How to Make $500 Fast (7 Simple Methods to Start Today)

Financial emergencies happen all the time. They are nothing to be embarrassed about, but you should know quick ways to resolve them if/when they occur.

I’m no stranger to experiencing this sudden panic, knowing I don’t have enough money to cover an emergency, but I’ve discovered several great ways to get money quickly.

When you need to earn $500 quickly, you can put one or more of these seven simple methods into action immediately.

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7 practical ways to make a quick $500

Finding ways to make money fast isn’t as daunting as you think. By identifying your skills and interests, you can align them with the methods that will earn you the $500 you need fast. Finding tasks you enjoy or excel at can help make the process much easier and enjoyable.

1. Complete online surveys

I like to use online surveys as a ‘filler’ because they don’t pay a ton of money, but every little bit adds up. I try to look for surveys that pay at least $5 - $10 each, but I don’t overlook the smaller surveys that pay only a couple of dollars if I know they will take 15 minutes or less. If I take lower-paying surveys, I look for multiple surveys to complete within the hour to make it worth my time.

One of the reasons I enjoy answering surveys is how simple they are to complete. Whether waiting in the doctor’s office, watching my kids at soccer practice, in line at the grocery store, or sitting on the couch watching TV, I can turn that time into money by answering surveys.

When choosing survey sites, I always research the company first. I look for sites with a majority of positive reviews, good payment terms, and many surveys. Some of my favorite survey sites include:

• Survey Junkie
• InboxDollars
• Freecash

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2. Pet sit for other people

I’ve helped pet owners who leave for vacation and even have ongoing gigs with owners who need help with their pets while at work.

I like this gig because I set the terms of what I will (and will not) do and my hourly rate. While I have a few friends who pet sit overnight, I prefer to walk dogs, play with them, and feed them at their homes.

There are many options for advertising your pet-sitting business, such as advertising on your social media pages or the NextDoor app. However, I prefer to use websites dedicated to matching caretakers with pet owners, such as Rover and Care.com, because they offer a level of security and convenience other methods don't, such as reducing the risk of non-payment and providing a safe space for owners and pet sitters to connect.

Visit Care.com

3. Drive passengers with Uber or Lyft

If you have a passion for driving, you can turn it into a source of income by driving passengers to their destinations with Uber or Lyft. To qualify, you must meet certain criteria, including having a valid driver's license and a 4-door vehicle. You must also meet the age criteria and pass a background check.

Uber’s driving history requirements vary by age:

• 25 years and older need one year of driving experience
• Under 25 years old need at least three years of driving experience

Just turning your Uber or Lyft app on doesn’t guarantee you’ll make $500 fast. Instead, you need to understand the local market and know the best times to drive to maximize your income. 

For example, if you live near a busy airport, check peak arrival and departure times and position yourself nearby. If your area hosts many sporting events, concerts, or festivals, know the dates and make sure you’re in the area and available to take rides.

Visit Uber

4. Deliver food and groceries with DoorDash or Instacart

If you are uncomfortable with passengers in your car, there are other ways to earn five hundred dollars fast using your car. DoorDash, Instacart, and Postmates all offer great ways to make money delivering groceries, restaurant food, and other essentials to customers.

The requirements to drive for these delivery apps are straightforward, making it easy to get started. A background check, a valid driver’s license, and a smartphone to download the apps are all you need to begin delivering.

Similar to Uber and Lyft, having a strategy is key. Depending on your location, there are likely high and low demand times. Being strategic about your availability allows you to maximize your income since you don't get paid per hour.

My favorite part of these gigs is earning customer tips. You keep 100% of what a customer pays you plus the predetermined fee the delivery app pays its drivers. Since tips are the only thing I have control over, I make sure I go above and beyond for customers to increase my income, which includes ensuring the order is correct, delivering promptly, and providing little extras, such as condiments or silverware for restaurant deliveries.

Want to learn more about how Instacart or DoorDash work? Check out our reviews to get more information on how to maximize your earnings.

Visit Instacart | Visit DoorDash

5. Sell items you no longer use

Selling items I no longer need or use is one of my favorite ways to earn quick cash. I do this every few months; it’s shocking how much accumulated that I can sell online or at a garage sale.

Before selling items, I research to see where I can get the most money. I usually sell smaller items that aren’t worth much at garage sales. But I save more valuable items for sites that specialize in these items, for example:

• eBay: A good choice for most general interest items, including collectibles.
• Facebook Marketplace: Works well for selling large items locally since you may not want to ship them.
• Decluttr: A good marketplace for electronics, such as phones, smart watches, tablets, and more.
• Poshmark: Great for clothing and accessories, especially high-end brands.

If I have to sell the items myself, I know I’ll have to wait longer for them to sell and for payment. When I’m in a bind for cash, I choose sites I know will pay me immediately.

Before I sign up for a site to sell items, I determine:

• Do I need to handle selling and shipping?
• Will the site pay me instantly for my items?

No matter the site you choose, quality pictures are crucial in your listing. While the description provides information, the pictures speak for themselves. Take pictures from multiple angles and ensure they are of high quality (not taken with a phone), as this will give buyers a clear representation of what you're selling.

Perspectives

Gabriela Walsh

Editor

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Gabriela Walsh is an Editor at FinanceBuzz. She frequently uses reselling sites like Poshmark, Facebook Marketplace, and Depop as an easy way to make some extra cash on the side.

My experience selling on Facebook Marketplace:

Before moving a few months ago, I used Facebook Marketplace to list some furniture and household items that I didn't want to bring with me, including an office chair and desk, a coffee table, a bookshelf, a bed frame, and a TV stand. I noticed that items sold fastest when I provided plenty of details for potential buyers — dimensions, multiple photos and/or videos, and a solid description.

I sold almost everything I listed in a little over a week and made around $650 in the process. Some items may take longer to sell depending on your location and demand, but it can be a great way to make some extra cash and get rid of things you no longer need.

6. Rent out extra space in your home

If you don’t have items to sell but have extra space in your home, you can turn it into money. Airbnb is the most well-known way to make money renting out your home, but it’s not the only way. If you choose to rent space in your home, check your area’s short-term rental laws to ensure they allow it.

If you can’t rent out your entire house but have unused garage or attic space, you can rent the space for storage on the Neighbor app. You can even rent a single spare room in your home on sites like Facebook Marketplace or SpareRoom.

When renting out space, it's crucial to establish clear and written terms upfront. For instance, I rent out space in my garage for storage. In my lease, I detail when and how tenants can access the space so I feel comfortable and they have adequate access to their belongings.

7. Become a freelancer

Freelancing is one of my favorite ways to earn money fast because you completely control when and how much you work. I like to add freelance tasks to my full-time job to increase my income doing what I love.

The list is endless when it comes to freelancing. I suggest you start by identifying your unique skills and areas of expertise, such as freelance writing, graphic design, gardening, bookkeeping, or proofreading, as a few examples.

Once you know what you excel at and enjoy, list your services on one of the following platforms:

• Freelancer
• Fiverr
• Upwork
• TaskRabbit

These platforms enable you to showcase what you can offer. You can also connect with potential clients through various channels, such as social media, professional networks, and job boards. For instance, on social media, you can join relevant groups or use hashtags to gain the attention of your target audience. You can also join professional networks, participate in discussions, and share your work.

The best ways to use your $500 earned

Knowing how to earn a quick $500 is great, but how you use the money earned is even more important.

Here are the best ways to make the most of your extra funds:

• Pay for your emergency: If you need $500 for an emergency, take care of it first. Don’t use the funds for anything other than what you need to take care of immediately.
• Increase your emergency fund: If you already have an emergency fund created but ran out of money, use the $500 earned to bulk up your savings to avoid financial emergencies.
• Use the debt snowball method: If you have a lot of high-interest debt, use the money to begin the debt snowball method to get out of debt.
• Open a savings account: Find a high-yield savings account and immediately deposit your extra funds into it. This will grow your money, compounding your earnings without any extra work.
• Invest with a robo-advisor: You can begin investing with only a few dollars with many robo-advisors. Whether you invest in stocks, bonds, or ETFs, you increase your chances of making your money grow.

How to avoid sudden money problems

While learning how to make $500 fast is possible, a sudden need for cash can be stressful. There are several things you can do to reduce the chance of needing cash quickly in the future.

1. Build an emergency fund

Create an emergency fund that can cover sudden or unexpected expenses. Start by working on a plan to build up $1,000 in an emergency fund and gradually increase the amount you set aside.

An emergency fund provides peace of mind, knowing you can cover sudden money needs. It can also keep you from turning to debt when you have an unexpected financial emergency.

Find out what an emergency fund is and how to build one today.

2. Create a budget and stick to it

Following a budget is as important as having an emergency fund. Here are some simple steps to create an easy-to-follow budget:

Review your monthly income and expenses

To create a budget, you must know how much your household brings in and how much you spend monthly. Income includes money earned from employment, side hustles, investments, and passive income. Expenses include all costs of living, including the mortgage or rent, utilities, cable/internet, and any minimum credit card payments.

3. Understand your spending

Everyone spends more than their standard monthly living expenses. By pulling the last few months of your bank statements and logging your spending, you can gain a clear understanding of your financial habits. This step can be empowering, helping you identify areas where you can exercise control and cut back on spending.

4. Ensure your income exceeds your expenses

Create a simple spreadsheet and ensure your monthly income exceeds your expenditures. If not, go back to the drawing board and see where you can cut back on expenses or determine how to increase your income.

5. Create financial goals

Create a list of short and long-term goals, and determine how you’ll reach them. Common short-term goals include paying off credit cards, saving for a car, or creating an emergency fund. 

Long-term goals may include saving for a down payment on a house, college, or retirement. Work these goals into your budget in small increments to eventually reach your goals.

6. Track your budget

Creating a budget is only the beginning. It's important to put it into action and stick to it while being open to adjustments as needed. Set a monthly review date to track your spending, assess your progress toward your goals, and make any changes.

7. Find ways to increase your income

I use many of the strategies for making $500 fast to build regular extra income streams. Some of the best side hustles allow you to take advantage of a skill or hobby you have.

If you’re wondering how to put more money in your pocket, here are some great ways to increase your income:

• Leverage an existing skill, such as crafting and selling on Etsy
• Earn passive income, such as advertising on your car
• Learn a valuable skill, such as bookkeeping
• Negotiate a raise at your full-time job
• Ask for overtime if you earn an hourly wage
• Sell items you no longer need
• Rent extra space to rent out as storage space

FAQs

Bottom line

While having an unexpected bill or expense and needing to come up with money quickly can be stressful, several legit ways may help you get the money you need, whether you need to make an extra $200 this week or several hundred over the month.

You can sell items you no longer use or rent out extra space in your home. If you prefer online tasks, complete online surveys or start a freelance task. You can also pet sit, walk dogs, drive passengers with Uber or Lyft, or deliver food or groceries with DoorDash. These practical ways may help you figure out how to get access to $500 quickly.