Regardless of why you need extra cash, learn the best ways to make money now. Each strategy is reliable and great for all skill levels.
It’s possible, and there are legal ways to make money today. But, you must be careful of scams.
If someone promises you a large amount of money for little to no work, it’s likely a scam. So, be aware and alert.
Fortunately, there are reputable ways to make $100 or more in a short period.
Related article: Best peer-to-peer (P2P) lending websites
Whether you need to make money fast or want extra cash, the following are legit and vetted ways to do it.
The methods may not be glamorous or something to brag about, but they work.
Related article: 5 best parking apps to save time and money
1. Check for unclaimed money from the government
Before you try a method to make money fast, check the government’s unclaimed money portal.
If the government, a business, or another source owes you money, it’ll appear.
You can also find unclaimed money from employers, insurance, tax refunds, banks, investments, and international sources.
Related: How Much Is 6-Figures, 7-Figures, 8-Figures, and 9-Figures?
2. Do a paid online survey
Online surveys are an excellent way to make fast cash. Also, you can take surveys in the comfort of your home.
Your feedback is valuable to companies because it helps them grow. So, they use survey sites to pay people to answer questions.
The time commitment depends on the survey. But, the company tells you how long it’ll take before you start.
You can make between $5 to $50 for each survey you take.
The following are the best survey sites:
For most of the sites, you earn points. Then, you can redeem them for a gift card or money through PayPal.
3. Deliver food or groceries
If you have a few hours and a car or bike, deliver food or groceries.
All you have to do is pick up the food or groceries and bring it to a customer’s front door.
While how much you earn varies, the average is between $15 to $20 an hour.
The best part is that you can take on as many jobs as you want.
The following are the best food delivery services to earn extra money:
The services also have a streamlined sign-up process and offer immediate payouts.
Food delivery is an excellent way to make money fast. Also, you can continue doing it to supplement your income.
Uber and Lyft are the two biggest and best rideshare companies.
If you have a mobile phone and a four-door vehicle in good condition, you can sign up to drive.
Both rideshare companies allow you to drive anytime, so you have a flexible schedule.
Uber and Lyft take a 25% and 20% commission, respectively.
While you make money for each drive, you can expect an average of $10 to $20 an hour. Also, you’ll keep 100% of the tips.
To maximize your profits, use both services.
Once you complete a drive, you can withdraw cash within an hour or two.
5. Help people with home tasks
Some people need help with tasks around their homes.
Sign up for TaskRabbit, HomeAdvisor, or Thumbtack to get paid by helping people with home projects.
Examples of tasks are as follows:
- Moving
- Assemble furniture
- Mounting
- Cleaning
- Home repairs
- Plumbing
- Painting
- Lawn care
You can choose any available task and once you finish, you’ll get paid.
If you have the skills to clean, fix, or assemble things, you can make fast money in your local area.
6. Take care of pets
If you love pets, make money by taking care of them.
Sign up for Rover, Wag, or Fetch! Then, apply to available jobs.
You can pet-sit, walk dogs, provide overnight care and medication, or do drop-in visits.
The services also provide insurance and support anytime.
Depending on what services you provide, you can make around $10 to $100 per hour.
It’s an exceptional way to make money fast.
7. Become a freelancer
Freelance work is the best way to maximize what you earn. Monetize your skills by providing a service to those who need it.
The freelance work world is expansive.
You can do website development, photography, proofreading, graphic design, or customer support.
With so many things you can do, it’s an excellent way to find work.
The following are the best sites to find freelance jobs:
Make sure you upload a solid resume, a professional profile picture, and a portfolio.
You must show proof that you’re an expert and do great work.
Another freelance opportunity is to transcribe videos and podcasts on Rev. You get paid through PayPayl weekly.
Aside from earning money fast, freelancing might become your new career.
When you don’t need your car, let other people rent it.
The three best car-sharing services are Turo, Getaround, and Avail. Each one provides insurance and support anytime.
With Avail, you can earn $25 each day someone rents your car. Turo and Getaround will pay you for each rental session.
Car-sharing is incredible because the platforms lead customers to you.
So, if you need fast cash and have a car, consider car-sharing.
9. Earn cash-back when you shop
If you aren’t using a cash-back app or site, start today. You can earn a small percentage of what you spend at the partner stores.
Some automatically track your spending, while others need a receipt.
The following are the best cash-back apps to sign up for today:
You may not make a lot of money, but it’s a great way to get paid for what you want to buy anyways.
Also, the cash-back apps have various minimum withdrawal amounts. So, check the cash-out limits before you sign up.
10. Train artificial intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence (AI) needs humans to train it. So, companies will pay you to help train AI.
Neevo is the best place to do it. You’ll analyze, upload, label, or confirm text, audio, or visuals.
Some jobs need a computer or laptop, and others a mobile phone.
Neevo pays an average of $20 per hour, and you’ll get the money through PayPal.
11. Get paid to improve your health
You can get paid for physical activity and to improve your health.
Sweatcoin is one of the best apps because it pays you to walk.
For every 1,000 steps, you earn 0.95 Sweatcoin.
You need 3,650 Sweatcoins to get $50 through PayPal. So, you’ll need to walk a lot.
Sweatcoin also offers rewards for referrals and daily challenges.
If you can wait several months and want to lose weight, try HealthyWage.
You can make hundreds or thousands of dollars if you reach your weight loss goals.
Both methods allow you to make money for getting fit.
12. Test products and websites for cash
Share your perspective and feedback for cash.
You get paid to test products, websites, and apps. As a tester, you help companies improve.
Most tests take 15 to 30 minutes and pay around $10 per test.
The following are the best sites to sign up as a tester:
You need approval for most websites. Once you’re approved, you can begin testing and making money.
The platforms usually pay you through PayPal.
13. Sell your books
A quick way to make money is to sell physical books. Regardless of the type of book, you can sell it for cash.
The following are the best in-person and online places to sell your books:
If you go to a location, you’ll get the money the same day. For online book buyers, it may take a few days or weeks.
14. Sell your clothes
Go through your closet and remove the clothes you no longer wear.
If your clothes are in good condition, sell them with an online platform or store like Plato’s Closet or Buffalo Exchange.
The best online platforms to sell used clothes are as follows:
Brand-name clothes in good condition will make you the most money. But, you can try to sell any item.
Aside from fast cash, it’ll also declutter your closet.
15. Redeem credit card points or cash-back
If you have a credit card that earns points or cash, redeem them.
It can take minutes or days, depending on the credit card company. But, it’ll save you when you’re short on cash.
16. Negotiate your bills
Bill negotiation is a way to free up cash without making more money. The best way to negotiate is to call the company.
Then, explain that you’re facing financial hardship.
The company may have solutions, such as payment deferral or a lower payment for a period.
If you don’t like to negotiate or cancel subscriptions, use a service like Trim, Truebill, or Billshark. Both services can take care of it for you.
17. Have a yard sale
Gather all the items you don’t use or need. Then, bring it outside and have a yard or garage sale.
Tell your neighbors about the yard sale and put signs in high-traffic locations.
The more you have available, the more money you can make.
18. Return things for a refund
Instead of making more money, get a refund for things you recently bought.
Check the store’s return policy. If you’re within the timeframe, return the item.
You’ll get cash or a credit on your debit or credit card.
19. Donate plasma
Plasma donations aren’t donations because you get paid. But, it’s still an excellent way to make money fast.
You can get $10 to $50 for each session. Most plasma donation centers have big bonuses for first-time donors. It can be up to $1,000.
After you donate, you’ll get a reloadable prepaid card with the money.
20. Apply for a personal loan
Loans should be the last thing you try. If you can’t make enough money and have income, apply for a personal loan.
You can apply at your bank, credit union, or an online lender.
If you get approved, most financial institutions give you the funds within two business days.
The personal loan should be your last resort.
Also, avoid payday loans, auto title loans, and loans that don’t need a credit check.
Conclusion
Now, you have many opportunities to make money fast.
Use the methods for bills, emergencies, savings, and supplement your income.
If you come across new ways to make money fast, verify that it’s reputable and not a scam.
Many of the options allow you to make money from home.
So, you can start it as a side hustle and make money in your free time.
Related articles:
- The best POS systems for food trucks
- The best online jobs for teens
- Most Valuable Books
- The best ways to sell your car
- Financing vs. leasing a car
Featured image courtesy of Pexels.
About David Em
Founder
David Em is the founder of More Money More Choices, which he launched to help you take control of your finances and build your dream life. Before More Money More Choices, David worked in leadership positions in the finance industry.
