Are you in need of fast ways to earn some extra money? While that may sound like a dubious sales pitch, the reality is that many people could use a financial boost, and there are genuine online opportunities to make that happen.
Fortunately, the internet offers numerous flexible and accessible options for making money online. And some of these legitimate methods can even get you paid quickly.
Whether you’re dealing with an unexpected expense or simply need extra cash right away, the following 9 legitimate online money-making approaches can help you get paid today or within the next week.
1. Review Websites
Everyone has opinions, and you can actually get paid to share yours. Several companies will compensate you for testing out websites and apps and providing honest feedback.
Two of the most popular options are:
- UserTesting – Pays $10 per 20-minute review video as you test a website
- User Interviews – Also hires people to provide feedback on websites and apps
- UserFeel – Pays via PayPal at the end of each week for your review work
All you need to do is sign up, complete the sample tests, and then you can start earning money by sharing your thoughts and experiences with the websites and applications you evaluate.
2. Sell Your Stuff
You likely have numerous items around your house that you no longer want or need. Take a few minutes to sort through these items and list them for sale online.
Here are some tips for successfully selling your unwanted stuff:
- Take clear, high-quality photos of the items
- Cross-post the listings on multiple platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Mercari, and Craigslist
- Popular items can often sell the same day they’re listed, especially on Facebook Marketplace
- When meeting the buyer, choose a public location and bring a friend for safety
- You can also sell items on Amazon and eBay, but keep in mind these sites charge seller fees
- Be prepared to ship any sold items quickly once they’ve been purchased
By taking the time to declutter and sell your unwanted belongings, you can easily earn some extra cash. Just be mindful of safety and platform-specific policies when completing the transactions.
3. Take Online Surveys
One easy way to make money online and get paid fast is by completing online surveys. Sites like Survey Junkie, Opinion Outpost, and Pinecone Research will pay you per survey and allow you to redeem your earnings within 24 hours.
Here are the payout minimums for a few popular survey platforms:
- Survey Junkie: $5 balance
- Pinecone Research: $1 balance
- Opinion Outpost: $10 minimum balance
Another survey site that offers quick, same-day payments is Swagbucks. While Swagbucks is more of a loyalty rewards program, it does include many survey opportunities.
With Swagbucks, you can cash out your points for gift cards or cash via PayPal. For example, you can redeem 100 Swagbucks points for a $1 Amazon gift card, whereas most other offers require 500 points (equivalent to $5).
The ability to earn money quickly by sharing your opinions makes online surveys an appealing option for those seeking fast cash. Just be sure to meet the payout thresholds for the specific sites you use.
4. Clickworker
Clickworker is a platform that allows you to earn money by completing a variety of short, flexible tasks. These tasks can include:
- Copy editing
- Writing product descriptions and articles
- Proofreading
- Research
To get started with Clickworker, you’ll need to pass an assessment during the application process. However, once you’re approved, you can set your own schedule and work is guaranteed.
One of the benefits of Clickworker is that you can get paid weekly for the tasks you complete. Payments are made via PayPal or Payoneer.
It’s a good idea to sign up for Clickworker in advance, so you’re ready to start earning money by taking on tasks when you have the time and availability. The flexible nature of the work makes Clickworker an appealing option for those looking to earn extra income on their own schedule.
5. TranscribeMe!
If you’re an efficient and accurate typist, you may want to consider working from home as a transcriptionist for TranscribeMe.
To get started, you’ll need:
- A computer
- High-speed internet connection
- Fast and accurate typing skills
- Excellent spelling and grammar
As a TranscribeMe transcriptionist, you’ll need to pass an online assessment. But once you’re approved, you can earn $15-$22 per “audio hour” for general transcription projects.
It’s important to note that “audio hour” is different from an hourly wage. The $15-$22 rate is for transcribing 1 hour of audio, so being a proficient typist is key.
The great thing is that you can request payment from TranscribeMe once a week, at any time, via PayPal.
6. Slice the Pie
Slice the Pie is an interesting platform that pays users to review various products, including music and clothing.
Here’s how it works:
- You can sign up to review products on the site
- Slice the Pie pays users twice per week for their reviews
- The minimum payout threshold is $10, so you’ll need to earn at least that amount before you can cash out
This makes Slice the Pie a simple and convenient way to earn extra money in your spare time. Even though there is a $10 minimum, the frequent payment schedule means you can get your hands on that cash quickly.
The key benefits of using Slice the Pie are the flexibility to work when you want and the ability to get paid multiple times per week for your product reviews. If you’re looking for an easy side gig, it’s definitely worth considering.
7. Earnin
If you’re facing an unexpected emergency expense that can’t wait until your next payday, the Earnin app could be a helpful solution.
With Earnin, you can advance a portion of your future paycheck – up to $100 initially – to cover the immediate cost. Here’s how it works:
- Connect your bank account and enter your employer information to set up the app.
- You can borrow up to $100 from an upcoming paycheck to help pay a bill or cover a minor expense.
- As you continue using Earnin, your maximum borrowing amount can increase up to $500.
The best part is that Earnin doesn’t charge any fees or interest, unlike payday loans. Getting a $100 cash advance from your future paycheck is an easy way to address a short-term financial need without digging yourself into debt.
Earnin provides a convenient solution to access your earned wages when you need them, without the high costs associated with other types of short-term loans. It can be a lifesaver during unexpected emergencies.
8. Dog Walkers
If you love animals, you can make extra money by using pet care apps like Wag! and Rover.
With the Wag! app, you can:
- Walk dogs
- Make drop-in visits
- Host overnight pet stays
- Provide wellness or training services
Wag! payments are sent out weekly via direct deposit, or you can get your earnings the same day using their Instant Pay debit card. The Wag! app is available for both Android and iOS devices, and it operates in over 5,300 cities across the US.
Rover is another great option for pet care services. Through the Rover app, you can care for all types of pets, offering boarding, drop-in, or walking services. Rover pays out two days after you provide the service, which is still very quick.
Both Wag! and Rover allow you to earn extra income by doing something you enjoy – spending time with adorable pets! The flexible, on-demand nature of these platforms makes them appealing side gigs for animal lovers.
9. Use the Gig Economy
If you have a car and don’t mind getting out and about, you can start earning money right away by working with on-demand delivery and rideshare apps like Lyft, Uber, Instacart, Uber Eats, and DoorDash.
Here’s how it works:
- You’ll either drive people to their destinations or deliver restaurant orders for these companies
- To get started, you’ll need to complete an online application and pass a background check
- Uber and Uber Eats pay out weekly via direct deposit, or you can use their Instant Pay feature to cash out up to 6 times per day (for a small $0.85 fee per transaction)
- DoorDash also offers weekly direct deposit payments, or you can use Fast Pay to get daily payouts for a $1.99 fee
- With Instacart, you’ll handpick items from grocery stores and other retailers and then deliver them to customers
These on-demand platforms provide a flexible way to earn extra cash quickly by leveraging your car and availability. As long as you meet the basic requirements, you can start making money the same day you sign up.
Conclusion
When you’re in a financial pinch and need to get paid fast, you don’t have to turn to credit cards or expensive loans. Thanks to legitimate online opportunities, there are many ways you can make money today or within the next week.
Here’s a quick recap of some of the best options to earn quick cash:
- Complete online surveys on sites like Survey Junkie, Pinecone Research, and Swagbucks
- Provide product and website feedback through platforms like UserTesting and UserFeel
- Sell your unwanted items on Facebook Marketplace, Mercari, Craigslist, Amazon, or eBay
- Work as a transcriptionist for companies like TranscribeMe
- Offer pet care services through Wag! or Rover
- Drive for rideshare or delivery services like Uber, Lyft, Instacart, DoorDash, and Uber Eats
When you need cash quickly, it’s a good idea to try combining a few of these legitimate earning opportunities. And don’t forget that you can also look at rearranging expenses or dipping into emergency savings to help make ends meet in the short term.