No matter whether you’re a student or a full-time employee, at some point, life happens, and you find yourself in a situation where you need to make some quick and easy money. And no, we’re not suggesting gambling or playing the lottery, but real and legitimate ways to make money fast.
In this article, we’ll be taking a look at various methods of making an honest living fast. From side hustles like delivering food or picking up odd jobs online, to dog-walking and babysitting – there are plenty of opportunities for everyone. Read on to find out how to make money in one hour or less.
1. Sell something valuable
Everyone has things around their home that have somehow lost value but are still valuable to someone else. So take a look around, check your electronics, antiques, or clothes, and see what you can part with.
One option is to sell them on eBay or Craigslist, but since you want to earn cash quickly, you should consider using a local pawn shop or a thrift store where you can negotiate the price in person. Here’s a list of some valuable items you could sell and make money within an hour:
- Video Games
- DVDs
- Computers
- Electronics or appliances
- Clothing
- Jewelry
- Furniture
- Artwork
- Instruments
- Shoes
- Toys
- Watches
And even if you don’t get the deals you want from your nearest pawnshop, you can always collect the valuables you wish to sell and organize a garage sale.
This can also help you get rid of some things you no longer need but are too lazy to throw away – your old bicycle, for example, or books and old textbooks you don’t know what to do with.
2. Fill out online surveys
If you have time to spare and want to legitimately make money in under an hour, the easiest way is to find a good survey site.
There are plenty of them that will allow you to make money in exchange for filling out online surveys.
The process is simple: fill out a survey and cash out the points you earn into your account or receive gift cards.
3. Cash in your spare change
One could argue that this is not a real way to make money, but the truth is that it has been proven time and again that people have a tendency to save their spare change. And lots of times, they have much more than just $50.
So why not cash in your change jar? This can help you get some extra funds quickly, depending on how much you’ve saved up over the years.
4. Freelance your skills
Selling your unique skills online can help you make money in one hour from home or any other location. All you need to do is assess your skills and find a platform to offer them. That would be a good place to start, considering 71% of freelancers find work through online marketplaces.
You can offer services such as web design and development, copywriting, social media management, programming – the list goes on!
5. Check if your neighbors need an extra pair of hands
Many people often need an extra pair of hands to do chores or errands but don’t hire anyone because they think they can manage on their own.
So take a walk around your neighborhood and see if any of your neighbors need their lawn mowed or some other assistance, like helping them unpack after a move.
This way, you can earn money in an hour or less and make new friends along the way.
6. Walk a dog or water plants for someone who’s away
Provide a loving home for your friend’s or neighbor’s furry companion. Or, make sure their plants get the TLC they need when they’re away.
You’d be surprised how much money people would pay to make sure their pets are well taken care of. Plus, walking a pup or watering some blooms is not at all demanding.
And who knows, you might find it enjoyable and turn it into a standard gig.
7. Try babysitting
Parents are often in need of someone to watch over their kids while they run errands, have a date night, or have an urgent meeting they can’t postpone.
And while taking care of a baby or toddler is significantly more demanding than walking a dog, it’s still an effective way to make money in an hour.
Parents usually pay around $20 per hour, but the pay could be up to $30 for babysitting in the evening.
Admittedly, you’ll have to work on a few gigs or ask some of your friends with kids to recommend you so you can build a trustworthy reputation. But, once you do, it will be easy to find clients and book gigs every week.
8. Collect cans or bottles
Believe it or not, a lot of homeless people collect cans and bottles to survive. While dumpster diving is not the most glamorous way to get your hands on some extra cash, it can still make you money in minutes.
All you have to do is find cans and bottles around your neighborhood or ask around if anyone has any they need to throw away, then take them to your nearest recycling center for a little extra cash.
Depending on the state you live in, you could earn between 5¢ and 10¢ a piece.
9. Become a mystery shopper
Mystery shopping gigs are one of the best and most legit ways to make quick money. It’s all about providing feedback on the customer experience at stores, restaurants, and other commercial establishments.
All you have to do is apply, complete the task as instructed, then post your review or fill in some forms and that’s it.
Pay usually varies from $2 to $20 depending on the type of job and its complexity, so yes, it’s one of the easiest and most fun ways to make money in one hour.
Also, it’s possible to do some of these gigs online as there are many apps that pay for tasks like taking a photo of a certain house or building, or confirming whether a grocery store sells a specific product. Or it might ask you to take photos of a store display.
10. Become an Uber or Lyft driver
The now-popular ridesharing with apps such as Uber or Lyft is possibly the best side hustle for anyone whose paycheck isn’t enough. And it’s probably the easiest way to make money in one hour.
In fact, most ridesharing services require you to have a driver’s license and a vehicle that meets certain safety requirements. Once you get through the approval process, which isn’t complicated at all, you’re ready to go.
And the best part is that you can work in multiple companies and fit them into your own schedule to drive as much or as little as you want.
11. Sell your hair
While this is an option exclusive to people with long and healthy hair, it does pay well and is a quick way to make money. It’s also a great option for teens looking to add some extra to their allowance.
You could make up to $1,000, depending on the quality of your hair. And the best part is you’ll be helping people with hair loss problems or those who’ve undergone chemo.
12. Deliver food or groceries
If you have a car, bicycle, motorcycle, or scooter and you’re willing to do simple grocery and food delivery, this could be a great option for anyone to make extra cash, not just people who need to make money fast.
The only catch is that you’d first have to sign up with some apps like DoorDash or UberEats that are looking for delivery staff, but it really pays off, and it’s definitely an option worth considering.
13. Play games for money
If you’re looking to make money in one hour online, playing games is an option you absolutely have to consider, especially if you’re one of those people who like to play games for fun. It’s not like you’re going to make millions, but why not monetize your hobby?
There are lots of gaming websites and apps that offer rewards and provide gaming enthusiasts the opportunity to earn a buck or two. Another option is to sign up for beta testing and become part of a video game before it’s officially released.
14. Transcribing
If you have good typing skills and are willing to spend an hour or more turning audio or video files into written ones, then transcribing might be your cup of tea.
A lot of journalists and lawyers often need transcribed materials as they use them for evidence or reference. In other words, it’s a gig that’s easy to find and one that can be done remotely.
15. Testing new products online
There are many jobs online that can help you make money in half an hour or less. And testing new products is one of them. From websites to apps or even beauty products, you can make some extra cash by becoming an online product tester.
Depending on the product you will be testing, you can earn from $10 per hour to $15 or even more.
Many companies are constantly looking for people to review their products or services and provide feedback so they can make them more appealing to their target consumers. And the best part is that, in most cases, they’ll let you keep the product.
17. Apply for odd jobs
Whether it’s window washing, gutter cleaning, or taking photos in an old graveyard – you’d be surprised at the types of weird job announcements you’ll find online.
The pay rate varies from job to job, but it’s usually worth the effort as you’ll manage to make a few extra bucks in no time.
18. Try tutoring
If you have knowledge in any specific area—Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology or any other topic—there are endless opportunities to make money in one hour online by tutoring people.
Just make sure you have a good understanding of the area you’re teaching and know how to explain it in an easy-to-understand way to your potential students. You can charge anywhere from $20 to $50 per hour, depending on the level of knowledge or subject you’re tutoring.
19. Participate in focus groups
Focus groups are usually organized by research companies looking for people to test their products or services, as well as provide feedback on how to improve them.
Most of the time, these focus groups don’t require much effort on your part, and the only thing they need from you is to offer your honest opinion.
The pay rate varies based on what’s being research, but some can even offer up to $100.
20. Busking
A bit unusual but quite effective, busking is a quick way to make cash and one that you might actually enjoy. If you think you can sing or play an instrument quite well, why not try it?
Just pick up your guitar, flute, cello, drums or whatever instrument you play, find a busy street or corner to perform at, and the tips will start pouring in no time.
Who knows, if you’re good, you might even be discovered for steady gigs.
Tips on How to Make Money in One Hour
No matter which of the above options you choose to try, here are a few tips to help you make the most money in the least amount of time:
Set goals
Just like with any other job, having clear and achievable goals will help you stay focused on your task and increase your chances of making more money in less time.
Do your research
Before taking on any job, take some time to do thorough research so you can really know what you’re getting yourself into.
Some companies, especially the ones working with focus groups, might ask you to sign confidentiality contracts or some other paperwork so make sure you carefully read whatever document they give you before signing it.
Negotiate
Don’t be afraid to negotiate with the person/company you’re working with in order to get a better pay rate.
Try more things
The only way you’ll find a good side hustle that’ll help you make money in an hour and help you make the amount you need is to try several and see which one pays best.
The Bottom Line
So there you have it – twenty legit solutions to help you make money in one hour. As you can see, there’s something for everyone, so don’t be afraid to get out there and put your skills to good use!
Be it through freelancing, selling personal items, or completing surveys – it’s more than possible to see financial rewards in a short period of time.
And before you pick any of the options listed above, just remember that the important thing is to focus on what you need and dive into the opportunities that you feel are best suited for you.