13 Genius Ways to Get Paid to Do Nothing!

Last Updated November 28, 2024 by Davina Kelly

Imagine making money without lifting a finger – sounds too good to be true, right? But thanks to the internet, you can actually get paid to do nothing!

Yes, it’s real. There are clever ways to earn extra cash with little to no effort. These methods won’t make you a millionaire overnight, but they can add up and put some money in your pocket for doing things you’re probably already doing. 

In this post, I’ll share how you can get paid to do nothing. From everyday activities to your favourite hobbies, I’ll share easy ways to make money with minimal work. 

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we will receive a commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

13 Easy Ways to Get Paid to Do Nothing:

1. Give Your Opinion

Do you love sharing your thoughts on products or have an opinion on just about everything? If so, why not get paid for it? Survey sites are a great way to earn extra cash simply by giving your opinion. 

Popular survey sites like Survey Junkie, InboxDollars and Swagbucks pay users just to complete surveys, which can take as little as five minutes. All you have to do is answer a few questions or give your personal opinion on products and services. 

The best part is, you can do this in your spare time! Instead of endlessly scrolling through social media, you could be making extra money with minimal effort.

Plus, if it’s your first time answering surveys for cash you can get a $5 welcome bonus just for signing up for an account with InboxDollars and MyPoints. Now, that is an easy way to get paid to do nothing and a nice perk for getting started. 

Let me be honest: surveys won’t make you rich. Most pay between $1 – $3 per survey, which might not sound like much – but that’s a free coffee. And if you focus on higher-paying options, you could easily earn $5 to $10 a day, which adds up over time. 

Check out the best survey sites to learn more about how to make money with paid surveys. 

2. Invest In The Stock Market

If you really want to learn how to make money doing nothing, investing in the stock market is one of the smartest options. It’s a powerful way to earn passive income and will help you grow your wealth over time with minimal ongoing effort. 

Index Funds

If you’re new to investing I suggest starting with Index Funds and ETFs (Exchange-Traded funds). These allow you to get exposure to a broad market index and benefit from diversification as you’ll invest in a collection of stocks rather than just one company. 

This is exactly how I began my investing journey and I’m so happy I took the plunge! Now my money works for me – even while I sleep. 

One of the most popular index funds is the S&P 500 which tracks the 500 largest companies in the U.S. By investing in the S&P 500, you gain exposure to some of the most successful companies out there with just one investment. 

Dividend Stocks

Another great option is dividend stocks. These are stocks that pay regular dividends which is essentially a portion of the company’s profits that go to shareholders. 

By choosing reliable companies with a solid history of dividend payments, you could receive regular payouts that will accumulate over time. 

REITs

You could also invest in REITs (Real estate investment trusts). REITs are companies that own and manage income-producing properties. This is a great way to earn passive income from real estate without having to buy or manage the property yourself. 

The great thing about REITs is they are required to pay 90% of their profits to shareholders. So you’ll receive regular dividends based on the rental income generated. 

It’s a simple, hands-off way to add real estate to your investment portfolio and benefit from growth in the property market. 

The earlier you start investing, the better. This will give your money more time to grow and even small, consistent contributions can grow significantly over time thanks to compound interest.

If you’re new to investing and want to learn more, check out my posts below. They’ll guide you through the process step by step.

Investing for Beginners (The Ultimate Guide)

How To Invest in Index Funds (The Complete Beginners Guide)

3. Get Paid to Shop

Who doesn’t love shopping? But what if you could actually get paid to shop? Cashback websites and apps let you earn a percentage of what you spend back in cash, which adds up over time. 

Platforms like Rakuten, Honey and Ibotta allow you to earn cashback on your everyday purchases. Rakuten, for example, has hundreds of retailers on board, so you can earn back a portion of what you spend on things like groceries, clothes and even travel bookings. 

Many cashback sites also offer sign-up bonuses for new users. So you’ll receive a welcome reward plus an extra 10% cashback on purchases within the first 7 days of signing up. 

Cashback is like getting a little rebate on things you’re already planning to buy. The amounts may seem small, but they can really add up – especially on larger purchases. 

For example, if you’re planning on making big purchases over $1,000 at stores like Target or Walmart, you could earn a juicy $100 in cashback! It’s a simple, effortless way to save money and a great way to get paid to do nothing. 

4. Rent Out Your Extra Space

Do you have a garage, driveway or storage space that’s just sitting empty? If so, you could turn that unused space into extra cash by renting it out. 

Sites like Neighbor and STOW IT let you list your extra storage for rent. People who need extra space to store items like RVs, cars or equipment are often willing to pay a pretty penny for this convenience.  

Once your space is listed and rented, there’s very little for you to do. You could earn anywhere from $50 to $500 a month, depending on the size and location of the space. That’s money for something you weren’t even using. 

To maximise your earnings, keep your space clean, safe and secure. Most rental sites offer insurance for hosts so your space will be protected, but it’s always wise to screen tenants to clarify usage terms upfront. 

5. Get Paid to Read

Are you a book lover? What if I told you that you can actually get paid to read books? Yes, you read that right! For book lovers, it’s one of the best ways to make money doing something you already love. Imagine curling up on the sofa with a great book and getting paid for it!

There are many ways you can turn your reading hobby into income. You can sign up to platforms like Kirkus Reviews which will pay you to review books. 

Or you could start a book review blog. With a blog, you’ll have the creative freedom to choose the books you want to review and create additional income streams. 

For example, you can make money with affiliate marketing which means you’ll earn commissions when readers buy books through your links and ad revenue. 

If you don’t mind being in front of the camera you could join BookTok which is TikTok’s reading community. Once you build a following, you can receive free books or earn money through sponsored posts, all while sharing your passion for reading.

Another way to monetise your skills is by proofreading. If you’ve got a sharp eye for detail, many websites offer freelance opportunities to proofread and edit content. It’s a flexible way to earn money while indulging in your love of reading. 

Related: 10 Best Proofreading Jobs from Home

If you are more creative, consider audiobook narration. Platforms like ACX connect narrators with authors looking to bring their books to life. Plus, you can earn royalties every time someone purchases the audiobook.

6. Rent Out Your Spare Room

Have a spare room in your home? Renting it out is one of the simplest ways to make consistent passive income.

Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo make it easy to host short-term guests, while sites like SpareRoom and Roommates.com are great for finding long-term tenants.

Hosting short-term guests might mean a little more effort upfront, but the earning potential can be huge – especially if you’re in a popular location.

On the other hand, renting to a long-term tenant is a more hands-off option that brings in steady income without much hassle. 

Just make sure your space is clean, comfortable and well-maintained to attract renters. Whether you’re covering household expenses or saving for a goal, renting out a room can be an easy way to boost your income. 

7. Open a New Savings Account

If your money is sitting in a regular savings account, you could be missing out on easy money. Switching to a high-yield savings account can significantly increase your savings. 

These accounts offer much higher interest rates compared to traditional savings accounts, so your money is working harder for you without any extra work. 

For example, a regular savings account might offer a measly 0.001 – 0.35% interest rate whereas high-yield accounts can go as high as 5%. Banks like Marcus by Goldman Sachs are a great place to start.

Here’s a quick example: Let’s say you deposit $10,000 into an account with a 6% interest rate. 

That’s $600 in interest for the year, so you’ll make $50 a month for doing nothing. It’s essentially free money for parking your cash in the right place and here’s the cherry on top – many banks offer sign-up bonuses for new accounts.

The only catch is that most high-yield savings accounts are offered by online banks, which might not have physical branches. But if you’re ok with managing your money online, it’s a no-brainer. 

Read here to learn the best high-yield savings accounts.

8. Utilise Cashback Sites & Reward Cards

Did you know that your credit card can actually make you money? It’s true! With reward credit cards, you can earn cashback or points on purchases you’d be making anyway, which is basically free money to use for groceries, bills or even vacations. 

Many cards offer amazing sign-up bonuses and bonus points as a welcome gift. However, they will usually require you to spend a certain amount of money first such as £3,000 in the first 3 months. You can read here to learn more about the best cashback credit cards.

Personally, I love using reward credit cards for travel perks. I usually use my points to get flight discounts and upgrade my seat. 

Friendly tip: Don’t fall into the trap of overspending to rack up points. Always pay off your balance in full each month to avoid interest, so those rewards can keep growing. 

9. Participate in Sleep Studies

Yes, you read that right – you can literally get paid to sleep. Sounds like a dream right? Lol Research facilities and universities often run sleep studies to better understand sleep patterns and they’re willing to pay participants well for their time. 

Some studies might involve staying in a sleep lab for a few nights, while others let you participate from home. Depending on the study, you could earn anywhere from $150 to $4,000. 

Another fun option is becoming a travel blogger or mystery hotel reviewer. Some companies will pay for your stay in exchange for reviews – think of it like testing the comfiness of hotel beds for science and cash!

To find sleep studies, check out websites like ClinicalTrials.gov, Harvard Medical School, or even NASA. Whether you’re snoozing for science or writing reviews, getting paid to sleep is one of the most effortless ways to earn extra money. 

10. Be a Housesitter

Housesitting might just be one of the easiest gigs out there. All you have to do is stay in someone’s home to keep it occupied while they’re away. 

The job may include some tasks but they’re usually simple things like watering plants or collecting mail. If pets are involved, you might need to feed or walk them, but it’s still a low-effort gig. 

You could get house-sitting opportunities in amazing locations – think dream destinations around the world. Platforms like TrustedHousesitters and Care.com are great for finding gigs, and pet-sitting apps like Rover often include house-sitting options too.

It’s an easy low-stress way to make extra money and if you love pets you might get some furry company along the way.   

11. Advertise on Your Car

If you drive regularly, why not let your car earn some extra cash? Companies like Carvertise and Wrapify will pay you to place advertisements on your vehicle, turning it into a moving billboard. 

Here’s how it works: You sign up, get matched with an ad campaign and have a car wrap applied. The wrap can cover the entire car, just the windows or only a portion, depending on what you’re comfortable with. 

Full wraps typically pay more, with earnings ranging from $100 to $400 a month based on how much you drive. 

It’s a simple, hands-off way to earn some extra income while going about your normal routine. Just make sure your car is in good condition as most companies have specific requirements for participation. 

12. Licence Your Work

If you’re creative, whether it’s with photography, music or art you could leverage your skills to make money by licensing your work.

Platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock and Epidemic Sound make it easy to upload your content and earn royalties. 

For photographers, that could mean licencing your images to websites or magazines. For musicians, it could look like offering your tracks to creators who need background music for videos. 

The best part is that once your work is uploaded, it can keep generating income indefinitely with no extra effort from you. So, whether you’re a professional or just create for fun, licencing your work is a simple way to monetise your creativity.

13. Listen to Music

If you’re a music lover, why not get paid to do what you already enjoy? Believe it or not, companies are willing to pay for your opinion on new music. With the right apps and websites, you can turn your love of music into extra cash.

One popular option is Slice the Pie, where you listen to songs and give feedback in exchange for money. Playlist Push is another great platform to consider. 

These sites are all about helping artists improve their music and they’ll pay you for your time.

Here’s how it works: 

Find an App: Look for music-listening platforms that offer payments.

Sign Up: Create an account on your chosen site or app.

Listen and Rate: Start enjoying songs and providing honest feedback.

Earn Rewards: Collect points or cash, which can often be redeemed for money or gift cards.

It’s an easy way to make money and you’ll discover new music while you’re at it. Whether you’re chilling at home or on your daily commute, why not make some extra cash while listening to music? 

Final Thoughts

There you have it – a roundup of creative ways to get paid to do nothing. Each of these methods can help you make extra cash without requiring a lot of time or effort. 

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