Blog entry by Jodie Hightower

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by Jodie Hightower - Sunday, November 20, 2022, 11:42 PM
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500 fast cash customer service, 30 Practical Ways to Make $500 Fast

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Do you want to learn how to make 500 dollars fast? Getting 500 dollars fast is actually easier than you think in 2023. 500 fast cash customer service

Quick Loans from Speedy Cash

If you are like most Americans you might not have enough cash to pay for an unexpected expense. To make matters worse, a bank might not be willing to lend you the money you need in a financial emergency quickly. Speedy Cash might be able to help you with a fast cash loan.

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Understanding Quick Cash Loans

Before you make the decision to apply for a cash loan, we recommend that you take some time to understand the requirements and address any outstanding questions that you might have.

INTEREST AND FEES

Cash loans are typically high-interest loans. However, they can still be cheaper than overdraft fees, late payment fees, etc. To view the rates associated with cash loans offered by Speedy Cash, review our rates & terms..

REASONS TO USE A CASH LOAN

Nobody knows if a cash loan is right for you other than you. But here are some reasons that some people have chosen this option:

Have less-than-perfect credit

The don’t have a savings account to fall back on

They need money immediately

They can’t get approved at a bank

They don’t have anyone else to borrow money from

REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY ONLINE

At minimum, you must:

Have a Valid ID

Have a Checking account

Have a Verifiable, steady source of income

Have a Email address

In some cases we may ask for additional documentation to protect your identity and ensure that your loan payments are manageable based on your income.

About Speedy Cash

Since we opened our first store in 1997, it has been our goal to provide cash as quickly as possible - speedy fast. In fact it’s in our DNA - you can’t say Speedy Cash without the word "speedy".

Since we first opened our doors, we have continuously adapted to our Customers’ needs. In the beginning, we served fast cash needs with payday loans. But over time, we recognized the need for longer and more flexible repayment terms. Today, we are happy to offer the following fast loan options:

Select Your State

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Fast Cash Loan Questions

What is a Fast Cash Loan?

A fast cash loan allows you to get the cash you need – quick. These loans typically have a shorter term than traditional bank loans. You can normally get these loans within one day – and even within minutes in some cases – compared to traditional loans that can take several days (or weeks!) to be processed.

Why would I use a Cash Loan?

People turn to cash loans in the event of a financial emergency, such as an unexpected medical bill or car repair. Often people will choose a cash loan because they may not have the credit to be approved for a bank loan, or they don’t have time to wait for a bank application to be processed.

What if I have more questions?

Loan options vary by state. Visit our available loans page to see what types of loan are available where you live.

How fast can I get cash from Speedy Cash?

Speedy fast! If approved in a store then you will get cash on the spot! If approved online then you will typically receive your cash by the next business day (see our funding page for specific timing). If your debit card is eligible, you could receive your cash instantly with instant funding † to your debit card!

Apply for a quick loan now

If approved, receive up to $1,500 instantly with instant funding † .

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© 2022 Speedy Cash. All Rights Reserved.

Product types and maximum loan amounts vary by market. Subject to state regulations, eligibility, credit check, underwriting and approval. Rates, terms and conditions apply. Title loans subject to minimum auto value requirements. See associate for details. Lending decisions and funding times subject to system limitations. Some applications may require additional verification, which can delay the lending decision.

Short term loans should be used for short-term financial needs and not as a long-term financial solution. Customers with credit difficulties should seek credit counseling.

The credit decision on your application may be based in whole or in part on information obtained from a national database including, but not limited to, TransUnion, Equifax, LexisNexis or FactorTrust, Inc.

† Instant funding is not applicable for all debit cards and is not available in New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, or South Carolina. Subject to system limitations. Some restrictions may apply.

∞ Cash advances only available up to approved credit limit; some restrictions may apply.

NOTICE: The Federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits creditors from discriminating against credit applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age (provided the applicant has the capacity to enter into a binding contract); because all or part of the applicant’s income derives from any public assistance program; or because the applicant has in good faith exercised any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. The Federal agency that administers compliance with this law concerning this creditor is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street NW, Washington DC 20006 and the Federal Trade Commission, Equal Credit Opportunity, Washington DC 20580.

Alabama: Minimum age to apply in Alabama is 19.

California: Deferred deposit loans are provided in accordance with the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation pursuant to California Deferred Deposit Transaction Law, Cal. Fin. Code §23000 et seq.

Nevada: The use of check-cashing services, deferred deposit loan services, high-interest loan services or title loan services should be used for short-term financial needs only and not as a long-term financial solution. Customers with credit difficulties should seek credit counseling before entering into any loan transaction.

New Mexico: Speedy Cash is licensed and regulated by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Financial Institutions Division, P.O. Box 25101, 2550 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504. To report any unresolved problems or complaints, contact the division by telephone at (505) 476-4885 or visit the website http://www.rld.state.nm.us/financialinstitutions/.

Tennessee: The State of Tennessee requires a minimum principal reduction. In order to comply with the minimum state-required principal reduction, Speedy Cash requires that minimum payments include a principal reduction of 2% or $2.50 for Customers who get paid bi-weekly/twice-a-month, or 4% or $5 for Customers who get paid monthly, whichever is greater.

Texas: Speedy Cash operates as a Registered Credit Access Business (CAB). The actual Lender is an unaffiliated third party. Speedy Cash engages in the money transmission and/or currency exchange business as an authorized delegate of MoneyGram Payment Systems, Inc. under Chapter 151 of the Texas Finance Code. If you have a complaint, first contact MoneyGram Payment Systems, Inc. at 1-800-MONEYGRAM . If you still have an unresolved complaint regarding the company’s money transmission or currency exchange activity, please direct your complaint to the Texas Department of Banking: 2601 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX 78705-4294, 1-877-276-5554 (toll free), www.dob.texas.gov.

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30 Practical Ways to Make $500 Fast

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Our ultimate goal is to educate and inform, not lure you into signing up for certain offers. Compensation from our partners may impact what products we cover and where they appear on the site, but does not have any impact on the objectivity of our reviews or advice.

A little extra cash never hurt. Here are over two dozen realistic ways you can bring in five Ben Franklins over the next seven days.

Our number one goal at DollarSprout is to help readers improve their financial lives, and we regularly partner with companies that share that same vision. If a purchase or signup is made through one of our Partners’ links, we may receive compensation for the referral. Learn more here.

Do you need $500 fast?

I’ve been there. In fact, there have been several times an extra $500 would have made a big difference in my life and prevented me from making some questionable financial choices or taking on debt to get by.

That doesn’t have to be the case for you.

Whether you’re facing a financial crisis, want to jumpstart your emergency fund, or something else, there are plenty of options available.

How to Make $500 Fast

Many of the gigs on this list can help you earn that $500 in a week (or less), especially if you’re willing to hustle and work hard.

Pick up a side hustle

Next to selling things, gig jobs and side hustles are one of the best ways to make money fast. Apps can get you connected to people in your area looking for what you have to offer.

1. Get a ridesharing gig

Uber’s robust user base and dominant market share means ridesharing as a side hustle will be here for years to come.

There’s perhaps no more realistic way to earn extra money fast than to pick up convenient hours as an independent contractor using the Uber Drive app.

If you meet the driver requirements and become cleared to drive, you’ll merely open the app and look for ride requests in your area.

By setting your preferences and enabling in-app alerts, you can stay abreast of high-volume areas and promotions (Surge, Boosts, and Quests), enabling you to maximize your earnings.

Furthermore, Uber now offers an array of additional perks such as discounted car maintenance and cell phone plans, financial management opportunities, free music, and access to robust healthcare plans.

Everything you need to reduce your expenses, stay healthy, and stay on the road so you can rack up those fares (and now, tips!).

How fast can you make $500?

Every market is different, so every independent contractor will earn at different speeds. Given industry norms, it’s reasonable to expect to earn at least $500 — and payday loans online often more — in as little as one week if a user stays active throughout the duration of the 40-hour workweek.

2. Become a personal grocery shopper

If you are at least 18 years old, becoming an Instacart shopper is a great way to quickly earn money.

As a shopper, you are responsible for preparing customers’ grocery orders that are submitted through the Instacart app. Earning money is as simple as turning the app on and accepting orders. If you have a driver’s license and an insured vehicle, you can earn additional pay by preparing the groceries and then delivering them to the customer’s door.

As long as you can lift 30 pounds, you can fill out an application and get hired within 10 days, or, generally speaking, the time it takes for them to process your shopper background check.

One of our readers, Chris Cucchiara — an Instacart super-earner — recently shared his seven best tips for how he made $4,500 in his first two months with the company.

How fast can you make $500?

How quickly you can earn $500 depends on how many orders you deliver per day, the tips you receive, and when you make deliveries. You’ll earn more during peak hours, but it is possible to make $500 in a week.

3. Resell unused CDs, DVDs, and other tech online

Decluttr is an easy way to make money by selling all your unwanted tech and gadgets. Enter the barcode on each item to get an instant offer for your stuff. You can enter the code manually, or download the Decluttr app to scan it.

Once you scan all your items and accept the order, Decluttr emails you a free shipping label. All that’s left to do is pack up and ship it off. Decluttr sends your payment the day after your order arrives. You can choose to receive payment via direct deposit, PayPal, or a check in the mail.

This is a great way to make some quick cash if you have a bunch of CDs, DVDs, or old cell phones lying around.

How fast can you make $500?

This method might not get you all the way to your $500 goal unless you have a massive collection of old DVDs or several unused smartphones, but it’s a good start.

4. Walk dogs or pet sit

Pet sitting is one of the best side hustles for animal lovers.

If you live in an urban area, you could easily pick up several dog walking customers or cat sitting gigs per week. Even in smaller cities or the suburbs, people still travel during the summer or on holidays and need someone to watch their pets.

Earnings for Rover pet sitters and walkers are set up as flat fees for specific services rather than hourly rates. That means you get to set your rate and charge what your services are worth. Check out the competition in your neighborhood to see how much you could make working with Rover.

For example, to hire a Rover dog walker in my area to come to me and take my dogs for a walk would range from $8 to $28 per dog. For overnight pet boarding, rates often fall in the $25 to $90 per night range.

How fast can you make $500?

At an average of $20 per visit, you’d need to make 25 visits to earn $500. If you offered pet boarding and charged $50 per night and watched one dog, you could make $500 in as few as 10 days.

5. Babysit

Although we typically think of babysitting as a job for teenagers, it’s a great option for adults who want to earn extra money. Parents might trust an adult more than a teenager, and the extra years of experience — especially if you’re a teacher or have kids of your own — mean that you can charge more.

You can advertise locally, post on your social media, or register with a company like Care.com to find clients. If babysitting kids isn’t your thing, you can also use Care.com to find gigs cleaning houses, pet sitting, and tutoring.

How fast can you make $500?

Like many of the other options on this list, how quickly you earn money depends on how much you charge and how much you work. If you charge $20 per hour and babysit three kids per week for five hours each, it would take you just under two weeks to earn $500.

6. Rent out your space

If you have unused space on your property, like a basement, garage, or shed, consider renting it out to earn some extra cash. Sites like Neighbor.com make it easy for you to create a free listing to advertise to people in your community about your available space.

You can let renters store cars, boats, moving boxes, or furniture and appliances. In fact, they can store pretty much anything except hazardous materials, firearms and ammunition, stolen goods, perishables, pesticides, explosives, and drugs.

Hosts are protected by $1 million in liability insurance and are guaranteed a monthly payout while the storage space is occupied even if the renter stops paying.

How fast can you make $500?

You can probably earn $500 within a couple of months, depending on what comparable storage sites in your area are charging, how much space you have available to rent, and how many clients rent from you.

7. Rent out your car

HyreCar can help you make quick money by renting your car to others when you’re not using it. HyreCar automatically connects you to rideshare drivers in your area who need a vehicle for the day. Drivers/renters can access and book your car straight from the app, all you have to do is set your daily rate and a pickup location for them to grab the vehicle.

It only takes a few clicks to put your vehicle to work with HyreCar. Just register for a free account, name your car, set the location and availability, and enter a description.

As a HyreCar owner, your vehicle is covered by their comprehensive insurance coverage (paid for by the driver), so you can rest assured that your property will be taken care of.

How fast can you make $500?

HyreCar’s website states the average owner makes $14,000 per year renting out their vehicle. That’s $1,166 per month or $583 every two weeks.

8. Rent out your RV

RVShare aims to bring RV renters and owners together by allowing owners to rent their unused RV to travelers who want the RV experience without purchasing their own.

It works similar to Airbnb: you register with the site, list your RV for free, and users can search for and book your RV. You get to set the price, availability, amenities and upgrades (ex., unlimited mileage, pet-friendly), and security deposit. After a user books your RV, you coordinate details directly with them. You’ll also need to decide whether they’ll pick it up or you’ll deliver it to them.

You will need to meet with them in person to demonstrate how the RV works, but other than that, it’s pretty hands-off. You can communicate with your renters via email or directly through the website.

Additionally, RVShare provides owners with up to $1M in liability coverage and up to $200K in comprehensive and collision insurance (based on the value of the RV), so if anything happens, you’re covered.

How fast can you make $500?

Depending on where you live, the proximity to high-demand destinations like national parks, the season, and the type of RV you own, it’s possible to earn $500 with just one rental booking.

9. Teach kids English

VIPKID is an international education site that helps children in China learn English using a private one-on-one model. If you’ve taught in the past, you may be a strong candidate for VIPKID. To be considered, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in any subject, and you’ll need to pass the demo class interview.

Teaching sessions are 30 minutes long and VIPKID says its teachers make an average of $18 per hour, which comes to about $9 per class.

Since everything is online, you’ll need a reliable computer, headset, and internet access. And since VIPKID’s clientele is mostly in China, you’ll likely have to work early morning hours (if you’re in the US or Canada) because of the time zone difference.

How fast can you make $500?

Theoretically, at an average of $18 per hour, you’d need to teach about 28 hours (or 56 classes) to make $500. If you’re teaching approximately 10 to 14 hours per week, you’ll earn $500 in less than a month. However, the number of hours you work depends on how many students book your class, so it could take longer than a month to reach your $500 mark.

10. Repair broken screens

One of the most lucrative DIY skills you can learn is fixing iPhone, Android, and tablet screens. These types of repairs are not especially difficult to do, but most consumers would rather not attempt to repair their electronic devices themselves.

You can take advantage of that by offering screen replacement services. And since most of us have broken a screen at some point, it’s a safe bet that people you know need to have their smartphone, tablet, or FitBit screen replaced.

How fast can you make $500?

If you charged friends or coworkers $50 per repair, you would need to do 10 repairs to earn $500. If you put an ad for your services on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, you could potentially make $500 in a week.

11. Offer unique services

Do you have a unique or specialized skill you can temporarily offer? For instance, can you perform home energy audits? What about cleaning pools, staining decks, power washing houses, or providing mobile car detailing?

There are a host of services or skills you have that people would be willing to pay you for.

If you have the equipment and don’t need a special license, insurance, or permit to perform the service, you can get started right away. Using social media or word of mouth, let your friends, family, and neighbors know you’re available for hire. If the service is specialized and in-demand, you can probably find clients fairly quickly.

How fast can you make $500?

Depending on the service you provide and how many clients you find, you might be able to earn $500 in a day or two.

Sell your stuff

Selling things is a relatively effortless way to make $500 fast. Fortunately, there are many options for selling your stuff online.

12. Get rid of gently used clothing

Poshmark is one of the better online marketplaces to sell clothing, shoes, and accessories for men, women, and kids. Everything is shipped, so you don’t have to worry about coordinating meet-ups with strangers.

The process is simple: create an account and download the app, snap a picture of whatever you want to sell, and add a description and price. The higher quality, name-brand items tend to sell for more money, but you can earn extra cash from pretty much any item that fits the Poshmark guidelines.

How fast can you make $500?

Assuming you have a lot of decent items to sell and you get started immediately, you could make $500 with Poshmark in about a week. If you can sell 10 items for $50 or 20 items for $25, that’s all you need to net $500. Make sure to consider that Poshmark generally takes about 20% for shipping costs and listing fees for higher-priced items.

13. Sell on Craigslist

Craigslist is another site you can use to sell used or unwanted items. Depending on where you live and what you have to sell, it may be a little slower moving than other sites, and your reach won’t be as far, but it’s still a good option in certain cases.

You can sell just about anything on Craigslist including your services. If you have a particular skill set or can offer a service that’s in demand like babysitting, pet sitting, or home repair, consider offering it on Craigslist.

Another option is to browse the "Free" section of Craigslist for good finds to flip for some cash.

How fast can you make $500?

Depending on how valuable the things you’re selling are, you could bring in some quick cash in a couple of weeks. Children’s clothes, old furniture, electronics, and appliances are all great items to sell on Craigslist.

14. Flip items on social media

Facebook is another popular way to sell items online. There are specific sales groups created every day for this very purpose, and the Facebook Marketplace makes it easy to sell to people in your area.

Since your Facebook friends already know you, they’re more likely to buy from you. You can also sell to strangers on Facebook Marketplace or in neighborhood groups.

How fast can you make $500?

It depends on what you’re selling and how quickly the buyer can pick it up from you. You could make an extra $500 as soon as today if you’re selling a big-ticket item and are able to coordinate a meeting quickly.

15. Sell crafts online

If you’re crafty, opening an Etsy shop is a simple way to get started making an extra $500 fast. It’s free to start a shop, but you have to pay for your listings. You can also sell anything including knit and crocheted items, handmade jewelry, custom shirts, printables, and more.

Having an Etsy shop is one of the best ways to turn a hobby into side hustle income.

How fast can you make $500?

With a large inventory and some social media marketing, you could potentially earn $500 in a week. However, it’s more likely to take around a month to make that kind of money with Etsy. Posting regularly on your social media accounts could speed this process up.

Do errands and odd jobs

There’s more than one way to piece together an extra $500. These micro-jobs may not pay much individually, but when stacked together they’re a great way to earn some quick cash.

16. Complete micro tasks

Gigwalk is an app that connects businesses with "Gigwalkers" to perform short tasks.

Businesses post tasks (called "Gigs") like taking pictures or answering short survey questions for Gigwalkers to complete. You can choose gigs in your area that are a good fit, do the task, and get paid. Gigs take anywhere from five minutes to a few hours and pay $3 to $100 each.

This app is best if you live in a metropolitan area and can quickly go from gig to gig. You can still do this if you have to drive, but the gas and wear-and-tear on your car may cut into your profits.

How fast can you make $500?

If you live in a more rural area or someplace that’s not easily navigable on foot, it could take a while to earn $500 on Gigwalk. But if you happen to live in a big city, you’ll have more options to choose from and may be able to complete them in a shorter time frame.

At the minimum amount per gig ($3) and the shortest time frame (five minutes), it’ll take you a little under 14 hours to earn $500, which is possible to do in a week or two.

17. Pick up freelance gigs

Fiverr is another site where you could potentially make hundreds of dollars fast. It’s a digital freelancer marketplace, so all your tasks can be done anywhere you have an Internet connection.

The most common services offered on Fiverr include graphic design, digital marketing, writing and proofreading, virtual assistant work, and web development. There’s also a high demand for video and audio services, like creating branded videos and voiceover work. You can also offer services like writing cover letters, drawing cartoons, or even doing research for an academic paper or book.

How you price your services depends on what you’re offering, including any add-ons, and the time frame you can realistically deliver the product. Choose your tasks carefully to make money on Fiverr without wasting a lot of time. The best way to approach freelancing on this site is to take on big projects with a higher payout.

How fast can you make $500?

If you have a high-demand skill, you should be able to land five projects at $100 each in under a couple of weeks. It may take longer since you’ll be starting from scratch without any reviews. But if you do a stand-out job and get five-star reviews immediately, you might be able to quickly boost your listing and secure more clients.

18. Do handyman work

If you don’t mind working with your hands, you can sign up for TaskRabbit to earn some extra money. The site connects you with people in your area who need help with a number of tasks including interior painting, assembling furniture, yard work, gutter cleaning, or moving.

On TaskRabbit, you get to choose the rate you work for. Browse through the tasks in your area, send your offer, and wait to see if you’re chosen. Make sure you charge fairly and comparably to other Taskers in your area in order to get hired.

How fast can you make $500?

Since you set your own rates, how fast you reach your $500 goal depends on your rate. For instance, if you can find 10 tasks at $50 each and do two per day, it’ll only take you five days.

Other Ways to Make $500 Fast

If you’re looking for additional ways to make $500 quickly, here are a few more options for you to consider. They won’t always get you to $500 this week on their own, but a combination of a few of them may do just that.

19. Earn cash back on everyday purchases

An easy way to put money back into your budget is by saving on purchases you already make. You can do this by clipping coupons, using a cash-back credit card, or using a browser extension or app.

For example, the DollarSprout Rewards desktop browser extension automatically searches the internet for coupons and applies them at checkout, helping you easily save money.

Users can also earn 10% cash back or more while shopping with partner retailers. Once you reach $5 in cash back rewards, you’ll automatically receive a cash payout to PayPal the following month.

You won’t make it all the way to $500 with this quickly, but it’s completely free to use, so any money you earn is money you’d have otherwise thrown away.

20. Pick up work as a virtual assistant

Virtual assistants provide administrative and technical support to businesses. You can decide which tasks to offer based on your experience and preferences.

A few common virtual assistant tasks include email management, social media management, and customer service. The services you offer and how you package them are entirely up to you. Comprehensive virtual assistant training courses, like Fully Booked VA, teach students which services to offer, how and to whom to pitch them, and offer a pipeline of potential clients to get started.

Many small business owners prefer hiring virtual part-time help as opposed to full-time salaried employees because it’s more cost-effective for the company. That means there are plenty of opportunities for you to make $500 fast without leaving your house.

21. Rent a room in your house on Vrbo

You can earn an extra $500 by renting out a spare room in your house on Vrbo. How much you charge depends on your home’s location, the size of the room, and the other amenities. How much you earn (and how quickly you earn it) will depend on how long your guests stay and how many guests you book.

I plugged my one spare bedroom in my 3 bed, 2.5 bath townhome into Vrbo’s earnings calculator and it spit out the above figure based on my location and 75% yearly occupancy. I personally don’t plan on giving up my bedroom to a stranger, but if you have a vacant property, a spare bedroom you don’t mind offering, or have a short term rental and would like to "up" your cash flow, listing with Vrbo could be a great option for you.

22. Negotiate your bills

Trim is a free program that can help you find places to save on your utility, internet, and cell phone bills.

After registering and linking your bank or credit card accounts, Trim skims your accounts to look for places you can save. That can mean eliminating unwanted or forgotten subscription services, negotiating bills like cable, phone, or internet, and sending you alerts for things like late fees and paydays.

The savings Trim finds could quickly put $500 back into your monthly budget.

23. Donate plasma

Not technically a donation, you can sell your plasma and make $500 fast — actually $1000 or more — in your first month. Better yet, you’ll save lives in the process.

If you can stomach the needle and have a few hours of time, companies like CSL Plasma will pay up to $1,100 for donors in specific locations (search locations here). There are specific eligibility requirements, but if you’re 18-75, weigh at least 110 pounds, and haven’t received a new tattoo or piercing within the last 4 months, there’s a good chance you’ll qualify.

Payments are generally made via a prepaid reloadable debit card provided by the donation center.

Not all companies are this generous, and most pay out between $50 and $100 per visit. See our guide below to learn more and find additional plasma donation centers near you.

24. Work overtime at your job

If you already have a full-time job, you can earn extra money by picking up additional shifts or working overtime. Depending on your hourly rate, if your job offers time and a half (or double-time), how many hours you work, and on how many days you work, you could net $500 within a week.

Don’t forget to account for the extra taxes taken out of your paycheck when you’re working overtime. That will significantly cut into your earnings.

25. Write a low-content eBook

Someone needs to create the notebooks and coloring books people like to buy. If you have a computer, internet, and access to a graphic design program, you can design and sell your own low-content books.

Sell them on Amazon or on your own Etsy shop, and depending on how you price and advertise the books, you can generate $500 in as quickly as a week. You can get started with your own designs or purchase templates from places like Tangent Templates.

26. Have a yard sale

Selling items through Craigslist or the Facebook Marketplace isn’t for everyone, especially if you don’t have a lot of time. However, you can put together a yard sale fairly quickly and sell your unwanted or used items in person.

A yard sale could potentially earn you $500 in one afternoon, depending on the location of your sale, the types of items you’re selling, and how much you’re asking for each item. You can even make extra cash at your yard sale by selling baked goods, drinks, or homemade crafts.

27. Check for unclaimed money

You might be owed money and not even know it. This could include safety deposit box contents, utility or apartment deposit refunds, or uncashed paychecks.

If you need to make $500 fast, check out a few of these sites to see if you have any unclaimed money:

If you find that you’re owed money, follow the directions completely to claim your cash and then wait for it to be processed and mailed. How long that takes varies by state and how many states might owe you money.

28. Cash in your recycling

If you have a lot of empty aluminum cans and bottles around your house, consider taking them to a nearby recycling facility for some quick cash. While it might not generate you $500, it could help supplement one of these other ideas.

If you don’t have a lot of aluminum cans or other scrap metal around your house, collect your coins. Look in pockets, couch cushions, the bottom of your purse or wallet, or even the floor of your car. If you don’t mind paying a small fee, you can take the coins to a Coinstar and redeem them for cash. If you’d prefer the full amount, roll the coins yourself and take them to a local bank to cash in.

29. Get free crypto

If you weren’t an early adopter of Bitcoin back in 2009, odds are you aren’t sitting on fat stacks of cash from buying and selling cryptocurrencies (sadly, neither am I). And while new alt-coins are developed all the time, and there are those Reddit people that have had their success on that front too, I recognize it’s unlikely I’ll strike it big in this space without taking in inordinate amounts of risk.

As a fairly risk-averse investor, and someone who doesn’t know enough about crypto to make specific recommendations, I do find it neat that you can get started on a crypto exchange such as Coinbase completely free.

I’ve used it as a springboard to learn more about the speculative investment vehicle, what exactly it means to buy and hold the digital asset, and the safest ways for doing it.

Better yet, Coinbase partners with some of the tokens on the platform to give away free cryptocurrency in exchange for learning about new tokens and their features.

I earned approximately $50 in free assets for 20 minutes work merely by clicking through the 1-minute lessons Coinbase offers on these new tokens. There’s no catch — no fees — nothing. You do need a valid government ID and will have to share your typical personal information when registering an account (it’s similar to opening a brokerage/bank account at a normal financial institution).

They currently have an additional free $10 for you and a friend promotion if you invest $100 into crypto on the exchange, as well as entry into a $500,000 crypto giveaway.

30. Join rewards sites

If you’re looking for how to make $500 fast, this won’t necessarily get you there, but if you’re nearly at your goal and need a little bump to get there tomorrow, there are a multitude of market research platforms that reward users for giving feedback on products that brands are looking to take to market.

Sites like Branded Surveys, Survey Junkie, and LifePoints will reward users for taking paid surveys and passing that feedback onto the brands so they can revise their products before production.

Better yet, some of these companies will send products for you to test, and if your feedback is used, they’ll often let you keep the item for free. Not a bad exchange so long as the input you give is legitimately helpful!

How to Prevent This Situation in the Future

Trying to pull together money for bills or emergencies at the last minute can feel difficult and stressful. To prevent it from happening again or falling into the payday loan trap, there are a few steps you can take.

Open a separate savings account. If you don’t already have one, consider opening a savings account at an online bank with higher interest rates, sign-up bonuses, or rewards for diligent savers. If you prefer a traditional bank for your savings, open your account at a different bank than your primary one. This will make it more difficult for you to withdraw the money; you might even forget you have it.

Automate your monthly savings. Automating your savings takes the control out of your hands and ensures your savings goals are met every time. To do so, all you need to do is set up a fixed transfer for every payday, and your bank will automatically withdraw that money and deposit it into your linked savings account. It’ll be an adjustment at first, but eventually, you’ll get used to not budgeting for that money.

Have a budget (and stick to it). If you don’t already have one, it’s essential that you create your budget. It’s not the most exciting thing to do, but having a solid plan in place can give you peace of mind. Check out our guide onhow to make a budget for help getting started.

Although these strategies can’t guarantee that a financial emergency won’t happen, they can help you prepare for one. And if putting even $500 in a savings account seems impossible right now, start small. Add $10, $20, or even $100 when you can. Over time, it’ll add up and you’ll have a comfortable emergency fund.

Don’t Resort to Payday Loans or Similar Sources of Emergency Cash

While it can be tempting to get a payday loan when you need cash quickly, the long-term effects are damaging to your finances. From overly-high interest rates to the renewal fees if you need an extension, you’ll most likely find yourself deep in debt.

Instead, try a few of the options listed above to earn the extra money. While they might take longer than getting a payday loan, they’ll solve your financial emergency and prevent you from going into debt. And if you like side hustling, keep working at it to further boost your emergency fund so you have cash on hand the next time you need it.

Author

Hi! I'm Ben. A personal finance nerd on a mission to help DollarSprout readers make and save more money. A quoted contributor for Business Insider, Business.com, Discover, Intuit, MSN, NBC News, Yahoo Finance and more, I work to help others live their financial best life.

I really appreciate you guys sharing these ideas for us to look into (to make fast money). I’ll be trying some of them out and let you know how I did. Thank you again. You have a wonderful day.

Really amazing and interesting ways to easily make extra money on the side. Thanks for sharing these ideas.

How refreshing! This list is full of worth while and new ideas to make money. Thanks for this great article. Super helpful.

Howdy. I am in a feast and famine career (lucrative half the year, not the other half). We recently had a big snowfall. I had thought about doing this as a side hustle (obviously a very short term gig). So, when they started forecasting the big snow, I was ready to market on FB. It was a quick $350 in two days, albeit very hard work. I could’ve made more had I hired someone to go out with me, but maybe next time.

The opportunity might not be out there right now. Be ready to go, though, just in case you do get the opportunity, whether it’s a big snow fall or whatever else. 10% perspiration, 90% preparation. All the best!

Sorry I didn’t clarify in the original post that I am talking about snow shoveling. Just me, a shovel, a broom, and my truck. Look around at what you have and be ready to use it. 😀

A typical bounce house is more than a few hundred. The cheapest is around I can find is $1295 and can be as high as $2500. (And unless you trust the customers to pick it up and set it up themselves, it isn’t truly "passive income".) Can you make your money back relatively quickly and then make a good profit? Sure. But it’s a side hustle, not passive.

For sure. Definitely a large difference between passive income and a side hustle. I think the analogy here is that once you clear the startup principle (even if it’s closer to the $2500 range), you get to operate at really high margins. Not passive, but getting closer to that end of the spectrum than a lot of other side hustles — and certainly one capable of making $500 in a day. 🙌

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