Are you searching for the easiest ways to make money, even if you consider yourself a lazy person? Let’s first redefine what “lazy” means in this context. Perhaps it’s not about avoiding work altogether, but rather about finding ways to earn money that align with your preferred lifestyle – maybe working in comfortable clothes, enjoying flexible hours, or pursuing passions that also generate income.
If you’re motivated to make money but want to do it on your own terms, you’re in the right place. We’ve compiled a list of jobs, side hustles, and smart strategies that cater to a more relaxed approach to work, allowing you to turn your “laziness” into an advantage.
Top Ways for Lazy People to Make Money in 2024
Here are some of the best methods to earn easy money, perfect for those who prefer a laid-back approach to work:
1. Become a Food Delivery Driver
One of the top jobs for anyone who values flexibility and independence is food delivery. Services like DoorDash offer the perfect opportunity to work on your own schedule. You can pre-book your hours or simply jump online and start delivering when it suits you and when demand is high.
DoorDash dominates a significant portion of the food delivery market and has expanded into grocery deliveries, increasing opportunities in many locations.
As a DoorDash driver (known as a “Dasher”), you get paid weekly. They also offer a “Fast Pay” option for same-day cashouts for a small fee. Alternatively, signing up for the DasherDirect card (a prepaid Visa debit card) allows free instant cashouts.
To become a DoorDash driver, you generally need:
- To be 18 years or older
- Access to a car, scooter, or bicycle (depending on your market)
- A valid driver’s license
- Auto insurance
A person delivering food with a DoorDash bag, highlighting the flexibility of gig economy jobs.
Be Your Own Boss with DoorDash
DoorDash offers a low-pressure way to earn money, and drivers keep all of their tips!
Learn More
2. Participate in Online Surveys
Taking online surveys is an incredibly easy way for lazy people to generate some income. While it won’t make you rich, it’s a productive alternative to passive phone use.
Most survey platforms reward you with points convertible to cash or gift cards. Earnings typically range from about $0.50 to $3.00 per survey, and each survey usually takes between 10 to 30 minutes to complete.
To maximize your earnings, sign up with multiple reputable survey sites to access more survey opportunities. Some highly-rated survey sites include Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and Branded Surveys.
3. Work as a Proofreader
If you have a keen eye for detail and enjoy spotting errors, proofreading could be an ideal job you can do from the comfort of your home. Proofreaders review written content to correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, and formatting mistakes.
You can find work with a variety of clients, including bloggers, authors, businesses, academics, and other freelancers. Proofreaders are usually paid per page, per word, hourly, or per project. It’s possible to manage multiple clients and earn anywhere from $500 to $5,000 per month, depending on your workload and rates.
A laptop displaying text being proofread, emphasizing the work-from-home aspect of online proofreading jobs.
Launch Your Proofreading Career
Explore free training resources to learn how to build a profitable proofreading business and earn a four-figure monthly income from home.
Learn More
4. Become a Freelance Writer
While it requires a bit more initiative than some other options, freelance writing can be a great fit if you enjoy expressing yourself through writing. If you find yourself constantly thinking up stories or enjoy journaling, writing could be a lucrative path.
Freelance writers create a wide range of content for the internet and print, including articles, website copy, social media posts, emails, and more. This field can be very rewarding financially, with some freelance writers earning upwards of $5,000 per month.
Someone writing on a laptop, highlighting the potential of freelance writing for a flexible income.
Unlock Your Freelance Writing Potential
Learn how to transition from a beginner to a paid freelance writer and start earning $1,000 to $5,000+ per month.
Learn More
5. Start Bookkeeping Online
For those who are comfortable with numbers and prefer a less physically demanding job, online bookkeeping is an excellent option. Bookkeepers typically earn an average of $20 to $25 per hour for managing the financial records of businesses.
Bookkeepers play a crucial role in tracking income and expenses, helping businesses maintain accurate financial records for payroll, taxes, and financial planning. Unlike accountants, bookkeepers usually don’t need a four-year degree to start and find clients.
A person working on financial documents and a laptop, illustrating the remote and detail-oriented nature of bookkeeping.
Build a Home-Based Bookkeeping Business
Discover the skills and strategies to launch a successful bookkeeping business from your home and earn up to $5,000 per month.
Learn More
6. Generate Passive Income Streams
Passive income is ideal for lazy people because it allows you to earn money even when you’re not actively working. You can make money while sleeping, relaxing, or pursuing other interests. However, it’s important to understand that passive income usually requires some initial effort or investment.
Here are some popular passive income ideas:
- Real Estate Investing: Generate rental income or invest in real estate investment trusts (REITs).
- Stock Market Investing: Earn dividends and capital gains from stocks and ETFs.
- Dropshipping: Start an e-commerce store without managing inventory or shipping.
- Affiliate Marketing: Earn commissions by promoting other companies’ products.
- Create and Sell Digital Products: Design and sell ebooks, online courses, or printables.
A graph showing passive income growth, visualizing the concept of earning money while you sleep.
Start Investing in Real Estate with a Small Amount
Platforms like Fundrise allow you to begin real estate investing with as little as $10, and new users often receive sign-up bonuses.
Learn More
7. Sell Printables on Etsy
If you are creative and looking for a low-effort way to make money, selling digital printables on Etsy is a fantastic option. Printables are digital files you create once and can sell repeatedly with minimal ongoing work. You don’t have to worry about inventory or shipping physical products.
Popular printable products on Etsy include:
- Planners and calendars
- Budget and fitness trackers
- Wall art and inspirational quotes
- Printable games and activities
- Stickers and labels
- Business templates
Consider exploring resources like the “Seasonal Product Secret” ebook to discover printable product ideas aligned with seasonal trends and capitalize on market opportunities.
8. Start a Blog
Blogging offers significant earning potential and is ideal for those who enjoy writing and sharing their thoughts. While it’s not a quick path to riches, blogging can generate a substantial income over time. It requires initial setup and consistent effort to create content and build an audience.
Many bloggers realistically earn between $500 and $10,000 per month, and you have complete control over your blog’s content, schedule, and monetization strategies.
Launch Your Blog for a Low Monthly Cost
Starting a blog is more affordable than you might think. Platforms like Bluehost offer plans for under $3 per month, making it an accessible side hustle.
Learn More
9. Become a Virtual Assistant
Virtual Assistants (VAs) provide remote administrative, technical, or creative assistance to clients. VA tasks are diverse and can include:
- Data entry and management
- Report creation
- Email management and customer service
- Bookkeeping and invoicing
- Social media and blog management
- Research and content curation
- Event and travel scheduling
Being a VA is a top job choice for lazy people because it offers location flexibility – you can work from home, cafes, or while traveling. Income for VAs can range from $500 to $1,000+ per month, depending on skills, clients, and hours worked.
A person delivering food with a DoorDash bag, highlighting the flexibility of gig economy jobs.
Fast Track Your Virtual Assistant Career
Access free resources and training to help you launch a successful virtual assistant side hustle.
Learn More
10. Earn Cash Back While Shopping
While not a job, earning cash back on purchases is an effortless way to save and make money. Apps like Ibotta allow you to earn a percentage back when you shop at numerous stores, both online and in-store.
Ibotta offers cash back, not just coupons, at popular retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, Kohl’s, and eBay.
Claim a Sign-Up Bonus with Ibotta
New Ibotta users often receive a welcome bonus after making their first qualifying purchase.
Learn More
11. Get Paid to Play Games
If you enjoy playing games in your free time, why not earn a little extra money doing it? While it won’t lead to substantial income, you can make some pocket money by playing games on your phone through apps like Swagbucks.
Swagbucks rewards you with points for playing games, completing surveys, and other activities, which you can redeem for cash via PayPal or gift cards to various retailers.
12. Watch Videos Online for Pay
Similar to playing games, watching videos online won’t be a high-paying job, but it’s an extremely low-effort way to earn a bit of money. Platforms like MyPoints and InboxDollars pay users to watch videos, ads, and promotional content, as well as for playing games and taking surveys.
These platforms partner with market research companies that value user data, which is why they pay users to engage with content. Earnings are typically around $1 to $3 per hour.
13. Become a House Sitter
For those who truly want to get paid for minimal effort, house sitting is an ideal option. House sitters are paid to stay in someone’s home while they are away, often with minimal responsibilities like collecting mail or watering plants.
House sitters can earn between $35 to $75 per day. You can find house-sitting opportunities by advertising your services on social media, informing your network, using local apps like Nextdoor, or signing up on platforms like Care.com.
Care.com specializes in connecting families with caregivers for various needs, including house sitting. You can set your own rates and availability.
Which Easy Money Job is Right for You?
The best easy money job depends on your definition of “lazy” and your interests. If you prefer working from home, proofreading and bookkeeping are excellent choices. If you enjoy using your phone for entertainment, online surveys and paid gaming apps can be suitable. For those who want truly passive income, exploring options like real estate investing or creating digital products is worth considering.
DoorDash Disclaimer:
- Higher earnings on certain orders: Earnings for alcohol orders may be higher than restaurant orders, but actual earnings vary based on factors like delivery acceptance rates, time of day, location, and costs. Hourly pay is calculated from average Dasher payouts during deliveries over a 90-day period, including tips, peak pay, and incentives.
- Instant payouts (DasherDirect): Subject to approval.
- Daily cashouts (Fast Pay): Fees apply.
- Start driving quickly: Subject to background check and availability.
- Flexible driving hours: Subject to availability in your area.
