Being broke is never fun. That’s why we made this list of quick ways to make $100 that will get you to payday. We always want to make sure it’s legit because we got your back, boo. Check out the red flags first, then start your hunt to make $100 fast.
Making money fast can often seem like a total scam. That’s because sometimes it is. When you’re looking to make a quick buck, it’s important to watch out for your wallet. Here are some red flags that should send you running in the other direction:
If anyone ever asks you for money, it’s probably a scam. Especially if they say to “wire” the money.
Websites that are unsecured could be a scam. Websites should have “https”, which means they are secure. Check this before signing up for any kind of money-making opportunity.
Can’t find reviews for the company? That is not a good sign.
Any company or individual that asks for your personal information like a social security number is usually a scam.
People can be slimy, especially when it comes to money. These tips are just a few of the major red flags to look for. It never hurts to do your own research when looking for ways to make $100 fast. If it starts to sound like a scam, don’t hesitate to walk away. Or you can just come back to this list here.
Quick Ways To Make $100 By Leveraging Your Spending
How you spend your money and the cards in your wallet could be your ticket to a quick $100. Leverage what you’ve got at your fingertips before adding more to your busy life. Here are 10 quick ways to make $100 by being savvy about your finances.
1. Cash in on your junk mail and coupons
Are you the type of person who throws away every piece of mail that looks remotely like junk? Makes sense, except when you need to make a quick $100. That mail could be stuffed with coupons. A buy one get one free deal may be just what you need.
If you’re looking for $100 to spend on something specific, don’t forget to look online for a coupon too. RetailMeNot.com has coupons and cashback deals for specific items. Always check there to see if you can get a deal.
If you really want to get into the coupon craze to keep money in your pockets, then email a company directly to request some. Find the companies contact page and send them a direct note about how much you love their product or service. Then request that they can send you a few coupons. Rumor has it, that some companies will actually follow through.
2. Live on less
I know, this is the one suggestion that nobody really wants to consider, but it’s a concrete and quick way to make $100.
Living on less means you have more money in your pocket. Ask yourself:
What can you cut out this month?
Could you pack a lunch every day instead of going out?
What about one less happy hour?
Focus on the discretionary spending that you can control and see if you can quickly keep $100 dollars in your bank account. As my grandmother would say, “Not spending money is the same as earning more.”
We never want to assume someone’s situation. If you’re already bare-bones budgeting to save money and are still needing to put food on the table, then this tip is not for you. Instead, we suggest you reach out to the community for some help. Food stamps can take some time to arrive. While you wait head over to FeedingAmerica.org and look for your local food bank by typing your zip code. There are typically multiple locations where you can go to get some food.
3. Negotiate your regular bills
It’s not customary to question the price of our bills in the US, but it can be done. You can negotiate your cable, internet, cell phone, and even credit card bills to quickly make $100 or more. The only bummer (for all the millennials out there) is that you’re going to have to pick up your phone to do it.
Call your company and be ready to get specific about what you want. You could negotiate for:
A lower APR on your credit card
Eliminating channels to pay less on your cable bill
Ask about bundling
Request a lease extension without any fees
Ask your credit card company if they can remove any fees
When in doubt, ask about their offers and what they can do for you as a loyal customer. Hopefully, this can put some money back in your pocket. And for those who really, really don’t want to pick up the phone, use a service like Billshark to do this for you (they’ll take a 40% cut of what they save you for you a year, but the rest is yours). They have an 85% success rate, which is pretty sweet.
4. Get rid of your monthly subscriptions
In this digital age, there is a high chance you’re paying for something you don’t need. We’ve all been victims of the unused gym membership. If the idea of hunting for your past memberships and subscriptions send shivers down your spine, you’re not alone. There’s an app for that and it’s called Trim.
Trim is free to use, but it does require you to link your bank and credit card accounts. Then, they analyze and track your spending for recurring charges. This way you can find and cut all those slow drip money-sucking subscriptions from one place. Maybe it’ll even add up to $100.
Trim offers bill negotiation, debt payoff, and Trim simple savings suggestions as a paid feature. We recommend you use it first for your subscriptions and then move to other things if you like their services.
5. Move your savings to a high-interest account
If you have money sitting in a regular savings account, you’re doing it all wrong. High-yield savings accounts carry a higher interest rate than most traditional bank savings. This means your money can be making you money just by sitting there.
When you’re looking for a high-yield savings account you want to find one with no monthly fees and as high of an interest rate as you can get. CIT Bank, for instance, offers a high yield savings account of an APY of 1.55% (the average APY is a measly 0.06%). The power of interest is amazing and something you should take advantage of no matter how small your savings are.
*Rates as of November 2019
6. Invest your savings
Investing is one of the best ways to keep your money working for you. Investing doesn’t need to be hard, either. It’s for everyone no matter what your yearly income is. Robo-advisors, which are automated investing services, have helped eliminate the inaccessibility of investing.
Platforms like Betterment are working to make investing simple and easy. They allow people to start with smaller amounts of money than traditional brokerages. Betterment, for instance, doesn’t have a minimum balance requirement.
Choosing where to invest your money outside of a traditional retirement account and into a brokerage account should be done only after some research. So don’t just take our word for it. Look into the various brokerage options and see how much your money could be making you.
The money you’ll be making should probably stay in the account, so you can keep making money. So if you need extra cash in your sweaty palm tomorrow, then save this nugget of advice for a later date. But don’t wait forever, because time is your friend when it comes to investing.
7. Resell unused gift cards
If you have unused gift cards sitting around you can quickly turn those into cash. There are several online websites that allow you to trade in your gift cards for some cash. Giftcardgranny.com and giftdeals.com are two online platforms that will offer up to 92% cash back for your gift cards.
Prefer to exchange your giftcard in person? Look for a Giftcard Bin near location near you!
8. Use the Earny app to get refunds
The Earny app is genius and easy to use. You can automatically get money back on a purchase you made if the price drops. Did you catch that it was automatic?
Simply download the app and link your email account. Earny scans your receipts and looks for price drops from purchases made on credit cards. Then they file a claim for the difference on your behalf.
You get money back, because most credit cards offer price protection for 30 to 90 days. Earny watches for the price drop during that time period and you don’t need to lift a finger. The app will notify you when one is found and filed. Then you can expect a check in the mail. Easiest $100 ever.
9. Find a credit card sign-up bonus
Credit card offers are one of those junk mail items that often end up in the trash. However, credit cards often offer a sign-up bonus in the form of points or cash back. The only catch is, these offers require that you make a minimum spend in the first few months of having the card before you get the bonus.
For example, The Capital One SavorOne Rewards card offers a $200 cash bonus when you spend $500 in the first three months*. This could be a problem if you need the cash tomorrow, or it could be a way to cut your monthly grocery bill by $200. Speaking of groceries, you’ll also get 3% cashback using this card at the grocery store, as well as dining out, some streaming services and other entertainment. Pretty sweet deal if you ask us!
A quick reminder about this way to get $200 fast: it requires credit responsibility. We don’t want you to go into debt and not pay off your credit cards regularly. If your finances can’t handle the minimum spend, then skip this option and keep watching your bottom line.
Getting a credit card isn’t the way to get cash, because you still owe that money. Taking advantage of the sign-up bonus is a way to get $200 or more while leveraging your creditworthiness.
*Accurate as of August 2021
10. Switch banks to make money
Just like credit cards offer sign-up bonuses, so do banks. Bank of America is offering a bonus of $100 for opening a Advantage Banking account with them by December 31, 2021. Just set up a qualifying direct deposit of $1,000 or more within 90 days of opening.
For any college students, you can make $100 by opening a Chase College Checking℠ account by Oct. 18, 2021. Just make 10 qualifying transactions within 60 days of account opening.
Open a Capital One 360 Checking account by Aug. 17, 2021, using promo code BONUS150. Set up direct deposit to receive at least $750 twice within the first 75 days
This free money is a good thing, but comes with strings attached (and it’s not necessarily fast). You’ll want to read all of the fine print including the monthly fees and how much money is required to remain in your account in order to get the cash bonus. If you can deal with all of this, then go grab your bonus money.
Quick Ways To Make $100 Fast Online And Know It’s Legit
If you need to make money fast, there is really no better place than the internet. You can do simple surveys or even teach children. Here are 12 ways to make $100 from your phone or computer.
Ibotta is an app that pays you back in cash for making select purchases — not points or some other arbitrary system, but actual cash that can go straight to your PayPal account or a gift card. The cashback you earn is only one way to make money from this app, though.
The refer a friend program is a quick way to make $100. For every 10 friends you refer, you earn $100. You can post your referral code on one of your social media accounts or send it personally to those who you think would benefit from the app. Considering the app is free, you’ll be earning, while doing your contacts a favor.
2. Earn cash for watching TV
InboxDollars offers cash for watching TV and playing games. You get a $5 sign-up bonus right off the bat and are then paired with different media you can consume, so you can give your opinion and make some cash. They’ve partnered with big companies like Netflix and Walmart who need to hear from you about their content. The amount you make depends on each video you watch or game you play. So we can’t set any specific amount here, but we can say it’s a good way to easily make money online.
If you want to earn more, you can get cash for from survey sites and reading their emails, but the really unique feature of InboxDollars is getting paid to watch videos and play games.
Rakuten is a cash back platform similar to Ibotta. The idea is that you earn money back from all of your daily purchases. Here is how you can turn this into $100: Use a referral code from a friend and automatically get $10 when you join. Then you can refer other friends. If they join, you get $25.
Between the refer-a-friend cash and the money you’ll get back on purchases, it won’t take long before you quickly make $100.
4. Get paid for making lists
Are you a listicle master? There is a company called Listverse that will pay $100 for each acceptable list you submit. It needs to be original and include one to two paragraphs per list item. If you’re stating facts, then link out to a reputable source.
Submit and get paid $100 straight to your PayPal account. The best part is, you can write about any topic you want. They’re open to them all and will happily link back to your blog or social media account. You could make even more money if your list is really popular. Listverse is currently offering a $1,000 prize for the list that gets the most views every month.
5. Pick up some virtual assistant work
Virtual assistants, or VA’s are freelancers in demand. With so many entrepreneurs and companies running all or at least half of their business online, help is needed. VA’s job descriptions will vary, but you can count on doing some administrative tasks and probably a little social media work, too. This could look like:
Data entry
Scheduling
Email drafting and responding
Customer service
Posting on social media
The list goes on for what a VA will do. The positions are all remote, so you need to have a good internet connection and be computer savvy. You can find VA jobs by looking on major job boards like Indeed or by creating your own VA profile on a site like Fivver which is an online marketplace for freelancers. If you want to work from home being a virtual assistant is for you!
6. Install a plugin and get paid to shop
Chrome offers a plethora of browser plugins. One of those extensions is called Honey. They’re a program that searches the web for coupon codes before you make a purchase. When Honey finds a code, you can apply it to your cart and save some cash. An app that automatically applies coupon codes is a time and money saver.
Honey also has a loyalty program called Honey gold. This works with the extension, and all you need to do is create an account and activate it. Then, when you’re shopping online you can earn “gold” or points that you can exchange for cash or gift cards. It’s really that easy, you don’t even need to open a new tab to make some money.
Acorns is an app that invests your spare change. You can connect your accounts, and it rounds up your purchases then invests that money. It also gives you tips for saving and spending along the way.
While investing your change will eventually make you money, Acorns has gone one step further. After linking your debit or credit card, they offer “Found Money”. They’ve partnered with certain companies who will put cash back into your investment account when you shop with them. For example, Airbnb, Barnes and Noble, and Lyft all give bonuses that will go back into your Acorns account. This is too sweet to pass up.
8. Test out websites and apps
UserTesting.com offers a couple of different ways to make money testing out online content and content platforms. The first easy and simple way to earn $10 is by watching videos. The second way you can earn money is by visiting an assigned website or app. Perform a series of tasks while talking out loud, then you get paid. You can make up to $60 per test.
User Testing works with major companies like Apple, eBay, and Adobe. It’s a great chance to give your honest feedback so that future users can have a friendly experience. Plus, making some fast cash is always helpful.
9. Get paid to walk
This is more like a hybrid way to make money online: There is an app that will pay you to walk. If you walk to work or are an active person already this could be a quick way to make $100.
Here’s the scoop. The app is called Achievement and it pays you to log your activity like walking. You can also log what you eat and meditate if you want to earn even more. Achievement pairs with other apps on your phone, like the Apple health app or even Twitter, and will give you points when you complete activities.
You can redeem your points for cash that goes into your PayPal account, bank account or a charity of your choice. It does take 10,000 points to make $10, but if you can earn points for what you do and even posting a health-related Tweet then it could be easier than you think. Plus, it’s a win-win when you’re paid to take care of yourself.
10. Teach English online
Teaching English online to kids is a quick way to make $100 or more, but does have a few prerequisites. Generally, you need to have a Bachelor’s degree, but at the very least you need to be fluent in English.
Teach Away is one company that offers a platform for teachers to find jobs all around the world. They also have tons of jobs for teaching English online. The pay is dependent on your experience and credentials, but you can make a profile and get a good idea if you can qualify for jobs pretty quickly.
VIPKid is another company that offers positions for teaching English online. They state you will have flexible hours and be your own boss. VIPKid pairs you with classrooms and individual students all across China who want to learn English. You can make up to $22 an hour.
Weird, But Real Quick Ways To Make $100
Donating your blood or plasma is a bit invasive. So is participating in a medical study. But If you’re cool with it, then go get your money. Here are five slightly taboo ways to make $100. All totally legal, don’t worry.
1. Donate plasma
Major companies run plasma donation centers. Two major companies that do include CSL Plasma and BioLife Plasma services, but there are many others throughout the US.
You can make $20 to $50 per plasma donation. Some places allow you to come in to donate two times a week. That’s an easy $100.
The laws around donating plasma vary by state so you need to look up how often you can donate. BioLife Plasma says it will take an hour to donate blood and 45 minutes to recover. In general, you need to weigh over 100lbs, be over 18, and in good health.
You’re paid because donating plasma take your time, but more importantly, it helps save lives.
2. Participate in a medical study
One way to make $100 or even more, is participating in a medical study or clinical trial. They are conducted to test new ways of treating or preventing disease. You’ll be pre-screened before any study or clinical trial to make sure you’re eligible. Then, you’ll need to give informed consent to participate in the study or trial.
The pay varies, so it’s not possible for us to nail down a number for you. We do know it it’s often much more than $100. To start your search head over to Centerwatch.com and Clinicaltrials.gov to see if any trials seem like something you want to put your body through.
3. Organize someone’s closet
If you can handle a few skeletons in the closet and turn it into an organized dream, you may have found the best way to make $100 yet.
Organizing closets is a full-time profession for some, but it’s something you can set out to do on your own time. List your services on a website like Care.com or look for gigs on the Taskrabbit app to get started. Be prepared for some strange things stuffed on shelves.
4. Rent out your driveway
The gig economy strikes again, if you live in a busy city where parking is truly a nightmare, then consider renting out your driveway. People need a place to park while they go to work or attend a meeting and not worrying about getting a ticket is ideal.
The app Pavemint allows you to apply and if approved you can set your own schedule for when the spot is available. CurbFlip is another popular app that allows you to list your spot by the day or even by the month. Imagine making an extra $250 every month without even lifting a finger.
5. Serve on a mock jury
This one falls into the weird section, because for most people serving real jury duty can be a bit of a pain. But, if you can’t get enough of it, then sign up and get paid for a mock jury. Lawyers need to know the probable outcome of a trial and that is where mock jury duty comes in.
Companies like Jury Solutions will post when they need to hire mock jurors, but they don’t have their rates listed, so you’ll need to inquire. If you don’t want to leave the home, you don’t have to. You can find virtual mock jury positions with companies like eJury that pay $5-$10 per case or OnlineVerdict that pay $20-$60 per case.
In all cases you need to be over 18, a citizen of the US, be able to read and write, and have good and sound moral character. Each mock jury company requires an application to confirm these things.
Use Your Weekends To Hustle And Make Even More Money
The weekends leave you with spare time on your hands. This means you’ve got a chance to get your side hustle on and really bring in the dough. Here are seven quick ways to make $100 over the weekend or during free time.
1. Rent out your home or room on Airbnb
Are you going on a trip? Do you have an amazing guest bedroom that just collects dust? Have your house or spare room make money for you by listing it on Airbnb. Depending on where you live, you can make some serious money — we’re talking $1500 a month or more. Listing your home may be the best thing you’ve ever done on the weekend.
2. Babysit for your friends and family
You set your own rates for babysitting, but the national average is at least $17 an hour now. Put the word out on social media that you’re free to babysit. Tell all the parents in the carpool group. You can fill your weekends with some play-doh and sing-alongs if it means you make that $100.
3. Play with cute animals
There are so many ways to make money that revolve around other pets. Dogs need to be walked, cat litter needs to be scooped, and people want to go on vacation knowing their fur-babies are in good hands.
You can list your services on an app like Rover. You could also set out on your own to drop some flyers throughout the neighborhood. Who doesn’t want to spend their Saturday hanging out with cute animals?
4. Rent out your car
Spending the weekend inside curled up with a good book and some kind of hot beverage sounds like a dream. If you’re not going anywhere, why not rent out your car? Turo lets you list your car for rent, and it takes less than 10 minutes. People can then reserve it and then come pick it up. You will earn 65% to 80% of the tip price with Turo.
5. Sell your clothes
Clean out your closet and make some money selling your name brand and gently worn clothing. If you have a local consignment store, this could be as easy as walking in the door and walking out with cash.
If you don’t have any local options, then check out the Poshmark app. It’s free and easy to use. You can list your clothes in your “closet” and buyers will purchase them. Poshmark then makes the shipping label for you, so all you need to do is print it out and ship it. How much you make depends on how much you’re ready to part with.
6. Bartend for an event
If you know how to bartend and can make a mean cocktail, then consider freelance bartending on the weekends. You can advertise your services by word of mouth or on websites like Thumbtack. Look to book private events or one-off events so you don’t get sucked into permanent or long term work. You set your own rates, and the tips are a plus. Just make sure you look into your local laws regarding if you need to be certified.
7. Set up holiday decorations
The holidays are a perfect time to make some extra money. Small businesses all over need their lights hung up and don’t have the time or energy to do it. This is where you come in. Advertise yourself as a handyman who can also do holiday lights and you’re sure to get some hits. You can post your services on the app Nextdoor to stay within your own community.
You don’t need to stop at holiday decor. You can offer to mow lawns, shovel snow, or clean out a garage. Once your community knows you, chances are you’ll be getting some referrals and turning this into a side hustle.
The list doesn’t stop here. The weekend could be a perfect time to work on a side project, sell some goods at a market, or flip old furniture. Get creative and find a way that works for you to make some quick money.
Avoid Being Broke In The Future And Rake In The Cash
Hopefully, you’ve found a way to make some fast cash. That broke feeling isn’t one worth repeating every month. It’s also important to make some smart money moves today, so you can rake in the cash tomorrow (so to speak).
Start a budget
First, you should start a budget. It doesn’t need to be complicated. Know how much is coming in and how much is going out in different categories. There are plenty of apps you can try that can provide structure. YNAB, Mint, and Wally are a few you can look into.
Track your expenses
After you’ve set a budget, track your expenses for the entire month. Once you know about every single penny that is leaving your accounts, it can give you power to make savvy financial decisions. It also lets you know when you can’t afford something. Tracking your expenses will also help you stay on budget, live on less, and not stress out about needing money.
Create a savings cushion
Next, work to create a little savings cushion. Scrambling to figure out how to make $100 every month can be stressful. If you can save an extra $100 to $500 in your accounts then, it takes away that stress.
Over time, you can work to build these savings up. Ideally, you want a few months’ worth of expenses saved in case of an emergency. Find a bank that offers a return on your savings, Credit Karma for example offers a savings account that has 0.13% APY and makes it easy to save where you can automatically deposit money on a regular basis.
Each of these steps will set you up for better financial moves in the future.
Our Best Quick Money Tip Yet
We saved the best money making idea for last. The best way you can make money fast is by asking for a raise. If you have never done this before it can be terrifying. We get that. But we also know that you deserve to be compensated for your time, experience, and skills. Read our article with exact steps for how to ask for a raise if you’ve never done it before. We promise you can!
Bethany McCamish is a personal finance writer and the founder of His & Her Fi.Feature Illustration: Laura Caseley For The Money Manual. Other Photos: Twenty20.
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By Bethany McCamish 
