Taking a break from your regular 9-5 job doesn't have to mean just grabbing a coffee or scrolling through social media. In fact, with the right mindset and a little creativity, you can use your breaks to earn extra cash without interfering with your main job responsibilities. Whether you have 10 minutes or 15 minutes to spare, there are several quick and simple side hustles that can help boost your income during the workday.
Here are a few effective ways to maximize your workday breaks and potentially earn extra money.
Take Paid Surveys
Paid surveys are one of the easiest and most straightforward ways to earn money during your break. Many market research companies are looking for consumer opinions on products, services, and various topics. By completing a few surveys, you can earn small amounts of cash or gift cards without leaving your desk.
Surveys typically take just a few minutes to complete, and you can sign up for multiple platforms to increase the number of available surveys. Popular survey sites often allow you to fill out a quick questionnaire to match you with relevant surveys, making it even easier to maximize your break time. The more surveys you complete, the more you can earn over time, even if it’s just a small amount each day.
Play Online Casino Games
If you're looking for a fun and potentially rewarding way to pass the time during your workday break, online casino games could be a good option. While it's important to note that winning is never a guarantee, some players have been able to enjoy small wins while playing online casino games like blackjack, poker, or slots in their free time.
Many online casinos offer quick, easy-to-play games that you can jump into for a short session during a 15-minute break. Bettors should choose reputable sites with a wide variety of games to ensure the best experience. The best casinos not on GamStop often offer huge game libraries as well as flexible wagering options, which draw in players from the UK and beyond. These sites, which are typically licensed abroad, side-step strict rules imposed on domestic UK platforms. Because of this, they’ve become popular amongst bettors in the UK and globally in recent years.
For those who enjoy a little thrill and the possibility of winning money, online casino games can be a convenient and engaging option. Just remember to set a budget and stick to it!
Sell Unwanted Items Online
If you're looking to declutter your workspace or home, why not turn your unused items into cash? During a 15-minute break, you can snap a few photos of things you no longer need or use and list them on a local marketplace like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Depop. You might be surprised how quickly things like old books, gadgets, clothes, or even furniture can sell.
This is especially effective if you have a lot of small items lying around that are easy to photograph and ship. You don’t need a lot of time to post an item or interact with potential buyers. It’s a simple way to make extra income without a major time commitment, and you can use your workday breaks to handle quick transactions and shipping arrangements.
Freelance Microtasks
Freelancing doesn’t always require long hours or major projects. Many platforms offer micro tasking, where you can complete small online tasks for quick payment. Tasks might include things like data entry, transcription, social media management, or even translating simple phrases. You can browse platforms like Amazon Mechanical Turk, Clickworker, or TaskRabbit to find simple gigs that can be completed during a break.
Create and Sell Digital Products
If you’re into arts and crafts, or you have a knack for graphic design, you can make use of your free time to create digital products that can be sold online. From printable planners to digital art or even simple e-books, there are numerous digital products you can create that require minimal time but can generate passive income over time.
Platforms like Etsy or Gumroad make it easy to sell digital products, and there are low startup costs involved. In a short workday break, you can plan or sketch ideas for new digital products or upload your designs to your online shop. With the right strategy, this can become a steady income stream, and the best part is you don’t need to create new products every day — just make a few great items and let them sell on autopilot.
Offer Virtual Assistance
If you have organizational skills and enjoy helping others stay on track, you can provide virtual assistant services during your breaks. While full-time virtual assistant work might take longer hours, there are plenty of smaller, one-off tasks you can do in a quick break.
Things like scheduling appointments, managing emails, or doing light research can all be done in 15 minutes, and clients often appreciate the flexibility. If you already have a strong knowledge of tools like Google Calendar, Microsoft Office, or project management platforms, offering small virtual assistant services is a great way to earn money on the go.
