"I Tried 7 Surprisingly Easy Ways to Make Money Online — Here's What Actually Worked"

I’ll be honest — I was skeptical. You’ve probably seen those ads too: “Make $500 a day from your couch!” or “Earn passive income while you sleep!” They sound too good to be true — and most of the time, they are. But earlier this year, I hit a financial wall. My 9-to-5 wasn't cutting it, and I needed extra cash fast. So I decided to test out the most popular (and supposedly easy) ways to make money online.

Some were duds, some were okay, and a few genuinely shocked me with how well they worked. Here’s exactly what I tried — and what was worth it.


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1. Selling Items on Facebook Marketplace

Ease: ★★★★★
Profit: $150 in one weekend

This was the first thing I tried because it didn’t involve signing up for anything new. I looked around my apartment and realized I had a bunch of stuff collecting dust — an old air fryer, a bookshelf I never assembled, and three pairs of boots I hadn’t worn in years.

I listed everything on Facebook Marketplace with clear photos and honest descriptions. Within 48 hours, I had buyers messaging me nonstop. One guy even came over and picked up two items on the spot.

Verdict: If you need fast cash, this is a no-brainer.


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2. Taking Paid Surveys

Ease: ★★★★☆
Profit: $27 in three days

I signed up for three platforms: Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and Survey Junkie. Each had a dashboard with dozens of survey options. Most paid between $0.50 to $2 per survey, and they took about 5–15 minutes each.

It wasn’t terrible — I did it while watching Netflix — but it felt a bit like digital grunt work. Still, $27 for basically clicking boxes wasn’t the worst way to spend an hour here and there.

Verdict: Low effort, low reward. Good for coffee money.


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3. Cashback Apps While Shopping

Ease: ★★★★★
Profit: $38 in one month

This one didn’t even feel like I was earning money — more like saving money I was already going to spend. I downloaded Rakuten and Upside and linked my debit card.

The real MVP was Rakuten. I made a $100 Amazon order and got $6 back instantly. Over the month, just by clicking through the Rakuten app before making purchases, I got $38 back — and a $10 bonus for referring a friend.

Verdict: Easy and passive — just remember to use the app.


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4. Selling Printables on Etsy

Ease: ★★★☆☆
Profit: $72 in two weeks

I’d seen people brag on TikTok about making thousands with digital downloads on Etsy. I’m no graphic designer, but I figured I could make something basic. I created a simple weekly planner using Canva and uploaded it to Etsy.

At first, crickets. But then someone bought it. Then another. I priced it at $3.99, and after Etsy’s fees, I made around $3 per sale. After some Pinterest promotion and tweaking keywords, I made $72 in the first two weeks.

Verdict: Slow burn — but great passive income potential.


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5. Trying a Freelance Gig on Fiverr

Ease: ★★★★☆
Profit: $110 in one week

I had zero experience freelancing, but I enjoy writing and offered a service: “I’ll write a personalized birthday poem.” Within three days, I had my first order. Then another. And another. I charged just $15 per poem to start, but the volume made it worth it.

Eventually, I increased my price and added a few more writing services. The best part? Once I delivered quality work, I got glowing reviews, which boosted my visibility.

Verdict: The effort pays off — especially if you niche down.


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6. Affiliate Marketing on TikTok

Ease: ★★☆☆☆
Profit: $0 (but lessons learned)

I created a TikTok account reviewing trending Amazon products. I used Amazon Associates to get affiliate links and added them to my profile via a Linktree. I posted five videos over ten days.

The views? Underwhelming. One video hit 2,000 views, but no one clicked. I made exactly $0 in commissions.

The truth? Affiliate marketing is powerful — but you need an audience. I had none.

Verdict: Not easy unless you already have followers.


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7. Testing User Websites (UserTesting.com)

Ease: ★★★★☆
Profit: $60 in four days

UserTesting pays you to test websites and apps while giving verbal feedback. You record your screen and voice, and each test pays around $10 for 15–20 minutes.

The first time I got a test, I was a little nervous. But it was actually fun. I tested a furniture site and gave feedback like “This button’s hard to find” or “This layout feels confusing.”

Verdict: Legit and surprisingly fun — just don’t expect tons of tests every day.


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What Actually Worked (and What I’ll Keep Doing)

Out of all seven, these three were the best bang for my buck:

Facebook Marketplace for quick cash

Fiverr for real income potential

Cashback apps for passive savings


Selling printables and doing surveys were decent, and I’m keeping the Etsy shop running. Affiliate marketing, however, was a bust — for now. I may revisit it once I’ve built more of an audience.

Trying these "easy" money-making methods showed me that yes, it is possible to earn online — but you still have to show up. The real secret? Consistency. Show up, experiment, improve. Before you know it, the dollars start adding up.

And if you're reading this, wondering if you should try one of these too?

Here’s your sign.