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Making some quick cash doesn’t have to be difficult. With the rise of the gig economy and opportunities to monetize skills, services, and even just your spare time, there are now more ways than ever to earn money fast. Whether you need a few extra bucks to cover an expense or want to start padding your savings, this list of 34 ways to make $40 fast highlights some of the most popular and accessible options. Many can be done right from home and on your schedule.
2. Join focus groups and make $40
Focus groups are small gatherings of people who discuss a product, service, idea, or topic. Organizations and businesses will pay each participant for their time, opinions, and feedback, with payments typically ranging from $50-$150 per focus group. Join sites like Respondent or FocusGroup.com, get matched to online or in-person focus groups in your demographic, and earn money by sharing your thoughts.
3. Sell vintage items at local flea markets
Transforming old items gathering dust into profits or handcrafting specialized goods yourself for reselling leverage two routes artisans take tapping into the recent resurgence supporting creatives, small businesses, and circular goods. Rent a booth space to display curated thrift finds, handmade jewelry/artwork, home décor signs, beauty products, or baked treats. Choosing popular events and promoting your stall via digital and print channels helps attract more buyers ready to support local makers like you!
4. Offer to do laundry and ironing for busy individuals
For those short on time to handle necessary mundanities, offer yourself as the hassle-free helping hand they need, knocking small tasks off their overflowing lists! Dropping off dry cleaning, returning items to the store, standing in long postal shipping or pharmacy lines on another’s behalf, or tackling piles of wrinkled clothing can feel nothing short of heroic. Processing fees add up fast once word of your convenience services spreads locally.
5. Offer to do tech support or IT services for individuals or small businesses
With digital tech now interwoven into all aspects of both personal and professional realms, providing remote or on-site assistance troubleshooting common issues that arise can be quite profitable, especially targeting clients less adept at navigating modern hardware/software. Services like web design, optimizing electronics/devices, data backups/recovery, building online profiles, and general tutoring on how to utilize mainstream programs all have great demand if you highlight your areas of expertise through local promotion channels.
6. Complete small tasks on micro-tasking platforms like Amazon Mechanical Turk or Clickworker
Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) and Clickworker connect businesses with a virtual workforce to complete various small, online tasks that computers cannot. Options include data entry, survey completion, web research, transcription, content moderation, and more. Individual tasks pay a few cents to a few dollars each and can be completed at your convenience.
7. Babysit or pet sit for people in your community and make $40 fast
If you love kids or animals, put those caring skills to use! Register as a babysitter or pet sitter with local families via platforms like Care, SitterCity, or Rover. Set competitive rates and your availability for others needing childcare or pet care while building your clientele through word of mouth. Did we mention cuddling cute pets and babies is pretty fun, too?
8. Sell unused gift cards for cash through online platforms like Cardpool or Raise
While it may seem counterintuitive, swapping out unused gift card balances of any amount to popular retailers via verified secure sites like Cardpool, Raise, and GiftCardGranny puts dormant funds back into your wallet instantly. Simply type in the merchant and card details for automated quotes, select the buyback offer that suits your needs, and then mail it in for payment or electronic deposit. Instantly putting your past presents to good Robin Hood use feels pretty great!
9. Make $40 fast by participating in online market research studies or user testing
Sharing your opinions via online surveys isn’t the only way to earn money; sites like Respondent, UserInterviews will pay you so they can observe and record your habits browsing websites or testing products/services. Sessions often involve everything from visiting and evaluating websites, apps, or prototypes to completing tasks on a mobile app. Apply for opportunities that interest you and earn up to $50–100 per test.
10. Sign up for cashback apps like Ibotta or Rakuten and earn cashback on your purchases and make $40 fast
Apps like Ibotta and Rakuten will give you cash rewards for snapping photos of your grocery shopping receipts, making qualifying purchases with retailers, or opting to shop via their platforms. Browse cash-back offers in-app and activate the ones that match your regular spending habits, from dining out to clothing purchases and more. Over time, your cashback starts to add up!
11. Deliver food or groceries for platforms like Uber Eats, Postmates, or Instacart to make $40
Driving for a mobile food delivery platform like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Postmates allows you to easily turn your vehicle into extra money. Log into delivery apps during peak meal times to start receiving orders from local restaurants for drop-off to hungry customers in your area. Instacart shoppers also have the option to purchase and deliver groceries. Delivery fees and tips quickly translate to profits.
12. Offer your skills or services on freelance websites such as Upwork or Guru to make $40
Freelancing encompasses everything from writing services to graphic design, web development to accounting, and beyond. Build an attractive profile on popular freelancing platforms like Guru and Upwork to list your services or skills for hire. When you land clients needing your niche expertise, provide excellent service while earning decent fees for each completed project or ongoing contract. The income potential is immense if you market yourself well!
14. Get 40 dollars fast by renting out a room or space in your home on Airbnb or Vrbo
Do you have an empty guest room, mother-in-law suite, finished basement, or other vacant living space? Renting it out on hospitality services like Airbnb, Vrbo, or Vacasa taps into the demand for short and long-term rentals as an easy income stream. Even sporadic bookings can bring in good money to help offset housing costs or pad your wallet. List available rental periods and highlight the appealing features of your space through photos and descriptions for competitive pricing.
15. Sell your old electronics and make $40 fast
Chances are you have unused electronics like old phones, tablets, game consoles, and laptops lying around your house. Those devices that collect dust could make you some quick cash. Using sites like Decluttr, Gazelle, and ItsWorthMore.com, you can sell your used electronics for competitive prices. For example, an older iPhone in good condition may fetch around $60. Go through your drawers and closets and gather any electronics you no longer use today. A few sales can net you $60 easily.
16. Tutor students online or in-person in subjects you excel in to make $40
Leveraging expertise in academic areas like mathematics, sciences, language, music, art, or test prep (think SATs or LSATs) is the key to tutoring. Offer virtual lessons conducted via Skype or Zoom or promote local availability for one-on-one tutoring to parents and students seeking additional academic assistance. Tutoring job boards make connecting with clients easy, or you can market yourself independently through community channels. Set your rates based on experience and subject proficiency.
17. Make $40 by selling your photos online through stock photography websites
Did you know that stunning images you capture and own the rights to can earn you royalties via stock photo websites? By allowing platforms like Shutterstock, iStock, AdobeStock, EyeEm, Foap, or Alamy to license your images to third parties for commercial use, each download or view can translate to cash in your pocket with typical payouts of $0.25-$0.50 per transaction. Offer a diversity of niche images high in quality and commercial appeal.
18. Create and sell digital products such as eBooks, printables, or stock graphics and make $40
With some effort upfront in planning, creating, and funding excellent digital goods, the returns can be well worth it when you sell online directly to consumers. Options for assets include informative eBooks showcasing your expertise, cute resume templates, signature logo designs, motivational desktop wallpapers, children’s coloring pages, and more. Upload through e-commerce services like Etsy, Creative Market, and Gumroad with the right keywords and competitive pricing. Promote new products heavily upon launch!
19. Sign up for cashback credit cards and earn cash rewards on your purchases
Cashback credit cards offer the perk of earning small percentages of money back on the purchases you make with the card — from gas and groceries to dining, shopping, utilities, rideshares, and more. Over time, those small dividends add up through a redeemable cash rewards system! Compare popular options like Citi DoubleCash, Chase Freedom Flex, and Discover It based on categories, caps, redemption methods, and any sign-up bonuses or annual fees.
1. Make $40 fast just by answering simple questions online or taking online surveys with Survey Junkie
If you want to start making quick cash online in just a few minutes, Survey Junkie is by far the best place to go. At Survey Junkie, they pay over $40,000 every single day to its users like you just for taking online surveys which simply means sharing your honest opinion on various topics. All you need to do is join Survey Junkie with this link right now and start taking your first surveys.
Survey Junkie is a reputable market research firm that pays people to share their opinions on brands, products, services, and more. You can easily complete online surveys in your free time and earn cash rewards that are paid out via PayPal or gift cards. Most surveys pay between $0.50-$5.00, and many can be completed in under 5–10 minutes. With some time and consistency, it’s possible to reach the $40 earnings threshold pretty quickly.
20. Offer to do house cleaning, organizing, or decluttering for others and make $40
Help others check small tasks off their to-do list by offering your services in cleaning homes, garages, attics, or basements, and help organize through tasks like closet cleanouts, pantry overhauls, paperwork filing/shredding, or storage solutions. Or get creative by offering specialized niche services like refrigerator or window washing! Price services are affordable yet competitive and are promoted through local channels like community boards. As you build great reviews, your client base and earning potential grow through word-of-mouth.
21. Monetize your hobbies, such as baking or woodworking, by selling your creations
Transforming passion projects into profitable side hustles is immensely satisfying. Offer specialized goods and services related to hobbies you enjoy and excel at, from delicious home-baked goods to handcrafted furniture, custom jewelry, artwork, quilts, and more. Manage the production process from your home kitchen or workshop, then set up an account on Etsy or similar e-commerce platforms to handle listing and selling your creations to a built-in base of buyers seeking unique items.
22. Offer to do errands for people who are unable to do so themselves
Help out elderly neighbors, those with disabilities/injuries, or busy families by offering your time and vehicle to run to-do list errands like grocery shopping, pharmacy pickups, package shipping, bank deposits, clothing returns, donating old items, and anything else that needs to be transported or handled. Set reasonable rates for your driving/shopping time and build community goodwill quickly with this needed assistance.
23. Become a virtual assistant and offer administrative support services to businesses or individuals to make $40 or more
Tap into the growing remote work revolution by signing up through sites like Zirtual, FancyHands, or Upwork to provide professional administrative or assistant-style services virtually. From scheduling, email management, organizing documents/files, and managing projects to handling correspondence and phone calls, virtual assistants (VAs) are a jack of all trades. As you prove adept and reliable with initial clients, your VA business can easily scale through referrals.
24. Perform music or entertainment at local events or venues for tips
Busking works! Polishing some go-to musical, dancing, circus, or comedy acts to perform at spots with high foot traffic is proven to rake in extra cash and exposure. Set out an open instrument case, tip jar, or contactless payment QR code, and give it your best street performer, all while boosting pedestrians’ days. Scouting events or hitting popular locations like parks, boardwalks, restaurants, and festivals work even better!
25. Rent out your car or parking space when you’re not using it through platforms like SpotHero
Apps like Turo and Getaround let car owners monetize vehicles during periods of non-use for continuous income. After setting competitive pricing and parameters around availability, insurance, pickup/dropoff, and more, your assets work for you! Likewise, if you have a prime monthly parking permit not being fully utilized or occasional open driveway space, platforms like SpotHero, JustPark, or ParqEx make it easy for locals to rent with cash sent straight to your account.
26. Create and sell online courses or tutorials on platforms like Udemy or Teachable to make $40
Online course creation allows you to profit from your skills, knowledge, and expertise by packaging your wisdom into engaging video lessons that customers purchase for on-demand learning. Once you nail down a compelling topic and outline a thorough curriculum that provides value at an affordable price point, platforms like Udemy, Podia, or Teachable make it easy to reach students with similar interests, publish your course, manage sales/access, and collect returns through their built-in payment systems.
27. Walk Dogs for Wag to make $40
If you love dogs, becoming a dog walker for Wag! is an easy way to earn extra cash on your schedule. This on-demand dog walking app allows you to set your availability and get notified when someone nearby needs a dog walker. A 30-minute walk pays around $15–20, and you can even get tips! You don’t have to own a dog yourself to be a Wag! walker. Just pass a background check and some basic online dog training. With a couple of walks per day, you could hit $60 in earnings fast.
28. Do seasonal work such as shoveling snow, raking leaves, or decorating homes for holidays for 40 dollars
When you harness the predictable seasonal shifts throughout the year, lucrative opportunities for side work abound. Get your landscaping tools or holiday décor ready to capitalize on the demand from summer pruning and weeding to fall leaf cleanup to winter snow removal services to spring garden prepping. Offering holiday lighting/decor installation and removal before and after each holiday is another niche to target. Spread the word locally that you’re available for hire!
Conclusion
When in need of fast cash, skip risky options with excessive fees or interest rates. This list highlights legitimate ways to start earning money in just minutes or hours. With so many quick-hit money-making ideas now more accessible through apps and online platforms, a little time and effort are all it takes to secure extra earnings on demand. So skim the list for options well-suited to your lifestyle, skills, and interests, and go make that fast $40!