10 Simple Side Hustles That Take a Few Minutes a Day
Don’t have a ton of time but still want to make some side income? I get it, life’s busy sometimes. Between work, family, and trying to relax, squeezing in a whole new job sounds impossible.
That’s why I put together this list of easy sides that only take a few minutes a day. Seriously, you can knock some of these out during your lunch break or while waiting for dinner to cook.
These ideas are perfect if you want to earn from home without getting overwhelmed. Whether you’re into mystery shopping, answering short surveys, or helping local businesses find clients, there’s something in here you can actually stick with.
Quick Note: I made $3,647 in a month with Pinterest by using this one simple strategy — and you don’t need a blog or experience to do it. Download the Free Guide Here!
And no, you don’t need to be tech-savvy or have a ton of experience. Just a little time and a phone or laptop. If making extra cash in your spare time sounds good, you’re gonna like what’s next.
Related:
- 15 Best Remote Jobs that Make up To $10k a month
- 50 Creative Side Hustle Ideas To Make $200 A Day
- 23 Side Hustle Ideas You Can Start Today (Some Will Shock You!)
1. Paid Online Surveys
Yup, surveys are still around, and yes, they still pay. You won’t get rich, but if you’ve got five to ten minutes while watching TV, you can knock out a few and earn points that turn into real cash or gift cards. Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and Toluna are great places to start.
Some surveys pay more than others, and once you’ve been on a platform for a bit, you’ll start getting better-paying ones. The trick? Be consistent. If you check in once or twice a day, you’ll stack up small rewards over time.
It’s a super simple way to build side income without needing to learn anything new. Just answer honestly, don’t overthink it, and you’re good to go. It’s one of those easy sides that fits right into your day without stress.
2. Mystery Shopping
Ever wanted to get paid to shop or eat out? That’s basically what mystery shopping is. Companies pay you to visit stores or restaurants and report back on the service. It usually takes 15–30 minutes, and you often get reimbursed for what you spend too.
I’ve done this at coffee shops, gas stations, and even phone stores. It’s not hard, you just follow the instructions, keep an eye on the time, and fill out a quick report afterward. The more jobs you do, the more opportunities show up.
Most people don’t realize this can be a fun way to earn extra cash and try new places for free. Just be careful, only sign up for legit platforms like Market Force or BestMark. If someone asks you to pay upfront, skip it.
3. Selling Unused Gift Cards
Got an old Starbucks or Best Buy card lying around? You can sell it in minutes online. Websites like Raise, CardCash, or even Facebook groups let you sell gift cards for cash quickly and easily.
Sometimes you won’t get the full value back, maybe 90 to 95 cents on the dollar, but if you’re never gonna use it, that’s free money sitting in a drawer. I once sold four cards in one night and made $70.
It’s not just a one-time thing either. You can even find clients who buy and resell cards regularly and offer you a fixed rate. If you stay organized and check balances, this could turn into a little recurring side income.
4. Renting Out Household Items
We all have stuff we barely use, think camping gear, projectors, folding tables. Instead of letting them collect dust, rent them out. Sites like Fat Llama or local Facebook groups make this super simple.
Just snap a few pictures, list what you’ve got, and wait for someone nearby who needs it. You can easily make $20 to $50 per rental, depending on the item. I’ve loaned out a pressure washer and a party speaker more times than I expected!
This is one of those easy sides where your stuff does the work. You just have to be home for pickup and return. If you’re looking to earn from home, it’s a no-brainer.
5. Short Tasks on TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit isn’t just for moving furniture or assembling IKEA stuff. There are plenty of quick tasks that take under an hour, such as running errands, delivering a small item, or waiting in line for someone.
Quick Note: I made $3,647 in a month with Pinterest by using this one simple strategy — and you don’t need a blog or experience to do it. Download the Free Guide Here!
You get to pick the jobs you want and set your availability. Some people even use this as a way to get a little exercise in, walking dogs or doing grocery drop-offs. The app pays well for your time, too, and you get to keep tips.
It’s also great for meeting people and building a little local network. If you’re looking for ways of making extra cash that keep you moving and take less than an hour, this one’s worth checking out.
6. Answering Questions on JustAnswer
Got knowledge in something random like car repairs, tech support, or legal advice? You can make money answering people’s questions on JustAnswer. The setup is simple: someone asks, you answer, and you get paid if they like your help.
You don’t need a degree for most categories, just actual experience. And the best part? You can do it from your couch. I once answered a string of smartphone questions and made enough to cover my internet bill that month.
It’s another perfect option for earning from home, especially if you’re good at explaining things in a clear, helpful way.
7. Playing Games That Pay
It sounds too good to be true, but there are legit apps that pay you small amounts for playing games. Apps like Mistplay, InboxDollars Games, and even Solitaire Cube can pay you in gift cards or PayPal cash.
You’re not going to make bank, but if you’re playing anyway during your downtime, why not earn a little? Think of it like cashing in on something you’d do for fun anyway.
Just make sure you’re sticking to well-rated apps with real reviews. You want easy sides, not scammy stuff. Do your research and you’ll find the right ones.
8. Print-on-Demand with Canva
Ever mess around on Canva for fun? Turn that into cash by making simple T-shirt or mug designs and uploading them to print-on-demand platforms like Redbubble, Teespring, or Merch by Amazon.
You don’t need to be an artist; funny quotes, simple graphics, and niche jokes sell surprisingly well. I made a “dog mom fuel” mug once and sold five of them in a week without even promoting it.
It takes a few minutes to create and upload, then you let the platform do the work. Great for passive side income if you enjoy being creative once in a while.
9. Email Newsletter Referrals
There are some newsletters out there (like Morning Brew or The Hustle) that pay you to refer new subscribers. You get your own referral link, share it with friends or on social media, and get paid when people sign up.
If you’ve got a decent online circle or are in active Facebook groups, this one’s super easy. You don’t even have to write anything, just copy, paste, and share.
Quick Note: I made $3,647 in a month with Pinterest by using this one simple strategy — and you don’t need a blog or experience to do it. Download the Free Guide Here!
It’s low effort but can bring in consistent side income over time. Plus, it gets you in the habit of looking for simple ways to earn from home without stressing over it.
10. Posting Ads on Your Car
This one’s as passive as it gets. Companies will pay you to put a decal on your car and just… drive. Services like Wrapify or Carvertise let you earn based on how often and where you drive.
The sign-up process is easy, and they’ll install the ad for you if you’re chosen. It won’t cover rent, but it can pay for gas or groceries without lifting a finger.
If you’re driving around anyway, why not let your car make a little money on the side? It’s a set-it-and-forget-it type deal, perfect for making extra cash with zero effort.
Conclusion
See? Making money doesn’t have to take hours out of your day or drain your energy. These ten side hustles are quick, easy, and flexible enough to fit into almost anyone’s schedule.
Whether you want to earn extra cash, build some side income, or just try something new, there’s something here for you.
Pick one (or two), give it a shot, and see what sticks. You might be surprised how much you can make just by using your spare minutes a little differently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What’s the easiest way to earn extra cash with no experience?
A: Try online surveys or mystery shopping—they’re easy to start and don’t require any special skills.
Q2: Can I really earn money from home doing these?
A: Yup. Most of these ideas let you earn from home with just your phone or laptop.
Q3: How do I know if a side hustle is legit?
A: Stick with well-reviewed apps and websites. Avoid anything asking for payment upfront or promising guaranteed riches.
Q4: What’s the best side hustle for introverts?
A: Selling digital products, surveys, or gift card flipping are great for quiet workers.
Q5: How much time do I need each day?
A: Most of these only need 10–30 minutes. Some, like renting out stuff or car ads, are nearly hands-off.
Quick Note: I made $3,647 in a month with Pinterest by using this one simple strategy — and you don’t need a blog or experience to do it. Download the Free Guide Here!
