You can earn free cash by changing your search engine to InboxDollars. You’ll even get a free $5 bonus when you sign up (just name and email address)! This will take a bit longer to get you to $100, but it’s still easy money by using their search engine, watching videos (seriously), printing coupons and a variety of other things.
Similar to Inbox Dollars in that you can get free cash by swapping your search engine. SwagBucks also pays you for the shopping you already do online as well as a bunch of other everyday online activities. You can get $5 for signing up here.
Chase offers a $200 bonus when you open a new Chase Total Checking® account. In order to get the bonus you have to set up direct deposit. Other than that, you are good to go.
This is the best offer we have found for signing up for a new checking account and, since Chase is not just an online bank, you also have access to their services in over 5,100 locations across the country, along with these other great benefits:
ATM Surcharge (updated): $5 per withdrawal and $2.50 for any transfers or inquiries at ATMs outside the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Fees from the ATM owner still apply.
Some cards offer a “bonus” of $100 or more if you can meet a minimum spending requirement within the first three months. As long as you pay your balance in full each month, this is truly free money for the taking! Here are the top offers for 2016:
- Chase Freedom Unlimited℠ – The Chase Freedom Unlimited℠ is a new Chase card that is taking the rewards world by storm! By signing up, you’ll earn a $150 signup bonus after you spend just $500 within 90 days. Plus, you’ll earn a flat 1.5% back for every dollar you spend on any type of purchase. Best of all, this card doesn’t charge an annual fee, either.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – Want an even bigger bonus? Consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card instead. With this card, you’ll earn an amazing 50,000 points after you spend just $4,000 on your card within 90 days. If you turn in those points for cash, they are worth $500! Obviously, you’ll want to pay your balance in full to avoid interest. As long as you meet the minimum spending requirement, this $500 is yours to spend. Plus, this card comes with no annual fee.
- Best Cashback Credit Cards – If neither of those offers sound ideal, you can
- also check out our post on the best cash back offers currently available.
ONE MAN’S TRASH IS ANOTHER MAN’S TREASURE
One of the best and easiest ways to make money fast is by selling what you have – or that you can acquire on the cheap. It also has a secondary benefit in that it keeps the clutter in your life to a minimum.
7. Sell your used cell phones, iPad or Mac
Your used electronic equipment may have value, particularly if it’s recent and in good condition. Check out Gazelle.com. They give you an estimate on your equipment, and the better stuff could fetch some real money.
8. Resell unused gift cards
Check your wallet and your dresser – you probably have unused gift cards. Some may even be to merchants you don’t frequent. If that’s the case, get some cash back on them by selling them on CardPool. You won’t get the full value of the cards, but it’s better than having them sit unused.
9. Sell your stuff to a pawn shop
You won’t get retail price for your merchandise, but it offers a quick sale for cash.
10. Selling your junk
Have a garage sale – We average about $150 per garage sale so you can earn some decent cash without even leaving your house.
Sell on Craigslist – What you can’t sell at your garage sale, you may be able to sell on Craigslist. This is especially good for selling large items.
11. Sell other people’s stuff on Craigslist or eBay
This is taking selling on Craigslist and eBay to a higher level. You’re not just selling your own stuff, you’re getting more stuff to sell from friends and neighbors. Give them a cut of the take and you’ll have plenty to sell forever.
12. Amazon
Similar to eBay, Amazon.com may work better for entertainment media, such as books, music and movies.
13. Flea markets and swap meets
This is the garages sale concept taken on the road to a place where there are a lot more potential customers.
14. Consignment shops
There are different items you can sell on consignment, but it tends to work best for furniture and clothing.
15. Collect and sell scrap metal
If you have a light pick-up truck or just a good trailer, you can collect scrap metal from neighborhoods, building sites and junkyards, then sell it to scrap metal dealers. Check out scrap metal prices, then do a Google search on “where can I sell scrap metal in (my town)”.
16. Gold jewelry and silverware
Take your gold jewelry and silverware to gold dealers or jewelers and you’ll likely fetch a better price than going to the “we buy gold” storefronts populating strip malls.
17. Musical instruments
There’s a brisk market for used musical instruments (check out the prices for brand new ones and you’ll immediately see why). You can sell them on Craigslist for top dollar, but if you want quick cash, offer to sell them to music stores.
18. Sell homemade crafts
If you can make handicrafts, Etsy could be the place to sell them. If making crafts is an ongoing hobby, you could have an ongoing cash source from the site.
19. Return old purchases or gifts
If you’ve received gifts you really don’t want – and they’re still in the packages – try returning them. Some retailers will take them back up to a year later. If you are not sure where the item was purchased, try going online and searching. If a retailer like Walmart or Target pops up then you can return it there without a receipt and get a gift card.
20. Sell Your Ex’s Stuff
Think of it as a therapeutic way to make a little extra cash. I think if they haven’t asked for it after a month, then it is fair game.
QUICK CASH ON THE JOB
Your job is one of the best and most convenient places to make some extra cash. You may have to think a little bit out of the box, so try these on for starters.
21. Volunteer for overtime
Most of us shrink away from overtime because of the extra hours. But if you need money, let your supervisor know that you’re available to work.
22. Contract for an ugly job at work
As an alternative to working overtime, you can offer to contract for jobs at work that nobody else wants. Offer to work on the jobs for a flat fee that will be paid outside your regular paycheck.
23. Employee referral program
If your employer offers a bonus to refer new employees to them, take advantage of it and start referring. It’ll be the easiest money you’ll ever make.
24. Customer referral program
Likewise, see if your employer might also have a customer referral program. If they do, put on your salesman’s hat and start beating the bushes for potential customers.
25. Make a killer suggestion
Many employers have a suggestion box, but most employees ignore it. If the company pays a bonus for workable suggestions, get busy. You may get the bonus because no one else
participates.
WAYS TO MAKE MONEY FAST OFF THE JOB
You can often make some quick cash doing jobs that require no special skills, just a desire to do them. And you can find them all around you. These are also a great way for teens to make some quick cash!
26. Become an Uber driver
Traditional taxi service is very expensive. It’s no wonder that people, especially Millenials, have been embracing ride sharing apps like Uber and Lyft as a much cheaper alternative.
Becoming a driver can be a very lucrative side hustle if you live in an area with a decent population, and the process takes as little as a week. Bonus: you dictate your own schedule, so you can work part-time during the evening and weekends, or just during your city’s special events.
Got some free time and live in a reasonably populated area? Then becoming an Uber Drivercan be a very lucrative part-time side hustle. Uber drivers make as much as some full-time jobs if there are enough riders in their area. This means you could hit the $100 mark in as little as five hours per week.
The best thing about Uber is that the schedule is completely up to you. I have seen stay at home mom’s pick up Uber gigs for a few hours a day in the middle of the day while the kids are in school.
27. Baby sitting
Where I live, babysitters earn $10 an hour. Pull a couple of five hour gigs this weekend, and you’ll have $100.
BONUS! See how I am making 10.9% return on my best short term investments using LendingClub. Peer-to-Peer lending has been great for people looking to borrow money to start a business or pay off high interest debt, but I have been doing extremely well with lending.
28. Pet sitting
The nice part of this type of sitting is that you don’t have to stay with the pet for hours. Usually, you’re just looking in on it every couple of hours, then walking it and feeding it as necessary. Because of that you can maintain several pet sitting jobs simultaneously.
29. House sitting
People who travel frequently, especially on a long-term basis; may need someone to watch their homes for a fee. You can check local newspapers and Craigslist for opportunities. If you’d like to use a central site, MindAHome.com can provide an online source of clients.
30. Temporary part time jobs
You can get a seasonal part-time job based on summer, back-to-school, any of the major holidays or even during snow season. A couple of weeks of part-time work can easily get you $100 and a whole lot more.
31. Become a referral source for a sales person or company
If you know any real estate agents, insurance agents, car dealers or just about any one who sells for a living, ask about being a compensated referral source for them. A $100 referral isn’t hard to get.
32. Sell photos on Shutterstock
Shutterstock.com is a giant site that allows you to post and sell your photos online for a fee. Functioning something like eBay for photos, it’s a central place to sell your photos.
33. Turn your photography skills to cash
If you’ve checked photographers prices lately you know they can be prohibitive. If you’re good at photography, you might be able to photograph a special event or two for at least $100.
34. Become an instructor at a local gym
If you think that the only people who work in gyms are personal trainers, guess again. If you know yoga, zumba, jazzercise, cycling or just about any other activity that keeps people moving, there may be a teaching position waiting for you at the gym.
35. Write product review articles for blogs
If you’re a tech junkie and buy a lot of new products, you may be able to do paid reviews on blogs. Blogs often have affiliate arrangements with tech products and will pay for user reviews.
An alternative is starting your own blog. It can take some time to earn money from blogging, but once you start it gets much easier to see the money rolling in.
Check out our free Make 1k Blogging email challenge where we show you how to get your blog off the ground and help you make your first $1,000.
36. Bartend for an event or a weekend
If you can bartend you can pick up a quick hundred (or more) working a couple of weekend parties or even a wedding.
37. Join a focus group
Universities, marketing groups and research organizations will often pay participants in focus groups. Check with schools in your area as well as Craigslist to see what’s happening.
38. Be a session musician
If you can play guitar, drums, keyboards and even some wind and string instruments’ you may be able to get work as a session musician in a band or orchestra. In some cases you can make well over $100 for just a single session.
39. Become a moving billboard
If you don’t mind having a large commercial sign on your car – or having it “wrapped” in ad material, you can earn up to $400 per month with FreeCarMedia.com.
40. Moving furniture
Some people are making local moves without the benefit of a professional moving company. If you don’t mind (really) hard work, you may be able to pick up $100 or more this weekend.
Check the ads on Craigslist.
41. Cutting lawns
Even people who cut their own lawns get in a jam from time to time and need someone to pinch hit for them. They could be going on vacation or dealing with an illness or injury. Two or three cuts could get you to $100 in no time.
42. Painting
Do you know anyone who needs a room or two painted? If you’re handy when it comes to painting, offer to do it for them for $100 per room – plus paint.
43. Spring or fall clean-ups
Seasonal yard clean-ups are more involved than regular lawn cutting. It may involve weeding flower beds, trimming hedges, raking leaves and cleaning out other debris. $100 a job should be the minimum.
44. Shoveling snow
I’ve known kids who have made well over $50 shoveling in the local neighborhood after just a modest snowfall. Just a couple of storms will get you to $100 just from knocking on doors during the late stages of the storm.
45. Cleaning houses
Some people let the house cleaning go a bit too long, then they don’t want to even attempt it. Others get a little busy and just need some help. You should be able to pick up $100 or more just from cleaning a couple of houses.
46. Wash, wax and detail cars
Some people actually like cleaning cars. Most of us hate it. If you’re one who likes it, you can make some easy money working for those of us who’d rather not.
47. Cleaning gutters
If being up on a ladder doesn’t scare you, you can make a quick $100 (at least) on just a single job.
48. Setting up pools for the summer
Everybody loves having a pool, except when it comes time to set it up for the summer. If you know how to do it, you can make an easy $100 on just a couple of jobs. And when fall comes and it’s time to close them down, you can come back for round two.
49. Setting up holiday decorations
Everybody loves holiday decorations too, but not nearly everyone like putting them up – or taking them down. At Halloween and Christmas you can probably get at least $100 to put up decorations, then take them down later.
50. Taking surveys
Some companies will pay you for your opinions. Check out Mysurvey.com as a place to find them. You earn points which you can redeem for cash.
51. Mystery shopper
This is one of the most popular recommendations when it comes to making extra cash, but you need a reliable source of jobs. Mystery Shopping Providers Association can be that source.
52. Participate in marketing research
Companies are always performing market research on both new and existing products and services. Sign up with a service like Concepts Consumer Research to advertise your availability.
53. Clean carpets
Have you ever cleaned your own carpets? If so, go rent a machine and clean someone else’s – for cash.
54. Carpool – and be the driver
If you have coworkers (or people who work in the area you do), offer to drive them in for a fee. $25 per week per person could bring in $100 with just two riders for two weeks. Try advertising in the company newsletter, or posting the offer on bulletin boards around the office.
55. Serve on a Mock Jury
Lawyers will frequently hire out a mock jury to see what in their case is lacking. The pay can be as much as $100 for one days work. Now that will get you your money fast!
56. Panhandling
I cannot say that I would try this one, but panhandling can be very lucrative. If your municipality frowns upon this, then go the GoFundMe route for panhandling. People with little shame are getting others to help pay for the boob jobs. I am sure there is someone out there that will help you out, too.
57. Walking Tours
If you live in a historic or touristy area, offer your services as a tour guide. You will need a gift for gab and some fun stories about your area, but it can pay off big time.
MICRO-PROJECTS
In general, micro-projects are small projects that pay no more than a few dollars each. You make money by doing several in a short amount of time, and there are websites available that you can do them through.
58. Gigwalk
Gigwalk involves taking photos, picking up menus and various other small assignments in your area. It works on an app that you download onto your phone. You receive the job orders, accept them and confirm that the job is complete.
59. Mechanical Turk
This is a work-at-home arrangement and it’s part of Amazon.com. Mechanical Turk pays a few dollars per assignment, typically involving work such as writing product reviews, editing and related tasks.
60. TaskRabbit
Similar to Gigwalk, but you can also access the assignments online, as well as by a phone app. TaskRabbit is limited to just a few cities.
61. CloudFactory
CloudFactory participants mainly enter, collect, process or categorizes data for companies, primarily for employers based in various emerging markets.
62. FOAP
You enter and sell your photos to commercial interests through their site. They can be sold on FOAP for $10, with 50% paid to the site.
63. PleaseBringMe
A travel barter exchange between individuals, rather than employers, with PleaseBringMe you perform tasks for pay that are unique to your home country.
64. BidOnMyGig
The service isn’t available yet, but BidOnMyGig allows clients to post projects online and have qualified service providers bid on them. The qualified service provider is of course you.
65. EXEC Cleaning
As the name implies, EXEC Cleaning involves the providing the services of an executive assistant, but on a personal level. It could involve getting lunch, delivering documents or even cleaning an executives house.
66. MobileWorks
MobileWorks involves jobs as a technical virtual assistant, including online research, tagging images and creative writing, and you must speak English.
67. PinDone
Available only in California, PinDone involves tasks such as doing mail outs and driving someone to the airport. The pay seems decent for the tasks, but you do have bid on them, and reputation within the site is important.
68. WeGoLook
As you might guess from the name, WeGoLook has you working as an inspector at large. You will inspect buildings, cars or some other high value item, verify that it exists, that it works, take photos, and write any necessary reports.
69. PostMates
This service involves being a virtual go-fer. Post Mates is a delivery service where you may be asked to pick up coffee, lunch, groceries or anything the customer requests.
70. Fiverr
More technical but simple tasks that you post on the site. Fiverr pays $5 per job, and includes work such as tasks on websites and related jobs.
71. Agent Anything
Mostly for colleges students, Agent Anything can involve running errands, engaging in marketing activities or even doing temp work.
72. UserTesting.com
Roughly speaking, UserTesting.com involves doing reviews of websites, mostly rating based on user experience.
73. Zaarly.com
Similar to Gigwalk, Zaarly involves running errands in your local area for out of town clients.
74. MiNeeds
Something of a job board for people with defined skills, MiNeeds.com has you competing for jobs.
HOW TO MAKE MONEY USING YOUR HOUSE
You may be able to pick up $100 or more without ever leaving your house – by using your house to make money.
75. Renting out space
If someone needs temporary storage, consider renting out your basement or a spare bedroom.
76. Renting out your garage
You can probably rent out your garage to someone with a need to shelter a car. That should fetch at least $100 per month.
77. Renting out your driveway
If there’s a major event in your area, you may be able to rent out your driveway for a night or a weekend. Keep on top of events in your area and make your driveway available for overflow parking to the facility holding the event.
78. Renting out your bathroom
It seems crazy but it really is a service. Using Airpnp, people can pay to use your bathroom. If you live in a city with notoriously nasty public restrooms, you could cash in. I would probably invest in some decent toilet paper. Nobody will come back if you go cheap and get the one-ply sand paper feeling stuff.
PUT YOUR SPECIFIC SKILLS TO WORK
What is it that you’re particularly good at – that other people typically aren’t? There may be a decent payday waiting for you if you can put it into action. These won’t work for everyone, but if there’s one or more that you’re a pro at, go for it!
79. Tutoring
School tutors can easily make $30 an hour and up. That would get you to $100 in no time.
80. Teaching English
For millions of people, English is at best a second language. Offer out your skills to teach them a deeper understanding of the language for a fee. Even at $20 an hour, you’d get to $100 in short order.
81. Teaching music
Can you play a musical instrument? Even if you’re not accomplished, you may be able to teach novices. Offer your services at local senior citizens centers as a start.
82. Refereeing
You know all those people who referee recreation sports? They’re not working for free. If you’re knowledgeable about one or more sports, sign up at the local recreation commission. You can make several hundred dollars in a single, short sports season refereeing young kids.
83. Teaching software packages
Lot’s of people implement common software packages, but don’t have a clue how to use them. If you’re fluent with Word, Excel, PowerPoint or one of a number of common software packages, offer to install them and do basic training. That’s easily worth $100 or more to a lot of people.
84. Setting up new computers/troubleshooting old ones
As easy as modern computers are, a lot of people are intimidated when it comes to setting them up. Some may pay you for simple tasks like setting up passwords, email service and downloading an anti-virus package.
85. Writing blog posts
Are there blogs you like to read because you have specific knowledge of the subject matter? Offer to write articles for them. You should be able to earn at least $20 per article. Write five and you’ll have $100.
86. Bookkeeping
If you have bookkeeping skills, especially with QuickBooks experience, you should be able to pick up bookkeeping jobs that will get you to $100 very quickly. You can do one time jobs, or ongoing to keep the extra cash rolling in.
87. Office organization
There are some very successful people who are complete zeros when it comes to organization. Their offices are a wreck and lost documents can cost them money. If you’re a wiz at making order out of chaos, you may have a chance to organize offices for at least $100 a pop.
88. Light mechanic work
If you can do basic car repairs – changing oil, belts, hoses and spark plugs, or replacing batteries or mufflers, you can easily pick up extra cash. If you can do the repairs at the customer’s home, you can charge even more.
89. Process medical claims
After a major illness or surgery, a person can be inundated with medical claims. If you’re familiar with the process (filing and dealing with insurance companies) you can make some serious money straightening out someone’s medical claims.
90. Editing
You don’t have to be a professional editor to be an editor. If you’re an English major, a writer or a teacher, you may be perfect. You can find editing work on Craigslist that can be either one time assignments, or ongoing – your choice.
91. Set up simple websites
Can you design and set up simple websites? If so, you can easily charge $100 a pop. As little as you think you know, someone else knows a lot less and may see you as an expert.
92. Getting someone’s tax records organized
If you have strong administrative skills and know what certain tax documents look like, you may be able to offer your services to a disorganized someone who needs help organizing their paperwork for preparation.
Tough tax season ends April 15, it actually goes to October 15 with extensions. And those who extend that far are usually in the greatest need of organizational help.
93. Graphic design services
There are millions of websites who need all kinds of services, like graphic design work. Offer to do simple jobs for as many sites as you can contact. You can find them on Craigslist sometimes, but direct contact could be more effective.
94. Social media manager
Some people are social media experts. Others don’t even know how to get started. Businesses are realizing the value of the social media. If you’re fluent in the social media, offer your services as a social media manager. You can post updates on Facebook, Twitter and any media that are relevant to a particular business.
95. Staging houses for sale
There’s a transition that takes place between living in a house and selling it. If you know the difference, and how to make a home look like a showplace, you can stage houses for sale. Offer your services to local real estate agents.
96. Event planning
Are you good at planning parties or events? Someone might need your help. Spread the word to everyone you know, and let them know what you can do.
97. Become an affiliate for a product you know and believe in
Everyone with a product or service to sell is looking for agents to sell them. Find products you feel strongly about, and become a dealer. Some higher priced items can fetch a $100 cut quickly.
98. Create or edit videos
YouTube is all the rage – music, how to videos, outrageous demonstrations, product reviews – you name it. If you can create videos, offer your services to businesses.
99. Buy low, sell high
If you have an eye for bargains, you may be able to buy on the cheap – at garage sales, thrift stores and elsewhere – and sell at a profit.
100. Preparing research papers
If you have a knack for research, there are businesses and individuals who could use your services. You can find some of them on Craigslist, or offer your services to local colleges.
PARTICIPATE IN THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY
The medical community will pay for donations and your participation.
101. Sell blood
You can get $30 – $40 to sell your blood. Three or four donations will get you $100 in just a couple of weeks.
102. Donate Plasma
Donating plasma can actually work out better than selling your blood. It takes longer to donate plasma because they will put your red blood cells back in your system. The upside is that you can donate plasma as much as twice a week and you can make anywhere from $40-$60 per donation. You can make that $100 in less than a week if you can stomach the needle.
103. Participate in medical studies
A local hospital is offering $600 for people with high blood pressure to participate in medical trials. Hospitals and clinics do this all the time, and you can find local medical studies easily by searching online. Enough said?
CHANGE SPENDING HABITS – FOR A BIT
Sometimes you can find extra money just by spending less money or breaking a habit or two – at least temporarily.
104. Eat on the cheap for a week
If you spend $200 per week for groceries, try going on a beans and rice diet (OK, pasta, potatoes, salads and other low cost foods are good too) for one week. That should cut the bill in half, getting you an extra $100 easily.
105. Eliminate your cable TV service
A typical middle-of-the-road cable TV service runs about $100 per month. Eliminate it and you’ll have an extra $100 this month. And every month after that.
106. Give up Starbucks for a month
Are you a latte fan? At $4 per cup, you’ll save $120 if you give it up for a month.
107. Give up a “sin” for a month
If you smoke a pack of cigarettes a day, or drink three beers a day, going cold turkey for a month can easily leave you at least $100 richer.
Get Started
No matter where you are in life – or where you hope to be – earning more money is the ticket to the lifestyle you’ve always wanted. Once you start earning more money, you’ll gain control over your life in ways you never thought possible.
You might have to fail a thousand times to make it happen, but you’ll eventually realize the secret most wealthy people already know – that earning more money is your ticket to freedom.
It won’t always be easy. The bulk of successful entrepreneurs and side hustlers don’t get rich overnight. The majority of the time, you have to experiment with more than one money-making venture before you can decide your best path to building real wealth.
