind it, and the care that went into each bottle. By the end of the conversation, we all bought some. It didn’t feel like selling; it felt like understanding.

That’s the key. Learn to sell by serving, not by pushing.

3. Build Passive Income That Works in the Background

Passive income is often misunderstood. It’s not about earning money while doing nothing. It’s about putting in effort upfront to build something that pays you back over time.

Here are some ideas that can help you get started.

Property and rentals

Buying a rental property or a house of multiple occupancy can be an effective way to build wealth. It’s not easy at the start, especially when deposits and mortgages are high, and all the regulations around it are chasing, but property has long-term potential. Think creatively. You can explore joint ventures, rent-to-rent models, or shared investments if you don’t have all the capital yourself.

Investing in stocks and funds

Investing in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or index funds like the S&P 500 can help you grow your money over time. Platforms such as Trading 212 make it easier to begin. Start small and learn as you go. Always educate yourself first, diversify wisely, and understand your risk level before making any big moves.

Royalties and creative work

If you create something once and it keeps earning, that’s royalty income. Writers, musicians, and designers often benefit from this model. One example I love is the actor who played Simba in The Lion King. Instead of taking a single payment, he chose royalties and continues to earn from that decision decades later. That’s the power of ownership.

Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing allows you to earn commissions by recommending products or services you trust. The secret is credibility. People can sense when you genuinely believe in what you promote. Build trust first, and the income will follow.

Online courses and digital products

Creating a course is one of the most rewarding ways to share knowledge while building passive income. I’ve done this myself, and it taught me a lot about clarity, structure, and audience understanding.

Before developing a course, I always validate the idea. I talk to my audience, run short surveys, and test what people actually want to learn. Then I built a course that genuinely solves that problem. You can host it on platforms like WordPress, Teachable, Thinkific, or Kajabi, or start small with tools you already have. What matters is that it delivers real value.

4. Learn to Think Like a Scientist

Turning active income into passive income requires a strategy. It doesn’t happen overnight. You need to experiment, observe, and adjust. I like to think of it as treating your financial growth like a research project.

1. Know yourself. Identify your skills, strengths, and interests. What kind of work gives you energy rather than drains it?
2. Study the market. Listen to what people are talking about, what problems they’re facing, and what opportunities are emerging.
3. Test your ideas. Don’t assume you know what works. Use surveys, video calls, or even social media polls to gather insights before you build anything.
   

This process of testing and learning mirrors how successful programmes and businesses evolve. You don’t need to have all the answers from the start; you just need to be willing to learn and adapt.

Bonus Insight: Use Technology Wisely

We’re in an era where digital tools can help us work faster and smarter. From financial tracking apps to time management tools, technology can free up space for what truly matters. Whether you’re mapping ideas, writing, or planning investments, use these tools as partners that support your goals, not as distractions.

Final Thoughts: Redefine What Earning Means to You

Making more money isn’t about working endlessly or chasing every opportunity that comes your way. It’s about clarity, intention, and strategy. Focus on creating value, not just income.

Start with what you have. Use your active income as a foundation. Build systems that create stability. Test your ideas, and let them grow into something sustainable. Over time, the habits you develop will carry you far beyond short-term gains.

You don’t have to do it all at once. Take one small step today. Choose an idea that excites you and commit to learning more about it. That’s how real progress begins.

Understand. Reach. Expand.

Peace.