Let’s face it: not everyone wants—or needs—a full-blown second job. Sometimes, all you’re looking for is enough extra cash to treat yourself or someone special. Maybe it’s a dinner date, a weekend getaway, or that pair of headphones you’ve been eyeing. The good news? There are plenty of easy, low-barrier side hustles you can start from home or even your phone. You won’t get rich overnight, but you might be surprised how fast the little earnings add up.
Below are some straightforward side hustles that are realistic, flexible, and require little to no investment upfront.
1. Online surveys: earn while you watch TV
Let’s start with the obvious: online surveys. They’re not glamorous, and the payouts aren’t huge, but they’re perfect for multitasking during Netflix binges. Market research companies want consumer feedback and will pay for it—usually in points redeemable for gift cards or cash via PayPal.
Here are a few trustworthy platforms:
- Swagbucks: Earn points (SB) for surveys, shopping, watching videos, and more.
- Survey Junkie: Cash out earnings once you reach just $5.
- Pinecone Research: Harder to get into but pays well per survey.
Don’t expect to quit your day job, but if you use multiple sites and stay consistent, you can easily earn enough each month for a nice dinner out.
2. User research: Get paid to test websites
If you’re more of a “why does this website suck?” kind of person, then usability testing could be right up your alley. Companies will pay you to test out websites, apps, or products and provide feedback. You’ll usually need a microphone and a quiet space.
Good places to start:
- UserTesting: Earn $10 for 20-minute tests and up to $120 for longer interviews.
- Respondent: Offers higher-paying research interviews (sometimes $100+), especially for professionals.
- TryMyUI: Similar to UserTesting, with shorter tests.
These gigs aren’t always available, so check in often and apply quickly.
Want to get paid to be on social media?
Turn your screen time into income.
Start NowAffiliateMe.net | BE from anywhere, WORK from everywhere
3. Teaching & tutoring online
If you’ve got knowledge to share—whether it’s algebra, Spanish, or watercolor painting—why not turn that into cash?
Live tutoring platforms:
- Preply: Teach languages or other skills with full control over your hourly rate.
- Italki: Focused on language learning; casual conversation tutors are welcome.
Create your own course:
- Skillshare: Share creative skills in a video course format.
- Udemy: Great for building more structured, evergreen content.
- Teachable: Launch a full course with your own branding.
The best part? Once your course is published, it can generate passive income for months or even years.
4. Play games for small rewards
Let’s be clear—you’re not going to make serious money playing games unless you’re a pro gamer or Twitch streamer. But casual gaming apps can still bring in some small side cash, especially if you’re already spending time on mobile games.
Check these out:
- Mistplay: Earn points for playing and trying new Android games.
- InboxDollars Games: Get paid to play and complete other small tasks.
- Skillz Games: Some games have cash tournaments, but beware of entry fees.
Gaming for money works best when you’re combining entertainment and earnings—not counting on it as a true income stream.
5. Microtasks: work in spare moments
If your schedule is unpredictable or packed, microtasks let you earn a little cash in small bursts—while commuting, waiting at appointments, or on your lunch break.
Popular platforms:
- Clickworker: Offers tasks like data entry, web research, and audio transcription.
- Appen: Focuses on short-term projects to help train AI algorithms.
- Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk): Crowdsourced gig work from image labeling to basic content moderation.
Microtasking works best if you can develop speed and accuracy—many tasks only pay cents, but volume is the name of the game.
6. Flipping products online
If you’ve got a good eye for deals or a knack for spotting undervalued items, flipping can be both fun and profitable. You buy low, sell high—simple as that.
Here’s how to get started:
- Find inventory: Look at garage sales, thrift shops, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist.
- Do your research: Use eBay’s sold listings to figure out what items are actually selling.
- List it smartly: Use good photos and clear descriptions. Price competitively.
Where to sell:
- eBay: Great for collectibles, electronics, and name-brand goods.
- Mercari: Easy-to-use app with prepaid shipping.
- Poshmark: Perfect for clothing and accessories.
People are flipping everything from used sneakers to video games and even furniture. And you don’t need much to start—just a camera, an app, and a willingness to experiment.
7. Airbnb affiliate program
You don’t have to own property to make money with Airbnb. Through their referral program, you can earn by referring new hosts or travelers.
How it works:
- Share your unique affiliate link on your blog, website, or social media.
- Earn a commission when someone signs up or books using your link.
This works especially well if you have a travel blog or local guide page. Just make sure to follow Airbnb’s branding guidelines and disclose your affiliate status.
8. Don’t forget local gigs
Even if you prefer digital work, it’s worth mentioning that local side hustles still offer reliable, flexible income—especially if you don’t mind stepping out now and then.
Ideas to explore:
- Dog Walking or Pet Sitting: Use Rover or Wag! to find pet owners near you.
- Yard Sales & Decluttering: Turn unused stuff into cash. Pro tip: bundle items to move them faster.
- Food Delivery: Apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub let you deliver meals when it fits your schedule.
- TaskRabbit: Help neighbors with odd jobs, from assembling furniture to moving boxes.
These aren’t “from home,” but many can be done on your own terms, when and where you want.
Tips to maximize your hustle
- Track Your Earnings: Use a simple spreadsheet or an app like Tiller to keep tabs on how much you’re making.
- Stack Your Hustles: Use downtime from one side hustle to knock out microtasks or surveys.
- Watch for Scams: If a “job” asks for money up front, promises unreal returns, or sounds too good to be true—it probably is.
Final thoughts: side hustles are what you make them
Whether you’re scrolling through survey apps, reselling sneakers, or tutoring someone across the globe, side hustles don’t need to be complex. They just need to fit your life. You don’t need 10 hours a week to make an extra $100—you just need a consistent pocket of time, a bit of creativity, and a willingness to try something new.
So next time you’re scrolling your phone on the couch thinking, “I wish I had a little more money for a fun night out”, remember: small side hustles can add up to real-life fun.
Disclaimer: This post/page contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services I truly believe in. Thank you for your support!