As much as we may hate it, there are times that we need money now. People often turn to pawn shops or payday lenders in those times. But those options are not good ones. Instead, try one of these legit ways to earn money in an hour or less.
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Sell Unused Gift Cards
We’ve all received gift cards to places we don’t see ourselves ever using. Whether it be to an online retailer, restaurant or coffee shop, you can do more than just let your gift cards collect dust.
You can sell them online through gift card outlets. In some cases, you can receive the amount of the card minus five percent less. A $50 gift card would net you $47.50.
This is an easy way to make some extra cash fast.
Take Care of Pets
Do you love spending time with dogs? Walking four-legged friends can be a fun way to make money in an hour.
You can also earn fast cash caring for cats, but the real opportunity is walking and boarding dogs. Rover is a top app to land gigs.
The platform is a dog-walking job app that connects you with people who have pets. As you gain clients, you can ask them to leave feedback to help you get more customers.
Rover claims you can earn up to $1,000 a month as a dog walker. You can increase your earnings by walking multiple dogs at once or boarding them overnight in your home.
Work as a Delivery Driver
One of the best ways to make money in one hour is making deliveries. This space has exploded in recent years and is a terrific way to earn cash.
Apps like Instacart Shopper and Grubhub let you choose to accept an order customers place on their respective platforms. If you accept the order, you go pick up the meal at the restaurant and deliver it to the customer.
Earnings are paid weekly, but most delivery app gigs let you withdraw earnings instantly for a minor fee.
Donate Your Plasma
Selling your plasma is one of the classic side hustles that pays you cash. You can donate plasma several times a week, and most sessions take under an hour.
Each state has different requirements to sell plasma, but you can likely donate several times a week. Best of all, payments are typically made the same day as your appointment.
You can earn up to $400 or $500 monthly, which is decent money. You can even combine it with other side gigs, such as paid surveys, to increase your earnings.
Play Games on Your Phone
Do you like to play games on your mobile device to pass the time? If so, you can get paid to play those games on a variety of apps.
Sites like Swagbucks and InboxDollars let you pursue this opportunity. The sites pay you to complete surveys, but it also pays you to play games. Games include arcade classics to word games you can play in your spare time.
You can play classic games like Hearts or Solitaire. They also have newer games like Bejeweled or Plinko. You won’t become wealthy with this option, but it’s a good way to earn extra spending money.
Do Odd Jobs Around Town
Do you like to work with your hands or have mechanical skills? If so, finding work on Taskrabbit can be a lucrative way to make money in an hour.
Taskrabbit is an odd jobs app that connects you with local people who need help completing a one-time gig. These can range from running an errand to home repair work.
The platform has over 200 types of gigs. You must have an active bank account, a smartphone, and be at least 18 years of age to get work. You claim a gig, complete the work, and payment is made through the app.
Scan Your Receipts
Prices are rising everywhere. Earning cash rebates on your purchases is a fantastic way to soften the blow and receive money for what you’re already purchasing.
Using an app like Ibotta when you shop will help you do this. Download the free app and do your shopping like normal. When you’re done scan the receipt. The app will identify active rebates, and credit your accounts. Earning can be withdrawn via PayPal cash or free gift cards to popular retailers.
Do Small Freelance Gigs
Finding online work is a proven way to make money from home. If you need recurring income, freelance work is a good way to earn cash.
A site like Fiverr is a good way to find paying gigs if you don’t already have a portfolio of clients. Best of all, there are many opportunities to earn. Potential gigs range from simple coding to social media work. The more you diversify yourself, the more you can earn.
Sell Something You No Longer Use
Selling items you no longer need is a good way to make money in an hour. Better yet, it helps you declutter.
You can sell a variety of items for cash, including gently used clothing and furniture. Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist are good resources for selling used items. Use your best judgment when exchanging the items for cash.
Sell Used Electronics and Cameras
If you need to make money fast, don’t overlook selling your old devices. This is a terrific choice if you don’t need a side job but just want to make quick money.
Selling used devices is best done online since it increases your potential customer base, but it can also be done locally.
Used phones can earn you some extra cash but there are many other items you can sell. Gaming consoles, cameras, and more are all terrific items to sell. You can list the items on Facebook Marketplace, or use a site like SellCell to get the best prices.
Become a Freelance Writer
Freelance writing is a classic side hustle idea to earn money. If you’re a fast writer, it’s possible to complete an article in under an hour and get paid.
Pay varies as a freelance writer, and it takes time to build a client base. New writers can expect to earn $100 or more an article. As you gain experience, you can make hundreds of dollars per piece you write. Sites like FlexJobs or Indeed are fantastic choices to land gigs.
Do Virtual Assistant Work
If you have a computer and a reliable internet connection or access to somewhere that does and enjoy doing simple, administrative tasks for people, you can make decent money on the side as a virtual assistant.
VA tasks can include: email management, data entry, customer service work, proofreading and website management.
You can expect to earn at least $20 an hour. If you have more advanced skills, you can earn double that. Try sites like FlexJobs and Upwork to find gigs. And, look for either one time or repeating work – whatever fits your desire and schedule.
Sell Pictures of Your Feet
Are you looking for a truly unique way to make money in an hour? Look no further than selling pictures of your feet in your spare time. Lest you think otherwise, selling pictures of your feet is a legitimate way to supplement your income.
Sites like FunwithFeet and FeetFinder let you sell snaps of your tootsies for upwards of $30. If you’re not bashful, this could be a truly distinctive way to earn cash.
101 Ways to Make Money on the Side
Earning extra money is a fantastic way to make ends meet. But which opportunities will help you the most? There are plenty of ways to make money on the side. Find one that works for you and pocket the cash.
101 Ways to Make Money on the Side
How to Make Money Without a Job
In between jobs and need a way to supplement your income? There are plenty of ways to earn cash to tie you over.
11 Ways to Make Money Without a Job
11 Ways to Make Money on the Weekends
Weekends can be a fantastic time to earn extra money to reach a financial goal. Thankfully, there are plenty of gigs available.
How to Make Money on the Weekends
11 Jobs That Pay $20+ an Hour and Don’t Require a Degree
A college diploma is terrific, but it’s not always necessary to earn a good living. Consult this guide to identify other ways to earn at least $20 an hour without a college degree.
Jobs That Pay $20 an Hour and Don’t Require a Degree
21 Best Under-the-Table Jobs That Pay Cash
Jobs that pay cash are a helpful way to help make ends meet. Thankfully, there are lots of ways to make money on the side.
Best Under-the-Table Jobs That Pay Cash
I’m John Schmoll, a former stockbroker, MBA-grad, published finance writer, and founder of Frugal Rules.
As a veteran of the financial services industry, I’ve worked as a mutual fund administrator, banker, and stockbroker and was Series 7 and 63-licensed, but I left all that behind in 2012 to help people learn how to manage their money.
My goal is to help you gain the knowledge you need to become financially independent with personally-tested financial tools and money-saving solutions.
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