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10 ways to make money doing nothing

Marc Crosby 2nd Sep 2023 3 Comments

Reading Time: 8 minutes

Making money doing nothing…imagine that!

To be able to sit back, relax, put in no effort and still see the money coming in might sound like a fantasy, but there really are ways you can make money doing nothing.

Alright, we’re not promising you can earn a full-time income while you lay back on the sofa and watch TV all day, but there are ways to earn a bit of extra cash which require very little of you.

Read on for our 10 ways to make money doing nothing…

 

 

1. Bed testing

make money doing nothing

 

Can you imagine getting paid to sleep?

That really would be getting paid to do nothing.

And, unbelievably, some lucky so and so’s get to do just that!

Bed testers get to test out a whole range of beds, often luxury ones, and then report back on the night’s sleep they’ve had.

Unsurprisingly, it’s a pretty difficult job to get because of the competition for such a position, but there’s no harm in keeping your hopes up.

Most people were first introduced to the idea of being a bed tester after Hotel Chatter put out a call in 2006 for a professional to test their 25,000 beds.

If you’re looking for a bed testing job and are willing to brave the competition, keep your eyes on big companies which, for whatever reason, will have/need a lot of beds. It might be a hotel chain or a superstore like John Lewis, or look out for bed making companies themselves, particularly those who supply to hotels.

It’s not impossible to become a bed tester, so why not give it a go?

Could you imagine? Well, we can always dream (although, unlike some, we won’t be getting paid for it!)

 

2. Get paid to queue

People lined up in a queue

Have you ever been told you don’t get paid to stand around and do nothing?

Well, here’s a job that actually pays you to do just that.

You can get paid to stand in queues (otherwise known as ‘line sitting’).

Not sure how it works?

Well, we’re sure you’ve seen the long queues as people wait in line to be the first to get their hands on the latest Apple product, even staying the night during relentless rain.

Chances are there’s some damp soul in those queues who would rather pay someone else to be sat there.

There are also people with work or family commitments who are eager to get the latest iPhone or the newly released concert tickets but are unable to. These people too may be willing to pay you for queuing for them.

Whilst popular in the US, not many people are aware of ‘line sitting’ in the UK so you may have to introduce the concept whilst you’re drumming up business.

You’d be able to set your own price, either at a fixed rate or an agreed amount per hour/half hour.

For example, you could charge a fixed rate of £100, or agree on £12 an hour.

The amount you make will depend on how much people are willing to pay and how often you get the work.

Advertise your services on Fiverr, Gumtree and on any social media platform you use.

 

3. Get paid to download an app

iPhone with apps

 

How would you like to get a £5 Amazon voucher just for downloading an app onto your tablet or mobile?

All you have to do is keep the app active on an Android device for a week.

This is what MobileXpression offers.

It really is money for nothing.

If you like to earn for downloading apps you should also check out Nielsen Online Panel. You won’t get paid for downloading it, but you will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win up to £30,000 – so there’s potential to make a LOT of money doing nothing.

 

4. Make money testing food

Woman eating chocolate

 

Do you consider eating food a chore?

Thought not, which is why this next money maker really feels like a way to make money doing nothing.

Research companies employ food testers so that they can get views on their food products.

After tasting the food you’ll be asked for your feedback – this might be as part of a focus group or you might simply just have to give it a score in a questionnaire.

You’ll get a palette cleanser in between each food sample, such as a cracker and water, so you’re reader to go for the taste.

Tasting sessions last around an hour or two, but if you’re taking part in a focus group it may take slightly longer.

It’s a great way to supplement your income, with the potential to earn between £5-£55 depending on whether you’re just completing a questionnaire or if you’re taking part in a focus group.

Click here to find out more about getting paid to test food.

 

5. Make money listening to music

Happy man listening to music on headphones

 

Another great way to make money doing nothing is to listen to music.

Ok, you have to review the music as well, but still, it’s a fun little money maker!

Slicethepie.com gives you the chance to earn money writing reviews of music produced by aspiring musicians who are trying to get their tunes out there.

It’s not a way to earn big money by any means; you’ll only be earning a few pennies per review. But if you like listening to music and giving feedback then a little bit of money is better than no money at all, right?

 

6. Make money house sitting

Young woman housesitting

 

Imagine making money doing nothing whilst relaxing in a luxurious home?

That’s what house sitting can offer.

House sitting is a growing phenomenon, many people who own more than one house are away for long periods of time for business trips.

Such people often prefer to have a trusted house sitter take care of the house than leave it at the risk of burglars or squatters.

Often it might involve pet sitting, so if you’re an animal lover then looking after an adorable pooch or feline won’t feel like work at all.

It’s not a way to earn lots of money; pay for long-term house sitting starts at £10 a day. That said, it’s a good way to save on some of your day-to-day living costs – just think of how much you could save on rent, utility bills, food etc. whilst you’re house sitting.

Click here to find out more about house sitting.

 

7. Make money by not wasting money

Woman looking at cash thoughtfully

 

This one might sound like a cheat, but really, not wasting money is doing nothing – and you can save a lot of money by doing this.

To begin with you can try to negotiate a little more in everyday life. Over time the little savings you can make by being frugal/cheeky will really add up and, at the end of the day, why pay more than you need to?

We have a great article here on how to save money by haggling. Check it out!

There really are two prices in the world – one for those who negotiate, and one for those who don’t. Find out more about making and saving money negotiating here.

Equally, there are plenty of ways many of us waste money which we could easily cut down on. For example, do you really need to buy that cleaning product or do you have products in your home that will do exactly the same job?

Do you need to buy the most expensive brand, or will a discounted brand be just as nice?

Are you shopping around for things like your current account or your energy bill? Or are you just accepting the prices you’re given?

Find out more about making money by not wasting money here. 

And don’t forget to sell on and recycle things you no-longer need. For example, did you know you can get money for your old phone?

Don’t throw it away, find out how much you can make by reselling and recycling here.

 

8. Make money waiting for deliveries

Someone using a digital signing pad to accept a package delivery

 

This really is how to make money by just hanging around!

It’s similar to house sitting (it really is a form of  ‘short term house sitting’) but it’s an easier and quicker way to earn money than staying in someone’s home for a long period of time.

We all dread those horrible time-windows given to us by delivery companies or the plumber when you need something fixed. Sometimes you really are expected to wait in the whole day!

Well, some people are willing to pay you to sit in their house and wait instead.

Pay can actually be quite good, you can earn between £8-£10 an hour, and you really are doing nothing but waiting!

One company that specialises in short term house sitting is Direct Sitters. You can apply to join their team, although they ideally look for people with a background in childcare or teaching. Also don’t forget to look out for potential jobs in places like Gumtree.com – you never know what kind of opportunity you might stumble across.

 

9. Make money being a friend

Two male friends

 

Yep, you really can earn money being a friend.

What does it involve, you ask?

Whatever the person wants! Some people want to be shown around an area, others want someone to go to the movies with, some want a workout buddy and some people even want a wingman!

To get started you should sign yourself up to Rent a Friend.

You don’t have to pay anything, only people looking for a friend have to pay to sign-up.

If someone likes your profile and wants you to be their friend, you can charge £5-£30 an hour for your time, so there is good money to be made.

It’s a really good way to make money doing nothing!

Click here to find out more about making money being a friend.

 

10. Get cashback

Holiday Cashback website on phone

 

Cashback sites are such an easy and straightforward way to make money, but still so few people join them.

Basically, by joining a cashback site, you’ll get a bit of money back on everything you buy.

All you have to do is sign-up (absolutely free) and shop through the cashback site’s portal. It’s exactly the same as online shopping any other way, but they’ll be able to track where you make your purchase so both they and you can get paid for it.

Two of our favourite cashback sites are Top CashBack and Quidco, both of which are absolutely free to join. In fact, with Quidco you get a £10 cashback bonus when you make your first purchase!

You really are getting money just for shopping as normal – why wouldn’t you sign up?

Read more about cashback sites here.

 

Which of these money makers are you going to try? Maybe you’ve already given one of them a go? Let us know in the comments below – we love to hearing from you!

 

Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence.

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Joanne Rafferty
Joanne Rafferty
4 years ago

The rent a friend one really makes me feel sad. No one should have to pay people to be in their company.

Karen McDonald
Karen McDonald
2 years ago

Maybe some people only want a friend for a short while, knowing that they won’t be bothering them all the time afterwards.

Joanne
4 years ago

Some very useful info and ideas.

Jasmine Birtles

Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.

Jasmine Birtles

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