How to Make Extra Money When You’re Just Plain Tired

Ever get to the end of the day and feel like you’ve got nothing left in the tank? I’ve been there. For years, I was grinding away at a day job and then coming home to a side hustle, all so I could crush my debt and finally stop living paycheck to paycheck. Maybe you’re saving for a dream vacation, or just want a little breathing room. Whatever your reason, you can still make extra money, even when you’re running on fumes.

Let’s be real, after a long day of work, kids, or just… life, the last thing you want to do is more work. But what if you could earn a little extra without having to find a second wind or stick to a crazy schedule?

That’s what this is all about. I’m sharing some of the easiest ways to make money when your energy is low but your goals are high.

The Best Ways to Earn When You’re Exhausted

Here are my go-to methods for making extra cash after work, no serious brainpower required.

1. Find a Gig You Can Do From Your Couch

Honestly, if you’re tired, the thought of driving somewhere else is a total non-starter. The good news? You don’t have to. There are tons of ways to make a little money without ever leaving your sofa. My personal favorite is messing around with survey and rewards apps. And yes, I’ve actually earned real cash and gift cards just by tapping on my phone.

I’m signed up for all of these, and they’re my go-to time-killers:

• Freecash – I’m not kidding, I made $302 in one week just by playing games on my phone through this site. It’s kind of addicting.
• Swagbucks – This one’s an old classic. You can get paid for games, signing up for stuff, and surveys. I’ve racked up over 110 gift cards from them over the years.
• Gain.gg - A solid earner, similar to Freecash with plenty of offers to keep you busy.

You’re not going to get rich, but an extra $50 or $100 a month for groceries or bills? Absolutely. And you can do it in your pajamas.

2. Turn Your “Me Time” into “Money Time”

Sometimes, the best way to make money is to do something that doesn’t feel like work at all.

Do you like to draw, write, or even just mess around with planners? You could be making digital products to sell on Etsy. Or maybe you’re a decent photographer. Those pictures sitting on your hard drive could be earning you money.

I’ve seen people turn a simple hobby into a side hustle that brings in hundreds, sometimes thousands, a month. You don’t have to be a pro. Just start somewhere, play around, and see what sticks.

3. Get Paid for Your Brain (The Easy Way)

If you know a lot about a specific topic—like tech, law, pets, or mechanics—you can get paid to answer questions online at a site called JustAnswer.

People go there for quick, expert advice and are willing to pay for it. You just sign up, verify your expertise, and start answering questions from your couch. You pick what you want to answer and when. It’s a perfect low-key gig for evenings or weekends. I’ve heard of people making a nice side income this way without ever leaving home.

4. Sell That Pile of Stuff You Don’t Need

You know that pile of clothes, gadgets, or random things you’ve been meaning to get rid of? That’s cash waiting to happen.

Listing items on Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, or eBay is surprisingly easy and, let’s be honest, it feels great to declutter. Spend one evening taking pictures and another writing up descriptions. After that, it’s just a matter of responding to messages.

Back in the day, I had a little side business flipping clothes and other random finds. I even sold a set of car tires once and made a decent chunk of change. You never know what people will buy.

5. Let Your Money Make Money (Passive Income)

If you’re too tired for a daily hustle, passive income is your new best friend.

Think about things like:

• Selling digital downloads or printables.
• Starting a blog and using affiliate links.
• Putting your cash in a high-yield savings account.
• Writing a short ebook and selling it on Amazon.
• Using cashback apps and credit cards for stuff you’re already buying.

These things take some work to set up, but once they’re running, they can earn money while you’re sleeping. Even an extra $50 a month from something you created once is a huge win.

6. Freelance Without the Stress

When I was working a 9-to-5, I did some freelance writing on the side. The best part? No commute, no phone calls, just me and my laptop.

If you have a skill like proofreading, social media management, or graphic design, you can find clients and work on your own schedule. You don’t have to commit to a ton of hours. Just take on what you can handle.

7. Rent Out Your Unused Stuff

This is probably the most hands-off way to make money. If you own something, chances are someone is willing to rent it.

Consider renting out:

• A spare room on Airbnb.
• Your car on Turo when you’re not using it.
• Your RV or camper on RVshare.
• Storage space in your garage or basement.
• Bikes, kayaks, or skis if you live in a popular area.

You could even get into real estate by buying a duplex and renting out both units. The possibilities are endless.

You Can Do This!

Look, being tired doesn’t mean you have to put your financial goals on hold. You just need to find what works for you right now.

Start small. Try one thing. Even if you only make an extra $5 a day, that’s $150 a month you didn’t have before. That’s worth celebrating.

I managed to do it, and I’m convinced you can too. Good luck!

What’s your favorite way to make a little extra money when you’re wiped out?