Do you need some quick extra cash? We’ve compiled a list of legit, creative options to put money in your pocket, from cashbacks and affiliate programs to micro-hustles. Here’s how to get $50 fast with minimal hassle.
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1. Cash advance apps
Need $100, like, right now? EarnIn lets eligible users access up to $100 from their earned wages with no interest or mandatory fees.¹ First-time users may be eligible for expedited funding at no cost.²
Lightning Speed is an optional service that allows you to expedite the transfer of funds for a fee. Depending on the product, the fee may be charged by EarnIn or its banking partner. Lightning Speed may not be available in all states and/or to all customers. Restrictions and terms apply. See the Lightning Speed Fee Table for details.
If you need to make $50 now, say, to cover an extra grocery run until payday, a cash advance is likely your most dependable option.
While reputable cash advance apps are a convenient solution when you’re low on funds, you don’t actually earn money using them; you only borrow against your upcoming paycheck. Be careful not to overuse cash advances, or you might deplete your income and fall into a cycle of money shortage.
2. Play-to-earn games (P2E)
Do you like playing games on your mobile? You can try apps like Gerald, which use play-to-earn (P2E) models. As you complete challenges in games, you’ll earn points that you can redeem for in-store credits or convert to cash.
Though fun, play-to-earn probably isn’t a realistic way to make $50 in 10 minutes. Payouts for a single gaming session range from a few cents to a couple of dollars, so you’re not likely to hit $50 in a day. Still, if you’re gaming anyway, you might as well earn some pocket money.
3. Surveys
Many financial apps, like Dave, now partner with survey platforms that offer instant payouts. Survey topics range from lifestyle and shopping habits to opinions about products and services.
Answering surveys is one of the most popular ways to earn quick cash online. However, if you need to make $50 fast, surveys may disappoint you. Many questionnaires are time-guzzlers that only pay a few cents.
Keep an eye out for surveys that match your background and offer higher rewards to make this side hustle worth your time.
4. Referral programs
To make $50 right now, consider referral programs. When used right, they’re among the quickest ways to earn cash online.
Various platforms, from financial tools like MoneyLion to gaming and shopping apps, reward you for helping them grow their user base. For example, MoneyLion’s cash rewards program will pay you up to $55 when a person you refer opens an account and makes eligible direct deposits.
Quick tip: When sharing referral links, focus on friends and contacts who are genuinely likely to find the app useful. This way, you’ll make more successful referrals and avoid annoying people..
5. Cashbacks
You can accumulate $50 in cashbacks pretty fast when shopping. For example, Ibotta allows you to earn cash back when you shop at its partner grocery stores. Just add product offers through the Ibotta app while you’re in the store and upload your receipt later.
Once you earn $20 in rewards, you can cash out your funds. Rakuten is similar, but it’s a better fit for online shopping.
Keep in mind: You must spend first to earn money with cashbacks. Still, it’s a low-effort way to get rewards for purchases you’d have made anyway.
6. Test apps
Are you detail-oriented and reasonably tech-savvy? You could earn money testing apps and websites via platforms like UserTesting or Testeum. These platforms pay you to explore apps, report bugs, and flag user experience issues.
Usually, you’ll need to share your screen with a voice recording while working through guided tasks. Payouts vary but may range from $5 to $20. The work is flexible and accessible to anyone with a working device and a few spare minutes.
7. Share photos and videos
Micro-gig platforms like Clickworker and Remotasks offer quick jobs, like taking selfies or uploading short videos of your surroundings. These tasks are easy, flexible, fast, and require minimal effort. You can knock out a few while waiting in line or during other lulls in your day.
The main drawback is low payouts, sometimes as little as $0.10 per task, so this likely isn’t the answer if you’re hoping to make $50 fast.
If you aren’t comfortable sharing selfies or personal videos, this is not the best option for you. Finally, app cameras could get stuck during hiccups in your internet connection, slowing down work.
8. Selling used clothes
Do you have a stash of gently used brand-name or vintage clothes in good condition? Sell them on platforms like Poshmark, Depop, and Facebook Marketplace to make quick cash and free up closet space. It feels great to know that items you no longer need will get a new life instead of cluttering your home or ending up in the landfill.
One downside to selling physical items is the need to handle shipping, which could be a hassle. Still, with effective descriptions and fair pricing, you could make $50 or more almost instantly.
I also recommend attending garage sales on the weekends. Many times, people are willing to let go of items for a fraction of their worth. You can then turn around and sell them on Facebook Marketplace or at other organized events, such as swap meets or farmers’ markets.
9. Online tutoring
Are you looking for a steady income stream beyond the occasional $50? Explore Preply and similar platforms for language, math, and other tutoring gigs. This is ideal for those who are bilingual or interested in teaching ESL. You can easily earn $15 to $30 per hour, and sometimes more.
Online tutoring can be a supplemental gig, but some successful tutors turn it into a full-time career.
Getting approved, setting up a strong profile, and gaining your first students may take time, so this isn’t a quick cash scheme.
10. Affiliate programs
Are you an influencer or a content creator? You can make extra cash by promoting products through affiliate programs like Amazon Associates or the Amazon Influencer Program. These programs pay you a small commission every time someone makes a purchase using the referral link you share in your social media posts, videos, or newsletters.
To maximize your chances of earning good money as an affiliate, choose products you genuinely recommend and that speak to your audience. Affiliate marketing can get little to no traction at first, but it’s a totally passive and flexible income source.
11. AI training
AI training platforms can be a great, quick way to supplement your income: The better-paying projects easily yield $50 in an hour or two, and payouts are often processed within a couple of days. You’re likelier to qualify for these upper-tier tasks if you’re bilingual or an expert in certain sought-after fields, like medical, legal, or financial.
Warning: Avoid platforms with lengthy unpaid training or unrealistic time-per-task goals. Of the platforms I have personally tested, DataAnnotation is by far the best–paying and easiest to use, leaving competitors like OneForma and Alignerr far behind.
If you’re researching ways to make $50 today, prepare for some trial and error. Many side hustles pay less or are much slower than advertised. Creativity, persistence, and choosing the right gigs will help you make the extra cash you need.
If you’re finding yourself constantly scrambling to come up with cash, revisit your fixed expenses and take-home pay. If you have enough income coming in to cover your bills, it’s a spending problem and time to revisit your budget.
If your income isn’t enough to cover your fixed expenses with a little left over for discretionary spending, it’s an income problem where you need to either find more income coming in or find ways to reduce your fixed expenses.
About our contributors
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Anna Twitto is a money management writer passionate about financial freedom and security. Anna loves sharing tips and strategies for smart personal finance choices, saving money, and getting and staying out of debt.
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Kristen Barrett is a managing editor at LendEDU. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has edited and written personal finance content since 2015.
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Crystal Rau, CFP®, CRPC®, AAMS®, is a Certified Financial Planner based in Midland, Texas. She is the founder of Beyond Balanced Financial Planning, a fee-only registered investment advisor that helps young professionals and families balance living their ideal lives with being good stewards of their finances.
