There are many ways to make some extra cash. If you are looking for some money to cover an unexpected bill or unforeseen situation, don’t worry.
First off, if you are in a tough spot, the first thing to do is calm down. A hot head never helped anyone. It may be a good idea to write down how much money you need to come up with, so you aren’t overwhelmed by your situation.
It is also a good idea to take steps to make sure you have a little bit of money saved for unforeseen circumstances, but we will cover that a little later.
How to: Get Money Right Now
The easiest way to get your hands on some fast cash is to sell something you already have. We will go into some better ideas for long-term income, as developing any sustainable hustle will take some time.
You probably have something that can be sold to raise money.
Think about what you need to survive. People who live in a modern society generally need:
- Food/Basic Kitchen
- Shelter
- Water
- Transportation
- Communication
- Heating
Anything that doesn’t fall into one of those categories can be sold. You might have noticed that ‘entertainment’ isn’t on the list. If you have a gaming system, tele, or other entertainment gear, you can sell it and still survive.
There are a few ways to make a sale and raise some fast cash. Your best bet will be to connect with consumers directly, so avoid any kind of intermediary. If you are scanning your flat and there is a lot of stuff you would be willing to hawk, then a boot fair or yard sale is potentially your best bet.
You can start advertising the fair right now on Facebook Marketplace, or Gumtree.
When putting together the advert for your sale, make sure to mention some of the more desirable items. People might come to snatch up your plasma screen tele, but they might end up buying that panini maker that has been collecting dust for a few years once they are at the sale.
There are also apps like Mercari and Shpock, or sites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace.
The issue with using an intermediary is that they will take a cut of your sale, and it will take much longer to get paid. If you aren’t desperate to get your hands on cash in the next few days, a site like eBay does have the advantage of connecting you with a huge range of potential buyers.
Also Read: Our Guide to the Best Online Jobs
Can You be of Service?
Doing odd jobs is a great way to make some cash right away.
You may want to create more stable income streams in the future, but you can get some cash in your hand right now by doing some of these common jobs:
Indoors:
- House cleaning
- Babysitting
- Laundry, ironing
- Mending/darning clothes
Outdoors:
- Dog walking
- Washing cars
- Gardening, mowing lawns
Handyman:
- DIY projects that never seem to get done
- Painting
- Assembling flat-pack furniture
- Help with packing/moving
You might be surprised at how much work is done by people who don’t have regular jobs. Walking your neighborhood’s dogs or painting houses might not be the best fit for you in the long-run, but doing smaller jobs will put money in your pocket.
Be sure to read about the taxes that apply to money earned by doing odd jobs. It is unlikely that you will need to pay anything if you just do some small jobs for a week, but if you start making thousands of pounds from your new venture, it is important to pay what you owe.
Time to Rummage
There is probably a bit of money in your flat.
Start by going through the couches and look for any change. Sometimes there is a bit of cash in your jackets or the car. Change gets lost easily, and if you spend an hour looking you might come up with a few pounds. It’s a one-time solution, but any money you find is instant cash.
If you are skint and need to get the money together for basics like food, there is help out there. Start by looking for a local food bank on Google, or ask at any churches in your community. Most religious organizations will have some info on who provides assistance for those in need (you don’t need to be a member of their church or faith).
Don’t be proud, and reach out. People are probably kinder than you think.
Avoid The Debt Trap
When money is tight it can be tempting to seek out high-interest loans.
Don’t do it!
A bit of fast cash today at high-interest rates isn’t going to solve your problems. In fact, it is likely to lock you into a cycle of debt-dependency.
Sell what you can, cut back on spending, and add some reliable income to your life.
Get Your Side Hustle Going!
Once you get past the acute phase of being skint, things will take a turn for the better.
The key is getting more money coming in, and making sure you keep your spending in line with economic reality. For more information on how to budget, please have a look here (LINK?). We are going to focus on making money, which will help you to save a bit for times when unexpected costs come up.
Any of the jobs listed above could turn into a small business. If that is the route you go, make sure your tax situation is sorted (if you get close to making £1000, talk to a proper tax adviser).
Enjoy your new found financial security!
There are probably people here that want to know how to leverage the internet to make money, and that is exactly where we are going right now…
The Basics
Making money online means having a computer (or tablet), and an internet connection with a low-cost data plan. If you’re paying a king’s ransom to access the internet, your profits aren’t going to be as good. There are also some hustles you can do from your smartphone, but they will be far more limited.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the internet isn’t going to start paying right away.
Doing surveys, watching videos or reviewing websites will allow you to make money, but it isn’t a quick fix (like dog walking). Other online hustles like having your own website or working online can pay off big in the medium term. Don’t expect to clear £500 your first month on the job, and you should be fine.
Taking Online Surveys
One of the easiest ways to make money online is by doing surveys. All you have to do is sit around and fill out online forms, and the money will start rolling in. Keep in mind that every survey site will have different rules, so make sure you understand what you are signing up for before you get started.
Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie is the most well-known platform which will pay you for taking surveys. They have been around for over 14 years and are the leader in this area. You can take surveys and complete other assignments to earn points which can then be redeemed for real money via PayPal.
Visit Survey Junkie or Read our Full Review here.
Citizenme
Citizenme is an easy to use app that pays you instantly via PayPal. Just fill out short surveys, and they will start sending you money. The payout per survey is low, generally well under a pound, but if you sit around and do them all day you can make a bit from this app!
Curious Cat
Curious Cat is another survey app that pays you with PayPal. You have to reach 100 points (£1) to get paid, but you get around 30 points just for signing up and putting in your personal details. It might seem like small money, but if you make a job out of it you will do fine.
Swagbucks
Swagbucks has a website and an app which allow you to make money from doing surveys, watching videos, and using the internet. Keep in mind that it has a £5 payment threshold, but you may get a bonus for signing up.
Prolific Academic
Prolific Academic pays great, and you never get screened out of a survey after doing half the work. Like Swagbucks, Prolific Academic has a payment threshold of £5 (as well as a fee). It also gives you the option to save up £20 in your account, and avoid the payment fee.
Build-Up Your Online Game
Watching videos and doing surveys are great ways to get more money flowing in right away. They don’t require a time investment, and you will get paid within a week of stating to hustle. Once you get some money together or have a little bit of breathing room, there are other ways you can boost your income.
As they say, ‘it takes money to make money.’
Matched Betting
Once you have some cash to invest in your online hustles, take a look at matched betting. This opportunity is only available in the UK, and it can help you pad the money you earn from a small-business or other venture.
The idea behind matched betting is pretty simple. The UK is home to numerous online betting services, and you can take advantages of their free bets. Of course, those programs are there to ‘Skinner Box’ regular gamblers, but you can take advantage of the system.
It works like this: you put two offsetting bets on the same match, using two different betting services. One bet covers (or ‘matches’) the other, and one of the bets is made with a free offer from a legitimate online gaming service.
You end up winning something no matter what, and there is no risk or tax (as gambling winnings aren’t taxed here in the UK).
Pretty cool, no?
Here is a video that will explain the hustle(LINK).
It isn’t the most straightforward way to make money, though it does work. If you are looking for a way to put your survey earnings to work risk-free, it is worth learning more about.
With enough time and money to invest, you could be making £500+ a month, according to reviews from online forums. The downside is that this hustle is totally dependent on free offers, which aren’t going to be given with any sort of regularity.
Pinterest Affiliate Marketing
Getting paid to pin images on Pinterest sounds too good to be true, but it can be a real moneymaker. The secret to this hustle is Pinterest’s Affiliate Marketing Program. All you have to do is register for the program, and start pinning images that could lead to a sale.
The more you pin, the more likely you will make money from people who buy an item. It will probably be slow going at first, but if you spend an hour every day pinning cool stuff it will take off. There is a good chance that other people share your sense of style and taste, and they may come to your account to get ideas for their next purchase.
Much like online surveys, this kind of affiliate marketing program is basically free to start doing. It is a good idea to pin in both the US and UK markets, as the US has a massive consumer base. You get paid no matter what, so don’t be afraid to cast a wide net.
The income you make is 100% dependent on actual sales, but some people report earning more than £150 per month with less than ½ an hour a day invested.
Fancy Yourself a Writer?
Not everyone who sits down at a keyboard is going to make J.K. Rowling money. Don’t forget she was skint before the Harry Potter series hit it big. If you like to write it is a good idea to look for writing opportunities online.
Depending on how you write, or what topics you can write about, it could be easy to find work. There are sites like UpWork and Freelancer, but you can also look for blogs on Google that fit your interests.
Just send the site’s owner an email!
It is a good idea to have a few samples to show prospective clients, which you can post on your very own WordPress blog. It is 100% free to start a WordPress blog, and it is a great way to demonstrate your writing ability.
A Quick Note on Money and Blogging
Online writing, or writing generally, isn’t going to make money quickly. If you are hurting for money, writing is probably the worst hustle on this list. With all of that said, online writers have the potential to make good money, but it will take a while to build up your business.
Once you are up-and-running, consistently making £1000 per month is very achievable.
Additionally, some of the business ideas listed below will require writing. If you can’t do the work yourself you will have to pay for a writer, which makes running the business cost a lot more. Web design has fallen substantially in price over the last twenty years. Writing, on the other hand, has proven difficult to automate.
Create A New Online Career
We are shifting from emergency money making to ways to insulate yourself from needing emergency money in the first place. Despite government statistics that suggest that the employment situation in the US and UK is doing well, many people are having trouble making ends meet.
The good news is that there are many jobs that you can do online. Some of them, like writing, will take a bit of time to get off the ground. Others will let you earn much faster, especially if you have a university degree that you can put to good use.
English Teaching Online
English is one of the most important languages globally. There is a big market for online English teachers, and working online gives you a lot of personal freedom. You can do all the work from home, as long as you have a webcam and a quiet room.
If you are worried about having a degree in teaching or English, it isn’t a problem. Most online English teaching companies just want to see a bachelors degree in any subject, and you are good to go.
Teaching English online has two major advantages..
First, you can start earning right away. It isn’t instant money, but if you qualify for teaching work, you will have cash in a few weeks. You don’t need to build up a business or possess any sort of specialization.
Secondly, an online job allows you to travel. Living in a cheaper area of the UK, or the world makes saving much easier. You also don’t have to commute, and this will also save you time and money. Many students want to learn English with a British accent, which is another benefit for you.
The pay varies from company to company, and you will make money based on how much you teach. Some teachers make as much as £14 per hour, but £10 seems to be a common pay level for online English teachers.
Useful Links
Sell Something Online!
There are numerous ways to make money selling things online. Depending on your talents, one of these long-term hustles could pad your monthly income with hundreds of pounds. None of these business ideas will yield instant money, but all of them have worked for other enterprising people.
Make Money With Your Designs
The world is awash in low-cost consumer goods. People are desperate for something unique, and if you have a flair for design there are some great online opportunities. Websites like Zazzle and Redbubble let you upload your designs, and sell a multitude of products.
There is no need to spend any money up-front on your online merch shop. All you need to get started is a computer with a vector-based illustration program and a connection to the internet. Free illustration programs like Inkscape are a good option and can be downloaded for free right here.
If you are worried about losing the rights to your designs, or pricing structures that leave you with pennies on a sale, don’t be. Both Zazzle and Redbubble allow you to set your own pricing levels, and you will retain the rights to your work.
Merch by Amazon in another option, but it does usually require that you wait to enter the program. The big drawback to any of these online shops is driving potential clients to your store, which will probably require some creative marketing.
Useful Links
Affiliate Marketing
This online hustle isn’t free to start, and it will take some time to pay off. The best way to approach an affiliate marketing business is probably going to be your own website, which will cost you a few hundred pounds a year.
Once you have a website, you can start plugging in affiliate marketing links. There are many affiliate marketing programs out there, but Amazon’s is probably the best known. All you have to do is put a link from your site to an Amazon product. If a person buys it, you get a percentage.
Of course, you have to register for the program. There is also some code involved, but today that process is mostly automated.
In some cases, you can receive a percentage of any Amazon purchases that a person makes for a full 24 hours. Other affiliate marketing programs give you much higher percentages of the sales your links create.
The real downside to affiliate marketing is the cost to get a website going and the relative difficulty of driving traffic to your new site. Of all the hustles on the list, this one probably has the greatest potential for profit, but it will take a lot of time and money to get it producing.
Get Cash and Create Your Own Opportunities
Being behind in your financial life isn’t fun, but you can get past it. Do what you can to ramie cash fast, and then make changes to how you earn and spend. There is no reason why you should have to struggle or worry about where your next meal is coming from.
Selling your things isn’t a long-term solution, but it will put some cash in your hand right away. Selling your time to do simple services is also a great way to get some fast cash, and it can turn into a solid long-term small business.
The online world also has a lot to offer you, and you can start earning with surveys and website testing right away. Whatever you do, stay positive. You can get ahead, it just takes a good attitude and some work.