Sometimes bills or expenses happen and you need money NOW! But how do you get cash–a LOT of cash–fast?
There are lots of ways you can make money fast. Some of them will take some effort. However, all of them will increase the amount of money you have in your pocket.
Even though these ideas won’t be your traditional passive income strategies, remember: A dollar saved is a dollar owned.
So what can you do to make cash quickly?
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How Can I Make Money Fast?
These strategies will help you increase the amount of money in your bank account. That way you’ll have more cash to cover those unexpected bills or expenses. Sell something on eBay. Write up a good post, take an attractive picture, and let the bidding begin!
1. Sell Your Stuff
I’m betting you can go through your closets, drawers and storage areas and find a nice pile of stuff you no longer use. Take a day to do this, and sell your stuff fast to make a quick buck. Here are some sites to help you do that.
CDs and DVDs
How many DVDs and CDs do you have that you never even take out of the cabinet? Sites like Decluttr will buy them on the spot with an immediate quote.
Just go to the Decluttr website, punch in the bar code number on your CD or DVD and get an instant quote. If you accept their prices, they’ll send you a free shipping label.
As soon as they get your stuff they’ll pay you via a check or PayPal.
Old Cell Phones and Other Electronics
Sites like Swappa and BuyBack Boss will buy your old cell phones and other electronics. Just like Decluttr, they’ll give you an on-the-spot quote and a free shipping label too.
As soon as they receive your electronic item, they’ll assess it and give you your cash.
Unwanted Clothing and Accessories
Do you have a closet full of clothes and accessories you never wear? There’s some cash in your pocket right there.
Sites like ThredUP or Poshmark will let you sell your clothes on their website. Each site has different rules about how they work, but they’ll all pay you when your clothes sell.
Want to sell your clothes even faster? Try Faceboook Marketplace, eBay or sites like Craigslist.
Local consignment shops buy clothes on consignment too. Consignment shops work better if you have designer brands in like new shape.
Used Sports Equipment
If you’ve got used sporting goods, you can sell them super fast at a resale store such as Play it Again Sports. Just bring your stuff in, get a quote and walk out with cash.
2. Do Odd Jobs
Are you skilled at doing stuff around the house? Why not advertise your services for odd jobs? You can do stuff like:
- Mow lawns, rake leaves or shovel
- Help people clean and organize their house or rooms in their house
- Help people with minor house repairs or painting
- Offer to bring junk to the junkyard for people for a fee
- Go from house to house and wash people’s cars for them
There’s always stuff on people’s to-do lists that they never can seem to get done. Make up a list of odd jobs you’re willing to do and for what price.
Then advertise with flyers in your neighborhood or on Facebook. Or, complete a profile on a site like TaskRabbit or Airtasker.
3. Recycle Scrap Metals
If you have a truck and access to scrap metals, you can make some quick cash. There are many types of metal you can recycle for money:
- aluminum cans
- metal appliances
- copper wire
- water heaters and metal water softeners
Check online or in your local phone book to find recycling companies that buy different kinds of scrap metals. Shop around, and prices can vary from recycler to recycler.
Note that with aluminum cans, you have to have a lot to make any decent money. Check with friends and family members that don’t turn their cans in for cash. Ask if you can take them off your hands and bring them to the recycling center.
4. Babysit or Care for Pets
Babysitters and pet sitters are in high demand in many areas. If you’ve got a knack for caring for kids or pets, why not seek out some side hustle work in this area?
You can reach out to parents you know to ask if they’re in need of child care services. Or you can reach out to pet owners. They might need someone to watch their pet while they’re at work or on vacation.
Or, they might need other services such as pet walking or yard cleanup if they’re dog owners.
You can advertise your services on Facebook or Craigslist. Or you can create a personal profile for free on sites like Rover or Care.com.
Get Paid to Play with Dogs – Become a Rover Dog Sitter Today!
5. Make Money on Fiverr
Do you have talents you can use? Can you write poems? Songs? Write a quick freelance article?
Why not advertise your services on a site like Fiverr? Fiverr lets you put a profile on their site (for free) sharing your talents.
When people hire you, you do your short task and collect your cash. You can do lots of varying tasks on Fiverr, such as:
- Video and animation
- Writing and translation
- Graphic design
- Programming and tech
- Music and audio
And more. There are over 200 categories you can choose from when advertising your talents on Fiverr. You can sell quick, $5 gigs or charge more for larger gigs.
6. Look for Gigs or Events
Sites like Craigslist have a Gigs and an Events section that advertises temporary jobs. For example, you might serve food at an upcoming festival.
Or, you might help someone move. Check Craigslist and similar sites for quick, upcoming jobs to make fast cash.
7. Get a Temporary Part-Time Job
Lots of companies hire temporary workers–especially in the summer and around holiday time. Check Craigslist or job sites like Monster and Indeed.
They advertise jobs for warehouse work, restaurants and retail stores and more. You might get a job working for a few days, a few weeks or a few months.
8. Sell Your Stuff to a Pawn Shop
If you want or need money super fast, you can sell your stuff to a pawn shop. Pawn shops will buy your stuff for cash, or give you a loan using your stuff as collateral.
Note that interest rates on loans given by pawn shops are high, so selling to them might be a better idea in the long run. Especially if you don’t use or need the items you’re selling.
Make Money Fast By Saving Money
Another way you can make money fast is by keeping more of your hard-earned cash in your pocket. After all, you’ve got a steady paycheck, but it probably goes toward expenses.
When you decrease your expenses you’ve got more money in your pocket. Here are some ideas for living super frugally until you’ve saved the money you need.
Buy generic brands.
Buy everything in bulk.
Don’t shop hungry. You make better food choices and buy less when you’re full.
Make a menu before buying groceries. Sticking to a list always helps keep you on track.
Drink lots of water. Not only will you feel more full, but you’ll spend less on other drinks.
Turn off your TV, computer, lights, etc.
Do your bills online. Not only will you probably avoid late fees, you’ll save on checks and postage.
Listen to music for free online. Try Pandora or Spotify to hear any song or artist you want.
Get DVD’s from the library for free.
Start buying things online instead. Amazon almost always sells everything for less.
Turn down the thermostat. Save on heating and cooling costs when you’re not home.
Use less water. Use water sparingly for dishes, laundry, and cleaning.
Start carpooling.
Never buy a beverage, appetizer, or desert when you’re out. Stick to the main course.
Only buy the clothes you need. It’s a waste to leave them hanging in your closet. Only buy clothes you plan to wear.
Your clothes are still good. Don’t throw your clothes out just because you’re tired of them. Wear them out.
Find cheap entertainment for your kids. Parks, sports, seeing family members, etc.
Wear neutrals. They need less accessories and will match everything you own.
Take up exercising. It’s cheap and good for you.
Eat lunch at work
Work out using your cable service or You Tube. Almost always a cable provider like Comcast’s On Demand or You Tube will have a library of exercises you can try.
Stay home and read a good book
Get rewarded for everything you were going to buy anyways. Sign up for an online shopping rewards program like Swagbucks or Ebates to get free money. Or you could double your rewards by using several high-paying cash-back credit cards as well. Check out my entire credit card cashback strategy at this post here.
Use cash only. The classic answer to how can I make money fast is to make better decisions by using cash only so you have to think about your purchases.