17 Lazy Ways To Make Money in 2024
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Are you looking for money-making ideas that let you work from home, in your pajamas, and when you want?
The world is evolving beyond the confines of conventional 9-5 jobs, and making money for doing something you love isn’t wishful thinking anymore.
This article delves into lazy ways to make money, like watching videos and playing games, which offer the opportunity to better your financial standing while embracing a more flexible lifestyle.
Whether you want to save more or pay off debt, these fun money-making ventures won’t take up much of your time.
While these opportunities are termed ‘lazy,’ rest assured they’re some of the best effortless ways to make additional income if you already have a demanding 9-5.
The Best Lazy Ways To Make Money
Do you prefer working online, in person, or making money while you sleep? Many fun, unconventional ways to make money don’t require breaking a sweat.
Some online ventures include surveys, selling printables, and data entry. Other jobs like walking dogs, babysitting, and scanning receipts require in-person input.
Finally, the icing on the cake! You can make money by doing absolutely nothing by exploring passive income side hustles like renting out extra space and investing in real estate.
1. Online Surveys
The first lazy way to make money is by answering online surveys. Have you ever used a product and couldn’t shut up about how awesome or poor quality it was?
Instead of venting to your family about that specific product, why don’t you sign up on a survey platform that cares to listen?
These paid survey sites work this way…
After signing up, you’ll get a profile survey where you’ll answer questions about yourself and your household. These profile surveys are used to match you to future opportunities.
From there, you’ll get a chance to complete surveys for cash. They pay in points redeemable for gift cards and PayPal money.
Once you reach the withdrawal minimum, you can cash out and spend your money or gift card however you wish.
Here are some of the best paid survey sites out there:
- Branded Surveys: This is one of the leading survey sites in this field. It offers a $1 signup bonus and pays $0.25 to $5 per survey.
- Opinion Outpost: Besides surveys, Opinion Outpost pays you to watch ads and test new products. The withdrawal minimum is $10.
- 5 Surveys: Surveys on this platform take 5-15 minutes, and you’ll earn $1 for every five surveys you complete.
- YouGov: YouGov has a high withdrawal minimum, 55,000 points for bank transfers and 5,000 for gift cards. However, it’s still a nice way to make extra cash.
- Crowdtap: The withdrawal threshold on Crowdtap is $5.
- Unlock Surveys: Formerly Springboard America, Unlock Surveys lets you earn PayPal cash and Amazon gift cards.
- SayMore: Pays $1-$2 per survey, and the minimum cashout amount is $5.
- Toluna: If you’re an avid gamer, consider signing up on Toluna to play games and answer surveys for cash.
Survey sites don’t pay much, but stacking several platforms can maximize your earnings. The flexibility and short length of surveys make it a suitable venture to stack with your day job.
2. Play Mobile Games
The concept of paid gaming apps is similar to that of paid survey sites.
You’ll earn redeemable points for gift cards, PayPal money, or bank transfers for completing certain milestones within the games.
These platforms offer popular titles like Call of Duty, Game of Thrones, and Minecraft. Here are some of the best apps that pay you to play games:
- Kashkick: You can make over $100 by playing Monopoly Go, Bingo Blitz, and Dragonscapes Adventure on Kashkick.
- Mistplay: This renowned Android gaming app pays you to play your favorite mobile games.
- JustPlay: Similar to Mistplay, it’s also Android-only and pays you in gift cards and PayPal cash.
- Rewarded Play: Includes popular games like Mahjong, Wheel of Fortune, and Solitaire. The only downside is that Rewarded Play doesn’t offer PayPal money, just gift cards.
- Solitaire Cash: If you enjoy playing solitaire games, you may want to try this app.
Whether you like card games or word games, there’s something for you.
Stacking gaming apps is a nice way to make money online. Plus, I like that you can play games to unwind after a long day, only this time, you get paid!
3. Watch Videos
Do you spend significant time consuming video content on YouTube, Pinterest, and TikTok? If so, watching videos for cash is a suitable lazy way to make money.
This is among the simplest ways to generate income, even with a demanding day job. You don’t have to watch all the videos. Let them run as you continue your day-to-day activities.
These sites are worth exploring if you’re interested in watching ads for money:
- InboxDollars: You can make $0.01 to $0.40 per video. They have a $5 sign up bonus.
- MyPoints: Besides watching videos, MyPoints lets you earn gift cards, travel miles, and cash for answering surveys, playing games, and surfing the web.
- Nielsen Media Homes: While this is an invite-only program, Nielsen Media Homes pays you to share data on the TV shows you watch.
- CreationsRewards: Another website that lets you earn gift cards for watching videos.
While watching videos won’t make you rich, nothing beats free money. Stack several sites to maximize your rewards.
4. Sleeping
I thought I’d seen it all till I discovered people can get paid to sleep. This goes contrary to the popular belief that you must work hard to earn a living.
One way to make money while you sleep is by participating in sleep trials. These involve testing a mattress or other bedding like pillows and noise-canceling headphones to rate the quality of sleep.
If you get accepted into a sleep trial, you’ll get the free product to review within 30-120 days.
Consider companies like Sleep Junkie, Eachnight, or Wakefit if you’re interested in sleeping your way to financial stability.
5. Scanning Receipts
Another lazy way to make money is by scanning receipts. So, how does this work? Once you sign up on a rebate app, you’ll receive cashback for shopping at their partner stores and brands.
Some platforms pay cashback on what you buy, while others pay you to scan the barcodes of specific products without purchasing them.
You can earn 2%-30% cashback depending on the app and brand. Here are some of the best rebate apps:
- NCP Mobile: Scan barcodes and submit product descriptions on NCP Mobile to make extra cash.
- Receipt Hog: An excellent way for US and Canadian residents to earn cashback.
- Drop: This site offers the convenience of earning cash back automatically by linking your debit and credit cards.
- Shopkick: Offers cashback for both in-store and online shopping.
- Pogo: In addition to shopping, Pogo pays you to complete surveys and share your location data.
- Upside: Are you always complaining about the high gas prices? With Upside, you can earn cash back at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.
6. Listen To Music
Listening to music is among the most effortless ways to make money. You can earn as you head to work or as you work through the pile of files on your desk.
One of my favorite ways is through creating Spotify playlists. I’m sure you already have some to get you through workouts or wind down after a long day.
Instead of enjoying the playlist by yourself, share it with the world on sites like PlaylistPush to make extra cash. As long as you meet the criteria, you can make $1.25 to $15 per playlist on this site.
My playlists are so personal that sharing them feels like letting people into my head. If you’re like me and don’t fancy sharing your music with anyone, I recommend listening to the radio on RadioEarn.
RadioEarn rewards you with about 0.25 points every 15 minutes. Once you reach the withdrawal threshold, you can redeem your points for gift cards, bank transfers, and Bitcoin.
Here are other sites that pay you to listen to music.
7. Walk Dogs
Having a furry friend is honestly one of the best things in life. Think about how they bring a spark into your life.
If you like caring for pets, a lazy way to make money is by walking dogs. You can offer your services within your neighborhood to make the venture more effortless.
Alternatively, sites like Rover connect you to dog owners who need help walking their dogs. This is an excellent opportunity if you want to reach a broader audience outside your neighborhood.
According to Indeed, dog walkers on Rover make an average of $20.01 hourly. I’ve also come across users claiming to earn up to $1,000 monthly for working less than 20 hours a week.
From the stats, dog walking is a profitable venture that you can easily turn into a full-time gig.
8. Get Paid To Lose Weight
I honestly think I’d be more motivated to work out consistently if I got paid for the effort. While losing weight isn’t entirely effortless, you’ll be earning money for something you’d be doing anyway.
If you’re looking to shed some weight, consider signing up on the following sites to enjoy the satisfaction of achieving your vision board goal while making extra cash:
- SweatCoin: This platform rewards you in coins for walking. You’ll receive 0.95 coins for every 1,000 steps. You can redeem your coins for Apple gift cards or donate.
- DietBet: This platform will motivate you to achieve your weight-loss goal by betting on yourself. It works more like a multiplayer tournament where you pool funds with other people and split the pot after the game.
- HealthyWage: This site works like DietBet, and you can win up to $10,000.
- Competish: Competish adds a twist to the fun by letting you compete with your family and friends.
Here are other ways to get paid to lose weight.
9. Rent Out Extra Space
Another lazy way to make money is by renting out your extra space. You can rent out a spare room, an extra storage space, or a parking space for extra cash.
The size doesn’t matter. However big or small, renting out your unused space is a fantastic way to cover your mortgage or free up more money for saving.
I recommend renting out your space on Airbnb if it’s big enough to accommodate a person. Simply furnish the room to give a homely vibe, take good photos, and list it on the platform.
You can make up to $200 per night, depending on the size and location of your property.
Consider converting your unused space into a storage space if it’s not big enough to accommodate a bed. You can add shelves and install hanging hooks to make the space more valuable.
Neighbor connects you to people looking for an extra storage space. Expect $50 to $600 monthly, depending on location and size.
10. Video Game Tester
Here’s a lucrative opportunity for gaming enthusiasts. Developers always hire beta testers to review their games and identify bugs before launching them.
You’ll need to pay attention to certain features like:
- Functionality
- Visual quality
- Regression load
- Crashing
- Freezing
Glassdoor says you can make $47,000-$84,000 annually as a beta tester, which is a good amount considering you’re doing something you love.
You can work full-time for companies like Apple, Capcom, Sony, and PlayStation. Job boards like Indeed, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter are ideal for sourcing such jobs.
Alternatively, testing video games on PlaytestCloud is a good option if you’re looking for a part-time gig. You’ll earn $5 to $9 for a 15-minute playtest.
11. Invest in Real Estate
Are you still seeking lazy ways to make money? If so, investing in real estate is a low-risk venture that’s worth considering.
Owning a property is a nice way to earn consistent passive income from rent. Plus, land always appreciates, so chances are your estate will be worth more in a few years.
But what if you can’t afford to purchase a property? Does this leave you out of the real estate investment opportunity?
The answer is no. Thanks to crowdfunding platforms like Fundrise and Arrived, you can invest in real estate from as low as $10.
Crowdfunding platforms pool funds from several investors to purchase a single property. From there, rent is divided among the investors as per the share capital.
The advantage of crowdfunding sites is that they cover all managerial duties, leaving you to focus on diversifying your portfolio to bring in more money.
Real estate is among the best ways to make money while you sleep.
12. Flip Stuff for Profit
The profit potential in flipping makes it a good way to earn without breaking a sweat. Plus, you can choose your working hours and profit margins.
Another upside of flipping is that you can venture into virtually anything. Some of the most profitable items to flip include:
- Houses
- Clothes
- Sneakers
- Watches
- Fitness equipment
So, how does flipping work? The first step to working as a flipper is sourcing inventory. This can be as effortless as scrolling through online marketplaces to land the best deals.
Depending on the condition of your item, you can renovate it or sell it as it is.
As soon as the product is ready to sell, take clear pictures and list it on online platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Mercari, or Poshmark.
From there, sit back and wait for potential buyers to reach out to you. It’s as easy as that! Want to make your flipping process lazier? Consider flipping digital items instead of physical products.
Digital items like websites and domains don’t need physical handling and are generally easier to acquire than physical goods.
13. Babysitting
Babies are such angels, and this is why caring for them is a lazy way to make money.
Let’s begin with the flexibility this gig offers. You can work whenever you want. Plus, you have control over your rate card.
Picture this…you’re cuddled up on a couch watching your favorite Netflix show while the kids are asleep. Only this time, you’re getting paid for it.
Babysitting involves several activities, like preparing meals for the kids, helping them with their homework, and ensuring they get to bed early.
Scout Care.com or Indeed to find babysitting jobs. Working for family and friends is also a fantastic idea. You can earn $10-$30 hourly, but you can make more if you work overnight.
If you’re looking for a job that doesn’t demand a lot of qualifications, babysitting is an excellent idea.
14. Sell Printables on Etsy
Have you thought about the idea of creating something once and then reselling it severally without recreating it from scratch? If this isn’t the laziest way to make money, then what is?
Printables are increasing in popularity, and this is why selling them on Etsy is a good idea. People always want templates for greeting cards or a 30-day fitness challenge to achieve their goals.
Simply pick a niche and start designing. Prior experience in graphic design is an added advantage.
Another upside of selling printables is you don’t have to be artistically inclined to make the products. Sites like Pinterest help you find numerous free designs you can tweak and sell.
You can also use free templates on Canva to create your designs. The income potential depends on how you price your printables. You can turn this into a full-time gig if you play your cards right.
15. Data Entry
If you’re conversant with tools like MS Excel and Google Sheets, data entry can be a nice, lazy way to earn a living.
As a data entry clerk, your primary role will be organizing data into spreadsheets that people can easily interpret. It sounds like a hard job, but it only involves typing numbers throughout the day.
A major downside of data entry is its repetitive nature. However, this doesn’t overshadow the benefits of working from home, choosing your working hours, and setting your rates.
It is an excellent way to be your own boss and make money without sitting on your desk wishing the lunch break would come sooner.
You can find data entry gigs on freelance sites like Clickworker, PeoplePerHour, and FlexJobs. If you’re seeking a full-time data entry opportunity, sites like Indeed and LinkedIn will come in handy.
16. Typing
Are you a fast typist with a laptop or computer? If so, online typing jobs are worth exploring.
The best thing about typing jobs is you don’t need any educational qualifications. You’re good to go with a good typing speed. Plus, you can always hone your skills on the job.
Since the jobs are online, you’re free to choose a flexible working schedule that fits your needs. You can also set your rates if you work as a freelance typist.
Typing gigs are readily available on Fiverr, Upwork, and Clickworker. Expect $10 to $20 per hour.
17. Netflix Tagger
Do you like to binge-watch the latest Netflix shows on weekends? What if I told you you could get paid to do just that?
I always like watching a rom-com after a long day, and I’m thrilled that this can be a way to make extra cash.
As a Netflix tagger, you’ll need to watch movies and categorize them into different genres. You’ll also need to look for similarities based on theme, language, profanity, and cast.
Tagging shows help people find exactly what they’re looking for when they search specific keywords.
Head to Netflix’s website if you think you’re up for the task. Once selected, you’ll need to fill out an online application dictating your skills and experience.
From there, you’ll complete a few tagging tests and you’ll be ready for the job. You can make up to $45 per hour.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many lazy ways to make money. You only need to step up and scout job boards and freelance sites for the job of your dreams.
From typing to watching movies and videos, you can get paid for doing what you love.
It’s worth noting that these gigs are suitable for everyone, regardless of your schedule and financial goals.
If you already have a demanding day job but want to supplement your income, consider venturing into these side hustles in your spare time.
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