How To Make Money Fast Online
2. Vindale Research: Compensates in Cash
Unlike many other paid survey websites, Vindale Research shows your
compensation in cash (instead of points), making it easy to see exactly
what you’re earning.
You can expect anywhere between 25 cents and $50 for paid surveys,
depending on the time requirement, topic, and demographic criteria of
the survey.
And surveys aren’t the only earning opportunities with Vindale either. This platform has more task variety.
Next Steps:
- Sign up for Vindale Research
- Bonus: Check out Pinecone Research, which pays a minimum of $3 per survey
3. Deliver for Postmates or DoorDash
If you live in a city, you’ve probably noticed people spending less
time in stores. The delivery industry is on the rise, so take advantage
and get paid!
Use your spare time (or even your lunch break) to side hustle for extra cash.
Can you really earn that much? YES. By delivering for Postmates, I saved up enough money to buy an engagement ring!
Seriously – you could make $500 this week by completing 50 deliveries.
Food delivery is on the rise, too. DoorDash, GrubHub, and many other apps have really taken off.
There are 3 easy steps: drive to a restaurant, pick up the food, deliver to the customer…get paid. It’s that easy!
You’re limited only by time if you live in a well-populated area.
Bonus: It seems that everyone I know is getting their groceries delivered. Instacart allows you to become your own boss and make cash for deliveries.
Next Steps:
4. Teach an Online Course
You can make money teaching anything as long as you know a little more than someone else.
Are you good at guitar? Pick up some extra cash by helping others
master their passion for music. Are you artsy? Teach someone how to
design, craft, or master lettering. Are you into fitness? Teach someone
how to get fit.
In 2020, it’s never been easier to teach something in person or – even better – online.
Why is online better? Because you can use a platform like Teachable
to develop an engaging, interactive course, and then earn easy, passive
income thereafter.
Say it again for the people in the back!
Put in the up-front effort to build a meaningful course based on your
unique skills and experiences, and then collect checks for months (or
years!). The ROI on your time could mean you’ll never Google “how to
make money fast” again. 😉
Next Steps:
5. Review Websites in Exchange for Cash
Over the past few years, I’ve been reviewing websites for quick cash
paid via PayPal. My favorite and trusted website review platform is
UserTesting.
No, this is not an affiliate link. I do not get paid to promote this site. In fact, I only recommend apps or personal finance tools that I personally use, believe in, or have reviewed thoroughly.
6. Fiverr: A Freelancer’s Headquarters
On Fiverr, you can connect with people who need your freelance
skills. No matter what your side gig happens to be — from data entry pro
to voice-over artist — Fiverr offers a transparent platform to connect
with the market.
Freelancing lets you make your own schedule, but it may take longer than a couple of days to develop a steady client base.
Next Steps:
7. Babysitting on Care.com
This tried-and-true money-maker isn’t just for teenagers anymore.
Sites like care.com help you connect with people who need professional
child care or even pet sitting services.
You’ll need to start an account and prove your credentials. If you
can connect with a few clients, you could have yourself a part-time job.
Next Steps:
8. Uber or Lyft Driving
Over the past decade, Uber and Lyft have revolutionized ride-sharing.
By becoming a driver you can make money on the side on your own
schedule in your own car.
You’d need your own car and your own car insurance policy. Your car
would have to meet certain safety and comfort requirements so if you’re
still driving that 20-year-old lemon, it may be time for an upgrade.
Uber Eats now offers another way to deliver food. If you live in a
city, you can develop a nice side income if you’re willing to spend your
free time in the car.
9. Taskrabbit Chores & Errands
Can you do odd jobs like installing a wall-mounted TV or eliminating a
wasp nest under an overhang? How about putting together furniture or
running an errand?
Taskrabbit.com can connect you with people who need these kinds of tasks completed.
Next Steps:
10. Freelancing on Upwork or Mechanical Turk
Whether you’re a virtual assistant, a freelance writer, or a graphic
design pro you can find freelancing work on Upwork or Amazon’s
Mechanical Turk platform.
You’ll need an internet connection and some free time. Unfortunately,
these jobs don’t always pay much, but you can choose only the jobs you
want. Mechanical Turk often pays with Amazon gift cards.
11. Pet Sitting or House Sitting
If you have free time and live in the right place, you could house sit/pet sit through TrustedHousesitters.com and other sites.
This works best if you can find an assignment in your city.
Otherwise, your travel expenses may cut too deeply into your earnings.
Next Steps:
- For a site-specific to pet sitting, check out Rover.com.
12. Taking Stock Photos
It’s gotten more difficult to earn a side income from taking stock
photos since the market is so saturated, but I still like Foap.com
because it’s integrated into your smartphone.
If a brand manager needs a certain kind of photo for an ad campaign
you can provide it quickly and for cash. Just take a photo and upload it
through the iPhone app.
13. Assessing Properties
People who need to buy a property sight unseen have a dilemma: Can
they really trust the salesperson to tell them about flaws or downsides?
They need someone close by to go take a look at the property —
whether it’s real estate or a vehicle — and report back. You could be
that helpful person if you have a smartphone and some extra time.
Wegolook.com offers a place to start.
14. Swagbucks
You won’t make a lot of money on Swagbucks but if you could work the
platform’s tasks into your everyday routine your earnings could add up
in the background.
Swagbucks works like Survey Junkie except you have a wider variety of
tasks to choose from. You could play games, watch videos, or search the
web with the Swagbucks browser extension installed.
Each little task earns Swagbucks (worth about a penny). You could generate enough extra cash to pay your monthly Netflix bill.
Next Steps:
15. InboxDollars
This is the same kind of deal as Swagbucks. You can take surveys,
watch videos, play games, browse and shop online — all while gradually
earning extra money.
Gradually is the key term with these kinds of platforms. You can take
a more active approach and earn a little more deliberately. But these
services work best when you work them into your existing daily routine.
What’s even better is the $5 bonus you can get for signing up and giving it a try.
Next Steps:
16. Mystery Shopping
Be careful with mystery shopper scams. If you’re asked to pay any
money upfront, walk away. That said, getting in with a legitimate
mystery shopper outfit can be a lot of fun and a way to earn extra
money.
Marketforce.com and Secretshopper.com are great places to start.
Often you’ll get to keep the merchandise you bought while still getting
reimbursed for it.
17. Joining Focus Groups
Focus groups let you share your perspective while earning extra cash.
Many focus groups work online now, especially with pandemic precautions
in place.
I’d start at focusgroups.org which normally has about a hundred focus
groups going at once. You won’t be guaranteed a place in a focus group,
but you have a decent chance.
18. Start Your Online Business
Many of the ideas above would also work as side hustles of your own.
You could earn money as a dog walker by advertising your services on
social media. The same goes for teaching painting or guitar lessons.
Some self-promotion, combined with your expertise, can do a lot for your
bank account.
Expect some upfront costs if you’d like to make business cards or
launch your own company web site. But social media really can provide
the medium you need to connect with clients.
Selling Items Turns Stuff Into Cash
If you need extra money fast, an easy way to get it is to sell your
unwanted things. We all have junk we’re never actually going to use
again.
You could make a lot of money selling stuff you no longer want.
Depending on the value of your belongings, you could earn hundreds or
maybe even thousands of dollars.
This isn’t a renewable source of income in most cases unless you buy and resell items on eBay or Amazon.
19. Sell Jewelry You Don’t Want
Have jewelry from a previous marriage, an old high school class ring, or other items that you no longer wear? Sell it on Worthy.com, a jewelry auction site.
Anyone can sell jewelry online,
including diamond rings, gold, platinum and gemstone earrings,
bracelets, necklaces, watches, and other valuable jewelry. They’ll even
provide you with a GIA certified appraisal completely free.
Have gold or silver items that you no longer want? At over $1,600 an
oz for pure gold, you could be looking at some serious cash! Sell at
sites like: CashforGoldUSA, they’ll even throw in a $50 first-time
bonus!
Next Steps:
20. Sell Your Crafts on Etsy
Do you have a passion or hobby for making things? Are you crafty?
It is so easy to sell things online in 2020 and make an extra $500.
Why? There are platforms such as Etsy, which make it easy to connect
your product with potential buyers.
Are you into quilting? Do you make jewelry? Do you like making surfboards? Sell your goods online by opening your own Esty shop!
Check out Millennial Money’s side hustle master class. It is worth your time, I promise!
21. Sell Stuff on Craigslist or Decluttr
Got old DVDs, tablet, cell phone laying around? Trade your phone in
for $100s. You’ll even get a 10% trade-in bonus (up to $50) at Decluttr
with code SELLMYCELL10. They buy a lot more than cell phones.
If you’re looking for a more local approach, Craigslist — one of the
original online marketplaces — works whether you’re selling a prom
dress, a used car, or a set of cookware.
If you arrange a meet-up, insist on a location that’s well-lit and
well-populated. More and more police stations now have safe zones in
their parking lots with live camera feeds to deter theft.
Next Steps:
22. Sell Items on Consignment
Consignment shops can sell your stuff for you. They’ll take a
percentage of your profits but they’ll also keep your clothes,
electronics, jewelry, musical instruments, or even your car, in front of
buyers without you having to take an active role.
Just Google consignment stores in your area, or check out our post on all the best online consignment shop options.
23. Have a Garage or Yard Sale
This sounds old fashioned but you could turn your garage or front
lawn into a store with your unwanted items as the inventory. You’ll need
price tags, signs to put up around the neighborhood, and some social
media posts to advertise your sale.
You’ll also need a good sense of haggling with buyers. 🙂
24. Pawn Items for Faster Cash
A pawnbroker will pay you immediately for your unwanted items. The
broker won’t pay as much as you could earn selling your stuff outright,
but the payout can happen immediately.
Later you could go buy back your items at a higher price. If you
don’t someone else may eventually buy them from the pawnshop with the
proceeds going to the pawnbroker and not you.
25. Start Selling on Amazon
A lot of small businesses sell items through Amazon. What an amazing way to connect to buyers around the world.
Individuals can also become online sellers. Your books, CDs, clothes,
collectibles, dishes, appliance parts — you name it — could find a new
home through Amazon.
People with a strong sense of the entrepreneurial spirit like to buy
items at a low price and then sell at a higher price. This takes some
commitment, but you can generate a decent side income.
26. Sell Your Plasma
Plasma is the liquid part of your blood. People donate their plasma
and earn up to $50 per donation. You’d need to be healthy and have
healthy habits.
Don’t base your financial stability on this but you can read more here.
Finding Money In Bonuses, Rental Income, and Ads
You can claim free money just by signing up for some services and
apps. You could also rent your car, rent out a room, or even sell ad
space on your car.
Some of these methods do require some work from time to time.
27. Take Advantage of App Sign Up Bonuses
Cash in on the following sign-up bonuses available through MillennialMoney.com and you will find free cash.
Current Sign Up Bonuses:
- Swagbucks: $10 welcome bonus! Swagbucks is a get-paid-to site with lots of different tasks available to earn money. You can take surveys, watch videos, search the internet, etc.
- Ibotta: $20 welcome bonus! Ibotta is also a cashback site and app. It is most frequently used for groceries but now offers cashback on many products.
- Rakuten (formerly Ebates): $10 welcome bonus! Rakuten is a cashback/coupon shopping site. If you shop online through Rakuten you can earn cashback on your purchases.
- MyPoints: $10 welcome bonus! MyPoints your daily rewards program is yet another cashback website that works similarly to Ebates.
- InboxDollars: $5 welcome bonus! You can earn dollars for small tasks such as taking surveys, watching videos, and signing up for offers.
28. Download Ibotta for Free and Make $20 Now
Ibotta is a legit way to earn extra cash, just by shopping for things
you’re buying anyway. Plus, they’re offering a $20 sign-up bonus right
now.
Ibotta is a cashback and rewards app that started in the grocery
sector but now has rewards for almost anything. Unlike some of the other
cashback companies, Ibotta rewards you for shopping online or in-store,
which I find more convenient for groceries and local shopping.
Next Steps:
29. Cut Out Unused Subscriptions
How many service subscriptions do you have? I have way too many to
keep track of month to month, and I’m not alone. Forbes estimates that
the average American spends $200-$300 EACH MONTH in subscription
services. You set and forget, and companies know it!
Truebill to the rescue!
This free, money-saving app
will comb through all your subscriptions and report out how much you
are paying each month. It’ll also help negotiate down some monthly
subscriptions and allow you to cancel any that are not being used.
Next Steps:
30. Take Back an Extra $500 through Price Adjustments
Yes, you read that correctly. It’s possible that a store owes you money!
A lot of the major retailers (including Amazon!) have price
adjustment policies which state that if an item you bought drops within a
certain period of time, then they’ll refund you the difference.
But with as much online shopping as you probably do, who has time to monitor for price changes?
Similar to Trim, Paribus is a convenient and totally free bot that will do the heavy lifting for you.
Try it out; who knows how much you’re owed! It could be a quick way to “earn” (back) $20, $30, or even to make $500 fast!
Next Steps:
- Sign up for Paribus Note: Paribus compensates us when you sign up for Paribus with the links provided at no cost to you.
31. Rent Out Your Parking Spot When You Leave on Trips
If you live in an expensive city, you know how valuable parking can
be. If you live downtown, renting out your parking spot will make you
real cash, fast.
People in my apartment are renting out their parking space for $300/month!
If you leave with your car on the weekends, try an ad in your neighborhood. Put that parking space to work!
One company you can do this with easily is Neighbor.com.
32. Rent Your Home on Airbnb or VRBO
This can work if you have somewhere else to stay for a week or so
while someone else lives in your home. Or you could rent out a room in
your basement or attic, assuming you have the right facilities.
If you live in the right place — a city, the beach, or the mountains —
or even by a lake during the summer — you could create a nice stream of
extra income this way.
Next Steps:
33. Rent Your Car on GetAround
If you have your own car, you could earn extra cash letting someone
else drive it for the day. GetAround provides an alternative to the big
rental car chains. You can provide the vehicle.
Next Steps:
34. Put Ads on Your Car
I can understand your reluctance to doing this, but you could find
some easy money in it. A few platforms will outfit your personal vehicle
with ads for a company. You would get paid for providing the mobile ad
space. You can start the process of advertising with your car at
FreeCarMedia.com.
35. Sign up for Rakuten
Just about everybody knows about Rakuten — formerly eBates.
This browser extension collects rebates as you shop online. Normally
they’re just a few percentage points, but the cash can add up over time.
You could get a monthly check or an electronic deposit. If you’re
buying something expensive like a refrigerator or a laptop, your monthly
Rakuten deposit could be a lot bigger than you expected.
Next Steps:
36. Trade-in Gift Cards for Cash
You won’t get face value for your gift cards, but if you have a card
you’d never use, you could trade it in for cash on cardpool.com. This
site accepts gift cards from most major retailers but not from Amazon.
37. Refinance Loans
Getting better interest rates on your debt can ease the burden on
your monthly budget and create more free cash every month. If you own
your home, consider a home equity line of credit which lets you tap your
home’s equity as needed.
Or you could consolidate several credit card accounts into one credit
card. Make sure the new card has a lower interest rate and accepts
balance transfers.
Side Hustles: Delayed ROI, But Long-Term Pay Off
The above ideas are ways to make or claim money — from a few dollars to a few hundred — each month.
But if you live in an expensive city, you might need to increase your
revenue streams long-term. Many millennials have two or three side
hustles that bring in substantial income.
But these won’t be quick fixes. They’ll require more of an investment from you, either in time or money.
If you’re looking to really work toward financial freedom, then there are plenty of opportunities to make more money from home.
Blogging, for example, can bring in a large amount of revenue, but it
will take some time to generate income through affiliate marketing and
advertising.
Learn how you can start a blog in 15 minutes for less than a cup of coffee per month.
Do You Need To Make Money Fast?
With too much information comes much disorganization. Literally
millions of web sites exist to help you learn how to make money fast.
What do you do with all this information? For me, it felt like
everyone was trying to sell me something in my journey to make money.
Furthermore, there were pages with titles like, “101 Best Ways to Get
Rich Quick”, or “57 Sites Online That Will Make You Money Fast”.
I didn’t want 57 ways to make extra cash. I needed fewer options. I
wanted just a few actionable steps that I could take to make a realistic
amount of extra income.
The above ideas worked for me, so my hope is that these easy ways to make money will work for you too!
Luckily, 2020 offers tons of apps and technology to make an extra 500 dollars fast.
Reducing Your Spending Will Help
And then there’s the other side of the equation: If you could spend
less money and save more as a result, you might find the extra room in
your budget you need.
You might not be ready quite yet, but making a habit of saving and investing can pave the road to financial freedom.
