6 Top Ways to Make Money from Home Quickly

Are you a new stay-at-home mom? Is the transition from a dual-income couple to a single-income family, wreaking havoc on your finances? Do you need to make money from home quickly?

I feel you.

Even though I had saved up for my transition as a new stay-at-home mom, my savings dwindled much faster than I had anticipated, and I began to worry about money. There was no way that I was going to put my daughter in daycare and head back to the 9-to-5 grind.

It was when my daughter was nine months old that I started looking for a work-at-home job. But from my previous job hunts, I knew that my job search could take months, maybe even a year or longer. And, once you land a job, it usually takes 3 – 4 weeks to get your first paycheck.

Luckily, there are lots of quick ways to make money from home while you’re caring for your little ones.

Here Are Some Easy Ways to Make Money from Home Quickly:

1. Sell Your Services

Everyone has some sort of skill or knowledge that they can put to work for them. So, take a few minutes and jot down your skills, passions, in-depth knowledge, and prior jobs, and brainstorm how you can sell these services to make money.

Here are some ideas to get you started.

• Child Care
• Bookkeeping
• House Cleaner
• Laundry Service
• Pet Sitter
• Freelance Writer
• Meal Prep
• Organizer
• Photographer
• Personal Concierge

Need more ideas? Here is a big list of service-based business ideas.

Once you’ve narrowed down your service offerings, you can let people know that you’re open for business. An easy way to do this is by posting a notice on Facebook, a community bulletin board, email, or word of mouth. In fact, when I was younger and looking for babysitting gigs, I posted a flyer on our church’s bulletin board; and I had more jobs than I could handle. Once you have some takers, discuss payment and the details of the job. In these sorts of situations, you should be paid upon completion of the task. So, the sooner you start getting the word out, the faster you can start earning money.

2. Complete Short Tasks

Short tasks or micro-tasks are just what they sound like – jobs that take a short time to complete, often only minutes. Payouts and tasks vary greatly. Here are some short task sites that payout quickly (7 days or less).

Fiverr

Fiverr is an online marketplace where individuals can sell short tasks starting at $5.00. People sell everything from writing services, design services, voice-overs, to making phone calls, and videos. Once you complete a buyer’s order, Fiverr will keep a fee of $1 and payments will be transferred to your PayPal immediately. Doesn’t sound like much money? The Fiverr Mastermind Group (six Fiverr power sellers who each earn six figures a year each) wrote an e-book about their success with the platform: The Fiverr Master Class: The Fiverr Secrets Of Six Power Sellers That Enable You To Work From Home!

OneSpace

OneSpace is a short task platform where you’re paid for a variety of tasks, such as copywriting, translation, quality assurance, transcription, editing, design, taking surveys, and lots more. To get started, submit your application. When opportunities come in that meet your skills — you’ll be contacted via email. Once you accept an assignment, complete the work, and it’s approved, you’ll be paid daily via PayPal. OneSpace works with companies like Overstock, Staples, and Lowe’s and they have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Looking for more quick ways to make money using short task websites — check out this post for more ideas.

3. Sell Used Stuff

Probably the fastest way to make a quick buck is by selling your used stuff on a classified site like Craigslist, VarageSale, or Facebook Marketplace. You can also sell your used items to a consignment shop, pawnshop, or you can host a garage sale — but often these avenues don’t generate as much revenue, and they can be inconvenient.

There are many online outlets that will pay good prices for your used items and they make the selling process simple; although they may take a little longer than the above methods. If you need cash fast, use the methods listed above. If you have a little time on your side, here are some online platforms for selling your used goods.

eBay

No matter what your item is — you can sell it on eBay! To get started, snap a few pictures of your item, write a great description, and post it on the site. Once your item sells, print out the shipping label from eBay, and send it on its way. eBay sellers are allowed 50 free listings per month and eBay only takes a small fee once the item sells. Payments are made quickly via PayPal once the buyer’s payment method goes through.

Gazelle

Have old electronics (smartphones, laptops, tablets, or computers) that you no longer use? Sell them on Gazelle. Search the site for the type of device you have and instantly receive an offer. Once accepted, they’ll send you a pre-paid box so you can ship the device back to them. It will take a day or two to process and verify your device and then payment is issued via PayPal 3 – 5 business days later.

thredUP 

thredUP is a way you can sell your old clothing, shoes, and handbags. Simply sign up for or a Clean Out Pack online. Once you receive your Clean Up Pack fill it full of clothing and send it to thredUp with the pre-paid label and packing slip. Upon receiving your package, thredUp will appraise your clothing and issue a credit that can withdraw via PayPal or store credit. Any unsold clothing will be donated with a donation receipt will be issued.

Not sure what to sell? This post covers 27 weird and quirky things you can sell for money. And here is a huge list of online platforms that can be used to sell just about anything.

4. Focus Groups

Over the years, I’ve participated in a handful of focus group studies. Not only do they pay well, (I’ve always made $100 per session), but they pay upon completion of the session — can’t get paid much faster than that! All of the market research groups I’ve done were conducted in-person, but, research companies like 20|20 and User Interviews both offer online and virtual focus groups.

If you’re looking for more focus groups to participate in, here is a huge list of companies. You may also want to check your local newspaper or classified sites for other focal group opportunities.

5. Use On-Demand Sites

Technology has made it easier than ever to make money quickly by using smartphone applications. If you need money fast, check out these on-demand sites to start working quickly.

DoorDash

With DoorDash, you can make money weekly by delivering food orders. First, apply online to be a Dasher (driver), once your application is approved you can start accepting assignments via the DoorDash app. DoorDash pays per delivery and you’re allowed to accept tips. Payments are distributed weekly via direct deposit.

Instacart

Instacart needs full-service and in-store grocery shoppers. With Instacart, you can make your own schedule, get paid weekly, and start earning quickly. You must be 18 or older to work as a shopper.

Looking for more ways to make cash quickly with on-demand gigs? See this post for more on-demand companies.

6. Rent Your Stuff Out

Probably the two largest purchases you’ve made are for your house and your car — so why not use them to generate some fast cash?! Check out these online platforms to start generating income quickly!

Airbnb

Going away for a weekend? Have an extra bedroom you’re not using? List it on Airbnb! To get started, list your entire home or room on the platform (include high-quality photos and a great description) and then go live. BTW, it’s completely free to list your home on Airbnb! Once your home is listed, renters can view it online and book it for a certain amount of time. Guests are charged via the Airbnb platform before arrival, and the money (minus a 3 percent booking fee) is immediately deposited in your account, via PayPal, or an international money wire. Some Airbnb hosts are earning thousands each month renting their homes out via the platform.

Getaround

Share your car on Getaround when you’re not using it. Simply apply online, and then once approved, start sharing your car via the Getaround smartphone app. Every time someone uses your car, Getaround provides insurance and roadside assistance. The average car owner earns $10,000 per year! While payments are only issued once a month, Getaround could be a great way to build up your bank account.

Looking for more ways to make money fast by renting out your stuff  — see this post.

Conclusion 

While some people may see these opportunities as just extra pocket cash, there are some individuals that have made odd jobs their full-time career. Check out Britney or Lori’s story to see how they are using sites like these to make a full-time income from home.

How do you make money from home quickly? Drop us a note we’d love to hear from you!

Originally published November 8, 2013. Content updated April 20, 2018.