We’ve all been there. Sometimes, you find yourself in a tight financial spot, and you need to figure out how to make money quick, as in today!
We’ve outlined some of the best ways to make quick money when you’re in a pinch.
While none of these are replacements for a regular income, they are a great way to earn a little extra money on short notice.
19 Ways to Make Quick Money in One Day
Here are some great ways to make money quick:
- Drive for Rideshare Services
- Deliver Groceries
- Have a Yard Sale
- Sell Your Clothes
- Sell Your Furniture
- Sell Unused Gift Cards
- Advance Your Paycheck
- Do Odds Jobs
- Leverage Sign-up Bonuses
- Pre-sell Your Labor
- Take Surveys
- Freelance Online
- Tutor Online
- Sell Digital Products
- Donate Plasma
- Pet Sitting
- Participate in Research Studies
- Babysitting
- Cash in Bottles and Cans
1. Drive for Rideshare Services
If you own a car and have a good driving record, driving for Uber or Lyft is an excellent way to make quick money.
Driving for a rideshare company is a popular way to earn quick cash. According to Indeed, Uber drivers make approximately $19 per hour, which equates to a $39,520 annual salary.
The major benefit of driving for a company like Uber or Lyft is that you can work around your own schedule and withdraw your earnings that day.
So why don’t more people drive for rideshare services? Not everybody meets the minimum requirements needed to drive for rideshare companies.
These requirements include:
- Must meet state or city driver age requirements
- Must have a valid driver’s license
- Must have an eligible four-door vehicle
- Must have at least one year of licensed driving experience
- Must have auto insurance and registration
- May undergo a driving record and criminal history screening
If you are unable to drive for Uber or Lyft based on these requirements, there are other options for using your car to make quick money.
2. Deliver Groceries
Are you a person who actually enjoys grocery shopping? If so, delivering groceries with Instacart is a way to earn quick cash.
Like driving for rideshare, delivering groceries let’s you work on your own schedule and earn anywhere from $10-$25 per hour.
Running errands like grocery shopping for people is a great side hustle for people who don’t mind using their car to make money but don’t feel like making small talk like when driving for Uber or Lyft.
To get started, download apps like Instacart and sign up as a Shopper.
The requirements to be an Instacart Shopper include:
- Must have access to a vehicle
- Must have a valid driver’s license
- Must be able to lift 50 pounds
- Must have mobile access to a smartphone or similar device
Delivering groceries isn’t the only way you can make money with your vehicle. Apps like Uber Eats, PostMates, and Doordash offer great opportunities for people whose car may not meet rideshare requirements.
3. Have a Yard Sale
Hosting a yard or garage sale is one of the best ways to earn some quick money and declutter your home simultaneously.
While a yard sale is a one-day event, the best way to ensure a successful sale is to plan a week or more ahead of time. Begin by selecting a date and time for your garage sale. Be sure to inform your town and neighborhood by posting flyers around town and on social media.
Next, you’ll need to sort through your belongings and gather up items you no longer want or need. Clean and organize your things into categories that shoppers can easily browse. You can also put price tags on items that are non-negotiable price-wise.
Finally, on the day of the garage sale, arrange your belongings in organized and visually appealing sections. Use tables, racks, and bins to display items clearly and make it easier for shoppers to browse. Be friendly and open to negotiation when people approach you. After all, you’re a one-person shop, and providing a good shopping experience is up to you.
Be sure to offer multiple forms of payment, including cash, Venmo, PayPal, and even debit or credit card if you have the capability. The flexibility of offering multiple payment options can increase your chances of making a sale.
4. Sell Your Clothes
Most of us have things in our closets that are collecting dust. Whether you were gifted something that isn’t your style or you just didn’t love a piece as much as you thought you would, selling your clothes is a great way to make money online.
You can make money by selling your clothes in two ways: online and in-store. Selling clothes online is typically the best way to make a decent return, but it can require more work up front, like taking good photos and uploading a listing. Sites like Poshmark, ThredUp, and Depop are the most popular with online thrifters and sellers alike.
Selling your clothes online can be more lucrative than a consignment store, but it also takes time to process sales and access your earnings. If you need money today, try selling your clothes at Plato’s Closet or Buffalo Exchange. You can bring a bag of clothes, and they will pay you on the spot for any pieces they like.
5. Sell Your Furniture
Clothes and knick-knacks aren’t the only things cluttering your space. Free up some room around your house by listing some of your furniture for sale online!
Selling your furniture is a great way to earn extra income, declutter your space, and make room for better pieces of furniture. Start by looking at what you already have and consider if people would be interested in buying it. Ask yourself: is this a piece that someone would want to repurchase? Is it in reasonably good condition? How much can I expect to earn from this piece of furniture?
Once you’ve determined if a piece of furniture is resellable, you need to create a listing on an online marketplace. The most popular sites to buy and sell furniture are Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, Craigslist, and OfferUp. Your listing should include high-quality photos showing off the piece and a detailed description highlighting the item’s unique qualities, dimensions, and condition.
You can expect some negotiating when interacting with potential buyers, so it’s recommended that you list the item at a price that’s at the higher end of what you can expect to earn. Once you reach an agreement, you can arrange a pickup or delivery and payment method.
6. Sell Unused Gift Cards
Most of us have, at some point, received a gift card to a retailer that we have no interest in shopping at. If you have gift cards that are collecting dust in a drawer, you can sell them online for cash instead!
There are several websites that will buy back your unused or unwanted gift cards for real cash offers. While you won’t get the full value of the gift card back, you can expect to get about a 92% return, which is much better than having unused money laying around.
CardCash, Cardsell, GiftCash, and GiftDeals are among the most popular gift card resell sites. You can put in your gift card and its remaining balance to see how much you can get in return. Some sites will even let you convert your unused gift cards into cards you will use.
7. Advance Your Paycheck
If you are truly in a pinch, asking your employer for a paycheck advance or seeking out cash advance loan options is one way to address immediate financial needs.
Before pursuing a paycheck advance or loan, familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions of such an option. Your employer may have specific eligibility requirements, and a payday loan with a financial institution may come with high-interest rates, fees, and quick repayment terms. Be sure that you understand the full implications on your personal finances before exploring these options.
Some employers may offer occasional paycheck advances or assistance programs as an employee benefit. Check with your human resources department to see if they have any of these programs available.
If your employer does not offer paycheck advances, there are plenty of cash advance apps out there to help you make it through until your next paycheck.
Plus, many of these apps offer low-fee, low-interest, and fast funding options to help you borrow what you need. These apps include options like Brigit, Earnin, Dave, Varo, and MoneyLion.
8. Do Odd Jobs
In today’s fast-paced world, lots of people are pressed for time. Many of us barely have enough time to cover basic chores, let alone organize our homes or assemble furniture. Luckily, plenty of people are willing to pay someone to tackle odd jobs for them.
If you are willing to be someone’s extra set of hands, there are plenty of places to look for odd jobs that will earn you money today. Sites like Craigslist or TaskRabbit let you search for job postings in your area for people needing help around the house or a few errands run on their behalf.
While Craigslist is great for finding true odd jobs, TaskRabbit is the best app to search for one-off or recurring gigs near you. Sign up as a Tasker, and you can set your hourly rate and list the days and times you’re able to work. From there, it becomes easy to find paying gigs near you.
9. Leverage Sign-up Bonuses
If you’re looking for an easy way to make free money, taking advantage of sign-up bonuses is an easy way to pad your wallet today.
There are lots of cashback apps, investment apps, and banks out there that are dying for new members. The best way to make themselves stand out from the crowd is to offer sign-up bonuses to get your foot in the door. These sign-up bonuses can be as high as $200 or $2,000 in some cases.
Sign-on bonuses aren’t the only way you can earn free money. Many apps also offer referral bonuses when you get friends, family, or followers to sign up using your unique code. This is an easy way to pool money to put aside in a savings account or toward your bills and expenses.
10. Pre-sell Your Labor
If you need cash today, one way for beginners to earn money is to pre-sell manual labor or services to your friends and family.
Maybe it’s summer, but your dad always asks you to shovel the driveway in the winter. Or perhaps you told your friend you’d be happy to rake leaves in the fall. Offer to sell certificates or coupons that your friends and family can buy now and redeem later.
The best part of this is that you can get creative. You can pre-sell manual labor, administrative work, or even creative services. No matter what you do, don’t forget to follow through when your friends and relatives redeem the coupon.
11. Take Surveys
Online survey sites or get-paid-to (GPT) sites often get a bad rap for not paying as much as other side gigs. But we think that if you have reasonable expectations and view them as a way to pass the time, they can turn into a fun and easy way to pad your wallet.
So, how do online surveys work? Basically, brands pay market research companies to conduct focus group research on what consumers think about their products, services, or marketing campaigns.
The marketing companies will then outsource this work to sites like Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, or InboxDollars to gather results on their behalf. Paid surveys will sweeten the pot for users by offering to split the pay with them as an incentive to take surveys, watch videos, and more.
Survey sites are an effective way to earn some extra cash or gift cards to your favorite retailers. However, you shouldn’t expect to earn a high payout.
Instead, think of them as a way to earn a bit of cash in your spare time, like waiting in line at the grocery store or rewatching your favorite show. If you stay consistent, you can rack up points and cash them in for rewards.
12. Freelance Online
One of the best ways to make quick cash – and potentially replace your full-time job – is to sell your services online as a freelancer.
Freelancing has taken off in the digital age because people can now hire professionals from anywhere in the world. Whether you’re a freelance writer, graphic designer, developer, or artist, you can pitch and sell your services to companies or individuals who desperately need your help.
A solid freelancing business takes some time to get off the ground, so you won’t be able to pick up freelancing and have money in your pocket by the end of the day. But freelancing is probably the best way to make good money, so it’s worth investing the time and energy for the chance to earn as much as $100 per hour.
To find freelance clients, start with job boards like Fiverr, LinkedIn, and Upwork. These sites will let you create a profile, promote your services, and apply for freelance jobs. You’ll also be able to easily withdraw money you earn from your account, which is handy in a pinch.
Once you have an established client base, earning quick money is as easy as doing the work and sending your invoice. Some clients may be alright with you sending an invoice on a weekly basis, but it’s important to check and find out their comfort level with being billed regularly.
13. Tutor Online
Are you an expert in mathematics, biology, geography, or English? Or maybe you’re a retired educator who wants to earn a part-time income. No matter your situation, tutoring online is a great way to earn some extra money fast.
Students have become accustomed to online learning over the past several years. For better or worse, this means that kids and tutors alike are able to connect via the internet to help students reach their full academic potential.
There are plenty of online platforms that allow you to offer your services as a tutor. These sites include Chegg, Tutor.com, Outschool, and Smarthinking. You can expect to earn anywhere from $15-$60 per hour, depending on your subject and experience level.
If you aren’t comfortable tutoring a specific subject, you can always teach English as a second language (ESL). Many people associate teaching English as a second language with instructing in a foreign country, but you can also teach online. You will need to become certified to teach ESL, which will help you land jobs and begin tutoring online.
14. Sell Digital Products
The number-one way to set yourself up for personal financial success is to earn passive income. One of the best ways to do this is to sell digital products online.
As the name implies, digital products are goods or resources sold and delivered online. This can include ebooks, online courses, software templates, graphics, music, photography, and even art prints. What makes selling digital products such a lucrative business opportunity is that it requires very little time investment beyond the creation of the product and upkeep of the shop. You don’t have to do inventory or pack and ship orders. You can more or less set it and forget it.
To create a digital product, you need to start by considering your skills, expertise, and the market demand for specific products. Let’s say you’re a graphic designer. You have a number of digital products you can make and sell. You can create digital planner templates for Goodnotes or art print downloads. Or you can create an online course to teach people how to become a graphic designer. Or you can do all three and more. The options are endless.
Once you create your digital product(s), you need to pick a sales platform to host and sell your products. If you’re selling an ebook, you should create an account on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. If you’re selling an online course, Udemy and Teachable are ideal platforms. For digital art, Etsy is the number-one platform. The best platform for your digital product will depend on the product itself, so do your research and post far and wide.
15. Donate Plasma
If you’re comfortable with needles, donating plasma can earn some quick cash and contribute to medical research to help people in need.
Plasma donation centers will offer compensation to people willing to donate their plasma, which is a component of blood. The amount you can receive will depend on the donation center and location. Some donation centers offer a flat rate, and others may compensate donors based on the monthly donations they make.
To get started, research donation centers in your area. Check reviews to ensure they adhere to strict health and safety guidelines and compensate their donors fairly. Some centers allow walk-ins, but others may require an appointment beforehand.
Once you arrive at the center, you will undergo a health screening to make sure you’re a viable candidate. This will likely involve checking vital signs, hemoglobin levels, and eligibility requirements.
The donation process typically takes one or two hours, so be sure to bring books or electronic devices to keep yourself occupied. Once you’re finished, you will likely be paid on the spot via direct deposit, PayPal, prepaid debit card, or cash.
16. Pet Sitting
Do you love cats, dogs, and all manner of furry creatures? Pet sitting is a great way to earn a steady income and play with adorable animals.
As of 2023, 66% of households in the U.S. own a pet. As you can imagine that means that many pet owners need pet sitters as they travel and go to work. Offering pet-sitting services, such as feedings, walks, and boarding, can help you earn extra income and help out pet owners.
There are plenty of ways you can find pet-sitting clients. Apps like Rover let you advertise your services and connect with pet owners in your area. You can also use your network to find pet owners who need your help.
Ask your apartment or condo complex if you can put business cards in the lobby, or text your friends and neighbors to see if they need help watching their pets during the week.
17. Participate in Research Studies
Participating in research studies is a unique way to make quick money and contribute to medical advancement, social sciences, consumer product testing, and more.
Start by researching opportunities in your area. You should look for colleges, universities, research institutes, or clinical trial centers near you and contact them to see how you can participate in upcoming research studies.
Most places will have an online board where you can browse studies and review eligibility criteria, details of the study, and potential risks of participating.
From there, you can apply to be a participant in one or more of the available studies. Most studies are looking for specific demographic requirements, such as age, sex, or medical history. If you meet these criteria, a member of the research team will contact you.
Research studies typically offer compensation for your time in the form of a small stipend. The amount of money you receive will depend on the nature of the study, your time commitment, and level of involvement.
18. Babysitting
Babysitting is a first job for many people, but it is also a quick and easy way to make money in one day.
The best part about babysitting is you don’t need extensive experience to get started. You just need to be decent with kids, follow parental instructions, and create a safe and child-friendly environment.
Start by offering babysitting services to family, friends, neighbors, and your community. You can reach out directly to people you know, or you can promote your services on sites like Care.com or Facebook. Be sure to emphasize your reliability, experience, and dedication to creating a safe and nurturing environment for kids.
If you become a go-to caretaker for a family, consider offering additional services to differentiate yourself from other babysitters in the area. You may be surprised by how many parents are looking for more help around the house.
19. Cash in Bottles and Cans
Want to earn quick money and help the environment at the same time? Collecting bottles and cans and cashing them in at your local recycling center is a great way to clean up your community and make a few bucks.
Cashing in bottles and cans is a practical and environmentally friendly way to earn fast cash. Start by looking up local recycling and redemption centers near you. Each recycling center has different rules regarding preparing and sorting recyclables, so it’s essential to familiarize yourself with these rules to ensure your bottles and cans are accepted.
Once you find out how you should sort and prepare your recyclables, it’s time to start collecting bottles and cans you find around your home, workplace, or community. You can even offer to pick up recycling for your neighbors and friends to increase your earnings.
After you’ve collected a number of cans and bottles, you can take them to the recycling center to get paid. Compensation will vary depending on the location and how many cans you collect. You should also stay informed about any recycling programs or incentives offered by your local government to ensure you’re getting the most out of your recycling efforts.
Tip To Prevent Needing Money in One Day Again
While it won’t yield any extra money in one day, reviewing your finances is a great way to free up cash in the future and prevent yourself from getting in a financial bind again.
Most of us don’t take the time to do detailed reviews of our personal finances. This can mean that we miss important information, like a gym membership that never got fully canceled or an app subscription that keeps charging you each month.
There are plenty of budget apps out there that can help you keep track of your finances and free up some extra money.
Apps like Mint, Rocket Money, and Honeydue can help you keep track of your spending, cancel unwanted subscriptions, and even budget with a spouse.
How Should You Make Quick Money?
When it comes to making quick money, remember to choose methods that align with your skills, interests, and available resources.
These ideas can offer some immediate financial relief, but it’s also important to consider long-term financial planning.
By combining creativity and resourcefulness, you can make the most out of your time and improve your financial situation one day at a time.
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