Make Money Side Hustles

How to Make $100 a Day - 21 Simple, Legit Ideas

$100 a day is an achievable goal, especially if you combine a full-time job with side hustles and passive income opportunities.

Updated Dec. 17, 2024
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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 two months of rigorous saving, you’d have about $4,000 — enough for a vacation. After one year, you’d have over $25,000 — easily enough to buy a car, take an epic vacation, or start a business.

It’s not easy to make $100 a day, though, and the best approach is to combine multiple ways of earning money.

How to make $100 a day 

I’ll walk you through some of the best ways to earn extra cash; even ways that I've done it. And 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.

1. Deliver groceries and goods

I’ve relied heavily on delivery services over the past few years, and I really value the people that do the work. It’s a gig that you can do in your free time, and you set your own hours. And you usually don’t need any specific experience.

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, has an earnings guarantee of $16/hour, ensuring you'll always make at least that much.

2. Do virtual bookkeeping to earn $100 a day online

If you are looking for a flexible, remote gig, consider becoming a virtual bookkeeper. As a bookkeeper, you record day-to-day transactions and maintain accurate financial records for business clients.

You don’t need an accounting degree to start, but completing an online bookkeeping certification could help you gain confidence and credibility. It could help to enroll in a 3-class intro from Bookkeepers.com to learn more about how to operate as a bookkeeper and grow your list of clients. And see if you’d like bookkeeping in the first place.

Bookkeepers Benefits

  • Free 3-class intro teaches you how to launch a bookkeeping business
  • #1 most profitable business as described by Entrepreneur Magazine
  • Supplement your existing income or even replace your current job
  • You don’t need to be a math savant or have an accounting degree

3. 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 Care.com or Rover let you sign up as a dog walker and connect with local pet owners and their pooches.

In addition to walking dogs, you can offer other pet care services like pet sitting, boarding, and doggy daycare. If you like cats, you could provide drop-in visits to care for them. I know my cat-sitter is a life-saver.

According to Rover, sitters who offer boarding can make up to twice as much as sitters who don't. So, if you have the ability to board, it could elevate your earnings and bring you closer to $100 a day. Overall, it's a great option if you're an animal lover who would enjoy hanging out with animals in your spare time.

Set up your Care.com profile here to sign up and start connecting with pet parents in your area.

Care.com Benefits

  • Website connects you with paying families looking for pet care
  • Pay depends on region, family needs, and commitment level
  • Search for full and part-time work with paying families

4. Take online surveys

I really enjoy taking surveys. I like sharing my opinion and shaping how a product or service will work. I want to be clear, though — you won’t be able to make $100 per day just taking surveys, especially if you only stick to one site. And even if you sign up with multiple sites, you still may not earn that much.

So why bother? Online surveys can be done while doing other activities, like watching TV or pretending to listen to your spouse (jk, I would never do that …).

The questions are generally pretty straightforward, like this one from Survey Junkie, so it’s pretty easy to answer them even if you’ve already had a long day at work or taking care of family.

survey junkie questions

You can do surveys in your free time whenever you want to, so there’s no pressure or expectations.

Here are some of my favorite survey sites:

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5. Open a new bank account

Switching banks may sound like a hassle (and honestly, it is), but it can be well worth your while. You could get a higher interest rate or even a big bonus just for opening the account. I’ve switched banks for a bonus, and it was 100% worth the effort.

Whether you want to open a new checking account or earn more interest with a high yield savings account, comparing promotions from different banks could make a difference. See below for our favorite bank account bonus offer right now.

4.0
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U.S. Bank Smartly®️ Checking Benefits

  • Earn up to $450 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and complete qualifying activities
  • Subject to certain terms and limitations
  • Offer valid through December 30, 2024
  • Member FDIC
  • Offer may not be available if you are an existing U.S. Bank customer or live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint
Open Account

A good checking account doesn’t have to offer a bonus to be worth signing up for, though. One of the best checking accounts I’ve come across is Discover’s Cashback Debit account. With this account you could earn 1.00% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month.

That’s potentially $30 per month or $360 per year just for doing shopping you would do anyway.

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Discover® Cashback Debit Benefits

  • Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month1
  • No minimum deposit, no minimum balance, and no account fees
  • Easily switch direct deposit via the Discover mobile app or online for Early Pay (get your paycheck up to 2 days early!)
  • 60K+ fee-free ATMs and make cash deposits at Walmart stores nationwide
Open Account

6. Get paid to complete offers and provide feedback

This is another way to earn some extra money and work toward that $100 daily in your free time.

Freecash is an online platform where you can complete simple offers. On their website, they mention payouts can be as high as $120 per game or $75 per other offer, though most pay much less. Task you can complete for money include downloading and playing fun games, taking surveys, or even joining Netflix or TikTok. This can be especially handy if you see an offer for a product or service you were thinking of trying anyway. Why not get paid for it?

For example, right now, I have a few game offers available. I like playing mobile games, so I’ll work my way through these to earn some extra money.

Freecash game.

Most of the offers on Freecash only take 5-10 minutes to complete. Once you’ve completed an offer, you can cash out instantly with PayPal starting at only $5. You can also cash out with a bank transfer or gift card. To get started, sign up with your email here.

7. Play games online

As I mentioned earlier, I enjoy mobile games, and there are games where you can win real money. There’s everything from Solitaire to bingo to virtual pool, and every time you win, you could earn real cash.

Since you are usually matched up with players at the same level, these competitive games can be a fun, skill-based challenge. Keep in mind that there’s also the possibility that you won’t win, though, and you could lose your entry fee. So I recommend getting lots of practice in playing for free before you start trying cash games.

Here’s one I particularly like:

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Bingo Cash Benefits

  • Make money play bingo in your free time
  • Real-money tournaments and no ads
  • Cash out securely using PayPal
  • Addictive game you’ll want to play for hours
Download Bingo Cash

8. Use the right credit card when you spend

One super easy way to earn each day is to use a cash rewards credit card. I really like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card(Rates and fees) since you can earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

Using this card is simple because there aren’t any spending categories to consider. 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, new cardholders can earn a $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.

9. Become a freelancer and earn $100 a day or more

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. You could also learn a brand new, in-demand skill and start offering your services.

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.  

Even starting at a lower rate, you'd just need to charge more than $12/hr (at 8 hours per day) to hit your goal of making $100 a day. Research other freelancers’ rates in your area to get an idea of what you should charge.

Freelancing is how I was able to reach $100 per day in income. It took some time, and I had to land multiple long-term clients, but it’s definitely possible.

10. Rent out a spare room in your home

Airbnb and Vrbo are two lucrative opportunities if you have property. The amount you earn as a host will depend on where you live and the type of space or home you have available. It’s free to list your space on these platforms, and most hosts pay a relatively modest service fee.

If you have extra storage space, Neighbor.com is another popular platform. 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 an Amazon reseller

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 per month professional plan for unlimited items. There are also some additional selling fees, shipping fees, or fulfillment costs. For more information, check out our Jungle Scout review.

12. Open your own Etsy shop

Etsy is a bustling business. And if you have something unique to offer, there could well be a place for you on the platform. When selling on Etsy, you may be charged a set-up fee. You’ll be charged a 20-cent listing fee per item and a 6.5% transaction fee when you sell. 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 research your competitors to set yourself apart and charge a fair price. Be sure to confirm that the item you're selling conforms to Etsy’s guidelines.

Next, gather your materials and start creating your first product. I was able to get a small Etsy shop up and running within a month or two, and with a little advertising, I was able to get regular sales. It’s definitely a way to earn $100 a day, either on its own once you have enough products and sales or in combination with other options on this list.

If you need more advice, here’s how to start an Etsy shop.

13. 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. 

14. 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 a Porsche Macan earns an average of $1,140 per month, and a compact vehicle like the Ford Fiesta earns an average of $589 per month. Of course, the amount you make with this side gig will also depend on how often your car is available for rent and where you’re located.

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, both Turo and Getaround offer robust insurance policies.

15. 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.

According to Payscale, the average hourly pay for a virtual assistant is about $18 per hour, but you could earn more than that as you gain more experience and take on more clients.

You can try listing your services on Upwork or Fiverr. You’ll need to charge a low rate to start and collect testimonials from customers. And you’ll need to go above and beyond to get the best reviews possible from your clients.

You may also want to host your own website that showcases your skills and past clients.

16. Create an online course

If you’ve ever info-dumped on a friend or family member about a topic, you might want to 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.

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 $39 per month, although you can get started for free. Thinkific plans start at $49 per month (but you can get a discount by paying annually.

17. Teach English online

There are several online platforms that allow you to teach English as a second language (ESL), with opportunities to earn up to $20 per hour. I’ve taught ESL, and it’s really fun and rewarding.

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 childcare 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:

18. Participate in a focus group

Like surveys, this is an opportunity to share your opinion. 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:

Participating in a single focus group, which usually lasts an hour or two, can earn you over $100. 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.

19. 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 TaskRabbit, Thumbtack, or Care.com. These opportunities allow you to make your own schedule, and you can typically set your own rates.

How much you make varies depending on the services you offer and your location. 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.

20. 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. With both, you may be able to make money from ads and company sponsorships. Just be sure to follow the FTC’s disclosure requirements for ads.

HealthyWage Benefits

  • Decide how much weight you want to lose (and how quickly)
  • Tell the company how big of a prize you want to win
  • Work to get there! The average amount of earnings per winner is between $1,100 and $1,400 … and you could win as much as $10,000!

21. Become a secret shopper

If you enjoy interacting with people and don’t mind visiting a variety of businesses, secret shopping could be a good fit for you. You’ll also need a smartphone, and computer access could be helpful as well.

You typically receive assignments through third-party services, so you’ll want to sign up with as many as possible. The assignments might include getting a drink at a busy bar, buying lunch, or buying a shirt or another item. You’re typically reimbursed for your expenses, plus you’re paid.

One of my favorite secret shopping assignments was when I was paid $175 to evaluate a testing company. I made an appointment, “took” the exam, and reported on the overall experience. It took about three hours to take the exam and complete my report. Overall, it was very easy money.

Some of my favorite secret shopper sites are:

FAQs

How can I make money in one day easily?

To make money in one day easily, you’ll need to do something that pays cash immediately, and that has a low barrier to entry. These could include delivering food or groceries, babysitting, pet sitting or dog walking, holding a yard sale, selling unused gift cards, cleaning, or doing odd jobs.

How can I make $100 a day?

You can make $100 a day in many ways, including freelancing, bookkeeping, tutoring, Airbnb, starting a blog or YouTube channel, doing more challenging odd jobs like light carpentry, or becoming an Amazon reseller.

How do I make $100 a day for free?

To make $100 a day for free, you’ll need to earn money using the skills and equipment you already have. This could include starting a blog, freelance writing or editing, becoming a virtual assistant, renting out your home or space, bookkeeping, tutoring, cleaning, or yard work.

Bottom line

These are just a few ways to build toward making $100 per day. 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 to supplement your income.

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