20 Proven Ways to Make Extra Money Fast
We all need some extra cash from time to time. But finding legitimate and quick ways to make money isn’t always easy. This comprehensive guide will give you 20 practical ideas to start earning more money in your spare time or as a side hustle.
Many of these can become long-term income streams if you invest the time. And most importantly, you can get started on several of them right away with no prior experience required!
Taking Online Surveys
- Time to earn: Varies, but most pay per completed survey
- Requirements: 18+, computer access
- Examples of survey panels:
- Swagbucks – Get $5 signup bonus
- Survey Junkie
- Vindale Research – $5 signup bonus
- Summary: Taking online surveys in your free time can generate some quick extra income. While no survey alone pays much, collectively they can add up over time. The most popular paid survey sites let you stack points or cash out gift cards or cash when you hit minimums. It’s an easy way to earn money from home.
Key Takeaway: Survey panels offer a straightforward way to earn spare cash. Just don’t expect a full income. Do 1-2 surveys in your free time per day and cash out when possible.
Freelance Writing Gigs
- Time to earn: Income per completed project/article
- Requirements: Strong writing skills
- Examples of writing platforms:
- Constant Content
- WriterAccess
- Upwork – Signup is free
- Summary: Selling articles, blog posts, product descriptions and more to online platforms or direct clients needing content can earn good writing income with some hustle. The key is pitching and marketing your services effectively. But once established, it can become steady remote work. Rates vary but aim for 10 to 50 cents per word.
Key Takeaway: Strong writing ability opens doors to consistent online income. Build a portfolio and profile and regularly pitch clients in need of content or manage platforms like Upwork to win projects.
Ride Sharing
- Time to earn: Income per ride given
- Requirements: Car, license and insurance
- Examples of services
- Summary: Apps like Uber and Lyft continue to grow in popularity for flexible income sources. Simply drive passengers for cash fares. You control your hours and earn income along your commute or free time. Expect $15-25 per hour before vehicle expenses. Fuel costs and taxes apply.
Key Takeaway: Driving for rideshares meshes perfectly with errands, amain jobo or having free time. No office or boss – just drive when convenient. Have a qualify vehicle kept clean and aim for peak hours or events.
Renting Your Home
- Time to earn: Nightly or weekly rental income
- Requirements: Spare room(s) or home
- Examples of rental platforms:
- Airbnb – Get $55 free credit
- VRBO
- Glamping Hub – Unique stays
- Summary: Free up unused living space to earn solid side income through vacation rental platforms like Airbnb. Provide a comfortable, clean room for guests seeking a local, affordable stay as an alternative to hotels. Earn up to 97% of each booking. Supplement by offering local experiences.
Key Takeaway: Review rental terms, local laws and manage bookings wisely, but hundreds in nightly or weekly earnings make home sharing a lucrative endeavor for spare rooms or properties. Employ smart pricing tactics, promotions and respond to all guest inquiries to maximize occupancy.
Online Teaching
- Time to earn: Hourly rate per class
- Requirements: Teaching ability, computer and internet
- Examples of platforms:
- Summary: Language learning platforms enable earning solid income right from your laptop. Use provided lesson plans or structure engaging classes yourself on a site like Outschool on topics you know well. Teaching hours are early mornings or evenings to align with student time zones abroad. Pay averages $15 to $25 per hour.
Key Takeaway: No related degree required! Online teaching works by dedicating set hours each week to working with international students using provided curriculums. Patience and energy to engage young learners is a must to succeed.
Selling Stock Photography
- Time to earn: Income per photo download/license
- Requirements: Access to camera and editing software
- Examples of stock image platforms:
- Shutterstock – Get up to $100 on sign up
- iStock
- Twenty20
- Summary: Supplying in demand, high-quality stock photos to online platforms builds semi-passive earnings long term as each sells over time. Gain skills in composition, lighting, keywords and editing. Review freelance photographer agreements before you begin shooting. Earn 15 to 25 percent royalties on each licensing sale to add up.
Key Takeaway: Patience pays as your accepted stockpile grows. But focus on hot trends, niches with gaps, caption keywords and shoot for variety to maximize long-term passive sales. Upload new monthly and market galleries directly to buyers too.
Garage or Yard Sale
- Time to earn: Income over full sale period
- Requirements: Items to sell access to advertise
- Platforms to boost interest:
- Craigslist – Post an ad for free
- Facebook Marketplace – Local buyers
- Garage Sale Finder Apps
- Summary: Yard and garage sales generate quick cash when effectively advertised nearby. Price all items attractively and have variety. Add balloons or eye catching signs. Exchange unwanted possessions for spending money and clear clutter! Bank a few hundred dollars if planned right.
Key Takeaway: Pick ideal weekends and boost traffic by plotting on apps or placing signs. Wake early to prep and arrange all goods neatly. Situate the heaviest merchandise up front and be prepared to negotiate prices. Keep change and bags ready for a busy, lucrative day!
Review Gigs
- Time to earn: Per completed review
- Requirements: Trial and experience using brands
- Examples of platforms:
- UserTesting – Get paid testing websites
- My Secret Shopper – Stores and dining
- BzzAgent – Free products for reviews
- Summary: You likely already regularly test products, retail experiences and websites. Why not get paid providing valuable feedback? Companies rely on consumer input and are willing to pay per test and review. Try services, shoot video or fill surveys for cash rewards. Sign up is fast and reviews pay between $5 to $50 each.
Key Takeaway: We all shop online and try carryout or services that could use constructive critiques. Sharing your experiences by recording or filling out provided templates takes bit of time but earns per test. A straight-forward process once signed up.
Choosing Winners for Giveaways
- Time to earn: Small fee per applicant
- Requirements: Judging based qualifications
- Platforms:
- Summary: Businesses and brands conducting social media or online giveaways need fair judges to select deserving winners based on clear criteria. As an impartial judge you gain access to pools per competition to review submissions or vote on entries across verticals like talent shows to recipes. Speed and reliability matter, but it is an easy $5 to $15 task once set up that can be completed quickly from home. Entries have identifiable data removed.
Key Takeaway: Small incentives per campaign but accessing and deciding prize winners in your niche or interests is straightforward extra money that adds minimal hourly. Qualify to judge, then check back for opportunities to earn judging merchandise to vacations.
Transcribing Audio
- Time to earn: Hourly rate per audio hour transcribed
- Requirements: Fast, accurate typing skills
- Platforms:
- Rev – Takes just minutes to get started
- GoTranscript – Wide variety of jobs
- Scribie – Independent contractor
- Summary: Converting audio content to text documents or captions is in high demand. Leverage your typing capabilities without ever leaving home. Transcribing services offer training and tools. Pay averages $10 to $25 per audio hour based on experience level with quick payouts. Work as much or as little as you choose once setup.
Key Takeaway: Hone speed and accuracy before applying and be prepared to pass short exams prior to gaining access to jobs. Fast, reliable work keeps the assignments coming so checkpoint progress frequently to avoid corrections or reworks.
Reselling Online
- Time to earn: Markup amount per item sold
- Requirements: Eye for value, listing skills
- Platforms:
- eBay – List affordably
- Facebook Marketplace – Meet locals
- Craigslist – Post free ads
- OfferUp – Negotiate price
- Summary: Leverage online platforms like eBay and Craigslist for access to discounted items you can remarket for profits from home. Source quality merchandise from garage sales, clearance racks, estate auctions or wholesale lots. Photograph attractively, optimize titles and descriptions, then ship sold items. Research selling fees first and experiment. Repositories of unsold merchandise mean consistent earning potential.
Key Takeaway: Success comes from sourcing killer deals on niche items and maximizing exposure with targeted listing practices. Patience pays off long run as merchandise in storage sells periodically so clear space to house fresh inventory.
Freelance Website or Graphic Design
- Time to earn: Hourly or per site/project rate
- Requirements: Strong portfolio, client communication abilities
- Freelance platforms:
- FlexJobs – Screened remote jobs
- SolidGigs – Reputable site
- Hubstaff Talent – Direct proposals
- Summary: If creating logos, webpages or marketing materials comes naturally, provide freelance services to earn great income. Build an impressive portfolio and profile to attract clients in need of design work for their businesses, campaigns or personal uses. Bid on project requests or market proactively to fill your week. Hourly freelancing income potential is $25 to $150 per hour according to experience and specialties.
Key Takeaway: Graphic design, web development chops and positive testimonials position you to earn well freelancing from home. But clear and timely communication is equally key to nurturing fruitful long term client relationships that drive referrals.
Become a Tour Guide
- Time to earn: Pay per booking or tour
- Requirements: Passion for your city with flexible schedule
- Examples of tour guide platforms:
- Summary: Showcasing hidden local gems and fascinating insights as a tour guide enables earning cash sharing your city knowledge. Gear hours around your 9 to 5 job and build repeat business through exceptional reviews. Expect $100+ per tour but confirm terms so you fully profit. Go at your own pace while getting paid to meet travelers and see familiar streets through fresh eyes!
Key Takeaway: Required permits, insurance and processes vary by tourism operations, but costs stay reasonable to get official access to bigger networks of tourist bookings. Maintain charm and energy over miles.
Local Delivery Driver
- Time to earn: Income per delivery
- Requirements: Reliable vehicle, insurance app access
- Apps to find gigs:
- Summary: Leverage downtime through on demand delivery apps offering flexible income. Connect to shifts delivering takeout, groceries or retail products in your neighborhood. While each job pays moderately, dash or shop when convenient as an easy way to offset costs or earn extra disposable income. Expect $10 to $15 per delivery before deductions plus tips.
Key Takeaway: Delivery apps keep options open across verticals and availability. Toggle between a couple compatible with your vehicle and schedule to offset commuting costs or pad savings on open blocks day or night. Track mileage carefully.
Rent Out Your Car
- Time to earn: Daily rental income
- Requirements: Qualifying vehicle in good condition
- Examples of car rental platforms:
- Summary: Put your car keys to work earning hundreds in consistent passive income. Vehicle sharing platforms connect idle cars with pre-vetted renters for travel, business or everyday purposes. Set custom schedules, pricing, mileage and availability while benefiting from insurance protections, roadside assistance and remote management. Maintain cleanliness between guests.
Key Takeaway: Review insurance clauses before listing and manage reservations judiciously, but otherwise clear profit and serious income stem from temporarily loaning vehicles to vetted renters when not needed. Adjust minimums and frequency as desired month to month.
Online Tutoring
- Time to earn: Hourly lesson rate set
- Requirements: Subject knowledge expertise
- Examples of tutoring platforms:
- Summary: From math to languages, tutors are needed globally for virtual assistance mastering academic and lifelong learning subjects. Teach lessons remotely from any device or let students schedule sessions. Set your own hours and rate then tutor across time zones. Earnings often fall between $20 and $40 per hour of tutoring.
Key Takeaway: No matter your expertise niche, student demand exists if effectively marketed. Maintain patience resolving misunderstandings and use engaging instruction methods to earn 5 star reviews fueling referrals. Schedule strategically to maximize bookings.
Selling Handmade Crafts
- Time to earn: Markup amount per item
- Requirements: Crafting ability and passion
- Examples of online craft platforms:
- Etsy – Global handmade site
- eBay – Auction site with options
- Craigslist – Free local classifieds
- Summary: Transform hobby skills or creative ideas into profitable inventory. Produce quality handmade crafts or art to generate income from home. Research trends, optimize listing content, photograph excellently and price attractively across platforms offering exposure tools, payment processing and built in demand. Results require consistency, customer service and patience but reward handsomely long run.
Key Takeaway: Setup organized workspace and sustainable production methods before committing extensive personal time into crafting for income. Batch creation during downtime leads to tiered selling levels and five-figure side earnings.
Pet Sitting
- Time to earn: Daily or per visit rate
- Requirements: Love of animals, basic training
- Examples of pet service apps:
- Summary: Caring temporarily for pets in their home environment generates easy income working flexible schedules. Create a profile outlining your capabilities, experience and availability to attract nearby requests. Conduct meet and greets prior to confirm compatibility and service details. Ensure reasonable prep and cleanup time to maximize earnings between $15 and $50 per visit. Treat all pets as beloved family members.
Key Takeaway: Genuine affection for animals helps provide attentive care but so does knowledge of signs of distress and cleanliness habits per animal. Market specialty skills like administering medication reliably. Check in frequently and send photo updates to put owners at ease.
Sell Handyman Services
- Time to earn: Hourly or per project quote
- Requirements: Home repair skills and tools
- Ways to advertise services:
- NextDoor – Neighbors seeking assistance
- Thumbtack – Job requests and reviews
- Craigslist – Post free ad easily
- Print flyers – Mailboxes, coffee shops
- Summary: Offer handyman expertise performing common tasks no one enjoys tackle or lacks know-how like minor plumbing repairs, furniture assembly, hauling junk, painting or landscaping. Provide fair quotes after assessing on-site needs to promote affordability over contractors. Expect to earn $30 to $50 per hour helping nearby residents renew living spaces or maintaining properties.
Key Takeaway: Reliability and quality workmanship establish positive reputations and referral streams so thoroughly assess abilities to avoid biting off more than capable. Maintain an organized truck or van to enable efficiently tackling assignments. Check licensing requirements in your area.
Flipping Items from Thrift Stores
- Time to earn: Resell price minus costs per item
- Requirements: Sourcing and listing abilities
- Platforms to resell:
- eBay – Large buyer pool
- Facebook Marketplace – Meet locally
- Craigslist – Free listings
- Mercari – Smooth shipping
- Summary: Visiting secondhand stores uncovers inventory bought on the cheap you can relist for big profits online. Check sold listings to gauge pricing and seller fees before purchasing items in excellent condition worth investing in. Clean or make minor repairs to raise appeal. Photograph attractively against neutral backdrops and optimize titles and descriptions to generate bidding wars netting $100+ flips.
Key Takeaway: Choosing niche collectibles, video games, tools or electronics translates sourcing trips into cash machines long run. But also monitor what common items get snagged quickest from your local thrifts and buy out stocks.
Work as a Lifeguard
- Time to earn: Hourly rate
- Requirements: Certification and availability
- Places to apply:
- Municipal pools
- Hotels
- Gyms
- Beach clubs
- Campgrounds
- Summary: Spend summer days earning by monitoring swimmers and watersports at facilities seeking sharp, responsible assistants. Study to gain certifications in first aid, CPR and lifeguard training to qualify for openings offering flexible seasonal schedules with hourly pay around $15, with managers earning more. Review roles, requirements and benefits during interviews. Refine observation, communication and rescue skills over an active season.
Key Takeaway: Preserve safety across wide, distracting environments by staying alert and establishing preventative practices. Employ patience and even energy despite weather or crowds.
House or Plant Sitter
- Time to earn: Daily rate for home checks and plant care
- Requirements: Reliability, organization, plant knowledge
- Platforms to find gigs:
- Housesitmatch – Seeker and sitter profiles
- Trustedhousesitters – Home and pet sitting
- Sittercity – House sitting jobs
- Summary: Assume homeowners’ routines sustaining living environments like watering plants, bringing in mail, maintaining tidiness and reporting issues that arise. Adjust care instructions as seasons shift. Provide periodic visit photo updates and lock all doors before leaving to put minds at ease. Earn a base rate of $50 per day up depending on specific duties that flex across trips or 9-to-5 work.
Key Takeaway: Gain references through responsibly maintaining aesthetics, adhering to detailed instructions and reassuring homeowners through ongoing communication from their properties. Time visiting intervals wisely across neighborhoods.
There you have it – 20 legitimate ways to make money relatively quickly with varying levels of effort and availability requirements. But all enable earning extra income using free resources and tools to get started.
Implement a couple that mesh with your interests, abilities and schedule to pad savings or offset bills. Many can even turn into profitable long-term side hustles with devoted time.
And periodically review the list for fresh quick cash opportunities when funds run short or goals require accelerating. Because extra income stands within reach every month when leveraging your skills or assets strategically!
