How To Make $500 Fast (12+ Ways To Start Today)

Financial emergencies happen to many of us. In fact, according to 2024 research by Empower, a financial services company, 37% of Americans reported they wouldn’t be able to afford an emergency expense over $400.

This is nothing to be embarrassed about, but you should know what you can do to get out of these situations as quickly and safely as possible. Whether you need money within days or can wait a few weeks or more, here are proven strategies — including many we’ve tested ourselves — you can start today. Plus, learn the best ways we’ve found to improve your finances so you don’t find yourself in this situation again any time soon.

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5 of the best ways to get $500 now

There are many safe and practical strategies you can try to make a quick $500, and you might decide to use one or many. By identifying your needs and determining what you’re willing to do to get there, you can choose the right methods for you and make this as painless as possible.

1. Sell items you no longer use

Selling items I no longer need or use is one of my favorite ways to earn cash because it’s fast and easy. I do this every few months, and it also helps me declutter.

Before selling anything, I separate items based on approximate value. I usually sell things that may only be worth a few bucks at local garage sales. But I save more valuable items for online marketplaces and resale sites like:

• eBay: A good choice for most general-interest items, including collectibles.
• Facebook Marketplace: Works well for selling large items locally that you don’t want to ship and items you have a lot of. I see plenty of listings for things like plants, books, and kitchen items like drinkware on my local Marketplace groups.
• Decluttr: A good marketplace for electronics, such as phones, smart watches, tablets, and more.
• Poshmark: Great for clothing and accessories, especially high-end brands.

How long it will take to sell an item depends on how you price it and how desirable it is. You might have better luck getting rid of things by casting a wide geographical net and being willing to offer shipping, but this can cut into your potential earnings and delay your payout. For example, Marketplace payouts are initiated 15 days after items are marked as shipped or five days after they’re confirmed as delivered.

No matter the site you choose, take quality pictures and be ready to answer people’s questions.

You can also take your items to a pawn shop if you don’t want to wait for them to sell, but you’re not likely to get the best price this way. There’s also a chance your local pawn shop won’t take the items you’re selling if they already have enough inventory or don’t think it would turn a profit.

2. Paycheck-advance apps and early direct deposit

Paycheck-advance apps aren’t so much for making money as they are for getting your money faster. These apps work by giving you an advance on a portion of your paycheck, typically sending your money up to two days before it’s originally scheduled to arrive. Paycheck advances generally come out of your next paycheck, so you’ll receive less on your actual payday.

There’s no shortage of paycheck-advance apps and services out there — EarnIn, Klover, and Brigit are just a few. Different services offer different maximums for paycheck advances, with some paying out up to $200 (Klover, for example) and others offering up to $750 (like EarnIn). Often, the amount you’re eligible to borrow depends on your income and banking history. If it’s your first time using a service, you might not qualify for $500 in one pay period.

Just be mindful of fees with these apps. Some services charge subscription fees, many charge fees for expedited delivery, and a few may ask for tips. If it’s a quicker paycheck you’re after, many banks offer early direct deposit as a free or paid feature with certain checking accounts, including Chime®¹², Discover, and SoFi®.³⁴ Money management apps such as Empower may also provide this service.

3. Borrow from friends and family

If you have a friend or family member who you think would be willing to loan you some cash, ask them before you consider going to a bank or credit union for funding. Borrowing money from someone you know can help you skirt credit requirements that typically come with credit cards and personal loans, which might be particularly beneficial for you if you have bad or limited credit.

Borrowing money from someone you know can be tricky, but you can avoid awkward situations and damage to your relationship by setting clear guidelines about how the funds will be repaid. Talk through the following with your friend or family member:

• Decide whether the money should be repaid with or without interest.
• Agree on a regular repayment schedule, including how much you will pay each month and when the full $500 will be paid off.
• If you're comfortable doing so, share details about your financial situation with the person to assure them that you’re good for the money.

For extra help setting up an arrangement like this, look into Pigeon Loans. This platform facilitates borrowing between friends and family with payment tracking, reminders, and even contracts to make loans official and serve as a “middleman” between borrowers and lenders.

4. Apply for a credit card

Using a credit card to cover a purchase when you’re short on cash isn’t the same as making money, but it can be a good solution for covering expenses until you have the funds to pay them off in full.

0% intro APR credit cards are the best choice here because they offer a promotional period of interest-free borrowing. Many of the best 0% intro APR cards offer interest-free periods of 12 to 21 months, where all new purchases (and/or balance transfers) made within that period are not charged interest. You only need to make your minimum payments during this time.

But you need to be careful about carrying a balance on a credit card, even with a 0% intro- interest period. Getting into a habit of spending more than you have to spend can lead to sticky debt and damaged credit, so you should always try to have a plan for doing this. If you only need $500 right away, limit your credit card use to that amount and wait to spend more on the card until your balance is fully paid off. If you go with a 0% intro APR card, keep an eye on how much time you have left for interest-free spending and be aware of the regular rate that will apply when it’s over.

5. Take out a loan

In some cases, taking out a loan with a lender may be your only or best option for getting $500 quickly, and personal loans are one of the safest choices because they have fixed rates and monthly payments, as well as long repayment periods. These can be secured, meaning you need to pledge collateral when accepting the loan, or unsecured, meaning your eligibility is determined based on your credit, debt, and income.

Unsecured personal loans tend to offer faster funding than secured personal loans, but they also typically have stricter eligibility requirements. Many lenders offer same-day or next-day funding after you’ve accepted a loan offer, such as Upgrade. Personal loan minimums often start at around $1,000, but you might be able to borrow less.

If you can’t qualify for a personal loan, consider a short-term, small-dollar loan from your bank or credit union. For example, Bank of America offers BalanceAssist short-term loans for up to $500 to customers with qualifying checking accounts who have been with the bank for at least a year. These loans come with flat fees of $5 and are repaid in three monthly installments.

4 ways to get $500 fast

1. Pet sit for other people

Pet sitting can be more lucrative than you might think, and it’s certainly one of the most fun ways to earn money. You aren’t likely to make $500 all at once, but you can start as early as today. I’ve watched pets while their owners go on vacation and even have ongoing gigs for daycare.

I like pet sitting as a side hustle because I set the terms of what I will (and will not) do and my hourly rates. You can offer anything from low-commitment dog walks or drop-in visits to extended housesitting and repeat boarding. 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 services, such as using social media, the NextDoor app, or Craigslist. However, I prefer to use websites dedicated to matching caretakers with pet owners, such as Rover and Care.com, because they offer 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. They may also help you find jobs more quickly since people will search specifically for pet-sitting. Rover screens all potential sitters with criminal background checks.

Visit Care.com

2. Deliver food and groceries with DoorDash or Instacart

If you don’t mind driving, consider offering your services as a delivery driver. DoorDash, Instacart, Uber Eats, and Postmates let you deliver groceries, takeout, and other essentials to customers.

The requirements to drive for these delivery apps are pretty minimal. A background check, a valid driver’s license, and a smartphone to download the apps are generally all you need to begin delivering.

Depending on your location, there are likely high and low demand times. Being flexible about your availability allows you to maximize your income since you aren't paid per hour. You may choose a preferred location based on the most popular places in your area or those closest to where you live. Once you start driving, you’ll be able to come up with a strategy.

My favorite part of these gigs is the tips. You keep 100% of what a customer pays you as a tip, plus the predetermined fee the delivery app pays its drivers. This base fee varies depending on which service you choose, where you drive, and when you deliver. Many delivery drivers choose to accept multiple orders at a time to maximize their potential hourly earnings.

Since tips are the only thing I have control over, I make sure to 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.

Visit Instacart | Visit DoorDash

3. Drive passengers with Uber or Lyft

If you’d rather drive people, consider Uber or Lyft. To qualify, you must meet certain criteria, including having a valid driver's license and a four-door vehicle. You must also meet the age criteria and pass a background check.

Uber’s driving history requirements vary by age:

• Drivers 25 years and older need one year of driving experience.
• Drivers under 25 years old need at least three years of driving experience.

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 driving times 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. Do odd jobs and manual labor

If you’re good with your hands and don’t mind manual labor, check out local messaging and job boards to find people willing to pay for help around the house. You can offer to clean homes, help people move, hang pictures and TVs, build furniture, and just about anything else you think of. If you’re particularly handy, you can provide repairs and tune-ups. If you’re creative, people might hire you to help refinish their furniture or paint a room or two.

You can find these jobs online through Facebook community groups and Craigslist. Dedicated odd job sites like TaskRabbit may help you save time looking for work, but there’s a $25 one-time registration fee to get started. Still, this could easily be worth it for a rewarding hobby.

How much you get paid for each odd job will vary widely based on how much experience you have, where you live, and what services you provide, but you may be able to make some fast cash if you put a little legwork into advertising your skills and spreading the word.

3 ways to make $500 if you have longer to wait

1. 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 regular money. Airbnb and Vrbo let you list your home for short-term vacation rentals and monthly stays. You can also rent a single spare room in your home on sites like Facebook Marketplace or SpareRoom, or even list your garage or attic for storage on Neighbor.

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.

2. Become a freelancer

Freelancing offers the flexibility to work when and where you want to, but it can take time to build steady earnings. When I first became a freelance writer, it took me about a month to land my first steady client and about two months after that to fill my plate with regular work. Anyone who’s dipped their toe into the gig economy will tell you that it takes time and persistence to make this side hustle profitable but that the earning potential can be more than worth it.

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

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

• Fiverr
• Upwork
• Freelancer

These platforms give you a way to find potential clients, join professional networks, participate in discussions, and build a portfolio of your work. Just know that they often come with service fees, and be sure to research self-employment taxes before you commit to freelancing.

3. 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 or $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 to complete within an 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, look for sites with mostly positive reviews, good payment terms, and many surveys. Some of my favorite survey sites include:

• Survey Junkie
• InboxDollars
• Freecash

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How to avoid money emergencies

While learning how to make $500 fast is helpful, a sudden need for cash can be stressful, and you may find yourself in the same situation again and again unless you change your habits. Here are some tips for setting yourself up for financial success.

1. Build an emergency fund

Building an emergency fund to cover sudden or unexpected expenses can give you a buffer when life happens. Most experts recommend setting aside at least three to six months’ worth of living expenses, or the amount you’d need to cover necessities on savings alone. If you can’t put this away all at once, set aside a little each paycheck until you have enough saved.

An emergency fund provides peace of mind and can keep you from turning to debt when you have an unexpected financial emergency. To maximize your savings, find a high-yield savings account with a competitive yield to hold your emergency fund. This will help your money grow with compound interest and keep it separate from your everyday spending money.

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 a budget you can follow:

1. Review your monthly income. Include earnings from employment, side hustles, investments, and passive income
2. Record your monthly expenses. Include living expenses like rent or mortgage and grocery expenses, as well as bills for internet, car insurance, and credit cards. Be as specific as possible and account for both recurring and irregular expenses.
3. Categorize your spending and set limits. Break your expenses down into categories and set a limit for each category. Be sure to create categories for savings and debt as well.
4. Track your spending. Make sure that your actual spending matches your budgeted amount for each expense. You might need to adjust limits as you start using your budget if you find that you’re spending more or less in a certain area.
5. Refresh your budget as needed. Your earnings and expenses are likely to change over time, so make sure your budget is always up to date for your goals.

To help you budget more effectively, choose a budgeting strategy that makes sense to you. The 50/30/20 method is a common option that involves setting aside 50% of your income for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings and debt repayment. I recommend trying this strategy first if you’re a beginner because it forces you to take a serious look at your spending habits and is pretty easy to remember and track.

3. Track your spending

This important part of budgeting often makes or breaks your ability to spend less than you earn. By pulling a few months of recent bank and credit card statements, you can be more precise when setting up and managing your budget. This step can help you identify areas where you can cut back and find more room for saving. Try a budgeting app like Rocket Money or Quicken Simplifi to track your spending automatically.

As you budget, make adjustments as needed. Set a monthly review date to check in with your budget and decide whether any categories need to be adjusted.

4. Create financial goals

Create a list of short and long-term goals, and determine how you’ll reach them. Worthy 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, paying for college, or saving for retirement. Work these goals into your budget.

If you have a lot of high-interest debt and want to focus on debt payoff, try a repayment strategy like the debt snowball method or debt avalanche method to make the most of each payment.

5. Find ways to increase your income

If you feel like you’re not earning enough to stay on top of your expenses and goals, try increasing your income. You might be able to earn more at your current job by negotiating a raise or asking for overtime, or you can look into the best side hustles if you’re willing to put in the extra work.

6. Invest

If you get to a place where you have extra money and your emergency fund and other immediate savings goals are taken care of, think about investing your money. You can begin investing with only a few dollars with many robo-advisors, which can customize a portfolio for you based on your goals and risk tolerance. Whether you invest in stocks, bonds, or ETFs, you may be able to grow your money with regular investing.

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