In today’s dynamic economy, the gig economy is significantly changing how many people earn income. Whether you’re aiming to boost your savings with a side hustle or need funds to cover immediate expenses, numerous avenues exist to make quick money within a single day.
While these strategies might not lead to overnight wealth, they can provide a financial cushion, generate extra income, and contribute to your broader financial objectives.
1. Become a Rideshare Driver
Ridesharing continues to be a hugely popular transportation option. With millions of users globally, platforms like Uber and Lyft offer a vast customer base seeking rides. This presents a lucrative opportunity for individuals who enjoy driving and have some spare time.
Rideshare driving as a quick way to make money in one day
Signing up is straightforward if you own a car and have available hours. Rideshare companies allow you to set your own schedule, and driver earnings are calculated based on a base rate plus distance, time, and rider gratuities. During peak demand periods, earnings can surge significantly.
Areas with vibrant nightlife, major event venues, or busy airports are prime locations to maximize fares and increase your earnings per trip.
To become a rideshare driver, you’ll need a valid driver’s license, current auto insurance, and a vehicle that meets the ridesharing app’s requirements for your location. With fluctuating gas prices, rideshare driving remains a reliable way to generate quick income.
2. Focus on Freelancing Online
Do you possess specialized, computer-based skills? Perhaps you’re a talented writer with a flair for engaging content, or maybe you have a keen eye for graphic design. Fortunately, you can leverage these talents to earn money online.
Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal act as marketplaces where freelancers can create profiles, connect with clients, and secure projects. Freelancing offers the flexibility to set your own hours and choose project durations, giving you control over your earning potential and income supplementation.
Getting started is simple: create an account, complete your profile with personal details, education, and experience, and showcase samples of your work. Platforms like Upwork and Toptal allow direct outreach to potential clients, enabling you to promote your services, negotiate rates, and secure contracts for quick earnings.
The advantage of freelancing is that as you gain experience, you can command higher rates and increase your demand, potentially leading to a full-time career transition.
3. Sell Unused Gift Cards for Instant Cash
Gift cards are ubiquitous, available at almost every retailer. Do you have gift cards you won’t use, like a bookstore card if you prefer e-books, or a restaurant card for a place far from you? Numerous websites will purchase your unwanted gift cards.
It’s important to note that you won’t receive the full face value of the card. However, platforms such as CardCash offer to buy your unused gift cards or provide the option to exchange them for gift cards from retailers you prefer. While you might receive up to 92% of the card’s value, it’s a better alternative than letting them remain unused.
4. Rent Out Your Car or Parking Spot
Renting a parking spot as a way to make quick money
If rideshare driving isn’t appealing, consider renting out your car for passive income. Services like Turo allow you to list your car for rent. Hosts with a single vehicle can earn a substantial income annually. The service provides insurance coverage and support through their app.
If you frequently travel or don’t use your car daily, renting out your parking spot can generate extra income. In many metropolitan areas, parking is scarce due to population growth and tourism. Whether you have a garage, street parking, or a designated space, you can rent it out for a profitable rate, especially in high-demand locations.
5. Earn Money Through App Referral Programs
New apps and subscription services are constantly emerging, and many offer referral programs where you can get paid for introducing new users to their platforms. This is a quick way to make some extra cash.
Money transfer apps like CashApp often include referral links or QR codes that you can share with friends. When someone signs up using your referral, both of you can receive a bonus.
Retail and cashback apps like Ibotta also offer referral incentives for both new and existing users, providing sign-up bonuses and additional rewards for each successful referral.
While app referrals might not be a major income source, the small amounts accumulate. Saving this extra income can contribute to your savings goals over time.
6. Claim Unclaimed Money You Might Be Owed
Over time, you might unknowingly be owed money. It’s easy to lose track of funds, but fortunately, you can check state and federal unclaimed money databases. These databases list funds from various sources like state comptrollers, former employers, insurance payouts, tax refunds, banking, and investments.
To claim your funds, you’ll need to verify your identity, which might involve submitting documentation. Follow the claim process instructions and submit the required information to receive your unclaimed funds. Some states even issue prepaid debit cards for faster access.
While retrieving unclaimed money might take some time, it’s worth checking to see if there are funds waiting for you.
7. Deliver Groceries or Takeout for Fast Pay
Delivering takeout food for quick money
If driving passengers isn’t your preference, food delivery is another excellent option. Delivering groceries with Instacart is a flexible way to earn fast cash, allowing you to set your own hours and work as much or as little as you choose.
Sign up as an Instacart Shopper, get approved, and start accepting orders. You’ll need a vehicle, driver’s license, the ability to lift groceries, and a smartphone. After shopping for a customer’s order, you deliver it and get paid quickly.
Platforms like Uber Eats, Postmates, and DoorDash also offer flexible delivery opportunities and competitive pay. After signing up and getting approved, you can start working immediately. Simply log into the app, set yourself as available, and accept delivery requests. Working during peak hours, like weekends, can significantly increase your tips and earnings.
8. Sell Your Clothes Online
Decluttering has numerous benefits, including the opportunity to make extra money by selling clothes you no longer wear. Online platforms like Depop, Poshmark, and Grailed provide access to a large customer base for selling your clothing.
The process is simple: sign up, list your items with descriptions and prices, and manage sales. Providing accurate clothing measurements helps ensure buyer satisfaction.
These platforms typically take a percentage of each transaction as a fee. However, if you have a closet full of unused clothing, it’s an effective way to generate extra cash. Some individuals even make a full-time income from selling clothes online. For items not suitable for selling, consider donating them to local thrift stores.
9. Purge Your Home and Sell Unused Items
After decluttering your closet, extend the process to the rest of your home. Do you have unused kitchen appliances or exercise equipment gathering dust? Selling these items can generate quick income.
For a large number of items, consider hosting a yard sale and advertising it on social media and local classifieds.
Online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Craigslist are excellent platforms for selling items online, reaching a wide audience of potential buyers. Listing items is easy – write a description, set a price, and post your listing.
When arranging a transaction, always meet buyers in a public place for safety. Selling unused household items is a straightforward way to make money from home.
10. Walk Dogs for Pet Owners
Dog walking as a quick money making opportunity for dog lovers
If you enjoy fitness and love dogs, getting paid to walk dogs can be a perfect combination. Apps like Rover and Wag! connect pet owners with dog walkers and sitters, providing payment for your services.
You can offer dog walking services for regular exercise or provide pet-sitting and boarding when owners are away. Rates typically range per hour.
Offering private dog walking and pet-sitting services can be more lucrative than using apps. You can establish consistent work and set your own rates for more regular income.
Advertise your services on platforms like Craigslist or Facebook, and check community boards at pet stores and veterinary offices to spread the word.
11. Complete Online Surveys for Small Payouts
If you’re looking to maximize income through minimal-effort tasks, online surveys can be an option. Answering questions on survey sites can supplement your income with small amounts.
While individual surveys don’t pay much, the cumulative earnings can add up. SurveyJunkie is a popular survey site where you accumulate points for completed surveys, which can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal cash.
You can also earn by watching videos, testing websites or apps, or sharing browsing data through platforms like Swagbucks or InboxDollars, which also use point-based systems.
Consistency is key with online surveys; the more you participate, the more points you accumulate and the higher your payouts will be.
12. Flip Cheap Finds for Profit
Remember the yard sale idea for selling your items? You can reverse the process by finding undervalued goods at yard sales, flea markets, thrift stores, and online marketplaces like eBay and Facebook Marketplace, and then reselling them for a profit.
This approach requires effort but can be highly profitable if you have knowledge in specific areas like musical instruments, collectibles, electronics, or antiques.
Start by searching for hidden gems at local thrift stores, yard sales, and online retailers. You might find a vintage item or collectible for a low price that you can resell for a significant profit.
Retailers’ clearance sections can also offer opportunities to buy items and resell them on platforms like Amazon through their Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program.
FBA allows you to leverage Amazon’s fulfillment network for shipping, customer service, and storage, making it easier to manage a resale business.
13. Help People Move as a Mover
Moving is physically demanding and time-consuming. Many people hire movers to assist with the process. If you’re physically capable and willing to do the work, becoming a mover can be a good way to earn supplemental income.
Check local classifieds and job boards for moving companies hiring movers. These roles are often full-day commitments but can offer good pay and tips.
Alternatively, you can advertise your services as a freelance mover online or on community boards. Offering your services directly to individuals can be lucrative, especially if you have a large vehicle for transporting items.
You can agree on a fee with clients, and a typical move might take a few hours, providing flexibility and quick earnings.
14. Tutor Students Online in Your Area of Expertise
The shift to online learning has created opportunities for online tutoring. If you have expertise in a subject, you can tutor students remotely.
Explore online teaching platforms for tutoring positions. Tutor.com is a well-known resource. Depending on your qualifications and experience, you can tutor in subjects like math, science, history, technology, and more. Online tutoring rates can vary.
If you’re a native English speaker, consider teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) online. While TEFL traditionally involved teaching abroad, online opportunities are increasing.
TEFL positions often require certification, which can be obtained online. Teaching can be rewarding and provide supplemental income.
15. Open a New Bank Account for Sign-Up Bonuses
Banks and credit unions often offer incentives for opening new accounts. While terms and conditions apply, signing up for a new bank account can provide a quick cash bonus.
For example, some banks offer cash bonuses for opening a new checking account and setting up direct deposit, with no minimum deposit requirements.
For those with savings, opening an online savings account with certain banks can also yield bonuses for depositing a specific amount.
Credit card sign-up bonuses can also provide quick rewards, but they often require meeting a spending threshold, which might not be ideal if you’re focused on saving.
16. Sell Your Art Online to Reach a Wider Audience
Selling artwork online as a way to make money from your skills
Creating art can be fulfilling and also serve as a source of income. If you’re an artist, consider selling your work online.
For visual artists, platforms like Etsy, Shopify, Shutterstock, and Amazon offer marketplaces to sell art. You set your prices, list your items, and manage shipping through the platform. Keep in mind that these platforms typically take a percentage of sales as fees.
Musicians can sell music on platforms like Bandcamp. After creating an account, you can upload tracks, set prices, and allow users to purchase your music directly from the site. Payment processing is streamlined through integrations with PayPal or bank accounts. Bandcamp also provides analytics on user locations and streams, helping you understand your audience.
17. Work as a Virtual Assistant Providing Remote Support
Working as a virtual assistant (VA) is a flexible way to earn income remotely. VAs provide administrative, technical, or creative assistance to clients from a remote location.
Tasks can include scheduling appointments, managing emails, creating documents, social media management, and customer service.
The role requires a computer and internet access. You can work from home, coffee shops, or co-working spaces. VA work can be part-time or full-time, offering flexibility and diverse opportunities.
Virtual assistants are in demand across various industries, making it a viable option for individuals with different skill sets. Job sites like Indeed and LinkedIn list virtual assistant positions where you can apply with your resume.
18. Participate in Paid Focus Groups or Research Studies
Joining focus groups is a way to earn money quickly by sharing your opinions. Focus groups involve a small group of people discussing products, services, or concepts, providing valuable feedback for market research.
Companies and research organizations often pay participants for their time, with payments ranging depending on the session duration and complexity.
Universities often conduct academic research requiring participants, particularly if you live near a university. These studies often offer compensation for participants’ time, and some studies are also conducted online. Check local universities and colleges for research opportunities.
19. Rent Out Your Home or Spare Room on Airbnb
If you have extra space, renting out your property on platforms like Airbnb can generate passive income. Airbnb has transformed the hospitality industry, allowing homeowners to rent out homes or rooms to travelers.
To list your property, create an Airbnb account, describe your space and amenities, highlight nearby attractions, and upload attractive photos.
Even if you don’t have a separate guest house, you can rent out your primary residence when you’re traveling. This is especially convenient during holidays when you might be away from home.
Maintaining your property’s cleanliness and responsiveness to guests are crucial for successful renting. Services like TaskRabbit can help with cleaning and maintenance tasks. Property rental is an immediate way to earn passive income.
20. Carvertise: Get Paid to Advertise While You Drive
Have you seen cars with advertisements wrapped around them? Drivers of these vehicles are often paid to display these ads. Carvertise is a company that pays drivers to turn their cars into mobile billboards.
If you drive a certain number of miles daily and have a relatively new car with a factory paint job and a clean driving record, you might qualify for Carvertise.
Carvertise wraps your car with an advertisement (a vinyl decal) and pays you for the duration of the campaign. Earnings can vary, and it’s a way to make passive income while you drive your regular routes.
21. Donate Plasma to Help Others and Earn Money
Donating plasma not only helps people in need but also provides financial compensation. Plasma is a component of blood vital for various medical treatments.
Plasma donation centers are located across the country, where they collect plasma from eligible donors. If you meet the criteria, you can donate plasma regularly for compensation.
Eligibility requirements include being over 18, weighing over 110 lbs, passing a medical screening, and testing negative for transmissible viruses. The donation process is similar to blood donation and takes about an hour.
Compensation varies by donation center, but regular donors can earn a few hundred dollars per month.
22. Work for a Production Company Setting Up Events
If you’re comfortable with physical work, working for a production company can be a good side hustle. Production companies are involved in setting up events like concerts, festivals, movie sets, and theater productions.
While specialized roles require experience, production companies often need extra crew members for tasks like moving equipment, setting up stages, and running cables.
Event-based work is often part-time and can offer flexible hours. It can also be an exciting way to work behind the scenes of entertainment events.
23. Stage Homes for Real Estate Sales
Real estate is a dynamic industry, and home staging is a valuable service for sellers. Home staging involves preparing a property for sale to make it more appealing to potential buyers.
Realtors often hire home stagers to arrange furniture, decor, and create an inviting atmosphere for open houses and showings.
Search job sites like Indeed or SimplyHired for home staging positions. These roles are often part-time and paid hourly or per project.
If you have connections in real estate, you can also offer your staging services directly to agents or homeowners.
24. Make Money Playing Video Games Through Coaching or Streaming
Making money playing video games is increasingly possible. While professional eSports careers are highly competitive, you can earn money as an amateur gamer.
If you excel at games like League of Legends, Call of Duty, or Fortnite, consider offering coaching to other players. Showcasing your skills at gaming conventions can also attract attention and build your network.
Streaming your gameplay on platforms like Twitch allows you to connect with viewers, build an audience, and monetize your gaming skills through subscriptions, donations, and advertising.
Game developers also need testers to provide feedback on new games. Check job boards for video game testing positions.
25. Offer Lawn Care or Gardening Services
If you enjoy outdoor work and have landscaping equipment, starting a lawn care or gardening business can be a viable way to earn extra money.
Many people find lawn mowing and yard work time-consuming and prefer to hire these services. If you have equipment like a lawnmower and gardening tools, you can offer lawn mowing, weeding, gardening, and other landscaping services to neighbors and local residents.
Check with neighbors or advertise your services locally. You can also propagate plants and sell them at farmers’ markets or online marketplaces.
26. Become a Mystery Shopper to Evaluate Customer Service
If you enjoy shopping and have attention to detail, mystery shopping might be a suitable gig. Mystery shoppers are hired to evaluate customer service and store conditions at retail locations, restaurants, and other businesses.
Sign up with legitimate mystery shopping companies like Market Force or BestMark. Assignments typically pay a fee per visit, and sometimes you’re reimbursed for purchases made during the shop.
Mystery shopping offers flexible hours and the opportunity to earn money while shopping, while providing valuable feedback to businesses.
27. Offer Mobile Car Washing and Detailing Services
Many people appreciate the convenience of mobile car washing and detailing services at their home or workplace.
With basic car washing supplies like soap, sponges, buckets, and a portable vacuum, you can start a mobile car washing service. Advertise your services in your neighborhood or local community boards.
Setting competitive prices and scheduling multiple clients daily can lead to substantial quick earnings. Franchising packages from companies like Mr. Clean Car Wash or FleetClean USA can provide a faster setup.
28. Sell Unused Electronics for Cash
Do you have old smartphones, tablets, or gadgets stored away? Turn them into cash by selling them on platforms like Gazelle, Decluttr, or eBay.
These sites offer instant quotes for your devices. Selling electronics not only earns you money but also declutters your space and promotes responsible electronics recycling.
Provide accurate details about the condition and specifications of your devices to get the best offers.
29. Rent Out Your Tools or Equipment for Short-Term Use
Do you own tools, camping gear, or party equipment that you use infrequently? Platforms like Fat Llama and Loanables allow you to rent out your items to people in your area.
Whether it’s power tools, sports equipment, or party supplies, there’s likely someone who needs to rent them temporarily. Renting out your items is a way to generate passive income from assets you already own.
30. Become a Freelance Bartender or Server for Events
If you have experience in the hospitality industry as a bartender or server, offer your services as a freelancer for private events.
Websites like Thumbtack or local classifieds can connect you with event hosts looking for event staff. Working at parties and events can provide quick cash, and you can often earn tips in addition to hourly pay.
Freelancing in events can also be a networking opportunity, especially for students or those starting in business.
31. Participate in Mock Trials or Jury Research for Legal Feedback
Lawyers often conduct mock trials and focus groups to prepare for actual court cases. Companies like eJury and JuryTest pay individuals to participate in mock trials and provide feedback on legal cases.
Sessions can be conducted online and payments vary depending on the length and complexity of the case.
Participating in mock trials is an interesting way to earn money while contributing to the legal process.
32. Monetize Your Passions and Skills to Create Income Streams
Everyone has passions and skills that can be monetized. Consider your interests and talents. Think about:
- What were you known for in school?
- What do friends ask you for help with now?
- What skills do people compliment you on?
- What problems or challenges excite you?
- What roles do you naturally take in groups?
These skills and passions can be the basis for income-generating activities. Think about how you can leverage them to make extra money.
If you’re athletic, you can coach younger players in sports skills. If you’re organized, offer event planning assistance to local organizations. If you’re musical, connect with local producers or studios for session musician work.
No matter your passion, explore ways to turn it into income, even on a small scale. Starting small and pursuing your passions can lead to significant opportunities over time.
The Bottom Line: Earning Quick Cash is Achievable
Making a living can be challenging, but with creativity and effort, you can generate quick income to ease financial pressures and work towards financial stability. Explore these methods, find what suits your skills and circumstances, and start earning extra cash today.
