Got 30 Min? 14 Ways to Make $40 Fast a Day Online

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You can use this list to get some free moolah and make that quick $40 today.

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  • Survey Junkie: Survey Junkie has a stellar reputation and is widely regarded as one of the best paid survey sites. It has a very low $5 minimum withdrawal that makes it easy to cash out to PayPal.

Looking to make $40 fast?

Life happens. Sometimes you need to make some extra cash to pay a bill or you're trying to save up for something you want. We've all been there, but what do you usually do when that happens?

This is an exhaustive list of 17 things that anyone can do, today, in order to make $40 of fast cash.

How to Get a Hold of Money When You Urgently Need It

Cash advance apps, also known as payday advance apps, allow users to borrow money before their paycheck. They can be used to bridge the gap between paychecks.

These cash advance apps help you get your paycheck early and can help you borrow money instantly so you can get up to $500 instantly. I mean you worked today, get paid today.

These apps will pay you so you can make it to your next payday:

  1. Dave – Dave can spot you up to $500 so you can make ends meet. No late fees, interest, credit checks, or hidden hands in your pocket.
  2. Empower – With Empower, you get paid today and can access up to $250 from the pay you’ve already earned, without hidden fees or interest.
 
 
 
MMG Rating:
5.0
MMG Rating:
4.8
MMG Rating:
4.8
30 day free-trial
Fees: $1/mo
Fees: $8/mo
  • App Store: 4.6 – 172.6K Ratings
  • Get up to $250
  • App Store: 4.8 – 631.9K Ratings
  • Get up to $500
  • App Store: 4.8 – ‎116k reviews
  • Receive up to $250 today
MMG Rating:
5.0
30 day free-trial
  • App Store: 4.6 – 172.6K Ratings
  • Get up to $250
MMG Rating:
4.8
Fees: $1/mo
  • App Store: 4.8 – 631.9K Ratings
  • Get up to $500
MMG Rating:
4.8
Fees: $8/mo
  • App Store: 4.8 – ‎116k reviews
  • Receive up to $250 today

7 Ways To Get Free Money

Let's get started with the freebies… basically, get money for no effort.

The first thing you'll want to do is check if you have any unclaimed money.

You might have an old bank account that you opened as a kid, a check from a former employer from your high school job or a utility deposit on an account you closed.

You can go to NAUPA and see if you’re owed any money.

Next, you can use this list to get some free moolah and make that quick $40 today and double your money:

1. Make $20 fast with Acorns

Investing is a great way to make some extra money.

If you’re not sure where to start, Acorns is one of the most popular microsavings platforms. It literally lets you turn your spare change into investments. Join through here (must complete application) and get a $20 welcome bonus when you set up the recurring investments feature.

That's right, just make a successful recurring investment of at least $5 within 14 days.

Sounds like fun? Sign-up for Acorns, collect your $20 and double your money by investing. You can also get a registration bonus through here.

Our Pick
Invest in the background of life and get a $20 bonus
5.0

With Acorns, automatically invest spare change from everyday purchases in expert-built portfolios recommended for you, easily save for retirement, get paid early, and more. Start in under 5 minutes and get a $20 bonus today!

Get your bonus

2. Take Surveys on Survey Junkie

highest paying survey sites

Yes, you do get paid to give your opinion!

Taking online surveys to make extra money is a no-brainer.

You definitely won’t get rich or make hundreds of dollars per day with a survey alone, but you won’t waste much time, and you can make some money the easy way.

Survey Junkie pays between $.50 and $1.25 per survey, and many of them take less than 5 minutes to complete.

So if you took 10 surveys per day, every day for a month, you could make $375 per month.

If you took more surveys a day… the possibilities are endless.

If you wanted to sign up for Survey Junkie to make extra money you can get started here.

$1.6M+ monthly payout to its members
Survey Junkie
4.5
Over $55,000 Paid to Survey Junkie members daily

Survey Junkie is one of the highest-paying survey sites available. Complete three or more surveys a day, and you can earn as much as $100 monthly. With $76 Million paid out to date, Survey Junkie is one of the best survey sites available.

Start Earning Survey Junkie Review

Here are some other trusted survey companies that pay you in cash via PayPal:

3. Start Earning with Capital One Shopping

make $50 fast

If you do any shopping online then you should know about shopping browser extension and app called Capital One Shopping that helps you find savings.

You can get price comparisons, automatic coupons, shopping rewards, and it even offers price drop monitoring.

Best of all, you can get free gift cards just for adding this free extension to your browser.

You can do this by shopping online with Capital One Shopping.

Capital One Shopping is my favorite way to make money when I shop online and right now they are offering a welcome bonus through this link.

You'd be silly to pass up on using Capital One Shopping.

Capital One Shopping
4.5

Capital One Shopping is a free browser extension that optimizes your online shopping experience. It automatically searches for coupons and deals across 100,000+ retailers, showing you incredible deals, including tax and shipping. Plus, you can earn Shopping Rewards on purchases, redeemable for gift cards at top stores.

Add Free Browser Extension
We earn a commission if you make a purchase or sign up through our links, at no additional cost to you.

Capital One Shopping compensates us when you sign up using the links we provided.

4. Use Rocket Money to Save Money and Earn $40 Fast

make $50 fast

The free app, Rocket Money, lets you save money with automation and within a few days, I saved an extra $40.

I linked my financial accounts and Rocket Money went to work.

It found ways to lower my bills and cancel subscriptions; negotiate my Verizon bill, found subscriptions to cancel, and analyzed my spending habits, and more.

The app is free and was able to save me some money.

#1 Money Saving App
Rocket Money
4.5
Rocket Money is free to use

Rocket Money helps 3.4+ million members save hundreds. Get the app and start saving today. Save more, spend less, and take back control of your financial life.

Start Saving Now Read Review

5. Collect $60 by Downloading Nielsen App

make 30 fast

By using the internet as you do every day, Nielsen invites you to make a difference – and you can make money too.

You don’t even have to do anything other than registering your computer or phone.

Nielsen will pay you $60 a year to keep their app on your favorite internet browsing device and they also give away $10,000 each month.

So you can possibly make more than $60 fast.

Get $60 for installing app
Nielsen Mobile Panel
5.0

This company will pay you $60 a year to keep their app on your favorite internet browsing device and they also give away $10,000 each month. You don’t have to do anything other than initially registering your computer or phone.

Join Nielsen Panel Nielsen Review

6. Earn Money Through Receipts with Ibotta

apps like ibotta

The app you should know about is Ibotta.

With Ibotta, you can earn real cash back every time you shop online or in-store.

Simply check Ibotta before you shop in-store or online, travel, dine out, or make a purchase in your favorite apps, and you can get rewarded with cash back.

Ibotta works with leading brands and retailers, including Best Buy, Lowe’s, Safeway, eBay, and so many more, to help you save money without the hassle of traditional coupons, or promo codes.

Ibotta
4.5

Ibotta pays you cash back for shopping at over 500,000 retailers, which you have to do every month. So why not get paid for it? Get started saving today.

Start Saving Ibotta Cheats

7. Get Paid Playing Games

get paid to play games

We all heard the old saying “time is money” right?

Instead of playing games on your phone like everyone else and feeling bad for wasting your time — now you can get paid for it.

Getting paid for playing games sounds like a dream. But if you download a free new app, and then download games from it and play, you earn money.

As you level up you can earn more money for cash rewards or gift cards.

This is a great opportunity for those looking to get paid for something they enjoy, like winning free gift cards and cash for playing games. I use it and it is legit and has over 35,404 positive reviews in the Google Play store.

If you’re interested, I recommend you download the app from the Google Play store for free by clicking here.

100% free, no deposits required
Mistplay (Android Only)
4.5

Earning money by playing games on your phone sounds like a dream. But Mistplay really pays you for playing new games with free gift cards. It is 100% free to play and you never have to deposit any money.

Start Playing Mistplay Review

6 Side Gigs That Require More Work Get Your $40

Use your free time and your freedom to get your $50.

9. Make Money Driving for Uber

uber car requirements

If you’re free nights and weekends, you can earn extra cash driving your fellow citizens around. You can earn money by driving with Uber – if you have a car, it’s a perfect way to earn extra cash whenever it’s convenient for you. A lot of people do this full time, so you can imagine that it’s possible to do this on the side and make extra money and be able to save it.

Once you’re a driver with Uber, you can choose to turn the app on or off and drive whenever you have some time to spare. They also have a feature that allows you to select your destination, so if you are leaving work (or any other long commute), you could pick up a ride that was going in the same direction. You can do this 2-4 times a week on your commute and can easily make extra money.

10. Sell Your Stuff Near You

sell clothes online

Have an old laptop, used textbooks, old clothes, or even used DVDs lying around? That's basically $40 or more in junk just lying around your house!

It’s not much of a secret that you can easily get money for those items you have stored in the closet, attic or basement that are just collecting dust.

Here are some articles for you to use to get rid of your junk for cold hard cash near you:

11. Delivery and Errand Service

DoorDash Driver Sign Up

With all of the on-demand and driving apps to make money out there today, this one is an easy one. All you need to have is a car or bike, in most cases.

Apps like DoorDash and Instacart are easy to sign up for and start making money.

There are always people that are looking for a ride or looking to get something delivered.

Another great part about doing this is that you can pick your hours.

If you have 30 minutes between classes you can do a ride or two.

If you are only available 8-11 at night then you can work then. It is extremely flexible and you can make at least $40 a day. If you do plan on signing up — check for an Instacart referral or Dasher sign up bonus to make the most of it.

Highest paying?
Delivery Jobs

DoorDash provides more stable hourly pay but has lower earning potential. Instacart has higher earning potential but you must book your schedule in advance. Most gig workers sign up for both to maximize their earning potential.

Become a DoorDash Dasher Become an Instacart Shopper

12. Host Guests on Airbnb

airbnb success strategy

Like Uber did for Taxis before it, Airbnb is fast revolutionizing the holiday and travel accommodation industry, and you’re set to profit from it!

If you’ve traveled recently, chances are you’ve rented a place to stay via Airbnb, or at the very least give it a look.

An online marketplace for people with space, rooms, or even entire houses to spare, Airbnb lets you list your place for rent just like a hotel or motel.

Maybe you’re traveling overseas yourself and want to make the most of your empty place while you’re away?

Perhaps you have a spare room that currently houses nothing more than empty boxes?

With Airbnb, you can turn to fill that empty space in your home, and fill that empty spot in your wallet with some easy passive income (way more than $40).

13. Start Dropshipping on Shopify

dropshipping

Chances are you’ve heard of Dropshipping before: the retail method where you sell products from other businesses without ever having to hold on to stock.

You simply purchase the item from the retailer once you’ve made a sale, and ship it directly to your customer.

It’s an easy way to run an online store without any of the hassles!

No stock to manage. No shipping to take care of. You just sell the products and rake in the profit.

With the likes of Shopify and Oberlo, there’s never been an easier – or better – time to take up drop shipping.

Simply set up your online storefront with Shopify, and then use Oberlo to quickly and easily import the products you want to sell into your store.

No hassle. No fuss. It couldn’t be easier!

Shopify

Bring your idea to life with the tools you need to start selling. Create your online store today with Shopify with a 3-day free trial. No credit card required.

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14. Start a Podcast

how to start a podcast

Go get a microphone and you’re ready to give it a go.

If you can build an audience for your podcast, then you can make some money through sponsorships, affiliate advertising, and other offerings.

Companies regularly pay $250 to $500 for a 30-second advertisement on podcasts.

Does making $500 fast sound good to you?

If so, it might be helpful to check out our guide on starting your podcast and how to profit from it.

There is money to be made with this side hustle idea.

Making Extra Money Gives You Options

With this list of realistic ways to make money with just a laptop, I hope you are able to make much more than 100 dollars. It’s no wonder why Millennials seem to love side hustles.

In fact, 44% of workers aged 25-34 and 39% aged 18-24 also have side gigs, according to a recent CareerBuilder survey of 3,244 people.

Almost half of Millennials work on top of their full-time jobs! But why?

Did you know that the online outsourcing market is projected to grow to $16 Billion by 2020?

Millennials, especially those in the age group of 20-25 years, form a large part of this outsourcing market.

Hence, it comes as no surprise that nearly 80% of students work part-time and about 30% of working professionals make money by in ways that we like to call them, side hustles.

If you want to take complete advantage of the opportunities available to you, then the list above are some of the best ways on how to make money fast.

Like these types of lists?

Here’s an even bigger one for you: 100+ Fun and Easy Ways to Make Extra Money Today!

Have you tried any of these side hustles? Are there any other ways you’ve learned how to make $40 fast that we missed?

About the author

Brian Meiggs
Hi, I'm Brian Meiggs! A personal finance expert, entrepreneur, and the founder of My Millennial Guide. My drive is to help others unlock the wealth of freedom and pave the path to financial success. With my bachelor's degree in finance, I help millennials follow the smart money in order to increase their earning potential and start building wealth for the future. I write regularly about side hustles, investing, and general personal finance topics aimed to help anyone earn more, pay off debt, and reach financial freedom. I have been quoted in major publications including Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, NASDAQ, Discover, GoDaddy, BiggerPockets, Fox News, Debt.com, Quick Sprout, Money Geek, MSN Money and many more!