I Need Money Today: 25 Ways to Earn Cash When You Desperately Need It

Do you need money right now?

Being broke is miserable, and you must be left thinking about how you need money desperately right now.

Lacking sufficient money to live comfortably or normally in our society is never a good thing.

One thing is for sure, most of us have had moments in life that led to not being financially stable at one point or another.

In fact, America’s poor are becoming more destitute with rising inflation and the stock market feeling toppy.

But it could be anything, for example, maybe you had a rash of medical bills pile up, made poor financial decisions, got laid off, received an eviction, or had collection bills piled up which left you knees deep in debt.

Whatever it is, today I am here to give you steps to help you make money now.

In a hurry? Let’s get right to it.

I Need Money Today

Ready to earn some extra cash right now? Yes, conveniently there are some ways that you can get strangers to give you money or even Visa gift cards. By now, you probably already know that there are a handful of ways to get your hands on Visa gift cards for basically free:

Or, you can learn other ways to get money from strangers:

Ways You Can Get Money from Strangers

Here are common questions people ask about how to get cash or money from strangers: How can you get free money? There are a lot of ways to get free money, but the most popular are taking online surveys, let companies like Trim save you money, make money through trivia apps, or using rewards credit cards. Do Millionaires give away money? Millionaires often hold charities and often donate to people in need. How can I get strangers to give me money? You can use the following sites to get people to give you money: Kickstarter, Indiegogo, Fundly, Crowdfunder, GoFundMe, Begging Money, BoostUp, or FundMyTravel. How can I get money now? When you need money now, you can get quick cash by taking online surveys, making money with your car, gig economy apps, using gas cash back apps, and claiming quick cash bonuses.

Next, you can learn some ways to earn quick money by using these creative methods:

1. Sell Your Plasma

If you need money right now then you can earn it quickly by selling your plasma. Most people don’t know about this but you can literally get paid today by doing so.

Expect to earn from $25-$50 and you can get cash today. It takes around 30 minutes to sell plasma, but if you are a new donor, expect to wait even longer.

This is a great way to make money today. Once you do it once, it’ll be faster to do it the next time and you can start doing it two times every week. That’s an extra $400 a month.

2. Get Free Money

Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch? You can make money today with no money.

Every year businesses give away thousands of dollars in free money and gift cards as a way of promoting their websites or products.

You will see it’s possible to get free money fast. Look no further because I’ve put together a list of my favorites that will give you more than $3,700 in free cash right now.

3. Get a Personal Loan

If you need money now and have bad credit, then you can still opt for a personal loan. When you need money in a hurry ZippyLoan is where to go.

You apply for a loan through the Zippy Loan site, if approved they send your loan application to one of many loan providers.

You review the loan details and e-sign if you like what you see. No risk in checking what offers you’ll get. You can borrow between $100 and $15,000 as soon as tomorrow.

Loans service up to 60 months.

ZippyLoan connects borrowers to lenders through their network of lenders. They’ll find you the lowest interest rate and one of the best no-credit check loans. You can visit ZippyLoan here.

4. Sell Scrap Metal

Scrapyards will often buy electronics, appliances, and metal vehicles that you may have lying around in your home.

Scrapyards make money by reselling their accumulations of metals either to refineries or larger scrap brokers. Your best bet is bringing copper and aluminum to your local scrapyard.

Or if you have an extra fridge, you can scrap it for around $30 at your local scrap yard and get paid today.

If you are looking for a scrap yard near you that will pay you money for your metals or appliances, then keep these tips in mind.

5. Pawn or Sell Items of Value

If you are still thinking I need money right this second then take some time to dig through your closets, basement, or attic and find some valuable items that can sell for some cash.

For example, if you have an old gaming system or some unwanted jewelry, you can sell it for some fast cash. If you have gold then you can use our gold selling guide to get the best value for your unwanted jewelry.

6. Sell an Old Cell Phone

If you have an old phone lying around then that’s extra cash. You can try listing it on selling apps, but this can prove to be quite the hassle.

Or you can easily sell it on Gazelle for cash. This is the easiest way to sell it quickly.

Amazon also has a trade-in program for consumer electronics.  You can access the Amazon trade-in program by clicking here.

Another option is to bring your old phone to Best Buy, Walmart, or your wireless provider, to see what kind of trade-in value they will give you. Then you can find ways to get cash off the gift card.

7. Flipping Items for Profit

Flipping items for profit can be a thrilling treasure hunt! Start by diving into fascinating niches or products you love. For me, it would be video games or electronics.

Then you can scour through garage sales, thrift stores, or online marketplaces for hidden gems – think vintage toys, designer clothes, or quirky antiques.

The fun is in the hunt and the knowledge you gain about these treasures. Then, it’s like a game: buy low, perhaps spruce them up a bit, and sell high on platforms like eBay, Etsy, Facebook Marketplace or you can see this list of my favorite selling apps.

Your secret weapon? A keen eye for bargains and trends. As you flip each item, you can make a profit each time.

8. Ask a Friend or Family Member for a Loan

This option for getting money now is pretty straightforward forward so I won’t spend too much time on it.

If you have anyone close to you who trusts you then you can ask them for a short-term loan. Just explain what you need the money for and that you will pay them back.

If You Need Money Within a Week

Here are some ideas if you need money within a week or so.

9.  Become a Lyft Driver

If you’re free nights and weekends, you can make money driving your fellow citizens around.

Becoming a Lyft driver is one of the best ways to earn extra money whenever it’s convenient for you.

A lot of people do this full-time, so you can imagine that’s it possible to do this on the side and make $1,000 extra a week.

10. Freelancing Online

Freelancing online is a practical and flexible way to earn a living by leveraging your skills. To start, identify your strengths – this could be in freelance writing, graphic design, programming, or any other service you can offer remotely.

Create a professional profile on freelancing platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr.

Your profile should highlight your skills, experience, and any relevant portfolio pieces. Once set up, start bidding on jobs that match your skill set.

Be realistic about what you can deliver and keep your rates competitive, yet fair for the quality of work you provide.

Building a reputation is key. Focus on delivering high-quality work and meeting deadlines. Positive reviews and repeat clients are crucial for long-term success and is the backbone if how you’ll make money consistently.

Remember, freelancing online requires patience and persistence, but it offers the freedom to work on your own terms and the potential for a diverse and rewarding career path.

11. Deliver Food with Uber Eats

If you’re free nights and weekends, you can earn extra money delivering food for fellow citizens around your city. It’s easy to deliver food with Uber Eats – if you have a car, it’s a perfect way to make a good amount of extra cash whenever it’s convenient for you.

Making money with Uber Eats involves delivering food orders from local restaurants to customers.

To start, sign up as a delivery driver on the Uber Eats, ensuring you meet their requirements like having a suitable vehicle and a valid driver’s license.

Once approved, you can log in to the app and start accepting delivery requests. You’ll earn money for each delivery, with the amount depending on the distance and size of the order, and you keep 100% of the tips (which is how you’ll make most of your money).

To maximize earnings, consider delivering during peak meal times and in busy areas. Remember to provide good customer service, as this can lead to better tips.

12. Deliver Food with DoorDash

DoorDash generally has a larger market share in the United States and is available in more cities and towns. This can mean more potential orders for drivers.

Making money with DoorDash is a straightforward process that involves delivering food orders to customers.

Start by signing up as a Dasher, ensuring you meet the requirements like having a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.

Once approved, you can log into the DoorDash app to start accepting delivery orders. Earnings are a combination of base pay per delivery, customer tips, and occasional promotional pay during high-demand periods.

To maximize your earnings, it’s wise to dash during peak meal times like lunch and dinner, as these are when order volumes are highest.

Being strategic about the areas you choose to dash in is also key; busier areas typically mean more frequent orders.

Remember, providing excellent customer service can lead to better tips. This includes ensuring orders are accurate, handling food carefully, and communicating effectively with customers when necessary.

13. Walk Dogs with Rover

Earning money with Rover involves providing pet care services. To get started, create a profile on the Rover — it only takes a few minutes.

Choose the services you wish to offer, such as dog walking, pet sitting, or dog boarding. Set your own rates and availability.

Once your profile is approved, pet owners can contact you through Rover. You’ll have the chance to meet and vet potential clients and their pets to ensure a good fit.

Each service you provide earns you money, with Rover deducting a service fee.

Building a strong profile with good reviews and reliable service can attract more clients.

Being flexible with your services and responsive to client needs helps too. Rover offers a way to earn money while spending time with pets, making it ideal for animal lovers.

14. High Yield Savings Account

This is another way to invest your money beyond just stocks. It’s much more profitable than a normal savings account.

Your money can sit in there and accrue some interest until you are ready to invest in bigger and more profitable ventures.

If you are looking for a new savings account, check out our most updated list of the best savings accounts available to you.

If You Need Money Within a Month

Need money a month from now? Try these money making ideas out.

15. Find Legitimate Online Jobs

16. Make Money with Online Paid Surveys

Taking online surveys to make extra money is a no-brainer!

You definitely won’t get rich or make hundreds of dollars per day with survey alone, but you won’t waste much time, and you can make some money the easy way. Here is my favorite (and highest paying) survey site:

Survey Junkie: This is a free survey app for your phone that pays you to take online surveys, participate in focus groups, and try new products. And, I really mean free all around – free to join and they don’t charge anything to be a member (they will actually pay you in cash via PayPal). You can get a free registration bonus for free when you join through this link.

Survey Junkie pays between $.50 and $9 per survey, and many of them take less than 5 minutes to complete. It is one of the highest paying survey sites that actually works. Sign up through here.

Pros	Cons
There’s absolutely no cost to join. Tip: Never register for a survey site that asks you for cash	Sometimes you’ll be a few questions in only to find out that you aren’t eligible for a survey, but you still get points
Points can be exchanged for both cash to PayPal and for gift cards	Minimum balance of $10 USD needed for Payout
Your information will go toward helping companies improve their products and services	Only users from the United States, Canada, and Australia can participate with future plans to expand
Answers that you provide are kept completely anonymous
The potential for high earnings (depends on your demographics)
Registration bonus if you go through this link.
If you’re not eligible for a survey, you’re still given points

17. Rent Out Your Car

Did you know that you can rent out your car when you’re not using it? And that you can bring in a lot of extra cash in your wallet by doing so?

To make money by renting out your car, sign up with a car rental platform like Turo or Getaround. These services allow you to list your vehicle for rent when you’re not using it.

Set your rental price based on the car’s make, model, and market demand. Ensure your car is clean, well-maintained, and meets the platform’s standards.

Insurance is typically provided by Turo or Getaround and you’ll earn money for each rental, with the platform taking a percentage as commission. This can be a convenient way to earn residual income from your vehicle.

18. Become an Airbnb Host

21. Get Paid to Lose Weight

HealthyWage offers people the opportunity to earn cash for losing weight. Earn cash for losing weight? Sounds too good to be true, but Healthywage’s mission is to help people lose weight by offering cash prizes to make weight loss more fun and effective.

You start by using the free calculator to find out how much you can win for hitting your weight loss goals. Once you determine your goal, you can sign up and start your HealthyWager.

If you hit your goal, you win the cash prize! Weight verification is done simply (from your own home!) through the HealthyWage app and payouts are handled quickly and efficiently through check or free Paypal money.

Ready to get started? Enter your information in the HealthyWage Prize Calculator to find out how much you can win!

22. Get Paid to Watch Videos

The next thing you can do is sign up for InboxDollars which pays you, in cash, to watch fun videos & take surveys and they’ll also give you a $5 free bonus just to give it a try.

By spending just 30 minutes per day on this (either on your weekends, during TV commercial breaks, or even in the bathroom) you can earn and save an extra $150/month.

More people should be doing this! Who wouldn’t watch an ad or two if they were getting paid?

23. Watch TV and Get Paid

Swagbucks is another great survey site to make some extra money in your free time. As a new member, you can earn up to $35 per survey! They are known for giving out fun, top-paying surveys. And you can also get paid to play games and watch TV!

It’s similar to Survey Junkie, but there are also a few other ways you can earn money as a member (including a $10 bonus just for signing up).

Here’s the good and the bad about Swagbucks:

Pros	Cons
An incredibly wide range of activities to partake in	Sometimes there’s no sign-up bonus
Most of the tasks are incredibly simple to complete	May take up to a few days to receive your reward
100% free – never join a rewards site that asks for your payment information
Registration bonus if you go through this link.

Swagbucks is conveniently offering a $10 bonus just for signing up through this link, so act fast.

There are quite a lot of survey sites out there. These just happen to be the more reputable ones that are legit. As always, be wary of handing out your information to random survey sites. I recommend using an entirely separate email address for online paid survey sites so you don’t clutter your inbox.

24. Start a Dropshipping Business

Oberlo allows you to easily import products from AliExpress directly into your Shopify store and ship directly to your customers – in only a few clicks. It’s very simple to open a shop on Shopify and drop ship items in order to create a business without too much risk.

You can literally start and set up a drop shipping business without any type of product in one afternoon with minimal risk as Shopify has a 3-day free trial and Oberlo is completely free. This is a great way to make money this week or month.

25. Check Open Class Action Lawsuits

If you use a product that’s involved in a class-action lawsuit, a little online legwork could get you a cash payout. The rules of each settlement are different, but in most cases, you’ll have to provide proof of purchase or product use, like a serial number or a receipt.

Once you fill out your online claim form, you may have to wait a few weeks or months before receiving your payment.

How to Get Free Money from the Government Without Paying it Back

Protect Yourself from Work from Home Scams

Working from home is gaining in popularity as more people are realizing the advantages of not having a commute to bring in income. While there is real work at home jobs that are legitimate — on the flip side, there are also work from home cons and scams.

Here’s how to protect yourself from work at home scams and how to avoid them: