How to Make $50 Fast: Quick Hustles That Work

Sometimes having an extra $50 on hand would make life a whole lot easier. So what can you do when you need to make $50 fast?

Apps and websites that pay you to take surveys, play games, and complete tasks are some ways you can make a little money without leaving home. When I first started making money online, it took some trial and error, but eventually I found the right blend of tasks that I enjoy and that pay relatively well.

However, you may have more luck (and put in less screen time) working side hustles like food delivery or taking on odd jobs for your neighbors. It'll require more physical effort, but it is probably a more reliable way to make $50 fast.

How to make $50 fast

If you're looking to make money fast but aren't sure where to start, don't worry. I'll walk you through my favorite options and how they work.

Take paid surveys

Taking surveys is a great way to make money from home, especially if you have strong opinions. I like to take surveys between other tasks, like freelance projects or making deliveries. You can earn money through several legitimate apps and sites, but here are three of my favorites.

InboxDollars

InboxDollars is an app and website where users take surveys, play games, and complete product offers. I prefer it for surveys because it usually offers higher payouts than other sites.

How quickly you get paid: You'll need to earn at least $15 for your first cash-out, then $10 after that. You can get paid through PayPal, gift cards, or prepaid Visa and receive your money within three to five days.

Visit InboxDollars | Learn more in our InboxDollars review

Branded Surveys

Branded Surveys is another app and website that offers a few ways to earn money online. You can do various tasks, but it focuses primarily on surveys.

How quickly you get paid: You need 500 points ($5) to cash out, and you usually receive your money within one to three business days through PayPal, bank transfer, or gift card.

Visit Branded Surveys | Learn more in our Branded Surveys review

Survey Junkie

My favorite survey site is Survey Junkie because it's easy to use and always has a large selection. You can also use the Surf to Earn browser extension to qualify for higher-paying surveys.

How quickly you get paid: Like Branded Surveys, you'll need to earn at least 500 points ($5) before cashing out via PayPal, bank deposit, or gift card. Cash-outs typically process within 24 hours.

Visit Survey Junkie | Learn more in our Survey Junkie review

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Complete tasks and test products

I like using task apps as another way to make money on my phone. Many task apps also offer surveys or games, but they generally pay the highest amounts for testing products or completing product offers.

Cash Giraffe

You can use the Cash Giraffe app to play games and complete other tasks. As you finish tasks, you earn gems that you can exchange for cash (10,000 gems equals $1). Cash Giraffe primarily offers games, but I've also seen surveys and product or app testing, which can be more lucrative.

How quickly you get paid: You can cash out via a PayPal or store gift card, or you can trade points for online shopping discounts. Depending on your withdrawal method, payments can take up to seven days.

Visit Cash Giraffe | Learn more in our Cash Giraffe review

Freecash

Freecash is my favorite get-paid-to app because it offers a wide range of options, including new games, partner offers, surveys, ad-watching for cash, and app-testing opportunities. I primarily use it for games and to watch ads while I'm doing other tasks like folding laundry.

How you get paid: You can cash out multiple ways, including PayPal, bank transfer, and crypto, but there's a 5% processing fee on PayPal or bank transfer withdrawals. Depending on your withdrawal method, payouts can take three to five business days.

Visit Freecash | Learn more in our Freecash review

Testerup

Testerup is an app with surveys, games, and product testing. I like it because it generally pays higher amounts than other get-paid-to apps.

How you get paid: Testerup requires at least $70 to withdraw via PayPal each time, and that can take a while to accumulate. While $70 sounds daunting, it is possible; it just might take a few days. Payouts are processed within five business days.

Visit Testerup | Learn more in our Testerup review

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Get paid to play games

I really like playing games to decompress in the evenings. Bingo and solitaire are my favorites, and the apps below use the same tournament and prize-pool-splitting structure, making it easy to switch between them if you hit a losing streak or get bored.

Bingo Cash

Bingo Cash from Papaya Gaming is a fun, classic bingo game, but you can also earn extra time or free squares to increase your score. You'll pay an entry fee to compete against other players in a tournament and then split the prize pool if you win.

How quickly you get paid: You'll need to rack up $5 in winnings to cash out, and there's a $1 processing fee. Winnings are returned to your card on file or sent via PayPal, Apple Pay, or Venmo. Processing typically takes a couple of days.

Visit Bingo Cash | Learn more in our Bingo Cash review

Solitaire Cash

Also by Papaya Gaming, Solitaire Cash is an app I use frequently. It's classic Klondike Solitaire, and you earn extra points by completing the deck as quickly as possible. It follows the same buy-in tournament structure as Bingo Cash.

How quickly you get paid: There's a $5 minimum withdrawal and a $1 processing fee. Winnings are returned to your original payment method up to the amount deposited and then to PayPal. Payment typically takes a couple of days.

Visit Solitaire Cash | Learn more in our Solitaire Cash review

Solitaire Smash

Solitaire Smash by Play Perfect is another classic Klondike Solitaire game. Solitaire Smash generally has larger prize pools than Solitaire Cash, though you still have to split the prize among the top winners.

How quickly you get paid: Like the Papaya Gaming apps, you'll need to pay to enter tournaments and earn at least $5 (with a $1 processing fee) to cash out via PayPal. Solitaire Smash doesn't promise a specific payout timeline, but as with similar apps, you can expect it to take a couple of days.

Visit Solitaire Smash | Learn more in our Solitaire Smash review

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Drive for delivery apps

Driving for delivery apps is one of the most surefire ways to make $50 fast. Depending on where you live and the orders you receive, you could hit your goal within a couple of hours.

Uber Eats

Uber Eats is the classic food delivery app. It's reliable, and you earn a base rate for the time and distance required for the order, plus any applicable tips. Uber Eats allows deliveries via car, scooter, bicycle, or on foot in select areas.

How quickly you get paid: You can choose whether to be paid weekly via direct deposit or cash out with InstantPay for a small fee.

Visit Uber Eats | Learn more in our Uber Eats review

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DoorDash

DoorDash is popular in my city, and I like that it offers several ways to earn more on top of its base pay rate and tips, such as promotions and challenges. You must be at least 18 to drive for DoorDash with your own vehicle and have a driver's license and Social Security number. If deliveries via bike or scooter are an option in your area, you need some form of ID, but not necessarily a driver's license.

How quickly you get paid: You can cash out weekly via direct deposit or instantly via the Fast Pay or DoorDash Crimson programs.

Visit DoorDash | Learn more in our DoorDash review

Instacart

Instacart will pay you to shop and deliver groceries and other items from local stores like PetSmart, Costco, Sam's Club, Walgreens, and CVS, among others. To sign up with Instacart, you must be 18, have a bank account, smartphone, vehicle, and be able to lift at least 40 lbs (with accommodations if needed).

How quickly you get paid: You can generally cash out within two hours of a delivery or sign up for a weekly direct deposit.

Learn more in our Instacart review

Use a cash advance app

Using a cash advance app can help when you need money almost instantly. Although you should be careful about using these apps frequently, they're helpful if you have an unexpected expense between paydays.

Brigit

The Brigit¹ <p>Eligibility requirements apply. Advance limits vary between $50 and $250. See hellobrigit.com for details. Brigit Plus membership required - Subscription fee may apply.</p> app offers cash advances and ways to build your credit and save money. You'll need to link a bank account that has been open for more than 60 days and that has at least three recurring deposits from the same source.

How quickly you get paid: If you're approved for a cash advance, Brigit will send the money to your linked account within one to three days for no fee or instantly for a fee.

Visit Brigit | Learn more in our Brigit review

EarnIn

The EarnIn² <p>EarnIn is not a bank. Access limits are based on your earnings and risk factors. Available in select states. Terms and restrictions apply. Visit <a href="https://www.earnin.com/">EarnIn.com</a> for full details</p> app lets you access up to $150 per day or $1,000 per pay period.

You need to earn at least $320 per pay period and have a regular pay schedule to qualify.

How quickly you get paid: Funds arrive within one to two business days for free, or you can pay a fee that varies based on the size of the advance for same-day payment.³ <p>Lightning Speed is an optional service that allows you to expedite the transfer of funds for a fee. Depending on the product, the fee may be charged by EarnIn or its banking partner. See the <a href="https://www.earnin.com/privacyandterms/terms-of-service/fees">LS Fee table</a> for details.</p>

Visit EarnIn | Learn more in our EarnIn review

Cleo

Cleo⁴ <p>Cleo Credit Builder Card is issued by WebBank, Member FDIC</p> is an AI-powered financial app that offers payday advances up to $250.⁵ <p>Subject to eligibility. Amounts are based on accrued, unpaid income and range from $150- $500 for existing users, and $150- $180 for first-time users. To qualify for up to $500 you must direct deposit at least $750/month. Amounts subject to change. Same day transfers subject to express fees. See <a href="https://web.meetcleo.com/faqs">here</a> for more info.</p> You'll need to repay your advance and go through a 24-hour cool-off period before you can take another. Cleo can be helpful for gig workers since you only need to link your primary bank account where you receive deposits to be eligible.

How you get paid: You can access your money for free within three to four business days or pay a fee for same-day receipt.⁶ <p>An Express fee of $3.99 is charged if you want to receive funds within 24 hours.</p>

Visit Cleo | Learn more in our Cleo review

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Borrow up to $500⁵ <p>Subject to eligibility. Amounts are based on accrued, unpaid income and range from $150- $500 for existing users, and $150- $180 for first-time users. To qualify for up to $500 you must direct deposit at least $750/month. Amounts subject to change. Same day transfers subject to express fees. See <a href="https://web.meetcleo.com/faqs">here</a> for more info.</p> with no interest or late fees

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Resell unused items

Selling unused items is a great way to clear clutter and earn some extra cash.

Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and eBay can help you sell items you no longer need, especially high-end electronics or collectibles. Poshmark and Etsy can help you sell in-demand fashion, kids' clothes, or other gently used items.

These sites generally let you set your own prices but may charge various fees. Whichever site you choose, be sure to take photos in good lighting, with a neutral background, and use accurate item descriptions. Read our guide to reselling to get started.

How quickly you get paid: How fast you can get cash in hand for your unused items depends on how you go about selling them. The sites above are great, but they will take some time. You could always see if your neighbor's willing to buy that old leaf blower off you for $50 on the spot.

Complete odd jobs

Finally, if you have the skills, look for work on a site like TaskRabbit or Fiverr.

TaskRabbit offers hands-on gigs like helping people move, assemble furniture, do yard work, clean, paint, and more. Fiverr can be great for freelancers with in-demand skills like graphic design, digital marketing, programming, and even music or voice-over work.

How quickly you get paid: As with reselling, how fast (and how much) you can earn $50 will depend on what odd jobs you take and how you go about getting them.

Tips for success

To make $50 fast, consider the following:

• Follow your interests: Find tasks that you enjoy doing and be consistent.
• Leverage existing skills: Use what you already have to start making money faster.
• Scheduling: Choose a task or app that fits into your existing work and life.
• Optimize: Learn about peak times and high-demand areas in your city to maximize your earnings with minimal extra effort.

FAQs

Bottom line

It shouldn't be too difficult to make $50 fast, but it's essential to be realistic about how much you'll make with any given hustle. Consider using multiple tasks to help you meet your goals.

As you look for side hustles, pay attention to red flags, such as offers that sound too good to be true. Read user reviews and use our guide to find the right side hustle apps to help you achieve your goals.

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