Top tips for how you can make money in New Year – while doing 'nothing'

Who wouldn’t like to get paid for just lying around and doing nothing much?

It’s everyone’s dream isn’t it?

Well for some people, it’s a reality.

They have hit on one or two money-earners that basically want you to just hang around, or hang out, at home or outside, doing pretty much nothing and still getting paid. Here’s just a few ideas to get you started on your quest to make money lying about!

Can you imagine getting paid to sleep?

That really would be getting paid to do nothing.

And incredibly some people get paid 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.

It’s highly competitive of course, but it could still be you.

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

It still happens now here and there, but you need to keep your eyes out for the next testing event.

If you’re looking for a bed testing job, keep your eyes on big companies which, for whatever reason, will have a lot of beds. It might be a hotel chain or a department store, or even companies that produce beds, particularly those who supply to hotels.

The pay for this ‘work’ varies and it is usually a temporary position, but well worth the effort of getting it if you want to try for the next event!

Have you ever been told you don’t get paid to stand around and do nothing? Well that’s not entirely true.

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

You’ve seen long queues as people wait in line to be the first to get their hands on the latest

Apple product, or must-have Taylor Swift ticket, or best bargain at Harrods, even staying the night during relentless rain.

Happily there are people who have the money and will to pay someone else to do it for them.

Whilst this is particularly 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.

Social media is a great place to offer yourself as a queue-sitter for people. Try Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or TikTok to tell people you’re available.

Charge an hourly rate so that if you have to hang around for a long time, at least you will be paid for it.

For example, you could charge £12-15 an hour depending on the time of day.

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

Do you consider eating food a chore?

I 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.

Tasting sessions last around an hour or two, but could be a little longer if you’re part of a focus group.

The food you taste can vary from chocolate (yes really) to dog food (yes, I know!).

Find out more here.

Fancy kicking back and listening to some music for money?

It is possible, although, admittedly you have to review the music as well.

However, 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; but if you like listening to music and giving feedback then a little bit of money is better than nothing.

Find out how to get into it here.

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

That’s what house sitting can offer.

House sitting is increasingly popular with people who have posh homes and possibly pets or horses, and want someone responsible to look after it all while they’re on holiday.

It’s not a way to earn lots of money; pay for long-term house sitting starts at £10 a day, and some expect you to be there for nothing, just using it as a free holiday.

However, it can be particularly good for people who own their own home as they can rent their place out for cash while they stay in someone else’s luxury home.

There are a few agencies that specialise in putting homeowners together with trusted sitters.

Find out how much you could make and how to do it here.

This really is making money by just hanging around!

Receiving parcels for cash is a nice little earner if you’re at home a lot or you’re happy to be in someone else’s home for the day.

It’s similar to house sitting but it’s an easier and quicker way to do it.

It’s just being around to let in plumbers or accept important parcels for someone who is willing to pay for you to be there all day.

Pay can actually be quite good: you can earn at least £10 an hour, and you really are doing nothing but waiting!

You can let neighbours know that you’re available for this and also promote your services on social media.

It’s also possible to offer these services through domestic agencies or on TaskRabbit or Bark.com.

And don’t forget to look out for potential jobs like this in places like Gumtree.com or Nextdoor.com. You never know what kind of opportunity you might stumble across in your locality.

For more weird and wonderful ways to get paid for doing nothing, check out this list here.