How to Make $100 a Day - 19 Simple, Legit Ideas

What would you do if you could make an extra $100 a day? You might devote that $100 to credit card debt repayment or save money for an important financial goal. Let’s assume you work to earn $100 five days a week. After a month or two of rigorous saving, you’d have enough for a vacation. After one year, you’d have enough to buy a car. And if you put that money into a retirement account for 30 years, you’d have around $1.5 million after-tax to fund your retirement.

It’s not easy to make $100 a day, but it is possible. There are plenty of additional ways to make money that don’t require you to quit your full-time job. If you leverage your skills and interests to find the best side hustles for you, earning extra cash might not even feel like work. While some of these options won’t earn you $100 a day on their own, the right combination will help you reach your goal in no time.

How to make $100 a day: 19 simple, legit options

1. Take online surveys

There are plenty of opportunities to make money taking surveys, but you won’t be able to make $100 per day sharing your opinion online. While you'll probably earn a full-time income taking surveys on platforms like SurveyJunkie or InboxDollars, even if you make $1 to $5 a day online, it’s something you can do from your phone while you’re waiting in line or on the couch while you’re watching TV. With most sites, you’ll earn points you can exchange for gift cards or cash. Check out some of the best survey sites to get started.

2. Get paid to open a bank account

Opening a new checking account might not seem like a way to get paid, but it truly is. When you open up a U.S. Bank Smartly Checking account, enroll in online banking or the mobile app, and make qualifying direct deposits within 90 days, then U.S. Bank will deposit up to a $300 bonus into your account. It takes a couple steps, but when you figure the number of dollars you're getting per minute, it's totally worth doing.

3. Deliver groceries and goods

You usually don’t need any specific experience to deliver takeout or groceries via an online delivery service. In some cases, you don’t even need a car; in certain cities, you can deliver by bike or foot. And it’s usually quick and easy to get started as well.

The amount of money you earn with UberEats, Doordash and Postmates will vary based on a few factors, including your geographic location and the time of day you work. Typically, the more hours you work, the more you’ll earn. Shipt, the grocery delivery service, reports that experienced drivers typically make between $16 and $22 per hour.

4. Earn just by using the right credit card when you spend

One super easy way to earn each day would be to use a cash rewards credit card. With the Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card you can earn 2% cash rewards on purchases. Using this card is simple because there aren’t any spending categories to think about. For example, you don’t have to wonder what cash rewards rate you can earn from filling up your gas tank compared to buying groceries — you earn the same rate on each eligible purchase.

Plus right now, new cardholders can earn $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

For more details, check out our Wells Fargo Active Cash Card review.

5. Watch videos online

There are plenty of opportunities to earn money watching videos, trailers, and advertisements online. However, don’t expect these sites to make you rich, or even to bring in $100 per day on their own. But because you can watch videos while you’re lying in bed, it can be an easy way to pick up some extra cash.

Although you might earn only a few dollars per day, it can fit in well with an earning strategy that includes a few different side hustles. With Swagbucks, you can earn points for watching entertaining videos and redeem those points for cash or gift cards to popular retailers. You can also earn points for shopping online, taking surveys, and each time a friend signs up with your unique referral link and becomes an active Swagbucks user.

6. Play games online

Bingo Clash is a popular app from AviaGames that can be played on the Pocket7Games platform. This platform has loads of different games available. Having access to more games on the same platform could make it easier to combine in-game rewards and virtual currency to exchange for prizes.

You’re likely to be familiar with how Bingo Clash works if you’ve ever played bingo. So it's easy to get into the gameplay, get matched up against other players of a similar skill level, and see who has the better bingo skills in a competitive game.

7. Walk dogs or pet-sit

If you love dogs and getting outside for brisk walks, why not combine those two interests and make some extra cash? Websites like Rover let you sign up as a dog walker and connect with local pet owners and their pooches. In addition to walking dogs with Rover, you can also offer other pet care services like pet-sitting, boarding, and doggy daycare. 

According to Rover, the average part-time salary for dog walkers and dog sitters is $1,000 per month. While you may need to combine this with another side hustle to earn $100 a day, it's a great option if you're an animal lover who would enjoy hanging out with dogs in your spare time. 

8. Become an Amazon reseller

During a yearlong period ending in 2020, American small businesses selling products on Amazon.com had an average of $160,000 in sales, according to Amazon’s 2020 Small Business Impact Report. If you want to launch your own online business, there’s definitely an opportunity to make money selling on Amazon, especially if you have the right tools. You can use Jungle Scout to research the right product to sell, and you can take advantage of Amazon FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) to let the company pick, pack, and ship your items for you, along with handling customer service and returns.

The cost of selling on Amazon is relatively minimal, which means you’ll be able to keep more of your profits. You can pay 99 cents per item you list or sign up for the $39.99/month professional plan for unlimited items. There are also some additional selling fees and shipping fees or fulfillment costs. For more information, check out our Jungle Scout review.

9. Open your own Etsy shop

Etsy sellers generated $1.76 billion in income in 2018, according to an Etsy report. They typically combine income from multiple sources. Although an Etsy shop might not be your ticket to $100 per day, it could be one of the ways you earn money from home, especially if you’re crafty. And some sellers who have a unique product that’s in high demand have found the site to be lucrative. When selling on Etsy, you’ll be charged only a 20-cent listing fee and a 5% transaction fee. If you choose to advertise, there will be costs associated with your marketing efforts as well.

To get started, pick a category of handmade or resold items, and then do research into your competitors to set yourself apart and charge a fair price. Next, gather your materials and start creating your first product. If you need more advice, here’s how to start an Etsy shop.

10. Rent a spare room in your home

Airbnb is one of the most lucrative opportunities in the gig economy. The amount you earn as an Airbnb host will depend on where you live and the type of space you have available. It’s free to list your space on Airbnb, and most hosts pay only a 3% service fee.

You might also choose to list your space on Vrbo, which will incur a 5% fee for Vrbo’s commission. Wherever you list your space, make sure to post plenty of well-lit photos, upgrade your decor with appealing touches, and respond to potential guests in a timely manner.

11. Become a rideshare driver

If you enjoy exploring your city and meeting new people, you might find it fun to drive for a rideshare company in your spare time. The amount you earn will depend on the total amount of hours you work and if you work during busy times. You’ll typically need a reliable car, a driver's license, and insurance. You’ll also need to pass a background check. From there, it’s pretty easy to start driving with Uber or Lyft.

12. Rent your car out

If you’d rather sit at home while your car makes money for you, consider renting it out with Turo or Getaround. Turo reports that a luxury car like an Audi A3 earns an average of $738 per month, and a compact vehicle like the Ford Fiesta earns an average of $497 per month. Of course, the amount you make with this side gig will also depend on how often your car is available for rent.

This is a mostly passive income opportunity (you’ll need to maintain your vehicle and keep it clean, and if you use Turo, you’ll also need to meet with renters to give them the keys). Given that it won’t take much of your time, you can get involved in other side hustles while your car is earning income for you. And if you’re worried about something happening to your vehicle, don’t sweat it; both Turo and Getaround offer robust insurance policies.

13. Get started as a virtual assistant

If you have administrative experience, such as scheduling appointments, responding to phone and email communications, and making travel plans, you might be able to make money and help people from the comfort of your own home as a virtual assistant. The average hourly pay for a virtual assistant is about $16 per hour, according to Payscale. But you could earn more than that as you gain more experience and take on more clients.

To get started, try listing your services on Upwork or Fiverr. You’ll need to charge a low rate to start and collect testimonials from customers. You may also want to host your own website that showcases your skills and past clients.

14. Become a freelancer

Whether you’re a writer, a graphic designer, an accountant, or a social media, SEO, or affiliate marketing whiz, chances are you can offer your skills as an independent contractor and make money online. Start by listing your services on Upwork, Fiverr, or a freelancing platform that aligns closely with your skillset. For instance, nDash is a freelance writing platform where freelance writers can pitch ideas to clients to earn some quick cash.

You may need to start by offering a low rate or providing your services to friends and family members while you gather customer testimonials, but you could also hit the ground running if you have a lot of previous experience at your day job or hold related certifications. Be sure to include successful past projects in your profiles, along with a good photo. Research other freelancers’ rates in your area to get an idea of what you should charge.

15. Create an online course

Although creating an online course requires significant effort upfront, it can become a passive income opportunity later on as students continue to pay for access to your content. Pick a topic that you’re knowledgeable about. It’s helpful to hold degrees, certifications, or awards in that area so prospective students will trust your authority on the subject matter.

Once you’ve created your course content, you can upload it and sell it on a learning platform such as Thinkific or Teachable. Thinkific even has a guide for pre-selling your course if you’re worried it won’t make good money. Teachable plans start at $29 per month, whereas Thinkific plans start at $39 per month.

16. Teach English online in your spare time

There are several online platforms that allow you to teach English as a second language, with opportunities to earn up to $25 per hour. These are virtual teaching jobs, so you can work from home or wherever you can find a reliable internet connection. For most virtual teaching jobs, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, and some require prior teaching or child care experience. Some companies also require you to have a TEFL certificate, which you can get through Bridge or another program. Because you’ll be working with children, you’ll likely need to pass a background check as well. Check out the following companies and their application processes, if teaching English sounds like an interesting option to you:

• VIPKid
• English First
• DaDa
• Qkids

17. Participate in a focus group

Many companies use focus groups to conduct market research or to get an idea of how popular an idea or product will be with a demographically diverse group of respondents. On-site focus groups tend to pay more, so search for focus groups near you on Google or Craigslist. There are also some online opportunities through the following sites:

• Focusgroup.com
• mindswarms
• 20|20 Panel
• Engage Studies

It’s possible to earn up to $150 or more participating in a single focus group, and most focus groups last an hour or two. You may not be able to find these opportunities on a daily basis, but they can be a great way to snag some extra money fast.

18. Complete tasks for others

If you’re handy, enjoy cleaning, or can offer skills such as photography and DJing, you may be able to sell your services on a platform such as TesterUp, TaskRabbit, Thumbtack, or Handy. These opportunities allow you to make your own schedule, and you can typically set your own rates.

Handy has a flat-rate structure for payment, but you can earn anywhere from $14 per hour for cleaning to $35 per hour for handyman services, depending on your region. With TaskRabbit, you’ll pay a one-time $25 registration fee; and with Thumbtack, you’ll pay only for leads. On all these platforms, experience and customer service is important. Make sure to collect testimonials from satisfied customers if you want to grow your business.

19. Become a blogger or a YouTuber

While building a blog following or attracting subscribers to a YouTube channel takes time, if you are passionate about creating content and have a decent social media following, this side hustle could earn you some extra cash. The amount you can earn by blogging or sharing content on YouTube can vary widely based on your niche, how well you market yourself, and how frequently you publish. However, over time a side hustle like this could help you easily achieve your goal of earning $100 a day.

The bottom line

If you were wondering how to make money, hopefully, we’ve given you a few creative ways to buy yourself some financial freedom. Draw from your skills and experience to choose the part-time money-making opportunities that will be most lucrative for you, and make sure to find something fun that fits into your schedule so you don’t burn out. 

If you don’t have any skills or experience, there are still side hustles you can pick up to earn extra cash. Check out our mega list of side hustles for lots of ideas. It may require a few different ventures, but if you put in the effort, you can rake in $100 of extra income every weekday.