We’ve all been there. Maybe you just spent your last dollar on groceries or you don’t have enough to cover rent. Whatever the situation, getting low on funds can be difficult, embarrassing, and sometimes scary. But there are ways to make a quick buck you might never have thought of. Some require a little upfront cash, but most of them require nothing but a little hustle.
Sell your stuff
Almost everybody has stuff lying around their house they no longer need. And you might be surprised at what you can sell, especially online. People have sold things on eBay as odd as egg cartons, toilet paper rolls, pine cones, and tumbleweeds. So, don’t limit yourself to things you think are valuable.
Start out by cleaning out closets and drawers and putting everything in a box. If you have larger items, like bicycles or TVs, try selling those on Craigslist or a Facebook selling page. But for things you can easily ship, do a quick search on eBay or Amazon to see whether people are buying them.
If you have a little cash to spare upfront, you might also consider buying some things to sell. Many online sellers frequent garage sales and thrift stores, looking for bargains they can make a profit on. And you can also shop liquidation sales and wholesale outlets for unused merchandise that you can mark up.
Walk the neighborhood dogs
If you’re taking your dog for a walk anyway, why not stop by the neighbors’ houses and ask if they could use your service. You can walk a few dogs at a time and charge as much as you’d like. But most dog walkers charge from $10 to $30 per 30-minute walk. If you’re opposed to going door-to-door, you can also sign up on online services, like care.com or rover.com. These sites allow people who need dog walkers to find one in their area and hire them directly from the app.
Get a quick loan
Getting a loan through a bank can take time, collateral, and credit that you may not have. And if you’re in a bind, your options might be pretty slim. In these cases, you can apply for online payday loans. These types of loans sometimes get a bad rap, but the truth is that they are providing a specialized service for people who might not otherwise be able to secure a loan. And if you pay them off on time, they’re only slightly more expensive than traditional loans.
The best thing about payday loans is that you usually get your funds within 24 hours.
Mow your neighbors’ lawns
Mowing lawns isn’t just a kid’s job. Many big landscape businesses were built from the ground up starting with just mowing people’s lawns. But you don’t have to have big ambitions or even do it forever if you need some quick cash over the weekend. Just pop next door after you’ve mowed your own lawn and ask your neighbor if they need your assistance. Sometimes, if the other neighbors see you working, you’ll even get a few requests for help with their lawns.
Drive
Driving for companies like Lyft and Uber has become an increasingly popular way to make money. And they’re said to make an average of $8.55 to $11.77 per hour after expenses. But this amount can be much more, depending on how much and where you work. For example, driving in New York City might average you close to $30 an hour and you could easily make a full-time living if you wanted to. These companies usually pay weekly, but because you can receive tips, you’ll probably be able to earn some quick cash every time you drive.
