Top 15 'Low-Lift' Side Hustles to implement for boosting your income without burning out this year. - Goh Ling Yong
We all want to improve our financial standing. The classic advice is to work harder, start a business, or climb the corporate ladder. But let's be honest—in a world where burnout is a real and pressing concern, the thought of adding another high-stakes, time-consuming commitment to our already-packed schedules can feel completely overwhelming. The "hustle culture" narrative often forgets to mention the cost to our mental and physical health.
But what if there was a different way? What if you could generate extra income without sacrificing your well-being? This is where the concept of the 'low-lift' side hustle comes in. These are ventures that require minimal startup costs, offer flexible hours, and don't demand a huge emotional or mental toll. They are designed to fit into the nooks and crannies of your life, adding to your bank account without subtracting from your sanity.
Here at the Goh Ling Yong blog, we believe that building a better financial future should empower you, not exhaust you. That's why we’ve compiled this comprehensive list of 15 practical, low-lift side hustles you can start this year. Forget the 'rise and grind' mentality. It’s time to work smarter, not just harder, and give your income a meaningful boost without the burnout.
1. Sell Simple Digital Printables
If you have a creative spark, selling digital printables is one of the best "create once, sell forever" side hustles. This involves designing simple digital files that customers can purchase, download, and print at home. Think budget planners, weekly meal planners, party invitations, wall art quotes, or chore charts for kids.
The beauty of this model is its passivity. After the initial design work, the product can be sold an infinite number of times without any additional effort from you. Platforms like Etsy have a built-in audience actively searching for these products, making it easy to get started. You don’t need to be a professional graphic designer, either; user-friendly tools like Canva offer free templates and intuitive interfaces to help you create beautiful products in minutes.
- Pro Tip: Research trending niches on Etsy or Pinterest. Instead of a generic "To-Do List," consider a more specific "ADHD-Friendly Daily Planner" or a "Book Lover's Reading Tracker." Niching down helps you stand out and attract passionate buyers.
2. Rent Out Your Unused Space
One of the most passive forms of income is leveraging assets you already own. Do you have a spare bedroom, a garage collecting dust, or even just an empty parking spot in a busy area? These are all potential income streams waiting to be tapped.
Platforms like Airbnb are great for spare rooms, but don't overlook other opportunities. Services like Neighbor.com allow you to rent out storage space (your garage, basement, or shed) to people in your community. If you have a well-located parking spot, apps like SpotHero or JustPark can help you rent it out by the hour or by the month. This requires very little active management beyond setting up your listing and communicating with renters.
- Example: Renting out a 10x10 foot space in your garage on Neighbor.com could easily net you an extra $50-$150 per month, depending on your location, for doing almost nothing.
3. Affiliate Marketing for Beginners
Affiliate marketing sounds complex, but at its core, it's simple: you earn a commission for recommending products or services you already use and love. You don't need a massive blog or YouTube channel to get started. You can begin by sharing affiliate links with your existing network in a natural, helpful way.
Start by joining the affiliate program for a product you genuinely endorse—it could be a software tool, a kitchen gadget, a favorite brand of running shoes, or an online course. When friends or family ask for recommendations, you can share your unique link. You can also post it on your personal social media, in relevant Facebook groups (where allowed), or at the bottom of a helpful product review on your own small blog.
- Pro Tip: The key to success is authenticity. Only recommend products you truly believe in. Your endorsement will be more genuine, and people will be more likely to trust your recommendation and make a purchase. Amazon Associates is one of the easiest programs to join for physical products.
4. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
If you're an animal lover, this side hustle won't even feel like work. With more people returning to the office or traveling, the demand for reliable pet sitters and dog walkers is soaring. It requires zero financial investment if you already have a love for furry friends and a trustworthy reputation.
Apps like Rover and Wag! make it incredibly easy to connect with pet owners in your area. You can set your own rates, availability, and the types of animals you're comfortable with. You can choose to offer dog walking for an hour, drop-in visits to feed a cat, or full house-sitting for a weekend. It's flexible, fun, and can be quite lucrative, especially during holiday seasons.
- Example: A 30-minute dog walk can easily earn you $15-$25. Doing just one walk a day on your lunch break could add over $300 to your monthly income.
5. Online Surveys and User Testing
While not a get-rich-quick scheme, participating in online surveys and user testing websites is arguably the lowest-lift side hustle on this list. It requires no special skills and can be done from your couch while watching TV. You are essentially getting paid for your opinion.
Websites like UserTesting.com and IntelliZoom pay you to test websites and apps, where you record your screen and voice your thoughts as you navigate a prototype. This typically pays around $10 for a 15-20 minute test. For simpler tasks, platforms like Prolific and Swagbucks offer paid surveys. The key is to sign up for several platforms to increase your chances of getting matched with opportunities.
- Pro Tip: For user testing, invest in a decent microphone. Clear audio is crucial for getting approved and receiving more test invitations. Be honest and detailed in your feedback—companies value genuine insights.
6. Selling Stock Photos and Videos
You don't need a professional DSLR camera to make money from your photos and videos anymore. Modern smartphones have incredibly powerful cameras, and there's a huge market for authentic, everyday-life imagery. Companies, bloggers, and marketers are always looking for high-quality stock content.
Upload your best photos and video clips to platforms like Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, or even free sites like Pexels (which accepts donations). You earn a royalty every time someone downloads your content. Think about capturing common themes: people working from home, families playing in the park, diverse groups of friends laughing, or close-ups of food.
- Example: A single, popular photo could sell hundreds or thousands of times over the years, creating a slow but steady stream of passive income for work you did once.
7. Decluttering for Profit
Turn your spring cleaning into a side hustle. Most of us have closets, basements, or garages filled with items we no longer use: clothes that don't fit, old electronics, books we've already read, or kids' toys that have been outgrown. Selling these items online is easier than ever.
Use platforms tailored to specific items for the best results. Poshmark and Depop are fantastic for clothes and accessories. eBay is a powerhouse for electronics, collectibles, and niche items. For larger things like furniture, Facebook Marketplace is perfect because it connects you with local buyers, avoiding the hassle of shipping.
- Pro Tip: Presentation is everything. Clean the item, take well-lit photos against a neutral background, and write a clear, honest description. This small effort can dramatically increase the selling price and speed of the sale.
8. Proofreading and Light Editing
Are you the person who always spots typos in restaurant menus or news articles? If you have a good grasp of grammar and spelling, you can get paid for your keen eye. Many content creators, students, and small businesses need a second set of eyes on their work but can't afford a full-time editor.
You can find freelance proofreading gigs on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. Start by offering a competitive rate to build your portfolio and gather positive reviews. You don't need a formal degree in English; you just need to be reliable and meticulous. This work is highly flexible and can be done from anywhere with a laptop.
- Example: You could specialize in proofreading blog posts, college application essays, or email newsletters. A simple proofreading job for a 1,500-word article could take less than an hour and pay $20-$40.
9. Managing a Single Social Media Account
Many small local businesses—like your neighborhood coffee shop, boutique, or plumber—know they need a social media presence but don't have the time or expertise to manage it. This is where you can step in. You don't need to be a marketing guru to handle one account effectively.
Offer a simple package: three posts a week, responding to comments, and engaging with followers. You can create a month's worth of content in just a few hours using a scheduling tool like Buffer or Later. This provides immense value to the business owner and creates a recurring monthly income stream for you with a very low time commitment.
- Pro Tip: Approach a local business you already love and frequent. Offer them a free one-week trial to demonstrate your value. A simple, consistent presence is often all they need.
10. House Sitting
Get paid to live in someone else's home while they're on vacation. House sitting is a fantastic side hustle that often comes with the bonus of a change of scenery. Responsibilities are typically light: collecting mail, watering plants, and maintaining a presence in the home for security.
Often, house sitting is combined with pet sitting, which can increase your pay rate. Websites like TrustedHousesitters (which is a membership-based exchange) or local Facebook groups are great places to find opportunities. This is perfect for remote workers or anyone with a flexible schedule who enjoys quiet time.
- Example: You could spend a week in a beautiful home, getting paid to work your day job from a new location, with only a few simple chores to do each day.
11. Donating Plasma
While unconventional, donating plasma is a reliable and straightforward way to earn extra money while helping others. Plasma is a component of blood used to create life-saving medicines. The process is safe and regulated, and donation centers are always looking for eligible donors.
A single donation can take about 90 minutes, and you can typically donate up to twice a week. New donor bonuses can be quite substantial, often netting you several hundred dollars in your first month. This is a great option if you have a predictable schedule and live near a donation center.
- Pro Tip: Hydrate well and eat a healthy meal before your appointment to ensure the process goes smoothly and you feel your best afterward.
12. Print-on-Demand T-Shirt Design
Similar to digital printables, print-on-demand (POD) allows you to sell physical products without ever handling inventory. You simply create a design, upload it to a POD platform like Redbubble or Merch by Amazon, and they handle everything else—printing, shipping, and customer service.
Your designs don't need to be artistic masterpieces. Simple text-based designs with a witty or relatable slogan often sell the best. Focus on passionate niches: hobbies (knitting, fishing), professions (nurses, teachers), or pop culture. Once your design is uploaded, it can continue to generate passive income for years.
- Example: A funny t-shirt design for cat lovers or a clever inside joke for software developers could become a consistent seller, earning you a few dollars for every shirt sold with no additional work.
13. Renting Out Your Car
Is your car sitting idle in your driveway most of the day or on weekends? Your vehicle is a depreciating asset, but you can turn it into an income-producing one. Services like Turo and Getaround allow you to rent out your car to pre-screened drivers, much like Airbnb for vehicles.
You set your own pricing, availability, and rules. The platforms provide insurance coverage and handle the booking process, making it a relatively safe and hands-off experience. This is an excellent way to offset the costs of car ownership—like your monthly payment, insurance, and maintenance—and even turn a profit.
- Pro Tip: Keep your car clean and well-maintained. Good photos and positive reviews are key to attracting more renters and maximizing your earnings.
14. Task-Based Gigs
For those who prefer hands-on work and a varied schedule, apps like TaskRabbit are a goldmine. You can sign up to offer a wide range of services, from assembling IKEA furniture and mounting TVs to running errands, helping someone move, or doing minor handyman repairs.
The best part is the complete control you have. You set your own hourly rate for each skill you offer and only accept the jobs that fit your schedule and location. This is a perfect way to monetize practical skills you already have during your free evenings or weekends.
- Example: You could dedicate one Saturday a month to assembling furniture and easily make an extra $200-$300.
15. Transcribing Audio Files
Transcription involves listening to audio or video recordings and typing out what is said. This is a crucial service for podcasters, journalists, researchers, and marketers who need written records of their content. It requires a good ear, fast typing skills, and attention to detail.
Companies like Rev and TranscribeMe offer a flexible way to get started. You can choose which files to work on and complete them at your own pace. While the pay can start low, it increases as you gain speed and accuracy. This is a fantastic work-from-home side hustle that you can do at any time of day or night.
- Pro Tip: Invest in a good pair of noise-canceling headphones and a foot pedal to control audio playback. These tools can significantly boost your efficiency and, therefore, your hourly earnings.
Your Path to a Healthier Income
Boosting your income doesn't have to be a grind. The key is to find something that aligns with your skills, interests, and—most importantly—your lifestyle. The goal isn't to replicate the stress of your primary job, but to create small, manageable streams of income that add up over time. As financial expert Goh Ling Yong often advises, sustainable wealth-building is about consistency, not intensity.
Don't feel pressured to try everything at once. Pick one or two ideas from this list that genuinely excite you and seem achievable. Start small, learn as you go, and watch as these low-lift efforts begin to make a real difference in your financial well-being.
Now, we'd love to hear from you. Which of these side hustles are you most excited to try? Or do you have another low-lift idea that has worked for you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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