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Is it really possible to earn money by doing nothing?
The idea of earning money while lounging on the couch or relaxing at the beach is certainly enticing, but is it a realistic goal?
The good news is that it is possible, but earning passive income usually requires an initial investment of either time or money.
For instance, there are many days when I am not actively working, yet I continue to earn income from investments I made months or even years ago.
Here are some suggestions to start making money with minimal effort, and some that have the potential to develop into streams of income that leverage your time in the future.
1. Connect Your Phone and TV
Nielsen Pulse pays $3 per month for each device you connect, and $18 per month if you connect your TV!
That’s over $20 per month and $250 per year simply by following a few steps. (They use your anonymized usage data for market research.)
2. Pose for Art Classes
If you have the talent to stay still, consider posing for art classes as a side hustle. According to Indeed, art models earn an average of $25 an hour.
3. Test Mattresses
Getting paid to sleep has to be the ultimate side hustle, right?
Occasionally, you may come across ads looking for paid mattress testers, with some gigs offering as much as $3,000. These opportunities often involve writing detailed product reviews, so there is some work required after catching some z’s, but it could still be worth exploring.
4. Sleep Studies / Clinical Trials
Another option is to keep an eye out for clinical trials or sleep studies.
Day1Labs offers a free service to help you find clinical trials near you, some of which offer compensation of $1,000 or more.
5. Wait in Line
Robert Samuel started SameOleLineDudes.com in New York City when the iPhone 5s was launching.
Sensing high demand for the new device, he advertised on Craigslist offering to wait in line for someone’s phone.
According to EliteDaily, he once earned $14k in a day waiting for iPhones, and now oversees a team of 20-30 individuals who assist him in waiting in line for clients! The standard rate is $45 for the first 2 hours, then $10 for every additional half hour.
Robert mentioned that most of his clients are tourists who prefer to explore the city they are visiting instead of waiting in line. It’s a logical choice!
Could you start a similar service in your area?
6. Watch People Sign Papers
“Work” may vary in definition, but becoming a mobile notary loan signing agent is unlikely to be physically strenuous.
In this role, after obtaining your notary commission, you guide new borrowers through their stack of mortgage documents. In return, you typically earn $75-150 for each appointment.
This is an excellent side hustle because many signings occur in the evenings and weekends. Several Side Hustle Nation members have reported earning anywhere from $1,000-$8,000 a month simply by “watching people sign papers.”
Need an example?
You can watch the interview with Doug Hoyer below…
7. Stop Overpaying for Insurance
Saving money almost feels like earning money for doing nothing because it involves a one-time effort that can result in months or years of benefits.
For example, if you haven’t shopped around for car insurance in the past couple of years, chances are you’re paying more than necessary. Why? The value of your car has likely decreased since two years ago, so your insurance costs should also be lower!
Consider using Insurify to compare quotes from various providers and save an average of $489 per year!
8. Buy Commercial Real Estate
With as little as $10, you can become a part-owner of commercial real estate through Fundrise. I have been investing in Fundrise since 2015 and have consistently added to my account as a way to invest in real estate without having to deal with the challenges of managing properties myself.
Disclosure: I receive compensation when you sign up through my referral link. All opinions are my own.
They distribute your investment across a variety of properties and pay dividends quarterly.
Best for Passive Income
Fundrise
4.0
Fundrise is one of the best and largest crowdfunded real estate investment platforms, with $7B under management. The company makes institutional quality investments available to everyone, starting at just $10.
- Start with just $10
- Quarterly cash flow
- Instant diversification
- Healthy historical performance
- Lower volatility
- Liquidity
- Not as diversified as public REITs
- Limited operational track record
- Weaker upside
I’ve been a Fundrise investor since 2015. When you join through my referral link, I earn a commission. Opinions are my own.
9. Collect Dividends
Dividends, which are quarterly payments from the profits of publicly-traded companies, are perhaps the closest thing to getting paid for doing nothing.
These income-generating assets represent my most passive form of income.
Over the past few years, I have been gradually building what I refer to as my “cash flow portfolio,” purchasing shares primarily in well-established companies with a history of paying (and increasing) dividends.
I achieve this through Fidelity, but you can create an account with Robinhood, M1 Finance, or the brokerage of your choice.
10. Take Online Surveys
While not entirely passive, taking online surveys requires minimal effort and physical exertion. (Many members of Side Hustle Nation report using these apps from the comfort of their couches in the evenings.)
Here are some top recommendations.
- Swagbucks – Earn up to $35 per survey with this popular app and receive a $10 bonus when you sign up!
- KashKick – Get compensated for answering surveys, testing games, and trying new products.
- Survey Junkie – Complete 3 surveys daily and earn up to $40 per month.
- Product Report Card – Stay informed about higher-paying product tests, clinical trials, and online focus groups.
- InboxDollars – Receive a $5 bonus just for signing up!
- American Consumer Opinion – Join millions of free members and earn up to $50 per survey.
11. Watch TV
Mediaprobe may be one of the simplest ways I have ever earned extra income.
This market research panel compensates you for your biometric reactions to specific TV shows to gauge how audiences truly feel about what they are watching.
Mediaprobe typically offers around $5 per hour of viewing time, providing a convenient way to earn money from an activity you may already be engaging in!
Check out my video review for more details:
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