When you go looking for “easy ways to make money” there is always a chance that you will wind up getting scammed. The truth is that “easy money” is more or less a myth if you’re talking about making money with literally no work and no thought put into it at all.

What IS possible is money made with little effort. Think of the old saying “Work smarter, not harder” and you will have an idea of what this is about. If you want to work less, here are some tips.

Zero Down

If you want to start your own business, what is the ultimate end goal? To make more money than you put into it, of course. Now, what better way to make a healthy profit than to put in zero dollars to get started? Think of ways you can get a business going for no money down. Even if this means, say, selling a couple old antiques as part of your business plan. If the bottom line is that you are not dipping into your own savings or taking out a loan, you’re looking at returns that are all profit.

Learn the Software

Whether you want to draw webcomics or become a domain host, learning the software will help. Someone who knows what they are doing with Microsoft Excel is going to be spending a lot less time at the computer than someone who does not. Take the time to learn the software now and save a lot of time in the future.

Make as Much as You Can

This sounds obvious, right? But think of it this way: when was the last time you asked someone for a raise? Your work, your business, is worth as much as you can possibly get for it. Don’t worry about whether or not it’s a fair price you’re asking. If you’re asking for an unreasonable amount, your boss/customers won’t pay it, and you can adjust your demands accordingly. But make as much as you can, because the more you make, the less work you have to do.