Do you need to make money fast? Tired of seeing past due in big red letters?

You’ve come to the right place.

In the past, I have not only been flat broke, but I have been “negative” broke. By that, I mean being in debt with a few dollars in my wallet. It goes without saying that this was an incredibly uncomfortable existence.

Fortunately, after much trial and error, I was able to discover the best ways to make quick money and online money.

Now the methods on this list probably won’t make you financially free by themselves, but they can get you out of a money crunch or easily make a side income. In other words, there are no get-rich-quick schemes listed. Nobody likes those. However, I do cover how you can attain financial freedom here.

With that being said, there are proven ways to make fast money that have been diligently researched and compiled in this post.

How fast do I mean?

Really fast.

With most of the apps and methods throughout this post, you will be able to make money today and cash out instantly with PayPal. At the very least, you will be able to cash out within a week of earning money.

A couple of these methods I personally use to make $50 a day or more in extra money, most without even having to leave home or putting in much effort.

Ready to learn how to make money fast? Then, let’s move on to the next section.

This post contains affiliate links. Please read the terms of use for more info.

How to make money fast

There is a money mindset, you must know that it is possible to make money fast in a legit and ethical manner. Since you’re reading this post, I assume you’ve already achieved this step or are at the very least coming to that place.

Secondly, you need to find the best ways to make money fast online and offline. If you’ve been looking for those ways, look no further. This article has it all and will continually be updated with the latest ways of making money fast with all you need to get started.

Lastly, it’s time to take action and make some money. Pursue the methods and apps on this make money list. See which of them appeal to you the most and give them a go.

The Best Ways to Make Money Fast in 2021

Take Paid Online Surveys for Fast Extra Money

When I need to make money now, legit online survey sites are what I turn to. The great thing about survey sites is that you can make money without leaving your couch, and you can do them in your spare time.

The highest-paying survey site I’ve ever used is SurveyJunkie.  Each dollar I’ve earned with SurveyJunkie helped to pay my bills when I was really struggling financially.

SurveyJunkie also set itself apart for me by paying faster than 99% of the survey sites out there. You can transfer the money you make on SurveyJunkie straight to your PayPal account the same day.

Click here to sign up for SurveyJunkie

Redeem offers for Easy Money Online

With the money I earned side hustling during my financial struggle, I parlayed it into even more side hustles. One was starting the Luster Lexicon blog, and the other was redeeming offers on Swagbucks.

For example, I used Swagbucks to sign up for a $7.30-day trial of Hulu. For signing up, Swagbucks paid me 2500 in Swagbucks digital currency which redeems for $25 in cash. Once I canceled my Hulu subscription, I pocketed $18 and got to watch some new TV series to boot!

Another time I made money fast, was getting paid $8 for simply downloading the microinvesting app Acorns. These amounts may not sound like much, but they add up. Especially in the context of doing other side hustles. Plus, they regularly have high-paying offers that can pay as much as $150. You just have to be quick about signing up for them because they will go fast.

Once you start using Swagbucks, you’ll never stop. It’s one of the easiest ways to grow your purchasing power for free.

To start you off, Swagbucks will give you a $5 cash bonus when you sign up through this link.

Buy discounted gift cards (or sell your unwanted ones for instant money)

Do you have any unused or partial gift cards laying around?

Turn them into cash right now by selling them on GiftCardGranny and get paid today. GiftCardGranny will also put $1 in your account once you complete your free account.

Also. If you don’t have any gift cards, that’s ok.

You can buy other people’s gift cards at a discount and use them at your favorite retail stores and restaurants.

Lastly, you can sign your friends up on GiftCardGranny and get paid $5 for each one who buys at least one gift card using GiftCardGranny.

Click here to sign up for GiftCardGranny and start making money online today.

Enter legit online sweepstakes for a chance to win significant cash prizes

I know what you’re thinking. Nobody actually wins these things, right? Not true. There are real people out there winning real cash prizes from online sweepstakes.

Chances to win might be statistically low, but entering sweepstakes is both fast and easy to do. Unlike your local lottery, the following online sweepstakes are 100% free to enter (and don’t require a credit card or any purchasing).

Here is the list of legit online sweepstakes that I’ve entered and that have verified winners:

• VIP Voice. Become an online market researcher with VIP Voice. When you sign up for a free account, you will be entered for their $1000 sweepstakes. There are also additional chances to win vacations and other cash prizes as you complete their surveys.
• The Nielsen Panel App is owned by one of the best and oldest market research firms in the world. Nielsen enters you into $10,000 sweepstakes every month and pays you $50 every year you keep their app on your computer or mobile device. It’s really that straightforward.
• E-poll Surveys is a paid online survey site. Every month you can win $20 or more when you complete at least 1 survey per month. It only takes a few minutes to do so.
• Lucktastic is a free app for Android that lets you play scratch cards for free and potentially win large sums of cash.
• Publishers Clearing House. You’ve probably seen them on TV. PCH has been around for a long time. You can win up to millions of dollars.

Share your opinion online and get paid each time

You probably post your opinion all the time on social media or forums regarding current events, sports, technology, or entertainment. But, do you actually get paid for doing so? Let me tell you about a good way to make easy money.

There’s a legit way to monetize your opinion, and it’s called Vindale Research.

Vindale Research gives you the opportunity to participate in studies or questionnaires regarding your favorite interests and make money online doing so. It’s true. They’ve already paid out almost $8 million dollars, and that number is only increasing. Best of all, the membership for Vindale Research is 100% free if you sign up today.

So, why does Vindale Research pay out all this money?

Simple.

Global companies like Disney, Amazon, and Netflix are willing to pay research companies like Vindale Research big bucks for the opinions of their target consumer so they can improve their products and services for those same consumers. It’s really one of those cases where everybody wins!

Besides being user-friendly, I love Vindale Research because it’s so convenient. You can log on to Vindale Research from your computer or smartphone interchangeably and start making money in minutes.

For example, if you’re bored at home, you can monetize your downtime with Vindale Research on the computer, or if you’re waiting in line, fill out some questionnaires from your phone!

Interested? Let me show you how to get started. It’s really simple.

How to create a free account on Vindale Research

1. Sign up through this link so that you get an extra $1 cash bonus to start. All you need to get started is an e-mail or Facebook account.
2. For the address section, you can use a P.O. box or alternative address if you don’t prefer to use your primary address. I used my home address and have never received any unwanted mail from them, however.
3. Fill out the new member questionnaire. Personally, I selected “no” for each option. I recommend doing this if your main focus is making money from your opinion and not offers.
4. Verify your account by checking your e-mail inbox for the confirmation e-mail. Be sure to check your spam folder or promotions folder just in case it’s not in your main inbox.
5. Log back into your account and start making money with their studies and questionnaires!

Click here to sign up for Vindale Research and receive a $1 cash sign up bonus.

Other ways to earn on Vindale Research

• Get paid to open e-mails and read them. Yes, it really is that straightforward!
• Earn $5 for referring a friend to Vindale Research.
• Review videos and earn cash for your feedback on those videos.
• Take a picture of your PayPal payment from Vindale Research and earn an extra $5 bonus.

Who is eligible to use Vindale Research?

Currently, Vindale Research is available to Age 18+ residents of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, or Australia.

Ready to sign up and start monetizing your thoughts and opinions?

Sign up for Vindale Research here and claim your $1 to start.

Best apps to Make Money Fast

Get paid for your routine shopping

If you’ve been shopping at retail stores without this next app, you are missing out on free money. Let me introduce you to Ibotta. Fun fact: Ibotta was the first make money phone app that actually paid me!

So, what does Ibotta do?

Ibotta gives you cashback on your everyday in-store purchases. The only thing you need to do to get paid is scan your store receipt(s) into the app. It’s super easy. In fact, if you have any store receipts lying around, you could turn those receipts into cash right now!

Another thing.

Ibotta is a reliable app to use if money is tight. You can withdraw your money into your PayPal account instantly. Not many money apps out there give you that option.

Click here to download the Ibotta app for free

Don’t have any receipts at the moment? You can still make money right now with Ibotta. Let me show you how.

How to make money today with Ibotta:

• Download Ibotta and create your free account.
• Located on the bottom of the Ibotta home screen you will see a menu bar. Tap the account icon.
• Next, tap “invite friends”
• Start signing up your friends to Ibotta (and hook them up with some free cash in the process)!

For every friend you invite that signs up and scans a receipt, you will get a cash bonus. Usually, that bonus is $5 but it can be as high as $10.

Get paid quickly for putting gas your car

Drive a lot?

Then, you should download this app called GetUpside. For each gallon of gas you put in your car, GetUpside will pay you up to $0.25 cents per gallon. Now, this really adds up if you do a driving job or a side hustle like Uber or DoorDash.

To get paid, all you have to do is take a picture of your gas station receipt and send it through the app. It’s really easy and takes seconds. You can withdraw your earnings on GetUpside instantly with PayPal.

Click here to download GetUpside and make money for putting gas in your car.

I need money now: Legit and Safe ways to get money when you’re in urgent need

Here are some creative ways to make money online today that are legit and safe:

Use the Earnin app to get paid today

After clocking out at your job, do you often think “I need cash now” and don’t want to wait till payday? Well, there’s this awesome new app I’ve been using doesn’t cost a penny. It’s called Earnin.

Earnin lets you get paid today for the work you’ve already put in at your job. There are no hidden costs, fees, or interest of any kind. Because Earnin is completely supported on generous tips and donations by its loyal userbase, they are able to provide free payday loans. Earnin is a real lifesaver from a temporary or unexpected money crunch.

Click here to download the Earnin app and create your free account.

How to use the Earnin App

• Download the Earnin mobile app here and sign up for a free account.
• Connect the bank account you receive your direct deposits or paychecks in.
• Take a picture of your work schedule or time sheet to verify your working hours.
• Borrow up to $100 before your next payday (up to $500 as an experienced user). You may tip any amount of money you’d like (even if that amount is $0).
• When your paycheck is deposited into your bank account, Earnin will automatically withdraw the amount of money you borrowed.

That’s it! It’s a really simple and safe process.

The Earnin app has a 4.5+ rating across the Android and iPhone app stores with over 87,000 reviews. Not to mention, the fact that so many people tip to keep the app alive really highlights its effectiveness.

Get your paycheck today with the free Earnin app by clicking here.

Use Qmee to make money now and get paid within minutes

Qmee is one of the best make money fast apps out there.

Why?

Because Qmee pays you instant cash for completing simple online surveys and other quick tasks. You can withdraw your earnings on Qmee instantly with PayPal.

And, by signing up through my referral link, you will get $0.50 instantly deposited in your account for free. You can withdraw this money to your PayPal in minutes, but you must use my referral link or it won’t be credited.

Click here to sign up for Qmee and start making money online today.

Ask for donations with an inspiring reason

We’ve all been down on our luck financially at some point. There’s no shame in recognizing your financial situation and being open to a helping hand.

Have you thought about reaching out to family, friends, social media followers or even strangers for a donation?

If you have a compelling reason (or someone’s just in a giving mood) there’s a good chance it can work out.

Take it from me. I’ve been on the receiving and giving end of unexpected donations with family, friends, and strangers alike.

You never know who may donate, especially when you make your request inspiring and convenient for them.

I recommend receiving donations through PayPal or Cash App. Both allow you to use and withdraw your money instantly for a small fee. But with Cash App, they will deposit an extra $5 in your account for free when you download the app and make your first transaction.

Get $5 in your account when you download Cash App for free through this link.

Refer friends (or anyone) to popular websites, brands, and apps for fast money

I wish I knew about referral programs sooner.

There are popular apps, brands, and companies that will pay you real cash for getting your friends, family, co-workers, and anyone else you know to sign up or download them. You don’t need any experience or have to wait to get approval to start. All you need is a unique referral link to give out and people who will sign up through them. Referral programs are thus an easy way to make money same day.

One more thing.

I’ve compiled a list of the best referral programs that pay in cash. Plus, all the information and direct links you need to start referring your friends or anyone today. You can view the list here.

Bonus: Download the Nielsen Panel App to your phone or computer for an easy $50 (and up to $10,000)

Yeah, I know this is a post about making money fast, but would you really pass up another legit opportunity to make easy money online?

Didn’t think so.

Let me tell you about the Nielsen Panel App.

The Nielsen Panel App is owned by one of the best and oldest market research firms in the world. If you’ve heard of the famous Nielsen TV ratings, they’re the same company. Nielsen enters you into $10,000 sweepstakes every month and pays you $50 every year you keep their app on your computer or mobile device. It’s really that straightforward and easy.

Click here to sign up for the Nielsen Panel App.