Want to make extra cash without burning out or learning complex new skills? Side hustles don’t have to mean long hours or endless hustle. As someone who’s always on the lookout for smart, low-effort ways to pad my wallet, I’ve put together a list of 16 side hustles that fit seamlessly into a busy life. These ideas are flexible, beginner-friendly, and some even offer passive income potential. Whether you’ve got 10 minutes a day or a few hours a week, there’s something here for you.
Let’s dive into these practical, low-effort ways to make money—perfect for anyone looking to boost their income without the stress!
What Makes a Side Hustle "Low Effort"?
A low-effort side hustle is one that:
- Requires minimal startup costs (often free or under $100).
- Fits into flexible schedules—work when you want.
- Needs little to no specialized skills or training.
- Offers passive or semi-passive income potential over time.
While not every option will feel effortless for everyone, you’re bound to find at least one that matches your lifestyle and interests. Ready to get started?
Top 16 Low-Effort Side Hustles for Extra Cash
1. Answer Online Surveys
Effort Level: Minimal
Earning Potential: $50–$200/month
Love sharing your opinions? Companies pay for your feedback to improve their products and services. Sign up for survey platforms, answer simple questions (like “What’s your favorite snack?”), and earn cash or gift cards.
Recommended Platforms:
- User Interviews: High-paying video surveys (I once earned $150 for a 45-minute session!).
- Survey Junkie: Reliable for quick surveys.
- Swagbucks: Combines surveys with other micro-tasks.
- Branded Surveys: Great for consistent payouts.
Pro Tip: Stack multiple platforms to maximize earnings. Do surveys while watching Netflix or waiting for your coffee to brew. It’s that easy!
2. Sell Stock Photos
Effort Level: Low (after initial setup)
Earning Potential: $100–$1,000+/month (passive)
Got a knack for photography? Turn your snapshots into cash by selling stock photos on platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or Depositphotos. Businesses and bloggers need images for websites, ads, and more.
How It Works: Upload photos of everyday scenes (think travel, food, or workspaces). Each download earns you a commission, creating a passive income stream.
Pro Tip: Batch-upload photos during your free time to build a portfolio. The more images you have, the more you can earn.
3. Use Cash Back Apps
Effort Level: Near-Zero
Earning Potential: $50–$500/year
Why not get paid for shopping you’re already doing? Cash back apps reward you for purchases like groceries, gas, or online orders.
Top Apps:
- Upside: Cash back on gas (I saved $30 last month!).
- Rakuten: Great for online shopping (think 5–10% back).
- Swagbucks: Covers groceries and more.
Pro Tip: Link your credit card or upload receipts in seconds. Over time, these small rebates add up to serious savings.
4. Rent Out a Spare Room
Effort Level: Low
Earning Potential: $400–$2,000+/month
Got an unused room? Rent it out on platforms like Airbnb or local rental groups. In high-demand areas, you could earn $1,000+ per month per room.
Why It’s Low Effort: Once the room is set up, your main task is occasional cleaning and communication with guests.
Pro Tip: Check local regulations and set clear house rules to keep things hassle-free.
5. Sell Print-on-Demand Products
Effort Level: Moderate (initial design), then Passive
Earning Potential: $500–$5,000+/month
Create designs for T-shirts, mugs, or phone cases, and let platforms like Printify handle printing and shipping. Sell on Etsy or Shopify for maximum reach.
Why It’s Great: After designing, it’s hands-off. Your designs can sell repeatedly with zero inventory management.
Pro Tip: Focus on trendy or niche designs (e.g., pet lover slogans) to stand out.
6. Become a Mystery Shopper
Effort Level: Low
Earning Potential: $10–$50/assignment
Get paid to shop or dine while evaluating customer service. Companies like BestMark offer gigs to review stores, restaurants, or even phone interactions.
Why It’s Fun: Free meals or products are often included, plus you earn cash for simple feedback.
Pro Tip: Stick to local assignments to minimize travel time.
7. Pet Sit in Your Home
Effort Level: Low to Moderate
Earning Potential: $15–$50/pet/night
Love animals? Offer pet-sitting services through Rover or Wag. Watch pets in your home while their owners travel.
Why It’s Easy: You’re mostly chilling with furry friends. Choose pets that fit your lifestyle (e.g., low-maintenance dogs).
Pro Tip: Screen clients to ensure a good fit—some sitters even require interviews!
8. Play Games on Your Phone
Effort Level: Minimal
Earning Potential: $50–$300/month
Turn your gaming habit into cash with apps like Freecash, KashKick, or Swagbucks. Play mobile games and earn cash or gift cards.
Why It’s Fun: It’s literally playing games! I made $200 in a month testing this out.
Pro Tip: Focus on high-reward games and set time limits to avoid burnout.
9. Deliver Food
Effort Level: Moderate
Earning Potential: $15–$25/hour
Sign up with DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Instacart to deliver food or groceries. Work when you want, no boss required.
Why It’s Flexible: Pick shifts that fit your schedule. Evenings and weekends are peak times for tips.
Pro Tip: Stick to busy areas to stack deliveries and boost earnings.
10. Own Vending Machines
Effort Level: Low (after setup)
Earning Potential: $100–$1,000+/month
Buy a vending machine, stock it with snacks or unique items (like baby gear or makeup), and place it in a high-traffic spot. Restock monthly and collect profits.
Why It’s Passive: Maintenance is minimal once the machine is set up.
Pro Tip: Negotiate with property owners for prime locations like offices or gyms.
11. Do Transcription Work
Effort Level: Moderate
Earning Potential: $15–$20/hour
Type audio into text for businesses or creators using platforms like Rev or TranscribeMe. No special skills needed—just decent typing speed.
Why It’s Flexible: Work from home, choose your hours, and pick projects that suit you.
Pro Tip: Practice typing to boost speed and earnings.
12. Sell Printables on Etsy
Effort Level: Moderate (initial creation), then Passive
Earning Potential: $500–$5,000+/month
Design digital printables like planners or budget trackers and sell them on Etsy. Once created, they sell repeatedly with no extra work.
Why It’s Great: No inventory or shipping—just digital downloads.
Pro Tip: Research trending niches (e.g., wedding planners) to attract buyers.
13. Scan Grocery Receipts
Effort Level: Near-Zero
Earning Potential: $5–$20/month
Upload grocery receipts to apps like Fetch Rewards or Ibotta and earn points for cash or gift cards. Takes seconds per receipt.
Why It’s Effortless: You’re already shopping—just snap a photo.
Pro Tip: Use both apps to double-dip on rewards.
14. Rent Out Your RV
Effort Level: Low
Earning Potential: $50–$250/night
List your RV on RVshare when you’re not using it. Travelers love renting RVs for road trips, and you earn passive income.
Why It’s Easy: Minimal upkeep beyond cleaning and coordinating rentals.
Pro Tip: Set competitive rates based on your RV’s size and features.
15. Sell Recyclables
Effort Level: Low
Earning Potential: $50–$200/month
Collect cans, scrap metal, or old electronics and sell them to recycling centers. It’s eco-friendly and profitable.
Why It’s Simple: Start with your own household or ask neighbors to contribute.
Pro Tip: Check local recycling rates to maximize profits.
16. Rent Out Baby Gear
Effort Level: Low
Earning Potential: $50–$500/month
Own baby gear like strollers or cribs? Rent them to traveling families via BabyQuip. Clean and deliver gear for easy cash.
Why It’s Low Maintenance: Gear is reusable, and demand is steady.
Pro Tip: Market to tourist-heavy areas for more bookings.
FAQs About Low-Effort Side Hustles
What’s the Easiest Side Hustle to Start?
It depends on your skills, but online surveys, cash back apps, and receipt scanning are the simplest. They require no investment and take minutes to set up.
How Can I Make Money with Minimal Effort?
Focus on passive options like selling printables, renting out space, or stock photos. These require upfront work but generate income with little ongoing effort.
What’s the Best Passive Income for Beginners?
Selling digital products (like printables or stock photos) is ideal. Create once, sell forever. Renting out space (rooms, RVs, or storage) is another low-maintenance winner.
Can I Really Make Money Barely Working?
Yes! Combine passive income (e.g., printables, vending machines) with micro-tasks (e.g., surveys, receipt scanning) to earn with minimal time commitment.
Why Low-Effort Side Hustles Are Worth It
In today’s fast-paced world, who has time for a second job? That’s why I love these low-effort side hustles. They let you earn extra cash without sacrificing your schedule or sanity. Whether you’re saving for a vacation, paying off debt, or just want some fun money, these ideas can make a real difference.
My Favorite Picks:
- Surveys for pocket change while chilling.
- Printables for passive income with creative flair.
- Cash back apps for effortless savings.
What’s Next? Pick one or two ideas that excite you and start small. Even 10 minutes a day can add up to hundreds of dollars over time. Which side hustle are you trying first? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your plans!
