35 Legit Ways To Make $1,000 Fast

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE SEE MY DISCLOSURES. FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Author: Jon DulinEdited by: Yasmine Bonatch

Are you in need of some fast cash?

Making $1,000 fast – like in a day or a week might sound impossible, but it’s not.

You simply need to find the best ways to make extra money.

And that is what this article is all about.

I’ll show you 35 different ways you can easily make $1,000 dollars without doing a lot of extra work.

In fact, you can make money without a job using many of these tips!

Don’t believe me?

Keep reading to see how I make nearly $2,000 a month using these tricks!

35 To Make $1,000 Fast (In a Week or Less)

#1. Sell Your Body

how to make $1,000 fast
Photo Credit: Vadymvdrobot via Deposit Photos.

Yes, you can make money off your body, and it’s arguably the fastest way to make 1000 dollars.

But don’t limit yourself to selling blood plasma, clinical trials, or focus groups.

There are many more opportunities out there for you.

Here are a few examples.

  • Sell your breast milk
  • Sell feet pics
  • Sell your hair
  • Sell your poop

Like I said, these are ideas you have never thought of.

In many of these cases, you will earn a lot more than just $1,000.

I wrote a detailed article covering many ways to make money selling your body.

For most people, selling your poop is the best way to make the cash you need quickly.

#2. Social Media Manager

Social media management is one of the best side hustles you can do, as it offers much more than just $1,000 in income.

It can easily become your new career, and with just a few hours of work per day, you can make an annual income of $100,000 or more.

More companies than ever are turning to social media to connect with their current customers and find new ones.

If you have the skills to help them accomplish these goals, you have a job.

It will take time to make six figures or more, but there is no reason why you cannot make $50 an hour or $1,000 in a week from the start.

Reach out to everyone you know and post on social media. Consider joining various blogger groups on Facebook, too.

Of course, reach out to local businesses and see if they need a bigger social media presence.

You will have interested parties looking to hire you in no time.

#3. Sell Your Stuff

If you want to know how to get $1,000 fast, look no further than cleaning your house and selling your stuff.

What do you have lying around you no longer use, need, or want?

Skip the idea of a yard sale or flea market.

You won’t reach a lot of people this way.

Instead, list your things for sale on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or one of the newer apps for selling things.

To make $1,000 in a few days, focus on high-value items like electronics, cell phones, jewelry, and name-brand clothing.

#4. Garage Sale Arbitrage

Garage sale arbitrage, or flea market flipping, as some say, is a way to earn extra money fast, and it ties in perfectly with the point above.

Let’s say you sold all your valuable items but need more cash. What do you do?

Enter garage sales.

Visit garage, yard, and estate sales in your free time looking for low-price items you can resell for a profit.

At most yard sales, the seller wants to get rid of their stuff and doesn’t know or care about its value.

You buy and resell the item online for money on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.

And here is a bonus tip.

Also, visit your local thrift store.

There are times when I’ve found some great items for really cheap.

I buy and make money online by reselling on eBay.

#5. Amazon FBA

If you like reselling items but want to take it up a notch, there is Amazon FBA.

This was my #1 way of making money fast.

I easily was making an extra $100 a week without trying.

If I put in more effort, I could have easily made $1,000 or more monthly.

Here is how Amazon FBA works.

#1. You find clearance items at stores in your area.

#2. You list the item on Amazon using your FBA account for a higher price.

#3. You ship the item to Amazon and wait.

#4. Once it sells, Amazon will ship the item and pay you your commission.

That is all there is to it.

The trick lies in the first step, finding items on clearance.

This step takes the most time, and most people give up at this point because they don’t know how to find clearance items.

I know because I almost gave up.

It was hard at first, but eventually, I figured things out.

Check out my article on selling on Amazon FBA for the tips and tricks you need to maximize your income fast.

#6. Find Odd Jobs

One of the most underrated ways to make money quickly is to do what no one else wants to do.

Things like a pet pooper scooper, or hauling junk items away, or cleaning out a garage.

People would much rather pay someone else to do these things.

If you are OK doing them, you have endless opportunities for cash.

And if the job pays well enough, you can recruit friends and split the money.

Sure, you make less, but you get the job done faster, which means you can do another job.

Combine the income, and you make more than going solo.

#7. Sell Stuff For Others

Woman working with cup of coffee
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

You may have taken my advice and sold a lot of your unwanted stuff.

And you went to some garage sales and enjoyed flipping items.

If so, there is another option like these you may like.

Sell unwanted items for others.

Do you have family members, friends, or neighbors who have a lot of stuff they keep saying they will sell but never do?

Offer to sell it for them.

You take 20% of the sale price as your fee for doing all the work.

It’s a win-win.

#8. Food Delivery

Want to know a super easy way to make money in your spare time?

If so, consider becoming a delivery driver.

All you do is deliver food to people at home.

But instead of working for the local pizza joint, you are an independent contractor delivering food from local restaurants.

When someone places an order for delivery, you pick it up and deliver it.

It is that simple.

Recently, there has been a boom in this industry.

Companies like DoorDash and UberEats are looking for drivers.

How much you make varies and depends on the number of hours you work, your location, and other factors.

But on average, most drivers earn around $12 dollars an hour, with some making $15 or more.

#9. Drive For A Rideshare Service

Like food delivery, you can work for Uber or Lyft driving people around.

The money tends to be better, with an average hourly income of $20.

And if you are smart with this idea, you can double up on times when you are already in your car.

For example, if someone is going in the same direction as you go for work, why not pick them up and get paid to drive to work?

The same idea applies when coming home at the end of the day.

Or, consider scouting local wedding venues and hanging out in the area on weekends when weddings happen.

You will almost be guaranteed to have riders.

#10. Tutor

Do you excel in subjects like math, science, or a foreign language?

Have you thought about tutoring?

You can tutor high school or college students and make money doing so.

You could earn $100 or more per student by tutoring a few hours a week.

And if you are good at taking standardized exams, you could also tutor students on these.

#11. Rent Your Unused Space

Most people think of renting out a spare room or a house on Airbnb or Vrbo.

While you can do that, you won’t make the money you need quickly.

To make the money you need as quickly as possible, consider renting out your garage.

Storage units are booming, and for good reason: people have a lot of junk.

They will gladly pay to rent out your garage or storage shed.

To maximize the money you make, see what similar-sized storage units in your area rent for and charge a little less.

#12. Join Fiverr

Want to make money fast? Sign up for Fiverr and sell your services here.

In the past, people charged $5, but now, most gigs are $20 or more.

So what can you offer?

Technical skills are in need, but people who can sing or write songs are also in demand.

Spend a little time seeing what services others offer, and if you have the same marketable skills, start selling.

#13. Become a Virtual Assistant

If you are organized, have basic technical skills, and are a good communicator, then becoming a virtual assistant is for you.

Here, you do odd jobs for website owners.

You might write and send emails, edit or format blog posts, source images, network, handle social media, improve search engine optimization, etc.

Without experience, you can make an hourly rate of $15-$20 or more.

With experience, you can make even more.

You can contact website owners directly or join online marketplaces like Upwork and post your qualifications there.

#14. Rent Your Unused Stuff

What if you don’t have extra space to rent out?

You can still generate income by renting out some things you use sparingly.

There are services for renting out just about anything these days.

Here is a short list to give you some ideas:

  • Rent out your car
  • Rent your video games
  • Rent your bike
  • Rent baby gear
  • Rent your parking space

The list goes on and on.

The amount you make varies, but it can be very lucrative if there is demand for your items.

#15. Reduce Your Expenses

Here is how saving money equates to you making more money.

Lowering your expenses will free up money every month, which can feel like you are making extra cash.

So, what are the best ways to save money?

First, look at your groceries.

Try to be more thoughtful about what you buy.

Fewer weekly trips, shopping with a list, and limiting junk food are simple ways to lower this monthly bill.

Additionally, see if other grocery stores have lower prices.

If there is a discount grocery store, like Walmart or Aldi, try shopping there.

Next, sign up for BillTrim.

BillTrim will review your spending, point out areas to save, and negotiate bills for you.

The average user saves $900 a year. While this alone won’t help you reach your goal, when combined with the other ideas listed, it can.

BillTrim

BillTrim is the best way to lower your bills. Make a one time payment and let BillTrim get to work, saving you money. The average user saves up to $900 a year. And if BillTrim can't save you $300, you don't pay.

Save Money Now
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Finally, consider taking drastic steps. Could you sell your car and buy a cheaper alternative?

Bring in a roommate to share common expenses with.

While this won’t get you $1,000 immediately, it will have long-term financial benefits.

Check my article on how to slash your monthly expenses for more creative ideas.

#16. Invest

Some articles you read will try to tell you investing in dividend-paying stocks is an idea to consider.

In the long term, this type of investing is a very smart idea.

But if you need $1,000 tomorrow, dividend investing is not smart because to earn a $1,000 dividend, you would need to invest a few thousand dollars.

If you have that much to invest, you certainly aren’t reading an article on how to get $1,000 dollars fast.

But this doesn’t mean all investing doesn’t make sense.

If you invest in options, you can reach your goal rather quickly. But there are tremendous risks with trading stocks like this, and you could lose everything, so this one isn’t for everyone.

#17. Negotiate Your Salary

Woman getting interviewed
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Your full-time job is an excellent opportunity to increase your income, which most people overlook.

If you haven’t received a raise or think you are more valuable than the amount you earn, take the time to ask for a raise.

Now, this won’t turn into fast cash overnight. But combined with other ideas, it could make sense.

Your pay frequency will determine how soon you see the added money in your paycheck.

#18. Sign Up Bonuses

Credit cards and bank accounts offer sign-up bonuses all the time, allowing you to earn a few hundred dollars per bonus.

You could make easy money here if you are innovative with your approach.

Most credit card offers require spending a certain amount in the first couple months of card ownership.

If you meet this requirement, you will earn the sign-up bonus.

For a bank account offer, you usually have to set up a direct deposit of your paycheck and make a few purchases with your debit card.

However, some intelligent people found that some banks classify PayPal transfers as direct deposits, allowing them to cash in much faster.

#19. Resell Sneakers

Did you know high-end sneakers sell for thousands of dollars?

I had no idea.

Do some research to find limited-edition sneakers, then search eBay and other marketplaces for shoes selling for less.

Buy them and resell them for a hefty profit.

#20. Take Online Surveys

Using survey sites to make quick cash is controversial.

I say this because some people swear by taking surveys, while others think it is a complete scam and a waste of time.

I think it is a great way to make extra money because I have made a lot of money taking surveys.

Most people feel scammed by surveys because they have unrealistic expectations.

They think they will make $500 in 5 minutes, but this isn’t true.

If you decide to take surveys, you must understand they take time. And you will do work.

Most surveys take 10 minutes to complete, and you will make a few dollars each time.

But there is a trick to making more money with surveys, and I use it to make hundreds of dollars a month.

I go into great detail showing you how to make the most money with paid surveys.

You have to remember that you aren’t going to make $1,000 a month with this tip alone.

It just isn’t realistic.

But if you combine this tip with others I list, you can make thousands of dollars.

#21. Lower Your Car Insurance

Another simple way to save money is to review your car insurance.

When did you last check to see if your rates were competitive?

If it’s been more than a year, there is a good chance you are overpaying.

And if you don’t think you have to do this, think again.

Insurify allows you to compare multiple quotes from the best insurance companies in minutes.

Just enter a few basic details and click the button, and Insurify will show you the lowest rates compared to your current coverage.

And here is the best part.

The average Insurify user saves $450 a year on car insurance.

Get Multiple Insurance Quotes
Insurify

With Insurify, you get multiple insurance quotes, fast and easy. The average savings is close to $500 a year. Click the link below to see how much money you will save with Insurify!

Click Here To Save Money Read My Review

#22. Become A Freelance Writer

Do you enjoy writing?

If you do, you can start freelance writing and make big bucks.

There are thousands of websites out there that need new content daily.

Some are regular people who started their own blog.

Others are small business owners and large companies looking for website content.

If you are decent at writing, you can easily land a gig writing for these websites.

When starting out, you typically get paid $0.05 a word, which comes to $50 for a 1,000-word blog post.

Write two articles daily for 20 articles a month, and you have made $1,000.

As you gain experience, you can increase your rates.

I know some writers who charge $1.00 per word.

Those same 20 articles that are 1,000 words each now earn you $20,000 a month!

Where do you find these jobs?

Search for websites on the topics you like to write about and reach out to the owner.

You can also jump on Facebook and find freelance writing groups to join.

#23. Instacart

Did you know you can get paid to shop at grocery stores?

When you work with Instacart, you can be an in-store or full-service shopper for people who want their groceries delivered.

As an in-store shopper, you buy the items on the customer’s shopping list and prepare them for delivery.

If you are a full-service shopper, you also shop for the items on the shopping list and prepare them for delivery, but you also make the delivery.

You can make your own hours and make good money in the process.

#24. Pet Sit

Pet owners love their pets and often want to avoid putting them in a kennel when they travel.

This is where you come in.

For a small fee, you agree to visit the pets on a daily basis or even move in while the owners are away and watch over their pets.

If you love animals, it is easy work, and you can make upwards of $25 an hour doing it.

#25. Dog Walk

If pet sitting sounds too time-consuming and you would rather make your own schedule, consider becoming a dog walker.

You can make $20 an hour to take dogs in your local area for a walk.

Post your services on Facebook and encourage referrals, and you’ll have more business than you know what to do with.

And here is one of the best creative ways to grow this idea.

If you get a lot of requests from dog owners to walk their dogs, get some friends together and start a business.

You’ll make more money as a group and enjoy the rewards together.

#26. Sell Used Textbooks

Amazon buys used textbooks and you can earn extra cash fast as some textbooks sell for over $100 each.

The fastest way to use this idea is to use TexTrader.

This tool will scan Amazon for underpriced books you can buy and immediately resell them to Amazon for profit.

Yes, this is real.

The other option is to go to yard sales, estate sales, etc., and find textbooks you can resell.

This option has a greater chance of success as you have much less competition.

#27. Earn Cash Back

Do you get paid to shop?

If you answered no, you are missing out on free money.

Sites like Swagbucks and Rakuten give you cash back when you shop online.

The amount varies by retailer, but it is typically between 1% and 25% cash back on your purchase.

And with Swagbucks, there are additional ways to earn.

You can watch videos, play games, answer a daily poll, and surf the web.

Earn enough points and redeem them for cash in your PayPal account or for free gift cards.

With Rakuten, they only offer cash back and send you your money every quarter.

Which one is better?

I use them both.

Sometimes, one offers a higher cash back than the other, so I like to check both out before I shop.

#28. Play Games

Years ago, telling someone they could earn extra money playing games online sounded like a scam.

But today, this is a legitimate way to make money online.

Many great games pay real cash rewards.

Whether you like puzzle games, arcade games, or skill games, there is one for you.

You can transfer the money you make to your bank account, keep it as PayPal cash, or opt for gift cards.

As with other ideas on this list, this one alone will not quickly earn you $1,000.

But combined with a few others, you can avoid a part-time job and make money the fun way.

#29. Graphic Designer

Here is a simple way to make extra income as a graphic designer.

Websites need logos made, infographics created, printables designed, images cropped, etc.

If you are skilled in Photoshop, you will have people knocking on your door for help.

A great place to post your services is Fiverr.

Depending on its complexity, you can make $20 up to $150 per gig.

#30. Offer Technical Services

Do you know your way around computers, smartphones, or social media? Do you know how to turn pictures on a phone into a photo booklet?

Many people don’t and would pay to know how to do these things.

Post your services online and tell others to find potential clients.

It could be an easy way to make some extra money.

#31. Bartend

If you’re willing to work nights or weekends, a part-time job as a bartender is one of the best ways to earn extra money.

Try to land a job at a popular bar or restaurant to increase your odds of making a lot of cash fast.

Then, provide excellent service and make people feel welcome.

If you can, try to upsell customers into more expensive drinks, but don’t come off pushy.

Finally, the more you network with your customers, the more opportunities come your way.

For example, you might land a gig bartending at a private event.

#32. Recycle Scrap Metal

To make $1000 or more quickly by scrapping metal, focus on collecting large quantities of scrap metal, such as copper, aluminum, and steel.

If you have permission, you can search for scrap metal in abandoned buildings, construction sites, and junkyards.

You should also check out Facebook Marketplace, where people in local groups post “curb alerts” for scrap metal they want to dispose of.

Of course, you can drive around town and stumble upon free items people put out.

To make the most money, use online platforms and call local scrapyards to see who has the best prices.

#33. Complete Tasks for Others

There are many tasks you could do for others to earn money.

You could run errands, assemble furniture, paint, mulch flower beds, and more.

Some jobs will be easy, and some will require more effort, but they all will result in making good money.

Your earnings depend on the job size and how fast you can complete the jobs.

A great site to consider is Taskrabbit, where people who need help with random tasks post job listings.

#34. Start a YouTube Channel

Starting a YouTube channel won’t get you money right away.

You have to record several videos, upload them, and build up subscribers so you can apply to monetize them.

If you go the affiliate marketing route, you still need many viewers to convert into customers.

Either way, it is not something you can do overnight.

But if you are willing to put in the time first, you could make $1,000 or more a day once your channel grows in popularity.

#35. Take Out a Loan

This one is last for a reason.

You should only consider it as a last resort because going into debt is not good.

But sometimes, you have no other option.

You can get the money you need as a loan in a few ways.

The first would be a balance transfer with your credit card. Another is a personal loan.

I do not recommend a cash advance, as the interest rate is higher than your standard purchase rate, and there is no 30-day grace period.

The credit card charges you interest on day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

frequently asked questions
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos.

What can I do to make $1,000 in one day?

Making $1,000 in one day is challenging but possible.

The best way to make it happen is to sell things you own that are worth money, including electronics, cell phones, jewelry, etc.

Another option, though only as an absolute last resort, would be taking out a loan for the money you need.

How can I make $1,000 this week?

To make $1,000 this week, you have a handful of options.

Delivering food or driving people around is a great option to make money in a few days.

You could also create a profile on Fiverr and land some gigs that can help you reach your goal.

How can I make $1,000 quickly without a job?

Making $1,000 without a job is possible by scraping metal, selling your stuff, flipping items, and selling for others.

Another option is selling your body by offering your poop, taking feet pics, and more.

You could also consider renting your garage or car to make money without working a job.

Can I make $1,000 passive income quickly?

You can make $1,000 in passive income, depending on how quickly you need it.

You can make this much trading stock options in as little as a day, but there will be work you must do first to succeed.

Similarly, you could sell an online course to earn money, but you must first put in a lot of work.

There are no legitimate options to make money passively fast without some upfront work first.

How can I protect myself from scams?

Because many people are looking for ways to make money right now, many scams and get-rich-quick schemes are trying to get your money.

The best thing you can do is remember if it sounds too good to be true, it likely is.

So if someone or something promises a high side income for little to no work, this should be a red flag.

The same goes for if they ask you to pay money or need your personal information before you start working.

There are many legitimate ways to earn money, so use common sense when trying to make a quick buck.

Final Thoughts

There are 35 easy ways for how to make 1000 dollars fast.

Whether you need the cash to pay your rent, a surprise bill, or to save it for later, doing any of the side gigs listed will make you money quickly.

The best part is that you can do a couple at a time and make money fast.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can’t make this amount of money in a short amount of time.

You can.

If you get a little creative with the process, you will be surprised at how much you can make.

Author: Jon Dulin

Title: Writer

Expertise: Investing, Paying off debt, Saving money, Budgeting, Making money, Side hustles

Jon Dulin HeadshotJon Dulin is a personal finance writer for 15 years. Jon is the founder of the personal finance website Money Smart Guides. He has a masters degree in finance and a certificate in financial planning. He also writes for the AP Wire and MSN.

Scroll to Top