How To Make Money Fast: 12 Real Ways To Get Quick Cash in 2025

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Need cash in a hurry? The good news is that you’re not alone. As the cost of living continues to increase, more and more people are looking for ways to make extra money. The following side gigs can help you earn income fast. Whether you need cash for bills, an emergency or a fun adventure, these jobs can make it happen.

From delivering food to completing online surveys, here’s how to make money fast. 

Sell Unused Items for Quick Cash

Do you have used items that are still in good shape but you no longer want? If so, it’s possible that someone would gladly pay you for them.

Take high-quality photos with a neutral background and write in-depth item descriptions to maximize interest.

After that, you can pick a platform. Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp and eBay are some of the best options for beginners. You also can make a tidy profit by selling high-quality clothing and accessories on platforms like Poshmark.

Trade In Old Electronics

Try trading in your old, unwanted electronics for quick cash with minimal effort. Buyback services will purchase old gadgets and electronics like these online.

Some electronics buyback services include ItsWorthMore, Decluttr and Gazelle.

You can also use sites like eBay and other third-party marketplaces to price your items appropriately and sell them independently. 

Sell Gift Cards You Don’t Want

If you have unwanted gift cards gathering dust in a drawer, sell them. You might not get full face value for them, but you didn’t buy them, so it’s essentially free money in your pocket.

Sell unused gift cards on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace or eBay. You can also visit sites such as CardCash or Raise to make the sale with just a few clicks.

You can also offer gift cards on your social media accounts to see if there are any takers.

Work as a Freelancer

Freelancer, Fiverr and Upwork are great for first-time freelancers looking to build experience and create portfolios. You can offer writing, logo design, video editing, voice-over or other skills-based projects. 

Once you accumulate feedback, referrals and experience, you can start charging much more. Some people have taken their Fiverr gigs full-time, with jobs paying as much as $10,000 per project.

Find Unclaimed Money That’s Yours

According to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, about one in seven Americans has unclaimed property held by state governments and treasuries.

If you’ve ever rented an apartment, switched banks or insurance companies, changed jobs, purchased traveler’s checks or paid a utility deposit, you could be one of them.

Each state maintains its unclaimed money database. You can search for it for free. The U.S. government maintains a web page that links to state sites. Make sure to check multiple states if you’ve moved over the years. 

Launch a Dropshipping Store

Amazon and Shopify are two sites where you can open your store, automatically add products and have them shipped directly from the suppliers to your customers. 

You’ll need to do your due diligence when selecting products and suppliers and marketing your store. Still, both platforms have extensive educational resources to help you get started.

This side hustle requires more time and energy to set up but can lead to solid earnings. 

Make Passive Income With Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is when you share products online and earn a commission by joining an affiliate program. You’ll earn by promoting and selling those products through your blog or social media channels.

According to Affise, a performance marketing platform for advertisers, low-level affiliates can earn up to $300 a day, and high-level affiliates can earn more than $3,000 a day. 

Earn Money by Taking Online Surveys

It’s not the most exciting side gig, but you can make money by filling out online surveys. Many sites, such as Survey Junkie and Swagbucks, allow users to earn cash and gift cards.

You must provide your email and demographic information, such as age, gender and location. 

Drive or Deliver for Cash

Driving for a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft makes it easy to earn money in your spare time using your vehicle. Both services require a background check as part of their application process.

Once you’re accepted, you can start driving immediately and cash out multiple times each day. 

Tutor or Teach Online

You can tutor students online if you have a computer, an internet connection and expertise in just one subject area. 

You could also record how-to video lessons about subjects you are well-versed in and post them online. Depending on how many clicks or followers you get, you could rack up a nice passive income.

Become a Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant can work for an individual or a big business. Their tasks include responding to customer phone calls, setting appointments, assisting with travel or event planning, and posting on social media.

If you already perform these tasks daily, you might be well suited to virtual assistant jobs.

Get Paid To Walk Dogs or Pet Sit

Pet sitting might be a great gig if you love pets and know how to care for them.

You also need to be able to visit clients’ homes, take walks and potentially stay overnight. It’s the perfect way for animal lovers to earn extra income. 

Timelines for Getting Paid

When figuring out how to make money fast, timing matters. Some methods pay out in hours, while others take days or weeks. Here’s how fast you can expect to see the money hit your account.

Final Take

Learning how to make money fast isn’t as difficult as it sounds — there are plenty of simple, practical options out there. Assess which methods align with your skills and resources, and don’t hesitate to take the first step. Whether freelancing online or flipping your old tech, even one quick win can boost your bank account.

Caitlyn Moorhead and Morgan Quinn contributed to the reporting for this article.

Pay data is accurate as of May 16, 2025, and was sourced from ZipRecruiter. 

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