We’ve all been there. An emergency arises, and you need to make some fast cash. Regardless of whether your car needs an expensive repair or rent is due, you need to earn cash quickly.
Thanks to the side gig economy it’s much simpler to earn extra funds. Our guide shares the top ways to get paid today and grow your bank account.
What Can I Do to Get Paid the Same Day?
It is easier than ever to make money fast. Many articles that promote quick money-making ideas may suggest things like completing surveys or selling items to earn extra cash.
Those are either unreliable or provide a minimal return. Here are nine awesome jobs that pay you immediately and offer a flexible schedule.
1. Deliver Food for DoorDash
If you need to make money ASAP, one of the best options is working for a delivery gig platform. DoorDash is one of the leading apps that pay you to deliver food.
Upon qualifying to work for DoorDash, you pick up meals from local restaurants and deliver them to the customer’s home or office.
You must meet the following requirements to become a Dasher:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Be able to pass a background check
- Have a clean driving record and valid insurance
- Own a newer smartphone with the latest update
- Have a reliable vehicle
You may also need to attend an orientation, but this depends on your location.
Dashers compensation varies depending on numerous factors, including tips. Earnings are paid weekly via direct deposit, but you can request an instant payout for a minimal $1.99.
As an added bonus, you can schedule your own shifts when driving for DoorDash. This is a great choice if you need to manage hours with your full-time job.
If you need to earn extra money and want a flexible job, DoorDash is a terrific choice.
Read our DoorDash Driver review to learn more.
2. Shop for Instacart
If you don’t want your car to smell like fast food and you need money fast, working for Instacart is an excellent opportunity to supplement your income.
After meeting the work requirements for Instacart Shopper, you accept orders, shop for the items, and deliver the items to the customer.
You must fulfill the following requirements to work for Instacart Shopper:
- Be over 18 years old
- Have consistent access to a reliable vehicle
- Be able to lift at least 40 pounds
- Have valid auto insurance
- Own a newer smartphone (iPhone 6s or Android 5.0 or newer)
Like DoorDash, you may also need to attend a local orientation.
Shoppers are paid a commission based on order size and driving distance. You can also earn tips, similar to other delivery apps for drivers in the market.
Shoppers can expect to earn roughly $20 per hour.
You can schedule your own shifts and work as little or as much as you want. Instacart pays weekly, though you can cash out your earnings daily for a $0.50 fee.
Read our review of driving for Instacart Shopper to learn more.
3. Shop for Shipt
Shipt is another excellent option to deliver groceries if Instacart Shopper isn’t for you. The company works similarly to Instacart, and a legitimate opportunity to get paid for driving your car.
You accept orders, shop for the items, and deliver them to the requesting customer.
The requirements are a bit different to work for Shipt. You need:
- A valid U.S. driver’s license
- Auto insurance
- Knowledge of produce selection
- An iPhone (iOS 10 or newer) or Android (5.1 or newer)
- A reliable car that’s a 1997 or newer
- The ability to lift 40 pounds
- Insulated cooler bags, which the service provides
Pay is a bit different with Shipt Shopper. You receive a base commission of $5 per order plus 7.50 percent of the order amount.
For example, if you accept an order that’s $120, you will receive $14 plus a potential tip. Additionally, Shipt Shoppers can earn up to $22 per hour after completing 100 deliveries.
Before that, earnings top out at $20 per hour. Pay is weekly, but you can get paid immediately with instant payouts, via direct deposit, for a $1.00 fee.
If you need to balance a side gig with a full-time job, Shipt Shopper is a fantastic choice.
Read our review of driving for Shipt to learn more.
4. Walk Dogs
If working for delivery services isn’t your cup of tea, walking dogs in your city is a terrific side hustle. Rover is the most well-known opportunity for this side gig.
You can not only walk dogs in this role, but you can also offer dog boarding and doggy daycare services. This allows you to increase your earning potential.
To start working for Rover, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Pass a background check
- Complete your Rover profile
- Be available on weekdays
- Have a modern smartphone
Dog walkers can earn, good money, being one of the top jobs that pay $20 per hour without a degree. Walking multiple dogs at once or offering other pet care services is a great way to maximize your income.
Unfortunately, Rover keeps 20 percent of your earnings.
Nevertheless, you can use your Rover profile to showcase testimonials from former clients to help attract new clients. This can help you increase your earnings.
Pay is weekly, though you can withdraw earnings 48 hours after a job is completed if you want to get paid in a more timely manner.
Read our review of the best dog walking jobs near me to learn more.
5. Do Odd Jobs
If you want to find jobs in your area that don’t require you to deliver food, becoming a Tasker is a fantastic option.
Taskrabbit is an odd jobs site that connects people who need help completing various tasks with independent contractors who can perform the work.
Taskers can find temporary jobs in over 50 categories. These can include anything from help assembling furniture to basic home repairs and everything in between.
You must meet the following requirements to become a Tasker:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Consent to an ID check
- Be able to work in one of Taskrabbit’s active cities
- Have an active bank account
- Own a smartphone
- Provide a valid U.S. social security number
- Pay a one-time, non-refundable $25 registration fee (in select cities)
- Submit a business license confirming you are a sole proprietor (only in California)
You set your own rates and availability on the platform, but rates can vary. For example, you can’t expect to charge as much to be an errand runner versus doing repair work.
However, a quick look in Omaha reveals the average rate is $33 per hour on Taskrabbit.
Taskrabbit handles all payments, so no cash exchanges hands.
Pay is weekly, and they do offer instant payout as an option. The site claims it costs a minimal fee for instant payouts, but it doesn’t communicate how much it is.
If you need to make extra money before the holidays, and are good with your hands, this is a fantastic opportunity.
Read our guide on apps like Taskrabbit to learn more.
6. Get Babysitting Gigs
Look no further than babysitting if you want to earn cash quickly. Child care gigs are a classic way to make money and can be lucrative same day pay jobs.
Better yet, you’re often paid in cash or via PayPal.
A love for children isn’t required but certainly helps increase your enjoyment level.
Word of mouth is a good way to find babysitting gigs, but if you want to amplify your efforts, Care.com is a helpful resource to use.
After creating a Care.com profile, you can find various gigs, including:
- Child care
- Senior care
- Tutoring
- Housekeeping
- Daycare
- Pet care
The requirements vary based on the job opportunity. Pay is handled between you and your client. If Care.com acts as the middleman for payment, expect it to take a week to receive payment.
If you want same day pay jobs, let your friends and family know you’re looking for gigs.
7. Do Gigs Online
Freelance work is one of the best ways to get paid right away. Unfortunately, it can take time to establish trusted client relationships.
Even fast-paying jobs may take longer than you wish if clients are unable to process invoices quickly.
If you face this situation, Fiverr is a suitable alternative for online jobs. Fiverr is a popular option to make quick money as an independent contractor.
The platform lets you offer a wide variety of services. Gigs you can do on Fiverr vary wildly but can include any of the following:
- Graphic design
- Website development
- Translation
- Video editing
- Copywriting
- Social media marketing
- Audio work
- Writing thank-you notes (yes, even that!)
Rates start at $5, but you can offer add-on services at higher price points to increase earnings.
Fiverr typically takes a week to make payments, but they do offer early payouts for eligible contractors. The standard fee is one percent of the amount you’re withdrawing.
If you want to make money online, Fiverr is worth checking out.
8. Get On-Demand Gigs
The on-demand space is exploding in popularity as a way to make money. On-demand work allows employers to fill short-term needs, and it lets independent contractors get paid fast.
But, it can be difficult to find reliable work. Fortunately, Wonolo is an excellent resource to find quick jobs near you. Think of the service as the Fiverr of in-person work.
Gigs vary, but you can often find jobs in the following fields:
- Warehouse operations
- General labor
- Delivery
- Event staffing
- Cleaning
Work can vary from jobs that let you get paid right away to part-time jobs. Payment is made through the Wonolo app and is completed six to 12 hours after shift completion.
You must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Social Security Number, and a modern smartphone to become a Wonoloer.
9. Drive for Lyft
One of the best ways to get paid today is to be a rideshare driver through Lyft. The service is one of the largest rideshare apps and is available nationwide.
As a Lyft driver, you transport people in your city. Like delivery jobs, you receive a base pay plus tips.
You must meet the following requirements to drive for Lyft:
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Pass a background check
- Have valid auto insurance
- Be at least 21 years old
- Possess a clean driving record
- Own a four-door car that meets local city requirements
You can drive as little or as much as you want with Lyft. Earnings average $16 per hour, inclusive of tips.
Pay is weekly, via direct deposit, but you can take advantage of Express Pay and access earnings in real-time for a $0.50 fee.
You can also use a Lyft Direct Debit card to access funds with no fees.
How Can I Make $100 Today?
It is possible to earn $100 a day. However, you need to choose the right gig to reach that goal.
Working for DoorDash, Instacart Shopper, Shipt Shopper, or babysitting are all legitimate jobs that pay cash.
Paid surveys or selling sites are usually not a reliable way to earn real money on a regular basis. Both are good if you need a little extra cash, but not enough to make ends meet.
If you’re looking for higher-paying side jobs near you, other than on-demand gigs, Steady is a good choice. The free platform helps you identify opportunities in your area, and the company claims users earn $5,500 per year, on average, through the platform.
How Can I Get Paid Right Now?
An on-demand gig is the best way to get paid today. Micro-task sites and rebate apps often let you earn something immediately, but they only pay minimal amounts.
Side hustles like driving apps or performing odd jobs typically let you get paid right away once you complete onboarding requirements. This is a fantastic solution if you need to earn cash until payday comes around.
How Can I Make Money in One Day Without a Job?
DoorDash is the best choice to make quick money without having to find a job.
The company lets you create your own schedule, and you’re usually able to start delivering within a week of applying.
You can withdraw earnings for a minimal fee so that you don’t have to wait to receive payment.
Read our guide on other ways to make money without a job to find additional opportunities.
What Should I Do with the Money I Earn from My Side Gig?
We all have different reasons for needing quick cash. If your need is due to financial hardship, it’s best to tackle your bills or debt first.
Then, you can begin to save some of your side earnings.
A financial app like Chime is a fantastic option for saving money. They currently pay 1.00 percent APY on your balance and have no minimum balance requirements.
Chime also provides access to over 60,000 fee-free ATMs.
Which Side Gigs Are Worth My Time?
There are many ways to get paid today, but not every opportunity is worth pursuing. For example, paid survey sites are a common solution suggested to satisfy money needs.
Unfortunately, these surveys typically pay out pennies and take at least 20 minutes to complete.
You want a part-time side hustle that will pay out real money and be worth your time. All of the same day pay jobs on our list are more suitable to earn cash.
Bottom Line
There are many opportunities to make money quickly. Many of them require minimal specialized skills.
Find a gig that works for you and be wise with your earnings. While there’s a lot of work available, you want to avoid side gigs becoming a long-term need.
What’s your go-to to make money on the side?
*Earning more on certain types of orders (ex. alcohol): Earn more per order as compared to restaurant orders. Actual earnings may differ and depend on factors like number of deliveries you accept and complete, time of day, location, and any costs. Hourly pay is calculated using average Dasher payouts while on a delivery (from the time you accept an order until the time you drop it off) over a 90 day period and includes compensation from tips, peak pay, and other incentives.
*Get paid instantly (DasherDirect): Subject to approval
*Cash out daily (Fast Pay): Fees apply
*Start Dashing today: Subject to background check and availability
*Dash anytime: Subject to availability
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