How to Make $500 Fast: 13 Fast-Track Ideas You Can Start Now

Need to learn how to make $500 fast with zero money to start? Here's exactly how to do it with these 18 clever ways to make 500 fast.

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Do you need quick cash but don’t know where to start? Whether it's for an unexpected bill, something special, or just extra money, there are plenty of legit ways to make $500 fast!

No need for complicated side hustles or time-consuming gigs. We’re diving into simple methods that can help boost your bank account quickly.

Ready to turn your money stress into extra cash? Keep reading for easy ideas you can start today!

Ways to Make an Extra $500 Fast

How to Make Extra Cash through Part-Time Side Income

1. Earn Beer Money with Freecash

I'll cut to the chase. I've been checking out Freecash, a site that could potentially boost your bank account without much hassle. 

Here's the deal:

  • Companies need feedback on their stuff, so they're willing to pay for it
  • You can earn by playing games, filling out surveys, or sharing your thoughts on products
  • Payouts range from a few bucks to $225 per task (yeah, I've seen some that high)
  • Some people claim they've made over $1,000, but let's be real – your mileage may vary

Is it going to make you rich? Nah. But if you've got some downtime and want to make a few extra bucks, it might be worth a look.

If you're looking for some extra cash without picking up another job, Freecash could be worth exploring. Just remember to read the fine print and don't expect miracles.

2. A Realistic Way to Earn Passive Income

I also wanted to share something that might interest you: Arrived

It’s a platform where you can invest in rental properties without having to manage them. This means you can earn passive income with minimal effort. 

The platform is backed by investors like Jeff Bezos, which adds to its credibility. Users have been reporting an average annual return of around 10%, making it a solid option for those looking to make their money work harder​. 

It’s worth a look if you’re considering real estate investments. Don't miss out on this one, you can learn more about them here.

3. Earn Cash in Your Spare Time Taking Surveys

So, let me preface by saying I’m not a fan of wasting my time taking boring surveys.

But this is one of the best ways to make money on your phone, quickly.

Survey Junkie lets you get paid for taking online surveys from brands you use every day.

You can also participate in focus groups, try new products (free stuff, yay!), and get paid to listen to new music.

Sign up for Survey Junkie here

4. Unlock $100 Rewards by Exploring New Apps!

Ready to earn some cash? This next idea is super easy…

Whether you're a glued-to-your-phone owner who is looking for a way to make extra cash, or just looking for a fun side hustle, I've got you covered.

Bigcash has over 3,000 app testing offers live right now, with new ones dropping daily. Download a shopping app, play a mobile game to level 10, test a fitness tracker. Standard offers pay $3 to $15, but premium tasks hit $50 to $170 when you complete bigger milestones.

I've tested dozens of GPT apps and deleted most within a week. Bigcash is different. Had one offer not track after I finished it, sent one email, and got my $15 credited in 11 hours. That never happens. Been using it for months and cashed out over $200 total.

Join and get a $15 welcome bonus

5. Get Paid to Take Surveys, Watch TV, & Play Games

The next thing you can do is sign up for InboxDollars which pays you, in cash, to watch fun videos & take surveys. This rewards club provides direct cash rewards to millions of members in the U.S. and U.K. for their everyday online activities, such as reading emails, taking surveys, playing games, and signing up for offers.

If you sign up before the end of this month, they also give you a $5 free bonus just to give it a try.

By spending a couple of minutes per day on this (either on your break at work or during TV commercial breaks) you can earn and earn an extra $100/month.

Click here to sign up and get a free $5 bonus.

6. Need Cash Now?

If you're looking for a chunk of change to help start the Spring off right, a personal loan could be a good option.

If you actually need money now, then you can opt for a personal loan. When you need money in a hurry, you can start with these lenders:

7. Get Paid This Week to Make Deliveries

DoorDash lets you be your own boss and make deliveries on your own time.

You choose the hours you work and get paid cash per order (once you have access to fast pay). Rates will vary by location.

Once you sign up to become a dasher, you can earn an average of $15-25 an hour.

This is such an easy way to make money by delivering on your free time while making extra cash and funding your personal goals.

Click here to sign up with DoorDash

8. Get Paid for Your Gas Receipts

This is the only cash back app for gas that I use and stand by. It's called Upside.

Upside is a free cash back app that turns everyday purchases into extra earnings on gas, groceries, and dining at participating locations.

Just open the app, find and claim an offer, pay as usual with your card, and earn cash back on what youʼre already buying.

You can stack Upside with many credit cards and loyalty rewards, then cash out when youʼre ready to your bank, or popular gift cards.

Download it for free here

9. Access up to $150/day of Your Paycheck With No Fees

Living paycheck to paycheck can make every unexpected expense feel like a crisis. But what if you could access the money you have already earned before payday even hits?

EarnIn lets you tap into up to $150 per day and $1,000 per pay period of your paycheck without waiting for payday. That means if you need gas money on a Tuesday or groceries before Friday, the cash you have already worked for is available when you need it.

The best part is there are no hidden costs. EarnIn charges no interest, no mandatory fees, and no late fees on a standard Cash Out. Ever. You even have the option to get your money within minutes for a small optional fee. There is no credit check required.

It takes just a few minutes to sign up and check your eligibility. If approved, after connecting your bank and verifying your employment, you can start accessing your pay right away.

Other Ways to Make Money Outside of Work

10. Get a Part-time Job

career myths

A part-time weekend job or side gig is an obvious way to make more money. Whether it is in the evenings after work, at night or on the weekends, a part-time job will help you make an extra amount of cash that can increase your living standards, your savings ratio or act as an emergency fund.

It really depends on you on what would fit you best as a part-time job; it may or may not be related to your job or interests. There are plenty of options here but it would probably be best to find a location that is closest to your office or home so you do not overspend on traveling costs.

11. Take on Freelancing Gigs

Freelancing tasks are a popular way to make money in the gig economy. If you are already working as a web designer, for instance, gig economy jobs would encourage you to utilize your expertise for extra income. By setting up a website, you would be able to advertise your services for a very low fee. Freelancers often join freelance portals to reach out to clients, so you may want to consider joining freelance circles and markets to increase your chances of landing jobs.

The good thing about this option is that you are engaging in work that interests you most. If managed adequately, you would also be able to fit in time during working hours when your workload is low or when you are not expected to attend meetings or complete urgent tasks.

12. Start a Blog

tips for new bloggers

Blogging is a brilliant way to earn money fast. By just blogging passionately on your interests or expertise, you would be able to earn multiple streams of income through advertisements by Adsense, blog advertising and product reviews – these are just a few of many options.

Blogging can be done during your working hour’s free-time or after working hours – sometimes in front of the television. Since a blog is like a website and is on 24 hours a day, you will be making money even while you sleep. Plus, it's so easy to learn how to start a blog.

Earn around $1,000 for every 30,000 page visits
BlueHost

You can start a blog for as cheap as $2.95 per month when you choose to host your blog on Bluehost which is the best web hosting provider if you want to start a self-hosted WordPress blog or site. Bluehost is one of the few web hosting companies recommended by WordPress.org to host self-hosted WordPress blogs.

Start a Blog

13. Have a Disciplined Savings Regime

easy ways to save money

Money grows money – so utilize good financial tips like having saving options with high dividend returns and park a percentage of your salary there every month. It could be a simple dividend-base savings account, insurance plan or mutual fund, but the bottom line is, the more you save, the more income you will generate through dividends and other forms of ethical returns. You can also use money-saving apps, here are some of our favorites:

Our Pick
 
 
Pros:
  • Automatically invests spare change
  • $20 new user bonus
  • Cash back at select retailers
Pros:
  • Free budgeting tools
  • Retirement planner
  • Free portfolio advice
  • Robo plus human advisors
Pros:
  • Get control over your subscriptions
  • Stay on top of your spending
  • Put your savings on autopilot
Our Pick
Pros:
  • Automatically invests spare change
  • $20 new user bonus
  • Cash back at select retailers
Pros:
  • Free budgeting tools
  • Retirement planner
  • Free portfolio advice
  • Robo plus human advisors
Pros:
  • Get control over your subscriptions
  • Stay on top of your spending
  • Put your savings on autopilot

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some resources for you to learn how to make an extra 500 dollars fast:

How to make 500 dollars fast without a job?

You can make 500 dollars fast without a job through a lot of ways like getting paid to drive your car, make money on Twitch, drop shipping, selling your plasma, and various other ways.

How to make a quick 500 dollars a day?

You can make a quick five hundred dollars a day by selling items that you have lying around your home on different selling apps.

How to make 500 dollars a month as a teenager?

You can make 500 dollars a month as a teenager by flipping cell phones for major profits, making money off YouTube, getting paid to take online surveys or getting paid to play games.

Go Make $500 Fast Today!

As you can see, we have you covered with our list of ways to make $500 fast.

One of the best ways to get started is by choosing one that fits your schedule. Once you find the right side hustle for you, the possibilities are endless.

Don't forget that when you earn your money — there are smart ways to invest $500 and double it!

If you wanted more ways to make money online besides these methods of how to make $500 fast, here’s my list of the best ways to make money online:

Brian Meiggs
Brian Meiggs is the founder of My Millennial Guide, where he’s been helping readers take control of their money for over a decade. As a seasoned personal finance writer and entrepreneur, Brian shares practical strategies on saving, investing, and building wealth through side hustles and smart financial habits. His work and insights have been featured in Business Insider, Entrepreneur, Yahoo Finance, and other major publications. Brian’s mission is simple — to help everyday people make smarter money decisions and create financial freedom for themselves.