SHANNON Wadey was once a broke teaching assistant, but now, she’s made over £56,000 in less than a year.
The UK -based mum-of-two explained that with her side hustle , she doesn’t need to leave the house .
Not only this, but now she can earn four figures a week doing a side hustle that almost anyone can do – and you don’t need any qualifications .
Eager to inform others about how she transformed her life and how they can too, Shannon stressed that it’s “not normal to be broke.”
She explained that people shouldn’t spend their life “living in debt ” and urged those looking for a way to earn an additional income to “stop being afraid to try something new.”
Posting on social media , Shannon, who was once paid £840 a month as a secondary school SEN teaching assistant, said: “Can we stop normalising being broke and skint?
“It’s 2025 and every day I’m speaking to people, seeing posts online online, people saying how they’re struggling to pay their bills , they’re struggling to afford the food shop, they’re struggling to feed the kids , they’re struggling to keep the kids entertained in school holidays , and it’s become the new normal.
“Why is this happening? I know we’re in a cost of living crisis , but why are we all struggling to pay our bills? Why are we all struggling to put food on the table?
“We get literally one life, no do-overs, no re-winds, and you mean to tell me that this is literally it? This is how we are expected to live our lives for the next 50 years, as if it’s normal?
“I’ve made over £56,000 from my phone and I’m here to let you know that you can do it too.”
Shannon, who posts on TikTok under the username @ shannonsdigital , initially tried filling out surveys and selling stuff on Vinted to earn a living, but had no success.
However, she then found a side hustle – creating and selling digital products – that worked for her.
Now, Shannon is a full-time stay-at-home mum who sells digital products from her phone, around her two kids.
Shannon, who is her “own boss” and doesn’t have to “answer to anyone” sells digital products – any product that is created, distributed, and consumed in an electronic format – and uses her social media platforms to promote them.
You can literally open up Canva and create your own digital product, stick it on a Stan Store, promote it online and make an extra income a month
Shannon Wadey
Digital products refer to digital files that buyers can purchase and download instantly, such as printable art, digital planners, e-books, stock photos, and more.
Digital products are typically delivered to customers via download or email and unlike physical products, digital products don’t require physical inventory and can be sold repeatedly without needing to replenish stock.
Selling digital products offers several advantages, including low overhead costs as a result of no inventory or shipping fees, high profit margins, and the potential for passive income since they can be created once and sold numerous times.
Do I need to pay tax on my side hustle income?
MANY people feeling strapped for cash are boosting their bank balance with a side hustle.
The good news is, there are plenty of simple ways to earn some additional income – but you need to know the rules.
When you’re employed the company you work for takes the tax from your earnings and pays HMRC so you don’t have to.
But anyone earning extra cash, for example from selling things online or dog walking, may have to do it themselves.
Stephen Moor, head of employment at law firm Ashfords, said: “Caution should be taken if you’re earning an additional income, as this is likely to be taxable.
“The side hustle could be treated as taxable trading income, which can include providing services or selling products.”
You can make a gross income of up to £1,000 a year tax-free via the trading allowance, but over this and you’ll usually need to pay tax.
Stephen added: “You need to register for a self-assessment at HMRC to ensure you are paying the correct amount of tax.
“The applicable tax bands and the amount of tax you need to pay will depend on your income.”
If you fail to file a tax return you could end up with a surprise bill from HMRC later on asking you to pay the tax you owe – plus extra fees on top.
Shannon shared: “You can literally open up Canva and create your own digital product , stick it on a Stan Store, promote it online and make an extra income a month.”
Eager to encourage others to do the same, Shannon continued: “There are so many ways online to make money and I guarantee you, you spend at least two hours a day scrolling on your phone pointlessly.
“So stop scrolling and start doing. Enjoy your life, find a way to make money online.
“Post that content, reach out to that brand that you love, create a digital product and sell it – start using your phone, start using the online platforms that we sit on every single day to make you more money.
“I started selling digital products last year as a stay-at-home-mum and I’ve already made over £56,000 from my phone.”
Can we stop normalising being broke and skint?
Shannon Wadey
Not only has Shannon been able to cash in, but she’s even teaching others how to do the same too on her TikTok account, as she previously told Fabulous : “I’ve mentored over 100 people who have started their online journeys with me and helped them get set up and earning online.
“Most importantly, I get to enjoy watching my children grow up everyday.
“I’m no longer consumed by the overwhelming stress of my financial situation , I’m able to treat my children without feeling guilty, I’m able to do a food shop without panicking and I get to do it all on my own terms, from my phone in the comfort of my own home or out and about wherever I go.
“This all came from one decision to give something new a try because I knew I didn’t want to carry on living the life I was!”
