Laziest Way to Make Money Online for Beginners
If you're looking for the laziest way to make money online, especially as a beginner, consider methods that require minimal effort and little to no upfront investment. Here are some of the easiest ways to start earning money online:
1. Cashback and Reward Apps
Overview: Earn money effortlessly by making purchases through cashback apps or joining reward programs. Platforms: Rakuten, Swagbucks, Honey How it Works: Sign up for the app, make purchases through their links, and earn cashback or rewards points that can be redeemed for cash or gift cards. Effort Level: Very low. Continue shopping as you usually would, but through the app or website links to earn rewards automatically.
Example Table of Earnings Potential
Platform | Potential Earnings | Ease of Use |
---|---|---|
Rakuten | Up to 40% cashback on purchases | Very easy |
Swagbucks | Points for shopping, watching videos | Extremely simple |
Honey | Automatic coupon application + rewards | Effortless |
2. Online Surveys
Overview: Earn money or rewards by sharing your opinions through online surveys. Platforms: Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, Toluna How it Works: Sign up on a survey website, complete your profile to match you with relevant surveys, and start taking surveys. Each completed survey earns you points or cash, which can be redeemed for money or gift cards. Effort Level: Low. Surveys typically take 10-20 minutes to complete and can be done during your free time.
Example Table of Survey Earnings
Platform | Average Earnings per Survey | Payment Methods |
---|---|---|
Survey Junkie | $1 - $3 | PayPal, e-Gift Cards |
Swagbucks | $0.50 - $2 | PayPal, Gift Cards |
Toluna | $0.75 - $3 | PayPal, Gift Cards, Sweepstakes |
3. Watching Videos
Overview: Earn money or rewards by watching short videos or ads. Platforms: Swagbucks, InboxDollars How it Works: Sign up, navigate to the video section, and watch the provided content. Earn points for each video watched, which can be converted into cash or gift cards. Effort Level: Very low. You can watch videos during your free time, making it an effortless way to earn extra income.
Example Table of Video Earnings
Platform | Average Earnings per Hour | Payment Methods |
---|---|---|
Swagbucks | $0.50 - $2 | PayPal, Gift Cards |
InboxDollars | $0.25 - $1 | Check, PayPal, Gift Cards |
4. Passive Investment Apps
Overview: Invest spare change or small amounts of money automatically. Platforms: Acorns, Robinhood, Stash How it Works: Link your bank account or debit card to the app. It rounds up your purchases and invests the spare change. You can also set up automatic deposits. Effort Level: Very low. Once set up, it runs automatically.
5. Selling Unused Gift Cards
Overview: Sell unwanted or unused gift cards for cash. Platforms: CardCash, Raise How it Works: List your gift card on the platform, set your price, and get paid once it sells. These platforms facilitate the sale, ensuring a secure transaction between you and the buyer. You can sell cards from a variety of retailers, and once your card is sold, you receive payment through methods like PayPal or direct deposit. Effort Level: Low. Simply list the card and wait for it to sell.
Example Table of Gift Card Selling Platforms
Platform | Average Selling Fee | Payment Methods | Special Features |
---|---|---|---|
CardCash | Up to 15% of the card's value | Check, PayPal, Direct Deposit | Instant offer available for certain cards |
Raise | 15% of the card's value | Direct Deposit, PayPal | Ability to set your own selling price |
Example Table of Gift Card Selling Platforms
Platform | Average Selling Fee | Payment Methods |
---|---|---|
CardCash | Up to 15% of the card's value | Check, PayPal, Direct Deposit |
Raise | 15% of the card's value | Direct Deposit, PayPal |
6. Renting Out Space
Overview: Earn money by renting out storage space, a room, or a parking space. Platforms: Neighbor, Airbnb, Spacer How it Works: Create a listing with photos and descriptions of your space, set your availability and pricing, and start accepting bookings. These platforms provide tools to manage bookings and payments, ensuring a seamless experience. Effort Level: Low. Initial setup requires some effort to create the listing, but once it's live, it can generate passive income with minimal ongoing effort.
Example Table of Space Rental Platforms
Platform | Type of Space | Average Earnings per Month | Payment Methods |
---|---|---|---|
Neighbor | Storage space | $50 - $300 | Direct Deposit |
Airbnb | Rooms, homes | $500 - $3,000+ | PayPal, Direct Deposit |
Spacer | Parking space, storage | $50 - $400 | Direct Deposit, PayPal |
7. Participating in Market Research
Overview: Earn money by testing products or participating in focus groups and other market research activities. Platforms: Respondent, UserTesting, Vindale Research How it Works: Sign up on the platform, complete your profile to match with relevant studies or tests, and start participating. You will be paid for each study or product test you complete. Effort Level: Low to moderate. Participation typically requires minimal effort, such as answering questions or testing a product.
Example Table of Market Research Platforms
Platform | Average Earnings per Study | Payment Methods |
---|---|---|
Respondent | $50 - $150 | PayPal |
UserTesting | $10 per 20-minute test | PayPal |
Vindale Research | $5 - $50 per study | PayPal, Check |
Summary Table
Method | Platforms | Earnings Potential | Effort Level |
---|---|---|---|
Cashback and Reward Apps | Rakuten, Swagbucks, Honey | Low to moderate | Very low |
Online Surveys | Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, Toluna | Low | Low |
Watching Videos | Swagbucks, InboxDollars | Low | Very low |
Passive Investment Apps | Acorns, Robinhood, Stash | Varies, scalable | Very low |
Selling Unused Gift Cards | CardCash, Raise | Low | Low |
Renting Out Space | Neighbor, Airbnb, Spacer | Moderate to high | Low |
Market Research | Respondent, UserTesting, Vindale Research | Low to moderate | Low to moderate |
Conclusion
For beginners looking for the laziest ways to make money online, these methods require minimal effort and can be started with little to no investment. While the earnings from these activities might not be substantial, they can provide a steady stream of extra income with minimal time commitment. Choose the methods that best fit your lifestyle and start earning effortlessly.