I NEVER have to pay for my electricity bills – all I do is play video games instead and it’s covered
A MAN has revealed how he never has to pay for electricity bills as they’re covered by live streaming himself play video games.
Carlton Hill, 31, revealed he makes an additional £600 a month on top of his salary thanks to his side hustle.
The money covers all his electricity bills – particularly helpful in this frosty weather and as the cost of living crisis continues to bite.
Carlton, a project manager at Openreach, commits three evenings a week to livestreaming which he said, “doesn’t feel like work”.
In just three years, the 31-year-old has made a whopping £10,000 playing video games.
How to start making money
Whilst he admits gaming might not be for everyone, Carlton insists a knack for it isn’t necessary to start cashing in.
For the project manager, being a good entertainer is just as important.
He said: “I don’t have [gaming skills] so I have to rely on an active chat.
“I bounce off other people and get some entertainment value.
“I like entertaining and I’ve always wanted to go into entertainment.
“I suck at games but thought I’ll go head first into this and see how it goes.”
When he began streaming, he focused on horror-based games because his audience liked seeing him jump scared.
“I’m not the bravest person, but I would always give an honest opinion on the game,” he said.
Some 45 per cent of people in the UK are working multiple jobs to supplement their income, according to new Openreach research.
Carlton currently works on his side hustle about 15 hours a week but said he has ambitions to go full time.
This comes as one of his gaming pals makes almost £2,500 a month livestreaming.
Carlton uses the Twitch platform to livestream his gaming and has amassed viewers from across the world including Germany, Australia and New Zealand.
His global audience means he can benefit from high-earners across the globe but added “Norwegians donate the most”.
I was given £10,000 by Mr Beast and it changed my life – now I make £25,000 a MONTH
A TEEN who was given £10,000 by Mr Beast now makes £25,000 a month and says the cash sum changed his life.
Tom Gardiner, 18, from Aberdare in south Wales, scooped the prize after he was set a series of challenges by the YouTube star.
The youngster started streaming clips of himself playing video games in 2017.
One day in March 2021, Tom was streaming Minecraft when Mr Beast “jumped in randomly” and donated £700.
Mr Beast, who has 250 million YouTube subscribers, then gave Tom another £2,000 to create a portal on Minecraft.
Gaming whizz Tom completed a string of challenges set by Mr Beast – who donated a total of £10,000.
The YouTube star sent Tom the money as part of a video where he gave streamers huge donations and recorded their reactions.
Mr Beast’s video featuring Tom has been watched 70million times on YouTube.
Tom told the BBC: “Before then, it was pocket money, something to do on the side.
“MrBeast’s connection didn’t give me much exposure, but it gave me the boost – and it snowballed from there.
To start making money a Twitch user must become an affiliate – which means having a minimum of 50 followers.
A gamer needs to progress to Partner in order to start earning from adverts on their stream.
One of his friends once received a £1000 donation from a rich paramedic in the UAE.
But reaching these heights is no mean feat, Carlton warned.
Humble beginnings
When the project manager first started livestreaming he only had three viewers – his partner, mum, and best friend – who he said, “weren’t even really watching.”
It also took three months before he received any money, which only amounted to about £100.
The experience was also embarrassing and difficult at first because he wasn’t used to speaking to such a large community of people.
“I was trying my best to perform,” he said.
“Turns out, that’s not what people are after.
“They’re after me.”
I suck at games but thought I’ll go head first into this and see how it goes
Carlton Hill
He added: “They’re after more of an original connection.
“I did three live streams with the oldest PC I had and absolutely hated it at the beginning.
“I was so scared going live.
“It’s a very hard space to grown in.
“It’s overcoming that initial speedbump.
“I lucked out with connecting with people online and through networking.
“It instantly clicked and with people who are still in the community today.”
New research
Carlton is just one of many Brits that currently have a side hustle.
Some 45 per cent of people in the UK are working multiple jobs to supplement their income, Openreach research has revealed.
What energy bill help is available?
There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.
Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
Katie Milligan, Chief Commercial Officer at Openreach said: “The skills and self-belief gained from building a small business or monetising a hobby shouldn’t be underestimated.
“Confidence, perspective and creativity all get a boost, so it’s not a surprise to hear that people pursuing their passions are more self-fulfilled, engaged and productive when they’re at work.”
This comes as Nick “Nickmercs” Kolcheff, a popular American streamer and content creator moved from Twitch to Kick, after signing a whopping $10million non-exclusive deal with the platform in 2023.
Nick Kolcheff aka Nickmercs is one of the most popular video game players in the world right now.
He’s well known for playing various games, including Fortnite, Apex Legends, Rocket League and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
The 31-year-old is from Michigan.
I’m not the bravest person, but I would always give an honest opinion on the game
Carlton Hill
During his career as a professional gamer, he has won a YouTube Streamy Award for Live Streamer.
He has a huge following on Twitch and YouTube and is also the owner of FaZe Clan.
Nick started back in 2010 playing Gears of War, where he built a little bit of a following on YouTube, but where Nick really took off was playing competitive Fortnite.
He has been a streamer on Twitch for more than a decade now.
The deal with Kick expired in 2024 and left Nick with an option to either extend his contract with Kick or opt out.
While it is not clear what Nick chose, he certainly dropped a bombshell hint for his fans soon after his deal expired.
In a post on X he wrote: “Lads, my Kick deal is up. They showed mad love over the last 2 years & for that, I’m super grateful. Wishing them nothing but continued success.”
Although he said that his streams will be “primarily” on Twitch.
“Moving forward, we will be primarily on Twitch. Though no platform is perfect, I believe this is best for the community,” he added.
When will you get taxed on extra income?
You may need to inform HMRC about income that's not from your employer.
This may include money you earn from things like:
- selling things, for example at car boot sales or auctions, or online
- doing casual jobs such as gardening, food delivery or babysitting
- charging other people for using your equipment or tools
- renting out property or part of your home, including for holidays (for example, through an agency or online)
- creating content online, for example on social media