When you’re already juggling work, family, and life, the last thing you need is a complicated side gig that feels like a second job. That’s where finding easy side hustles to make money comes in—something you can start quickly, without burning yourself out or sinking hours into training.
The good news? There are plenty of simple, flexible options out there that fit into your schedule and lifestyle. You don’t need fancy skills or endless free time to pad your wallet—you just need the right ideas.
Here’s how to pick from the best easy side hustles to make money (even if you only have a few hours a week) and the top options that actually deliver.
What Makes a Side Hustle “Easy”?
“Easy” doesn’t always mean effortless—but it should mean low-stress, flexible, and beginner-friendly. When hunting for an easy side hustle, look for these features:
- Low barrier to entry: No special certifications or training required.
- Flexible hours: Work whenever you have a spare hour—before work, after dinner, or on weekends.
- Minimal startup costs: No need for big investments in tools or inventory.
- Quick payout options: The faster you can get paid, the better.
The goal here is to find something that doesn’t feel like another full-time job, but still helps you stack extra cash.
1. Get Paid to Take Surveys (While Watching TV)
If you’re looking for a no-brainer way to earn, paid survey sites are the ultimate “multi-task while you binge Netflix” side hustle.
- Where to start:
- Swagbucks pays you to take surveys, watch videos, and even shop online.
- Survey Junkie is laser-focused on quick, straightforward surveys that pay in cash or gift cards.
- Earnings potential: Expect around $50–$200/month if you do them regularly. Not life-changing, but perfect for easy pocket money.
- Why it’s easy: You don’t need any special skills, and you can do them on your phone while relaxing.
Lazy Hack Tip: Stack multiple survey platforms to increase your earnings (you can run Swagbucks and Survey Junkie at the same time).
2. Grocery Delivery or Pickup (No Heavy Lifting Required)
If you want to move around a bit but avoid high-effort gigs, grocery delivery is an underrated easy side hustle to make money.
- Best apps:
- Earnings potential: Typically $15–$25/hour, especially during peak grocery times (evenings and weekends).
- Why it’s easy: You can choose smaller “pickup only” orders if you’d rather avoid delivering heavy loads.
Lazy Hack Tip: Batch multiple small orders in one trip to maximize your hourly rate without extra effort.
3. Cash Back Apps (Earn Money on Stuff You Already Buy)
This is the ultimate lazy hack: get paid back for purchases you were going to make anyway.
- Top picks:
- Earnings potential: Average users report $100–$200/year in extra cash with almost zero extra effort.
- Why it’s easy: No selling, no extra trips. Just shop as usual and claim your rewards.
Lazy Hack Tip: Pair cashback apps with a rewards credit card to double-dip and maximize earnings.
4. Rent Out Stuff You Already Own
If you’ve got gear sitting around gathering dust—like tools, cameras, or even a spare parking spot—you can turn it into easy income.
- Where to list:
- Earnings potential: Anywhere from $50–$500/month depending on what you rent out.
- Why it’s easy: No extra work—you just collect cash for things you’re not using.
Lazy Hack Tip: List multiple small items (like power tools or sports gear) instead of just one big asset to create steady income streams.
5. Get Paid to Walk (Yes, Really)
If you’re already walking the dog or taking evening strolls, apps now literally pay you for it.
- Best options:
- Earnings potential: Dog walkers on Rover earn $15–$25 per walk, while step-count apps add small but passive rewards.
- Why it’s easy: You’re just turning something you’re already doing (walking) into cash.
6. Micro-Task Apps (Quick Jobs, Quick Pay)
If you have five minutes here and there, micro-task apps offer fast, easy earnings.
- Examples:
- TaskRabbit for small errands (like IKEA furniture assembly or hanging a shelf).
- Field Agent pays you for quick store audits, like snapping photos of shelves or checking prices.
- Earnings potential: $3–$15 per task; stack a few in one trip for $30+ in under an hour.
- Why it’s easy: No ongoing commitment—you grab tasks whenever you want.
Lazy Hack Tip: Focus on quick wins (like photo tasks) instead of bigger jobs that require tools or time.
Why Easy Side Hustles Work
The beauty of an easy side hustle to make money is that it fits seamlessly into your routine. Whether you’re walking dogs, tapping out a survey during lunch, or renting out that old bike in your garage, these gigs don’t require a major lifestyle overhaul.
Think of them as “money add-ons”—small, low-effort moves that stack up over time without leaving you drained.
7. Tutoring (Without a Teaching Degree)
You don’t need to be a certified teacher to help others learn—and online tutoring makes it easy to earn from home.
- Where to start:
- Earnings potential: $10–$25 per hour, depending on the platform and subject.
- Why it’s easy: If you can explain basic concepts or speak English fluently, you qualify. No grading papers, no classroom chaos.
Lazy Hack Tip: Stick to platforms with flexible schedules, so you can log in when you have spare time.
8. Freelance “Lite” Gigs (5-Minute Skills for Cash)
Freelancing sounds intimidating, but not all gigs require professional portfolios. If you can type fast, organize spreadsheets, or do basic design work, there are easy tasks waiting for you.
- Where to list:
- Earnings potential: Start with $5–$20 per task, and grow from there as you gain reviews.
- Why it’s easy: No office drama, no long-term commitments—just quick projects you can knock out on your laptop.
Lazy Hack Tip: Offer “quick delivery” add-ons for extra pay. A 24-hour turnaround is a fast way to earn tips.
9. Rent Out Digital Assets (Yes, Even Your Wi-Fi)
Here’s a weird one: You can literally rent out unused digital stuff and earn passively.
- Examples:
- Honeygain pays you to share unused internet bandwidth.
- Neighbor.com can be paired with renting digital access (think: secure storage cameras or routers for short-term access in niche markets).
- Earnings potential: $20–$50/month from Honeygain alone, without lifting a finger.
- Why it’s easy: Install it, run it in the background, and forget it—true “set it and forget it” vibes.
Lazy Hack Tip: Stack Honeygain with other passive income apps for a slow but steady drip of extra cash.
10. Testing Websites and Apps
If scrolling through websites feels second nature, why not get paid to do it? User testing gigs are quick, simple, and pay surprisingly well.
- Where to start:
- UserTesting pays you to review websites and apps while speaking your thoughts out loud.
- TryMyUI offers similar tasks, often taking just 10–15 minutes each.
- Earnings potential: $10 per test, and each test takes about 15–20 minutes.
- Why it’s easy: You don’t need tech skills—just be honest and follow instructions.
Lazy Hack Tip: Keep headphones with a mic handy so you can jump into tests quickly without setup delays.
11. Create and Sell Digital Printables
If you’ve ever downloaded a planner page or budget template, guess what? Someone made money creating it. Selling digital printables is a surprisingly easy side hustle that can be done with free tools like Canva.
- Where to sell:
- Etsy is a hot spot for budget planners, calendars, meal prep templates, and more.
- Creative Market caters to niche, design-focused audiences.
- Earnings potential: Many sellers earn $100–$500/month with simple designs.
- Why it’s easy: You create once and sell infinitely—no inventory, no shipping.
Lazy Hack Tip: Start with pre-made Canva templates to cut your design time in half.
12. Peer-to-Peer Gig Apps (Small Tasks, Fast Pay)
Want hyper-flexible gigs? Peer-to-peer apps connect you with neighbors who need simple help—like assembling IKEA furniture, carrying boxes, or watering plants.
- Top picks:
- TaskRabbit for errands and odd jobs.
- Handy for light cleaning gigs.
- Earnings potential: $20–$40/hour depending on the job and your area.
- Why it’s easy: These are one-off tasks you can choose yourself—no schedule, no commitment.
Lazy Hack Tip: Focus on tasks that match your existing tools or skills (like light cleaning or flat-pack assembly).
Why These “Lazy-Friendly” Side Hustles Work
The best easy side hustle to make money is one that fits naturally into your life. If you can:
- Do it in under an hour,
- Start with zero to little training, and
- Earn steady payouts,
…it’s a win. By stacking a few of these low-effort hustles, you can add $200–$500/month (or more) without feeling like you’ve taken on another job.
Quick-Start Action Plan: Launch an Easy Side Hustle Fast
Ready to jump in but don’t know where to start? Here’s a simple, no-stress plan to get going:
Step 1: Pick Your Easiest Win
Choose one side hustle that matches your lifestyle. If you:
- Have free time at home → Try surveys, cashback apps, or printables.
- Want light activity → Go for dog walking, TaskRabbit gigs, or grocery delivery.
- Prefer passive → Install apps like Honeygain or rent out items you already own.
Lazy Hack Tip: Start with one low-effort gig to build confidence. You can always add more later.
Step 2: Set a “No-Brainer” Goal
Skip overwhelming targets. Instead, aim small:
- Earn $50 your first month.
- Then, bump it to $100–$200/month with stacking (like surveys + cashback + an easy app-based gig).
These bite-sized wins build momentum—and motivation.
Step 3: Automate & Batch Your Efforts
Turn your hustle into a routine without thinking about it:
- Schedule 15–30 minutes a day (surveys while watching TV or walking dogs after dinner).
- Automate savings by sending your hustle income to a separate “fun money” or bills account.
- Batch similar gigs (like multiple TaskRabbit errands in one neighborhood) to maximize your time.
Lazy Hack Tip: Treat it like brushing your teeth: quick, habitual, and done without stress.
The Best Easy Side Hustles at a Glance
If you want a shortlist, here are the top picks:
- For total minimal effort:
- Paid surveys (Swagbucks, Survey Junkie)
- Cashback apps (Rakuten, Ibotta)
- Passive income apps (Honeygain)
- For flexible, quick-pay gigs:
- Grocery delivery (Instacart, Shipt)
- Dog walking (Rover)
- Micro-tasks (TaskRabbit, Field Agent)
- For creative types:
The Bottom Line: Easy Side Hustles Can Add Up Fast
You don’t need a complicated second job to bring in extra cash. By picking any of these easy side hustles to make money, you can build a steady stream of low-stress income that fits into your everyday life.
Start small: earn $50, then $100, then $200 a month. Those “lazy” wins compound—suddenly, you’ve covered a bill, built a mini emergency fund, or funded a weekend getaway without breaking a sweat.
The best part? Most of these side hustles are flexible, fast, and beginner-friendly. So grab one (or two) today, and let those low-effort earnings roll in.