Your rent is past due. Your other bills are piling up.
Understand, it happens to all of us. And you’re not alone!
For many in this situation, the first impulse is to apply for a loan. Those who are extremely desperate may even take out a payday loan. Don’t go down that path! Payday loans are extremely predatory, and these lenders use manipulative tactics to lure you into a vicious debt trap. Before you know it, you’ll be waist-deep in fees and interest charges!
But don’t worry, we won’t let you become another victim. That’s why we compiled a list of clever ways you can make money quickly. So stop writing. Put down that pen and paper. And save that loan application for another day!
Moonlight as an Uber Driver
If you already own a car, working as an Uber driver great way to earn some extra cash. Uber drivers make an average of $18 per hour, but you need to pay for gas, bridge tokens, and other work-related expenses. The best part about Uber is you can set your own hours. If you have a busy schedule for one week, log out of the app and focus on your primary job. But if your hours are cut back the next, turn on the app and start making a quick buck.
Deliver Food with Uber Eats
With so many restaurants now offering food delivery, drivers are in demand. Most Uber Eats’ drivers net about $8 to $12 per hour, and like the option above, you have the power to set your own hours and deliver food at times that work best for you. Because payments are made solely through the app, you don’t need to collect money for the food purchase or the delivery. This way, it becomes one less thing you need to worry about.
Paid Surveys
When times are tough, paid surveys are a great way to supplement your income. With so many companies wanting insights into consumer preferences, there are plenty of survey sites that will pay you good money to fill out low-maintenance surveys. Many pay between $0.50 to $1.25 per survey and take less than five minutes to complete. Like the options above, you also have the flexibility to create your own schedule and increase/decrease your workload when you need to. If it’s a boring Sunday afternoon or the weather has you stuck inside, turn on your computer or mobile device and answer a few questions. In no time, the money will start rolling in.
Deliver Groceries with Postmates
Like Uber Eats, there is also a ton of grocery delivery demand. In the ‘Amazon’ world we currently live in, it’s not like past generations. Today, people don’t want to walk the grocery aisles and fill up their carts like they once did. Instead, they open a mobile app and add the products to their grocery list. This is where you come in! Through Postmates, you pick up the order and deliver it to the desired location. Not so difficult. The best part about the service is it’s free to use and pays anywhere from $8 to $18 per hour. Experienced drivers even earn up to $25 per hour!
Rent out Your Apartment on Airbnb
If you’re away from home for any length of time or even have a friend you can stay with while you rent out your place, Airbnb is a great way to make some quick money. Say you rent your apartment and pay $800 per month. By listing it on Airbnb for the weekend, you can easily net around $100 to $200. If you rent out the place for the entire week, you could earn $350 to $700! You have to be approved by both your landlord and local housing regulator before using the service. If you violate a residential bylaw, it can result in a substantial fine. And that’s the last thing you need when you’re already cash-strapped!
Freelance Through Upwork
Upwork has opportunities for freelances of all skill levels regardless of your education. If it feels intimidating to bid against other freelancers, trust us, it’s not. There, you’ll find plenty of administrative, lead-generation, and bookkeeping positions that offer decent pay without requiring any advanced skills. However, if you have advanced skills obtained in college or certification, the site is a great way to leverage your talent. So, whether it’s writing, accounting, marketing, website development, creative design, or a whole list of others. Upwork has job opportunities for nearly everyone.
Conclusion
When you find yourself in a serious money jam, try and remain calm. When you panic, it leads to poor decisions, like taking out a payday loan. Could you not do it? We’ve seen too many people fall victim to these destructive products. Trust us, and it won’t end well! Fortunately, you have other options. If you follow our tips above, you can generate some quick cash and hopefully keep yourself from piling on added debt. We know it’s never easy. And regardless of the task, it still takes hard work and effort to earn decent money. But, if you’re willing to put in the time, the options above will keep you out of the lender’s office and help take you down a path to a better financial future.