Do you need some money quickly for an emergency bill or unplanned expense? Here’s how you can make money in one hour.
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15 Best Ways to Make Money in One Hour or Less
We all have times when we need some extra income.
Whatever the reason, it is possible to make money quickly if you need to make money in an hour.
Here are some ways you’ll want to check out!
Conduct online surveys and focus groups
Did you know you can earn Paypal, gift cards and cash by sharing your opinions through online surveys and participating in focus groups?
I often do this in my spare time while watching TV in the evenings and while the income cannot replace a day job, the income can be quite significant.
Survey Junkie has been in the industry for a while now, allowing users to make change by voicing their opinions to brands and researchers.
Survey Junkie is a completely legit site that has an excellent rating on Trustpilot (4.4/5 out of 35,000 reviews). They pay a maximum of $75 per survey.
Swagbucks is another survey company with an “excellent” rating on Trustpilot (4.3/5) that can help you make money right away.
When you open a new Swagbucks account, you will receive a $5 welcome bonus.
Checking out several survey apps that pay to make money.
Collect your change
Do you have a change jar or bottle where you have collected your change? It might be worth more than you think! We collect our change in a gigantic bottle from an old water cooler.
When we redeem it, it can often be a few hundred dollars or more. Make sure you don’t have any change on hand, check your chairs, couch and cars for change and don’t forget to check your various coats and handbags as well.
I recently found $50 in an old wallet, as well as a $25 Target gift card!
Street performance
If you have a talent such as singing, playing an instrument or juggling, you can do street performances for little money.
Sell something
One of the fastest ways to make money quickly is to sell something.
If you need to make money in an hour, you may not have time to put something up for sale on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark or similar apps, but you do have time to sell to a resale shop or pawn shop. (Checking out what things you can pawn for $500).
Some consignment shops give you cash upfront for the sale of the items, and pawn shops typically buy or let you buy or have valuable items pawned, including jewelry and electronics.
My husband often sells some of his tired TV and movie fan merchandise and gets a decent amount of money in return from a local comic and hobby store.
I made over $1000 this past year by returning clothes that my kids have outgrown, old toys, and DVDs and Blu-rays that were collecting dust.
While some consignment stores require you to wait for the item to sell, many resellers offer cash up front.
If you have gold jewelry that’s collecting dust or that you no longer need, this might help you accumulate some cash quickly.
Make sure you check the carat of the jewelry before selling it so you have an idea of its value.
Jewelers and pawn shops are looking for gold jewelry and may be interested in the diamond jewelry or Swarovski crystals you too.
Donate plasma
Donating plasma can quickly generate some extra money and can also help others!
While your first plasma donation may take just over an hour due to the background information required about your health, follow-up sessions typically last only 45 minutes and can be a quick way to earn additional income. if you visit one of these highest paying plasma donation centers.
Making deliveries
Do you only have an hour here or there to earn some extra money?
Driving for a delivery service such as DoorDash or Instacart can be a great way to earn extra income on your schedule.
Once you sign up, simply log into the app and accept opportunities whenever you have an hour or two to spare to earn income.
My husband does construction work and the winter months here in the Midwest are his slow season.
He does this on afternoons when he doesn’t have work and it’s a great way to make some extra income even if you don’t have much time.
Another option is to deliver to people and not meals or groceries. Driving for Uber or Lyft can be a profitable way to make extra money in a short time.
Recommended: DoorDash or Instacart
Make a return
Do you have any recent purchases where you never opened or removed the tags?
If this is the case, you may be able to return the item for cash or store credit. If possible, bring the receipt with you when returning, but some retailers may allow returns without a receipt.
Visit the retailer’s website online or ask customer service about their returns policy.
Scan your receipts
Did you know that your grocery coupons can be worth real money?
Apps like Ibotta and Fetch Rewards offer smart ways to earn money for items you bought anyway.
If you have store receipts from recent purchases, submit them and see what cash back you might get!
Personally, I love Ibotta because you can cash out relatively quickly once you reach the minimum amount and send the money to your bank account or use it to purchase a gift card.
Checking out: 9 apps that pay you to scan barcodes
Recycling
Collect and recycle materials such as metal, glass or plastic for cash.
Just pick them up and take them to a scrap yard to exchange them for cash. It’s that simple.
Freelance online
Do you have online skills such as writing, web design, illustration or graphic design?
Maybe you can pick up a few odd jobs for some quick cash while working from home or at your local coffee shop.
Try freelance gig sites like At work, FiverrAnd Freelancer.
If you have virtual assistant-type skills that can help other small business owners, you may also be able to pick up some online VA-style jobs, such as social media scheduling, graphics design, or setting up blog posts.
Even though I have my own business, I often take on freelance jobs to earn extra income, help with unexpected bills, and supplement my income when business slows down.
While individual project payments may not be large amounts, the income can really add up, especially if you make them consistently.
Do odd jobs
Are you handy and can you do odd jobs? Have a mower, snow shovel or snow blower and can help others with yard work or snow removal.
These skills can not only help you make money, but also help others.
Post flyers on local billboards and posts on online Facebook groups or bulletin boards to promote the services you can offer.
Whatever your income, the opportunity to earn extra money can come in handy during the holidays or anytime you have expenses.
Whether you plan ahead or need money now, it’s possible to make money in an hour or less.
Make money fast on Reddit
Check out r/signupsforpay. It’s a subreddit where people will ask you to sign up for something in exchange for money.
It’s that simple. It’s similar to MTurk, only you get your money much faster.
Babysitting animals
Pet sitting is a fun way to make money if you love animals. You can join a website like Rover or Care.com, where you can create a profile and start offering your pet sitting services.
You decide how much you charge, and you can earn more if you care for specialty pets or offer additional services such as grooming or dog training. Make sure your home is a safe, comfortable place for pets when you keep an eye on them there.
Getting good reviews from your customers can help you get more work. Try to be available during busy times, such as holidays, when many people need a sitter.
Side note: You need to be prepared for different types of pets and make sure they are happy and safe while their owners are away.
Extra lesson
Maybe you already studied math at school, or you are great at a foreign language or a musical instrument.
You can use these skills to teach others and make some money. Online platforms like Chegg Tutors and Wyzant can connect you with students looking for tutors.
You create a profile, list your areas of expertise and determine your hourly rate. You can usually make more money tutoring in subjects that are in high demand or if you have a high level of expertise. You can also reach out to your local community.
Schools are often looking for teachers for their students, or you can offer your services to families in your area. With one-on-one tutoring you can focus on a student’s specific needs and help them make faster progress.
This personal attention often leads to better results and satisfied customers.
Offer lawn maintenance or snow removal services
Depending on the season, offering lawn mowing or snow shoveling services can be a quick moneymaker.
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