For people who are living paycheck-to-paycheck, any extra amount of money that needs to be spent each month can put them way over our budget and cause them to fall behind on some of their most essential needs and bills. Of course, most of us don’t anticipate facing an emergency expense. Rather, we tend to hope that we will be protected throughout the month and that we may be lucky enough to have enough cash in our emergency savings to pay for whatever bill is thrown our way.

But what happens when we don’t? What are we supposed to do then?

Although this can be a stressful situation, the good news is that plenty of people have been in a similar position in the past. With the right combination of hard work and resourcefulness, they have found ways to get the money that they need in a relatively short amount of time. Even if it takes a lot of energy and time to get the funds that you are looking for, there is always hope!

Looking to tap into these resources? If you need money quickly, here are 15 easy ways to make $1,000 fast without a job.

15 Easy Ways to Make $1,000 Fast

1. Turn Your Writing Skills Into Profit

When people learn that they can make money writing online, the general response is an incredulous, really? While writing for online sources is much different than the type of writing that you learned in school, you can absolutely make money writing online.

That said, many online guides will try to sell you on the idea that you can jump right into freelancing. Unless you have a portfolio, a background in content marketing and production, and previous experience writing, landing clients will be a difficult thing to do. Professional content writers essentially run their own business and brand, and these things take time to set up.

However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t make money writing if you are interested in using your writing skills to make a profit. Instead, you should turn your focus to smaller platforms and opportunities that are easier to get into (yet will still offer you compensation in return for your efforts). Some of the places you can begin looking into to make money writing include:

• Publications That Advertise Paid Guest Posts: There are numerous publications on the web that pay writers for high-quality guest posts on certain topics. Some of these will pay small amounts like $50 per post while others will pay hundreds and hundreds of dollars for high-quality features. If you are looking to both get your content published and make a little bit of money (granted that you know how to properly format, pitch, and write an article that will hook both the main editor and the reader) going this route may be an excellent way to make a little side money.
• Content Mills: If you have started doing your research on making money writing online, chances are that you have run across the term “content mill” more than once. Content mills do have a bad rep in the writing community. Why? These platforms generally pay far less than you would expect to make if you were pitching to publications or running your own freelance writing business. However, for those who are just dipping their toes into writing, these platforms can provide easy access to paying work, even for individuals who are still learning how to properly write for the web. Some of the more beginner-friendly content mills worth looking into include Textbroker, Hirewriters, and iWriter.
• Contests: Contests are not assured income, but many publications offer decent prizes for those looking to enter a contest and get published. This is not a recommended way to make money online. Rather, it can be a way to supplement your income if you have a passion for writing things like essays, short stories, flash fiction, poetry, and other literary forms of writing.

Making money writing is something that requires determination and a desire to learn and grow as you move forward. However, if you love writing and want to make extra money fairly quickly, the suggestions above will help you find some great places to start as you begin your journey!

2. Sell Any Unused Items Around Your Home

It turns out that skipping the minimalist craze wasn’t all that bad! If you’re like most people, you probably have a ton of unused items sitting around that are still in good condition, whether those items are clothes, books, entertainment, or electronics. Even if not all of these items are considered particularly valuable, there is a good chance that you have some items that would fetch some extra money online or locally.

However, the biggest barrier that some will face in trying to sell these items is finding the right platform to do it on. Where can you sell your products? Some platforms that you may want to consider taking a closer look at include:

• Apps that will help you sell locally such as OfferUp (Note: LetGo is now a part of OfferUp), Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, 5miles, and VarageSale.
• Platforms like eBay or Amazon where you can sell to a much broader audience online.
• Places such as Poshmark or ThredUp, which will pay you for used, high-quality clothing.
• Sites like Bookscouter if you need to sell used textbooks or other used books.
• Tech sites like Gazelle and Decluttr, which will pay you to sell your old tech to them.

Put simply, if you have something of value worth selling, you are guaranteed to find a platform where you can sell it. Additionally, this is one of the easiest money-making activities on this list as all you have to do is post the listing and wait for the offerings to come in!

3. Offer Tutoring Services Online

Having knowledge of certain subjects and being able to translate that knowledge so that someone else understands it is an invaluable skill that many people are willing to pay good money for. This means that, should you have the skills and the education necessary to bring in students, this can be a great way to earn extra money fast.

While pay will be entirely dependent upon factors like what subjects you teach and what level of experience and education you have, it is definitely worth a shot trying to tutor if you know that you can land pupils. One way to get started is to advertise your services to your friends and family or local community. This can make starting your tutoring services easier if there are already people you know looking for someone who can help their child in school.

Another way to get started is to look for online opportunities. There are multiple tutoring platforms that you can apply for if you believe you are the right fit for them. Just a few examples of tutoring platforms available online include Skooli, Chegg, and Club Z! Tutoring Services. As long as you have all of the prerequisites, you are well on your way to making great side income helping students learn some of the subjects you are most knowledgeable in.

4. Love Children? Babysit!

Babysitting is often something we associate with teenagers making a little bit of extra cash watching their siblings on the weekend. The reality? Childcare is in steady demand, and you can make far more than what you may have made watching a family member when you were younger.

The average hourly rate lies around $17 an hour, with those in metropolitan areas making at least $21 an hour for the same services. If you’re looking to make a lot more in the same amount of time, you can boost your rates by watching multiple children, offering additional services, and making sure that you can compete with other high-end babysitters by having certifications like those offered for CPR and first aid.

But how would you get started babysitting? Much like with tutoring, there are two different ways you can begin. One way is to tap into your local network to see if you can land any clients you already know and who are on the hunt for a babysitter. Already knowing the person will make it easier to get the job.

If you’re looking to access a much larger client base, you can use a platform like Care.com to list your services and get in contact with those needing a babysitter (Care.com also helps people connect with those offering senior care, special needs care, and housekeeping services, should you wish to expand in the future and make more money through the platform). Even if you only take care of children during your spare time and on weekends, you can make a great deal of money rather quickly doing so!

5. Not a Fan of Children? Make Money Watching Pets Instead!

If watching children isn’t something that appeals to you or isn’t the right fit for your skills, you don’t have to give up on the idea of a physical side hustle entirely. Another great way people make extra money is by watching pets.

Watching pets is a little bit more relaxed then watching children can be, and if you love animals, it can be a great way to get paid for spending time with dogs and cats. One excellent place to find opportunities is by using Rover. Rover is a pet platform that helps both dog and cat owners get connected with those who offer overnight pet boarding services, house sitting, daycare, walking, and even check-ins for playdates.

It is reported that people who use Rover and treat it like a part-time job can easily bring in $1,000, with more active users making $3,300 or above. However, if you find that you want to break away and offer independent services, you can easily make this type of money as well!

6. Find a Profitable Gig App for Your Needs

Although the gig economy has come under recent fire in states like California, the gig economy is still going strong and offers certain individuals easy access to extra income when they need it. Unlike other forms of employment or money-earning opportunities, gig applications and websites allow those using it to simply logon, find an opportunity that works for them, and make money doing the job.

Of course, this economy is quite large, and there are many different types of platforms out there that may help you reach that $1,000 goal you are aiming for. What types of opportunities are available?

• Make money helping people get to their destinations using apps like Uber and Lyft.
• Deliver food for extra money through apps like Postmates, GrubHub, and DoorDash.
• Deliver packages and make anywhere from $18 to $25 an hour through Amazon Flex.
• Sell your services or make money off of your talents through Fiverr (this platform has become more freelancer-friendly over the years, but can still be a great place to make some extra money here and there if you have a talent or skill people are willing to pay for).
• Tackle easy local tasks using apps like Gigwalk, Easy Shift, and Field Agent.

Some of these gig apps will pay more than others, while some will serve as great supplementary income apps that can help you boost the income you are making on other apps. If you have some extra time on your hands and want to be able to access paying jobs quickly and easily, the examples listed above will point you in the direction of some of the best apps that will help you do so!

7. Look for Odd Tasks That People Need Help With

Finding the odd job here or there may not be on everyone’s list of exciting income boosters, but if it makes money, it will definitely help out with the monthly bills. Continuing from some of the examples listed above, there are actually quite a few platforms out that can help you connect with those in need of jobs that generally fall outside of the “normal” gigs that we hear of. These odd jobs can include:

• Helping people move by using platforms like Bellhop and Dolly.
• Taking care of everyday services like lawn care, shopping, and house cleaning through apps such as Handy, TaskEasy, and TaskRabbit.
• Giving people the online and in-home tech support they need through HelloTech.

Even though these tasks aren’t commonly advertised, they often make more money than more popular gig apps and can provide you with solid income if you are willing to take on these kinds of projects regularly.

8. Make Money As a Music Tutor

Similar to the third item in this list, there are plenty of people who are willing to pay someone with the right skills to teach them how to play an instrument, read music, or even improve upon their vocals. If you have any of these abilities, why not try to make some extra money on the side by becoming a music tutor?

Private music teaches earn about $25 an hour on average, although many will set rates based on 30-minute sessions, which often will range anywhere from $15 to $30. If you are providing lessons that are considered to be more advanced, you can actually charge students much more, with common prices ranging anywhere from $30 to $75 per 30-minute session. Of course, the more you know and can teach, the more you will be able to earn.

If you have musical talent and find it easy to help others discover their own, dedicating weekends and spare time to this lucrative side hustle can bring you not only an extra $1,000 per month but a nice bonus income as well.

9. Rent Out a Room in Your Home

This may not be a way to earn money that everyone is comfortable with. However, it can be one that can make you money relatively quickly if you are smart about it and are fine with working with others.

If you have extra space in your home, one way to capitalize on that is to consider renting it out to others. There are a few more considerations to make when pursuing this idea than others on this list, such as making sure that you are following the laws in your area and know what both you and your tenant’s rights are. But, if you find the right person and don’t mind roommates, you can bring in additional monthly income that will help cover some of your bills.

If you have more space to offer, you may want to consider renting out your property via platforms like Airbnb or VRBO, which will help you connect to more interested parties wanting to temporarily rent out your space. You could also go the more traditional route and establish a lease with a tenant and create a long-term source of income instead.

Either way, renting out space that you own can be a viable way to make fast, regular income that will help you not only afford more but save more money over time as well.

10. Consider Renting Out Your Car or Other Items

Don’t have extra space to rent out to others? The good news is that there are other types of items you can rent out as well, even if they are not as well-known as the above. To help provide you with some inspiration and potential opportunities, here are a few items and platforms that you can make money through.

• Do you have extra land that is not being utilized? Consider turning that land into profit by making it a place where campers can book when they feel like exploring the great outdoors by using HomeCamper to list your land!
• Perhaps you don’t have physical space to rent out, but you do have an RV that is collecting dust in your driveway. If this is something that holds true for you, you can rent out your RVshare or Outdoorsy.
• Rent out extra spaces like parking spaces, curb space, or even driveways using platforms like CurbFlip.
• Have an extra car you don’t use or have certain days of the week where you don’t need to use it? Make money off of your car by renting it out to others via apps like Turo and getaround when it is not in use.
• Renting out your space to tenants isn’t the only way to make money off of your unused space. You can also rent out your property throughout the day to those who need a place for their photoshoots or wish to host events through platforms like Peerspace.
• Have an extra boat you never use? Don’t let it go to waste! Rent it out ot those wishing to go out and enjoy the seas by listing your boat on Boatsetter.
• Got plenty of room in your house that you don’t need? You can easily turn this unused space into cash by renting it out to those who want to store their stuff. All you have to do to get started is to use a website like StoreAtMyHouse.
• Camera equipment can be expensive, and not everyone may want to pay full price for something that they may only need temporarily. If you have extra camera gear lying around, use sites like KitSplit and ShareGrid to rent or even sell camera and film equipment.
• For those who may have a motorcycle but who never use it, it doesn’t have to collect dust until you pick it up again! Through platforms like Twisted Road and Riders Share, interested parties can rent out your unused motorcycles so that you can earn cash for these stationary vehicles.
• For others who may have other types of bikes that are being unused, you can rent out your unused bicycles to others through services like Spinlister!
• There’s nothing worse than being a family on a trip who has forgotten vital equipment they need for their baby. The good news? You can be the one who makes a difference! Through platforms like BabyQuip, you can rent out and deliver your unused baby gear.
• Have great clothes you never wear but cost a ton of money to purchase. Make a profit on your unused clothing by renting out to interested users on platforms like StyleLend.
• Do you own instruments, studio recording equipment, or even space where people can practice and record? Rent out these items on Fretish to make extra money on your unused goods.

The list above is quite comprehensive, so even if there are some platforms that do not pertain to your situation, there are sure to be some rental services that you can take advantage of. The more you use, the more you are likely to earn (and at a much faster rate).

11. Creative? Sell Your Own Goods Online or Locally

Making homemade goods and crafts is often something that people do as a hobby and for fun. However, if you find that certain goods are quite popular online, you could take your hobby and turn it into something potentially lucrative.

Arguably the most well-known way to sell your homemade goods is through platforms like Etsy, where there are plenty of success stories for both digital products and physical goods. However, you can improve your chances of selling by using some of the local sales platforms we mentioned earlier in this guide.

Are you someone who creates digital goods instead? Consider creating designs for print-on-demand websites like Redbubble or Spreadshirt, sell e-books or online courses, or even create printables for things like calendars and to-do lists.

The most important thing to remember when approaching this idea, however, is that not everyone will be successful when selling the goods that they’ve made. Selling goods is, after all, a side hustle or a full-time business and will rely on you to ensure that you are receiving the visibility you need to turn a profit. However, whether this is a short stint or a long-term hustle, it can make you the money you are looking for.

12. Go Grocery Shopping for Others

In the midst of the current pandemic, there are certain people who may wish to avoid shopping as much as possible in order to reduce the risk of contracting the virus. Certain companies have gained the spotlight by providing the much-needed services that certain groups require as we learn how to better navigate public spaces.

Platforms like Instacart and Shipt can give you the opportunity to pick up grocery orders throughout the week. While the earnings that people report vary greatly, some people report making upwards of $100 a day and even $2,000 a week. The more orders you pick up (while paying attention to the types of orders you choose), the more you are likely to make.

You may even want to further your efforts by using these apps along with similar delivery apps to boost your profits! This way, if things seem to be going rather slowly on apps like Instacart or Shipt, you can turn your attention to other platforms like Uber Eats or DoorDash to help you pick up other orders so that you are consistently earning income.

13. Get Paid to Do Virtual Assistant Work

Businesses and professionals have a host of tasks to accomplish throughout the day. However, not all of these tasks are necessarily worth their time. Instead, they will outsource these tasks so that they can focus on taking care of the work that earns them money rather than spending time on repetitive tasks that take away from their main business operations.

This is where you come in! If you are great at taking care of administrative tasks like responding to calls and emails, booking appointments, handling data entry, or doing research, you can make money as a virtual assistant. Starting out can be as simple as using a platform like Fancy Hands, where you can pick up orders of work for professionals in need.

If you have a bit more experience, you may wish to offer your freelancing services online or tap into your professional network so that you can gain more steady work and income.

14. Make Some Extra Money Transcribing

Recordings can be a great way to take down a conversation or hold onto an idea. However, they are not so great for getting the gist of the recording and what is happening throughout. In order to do this, the audio needs to be transcribed.

Transcribers essentially translate audio files into clean, legible texts that can then be used for anyone who needs access to the knowledge contained within the audio. Although it is hard work, it can be valuable to individuals who have access to the necessary tools as well as the typing and listening skills needed to thrive in this line of work.

If you have past experience transcribing audio or if you are interested in becoming a transcriber, some platforms worth looking into include TranscribeMe, GMR Transcription, and GoTranscript. You should also look into various transcribing freelance opportunities if you have valuable experience in areas like healthcare or law, which can often pay far more!

15. Leverage High-Paying Skills to Freelance or Offer Gig Work

Last but not least, business professionals who are looking to make fast cash should always look into turning their high-paying skills into freelance opportunities. Some examples of skills that people will pay for include coding (front-end development, back-end development, application development), marketing (SEO, full-stack digital marketing), and project management. The more in-demand and vital the skills are, the more you are likely to make.

If you know you have a skill that people are willing to pay for, offer these services online to find clients who will help you reach your financial goals quickly.

Making Money Fast Is More Than Possible!

Emergency expenses can be stressful, but there are ways that you can make money quickly and avoid falling behind on your other essential bills. If you have found yourself faced with a looming deadline in which to catch up on your income goals, use the guide above to find ways to make the money you need fast!