I've been thinking about this question for years. How can I quickly earn money without having to work hard, save it or invest in the stock market?
The answer is simple: You need to leverage other people's time and effort! With today's technology, there are so many ways that someone who knows what they're doing could help out another person with very little risk. If you know what you want and have some capital, you just might find the best investment opportunity of all times. For example...
1. Become an affiliate marketer. This one is my favorite because not only does it pay big bucks but also has no risks involved -- if you don't sell anything, nobody gets hurt. The downside is that it takes time to build up enough affiliates under you to really rake in serious income. But once you master the art of selling others' stuff, your bank account will thank you forever.
2. Sell other peoples products as an eBay PowerSeller. It may be difficult at first, especially since most buyers won't trust you yet, but stick with it. Your goal should be to reach top seller status within 2-3 months. Once you do, you'll see huge commissions rolling into your PayPal every month. And yes, you can actually quit your job after building up your business to become a full-time entrepreneur.
3. Create digital information products like eBooks, MP4 videos, PDFs etc., then offer them on ClickBank.com. What makes these types of products more valuable than physical ones is that anyone interested in buying them already believes in their value. They believe that they'd receive great results from using them, even though they haven't used them themselves. So why would they waste their own precious time trying something when they can instead learn directly from those who did experience success by simply clicking "Buy Now" button right away?
4. Offer services. There are two major options here: either offering consulting services through freelancing websites such as Fiverr.com where you can deliver any type of service imaginable for 5 dollars per hour ($5/hr) or create premium quality content for sites like EzineArticles.com which pays much better ($10-$30+ per article depending on its popularity). Either way, you'll get paid for helping others solve problems faster while working fewer hours yourself. Just think about it: wouldn't you rather spend 3 days creating high quality content for 10 clients instead of spending 8 days slaving over dull Excel spreadsheets for 1 client?
5. Freelance writing gigs. Writing articles for blogs, magazines etc. is a highly lucrative option, particularly if you write well. A lot depends on whether you prefer ghostwriting (where you take someone else's ideas and words, turn them into text and publish it), blogging (you come up with original, unique ideas and post them on your blog), copywriting (you provide marketing strategies based on specific audiences' needs and preferences), technical writing (you translate complex subjects into easily understandable terms), video editing, voice overs, translations, SEO, proofreading and other similar tasks. All of these things can bring amazing residual incomes if done correctly. One thing's for sure though - getting started doesn't require having special skills. Anybody can do it.
6. Get paid for taking surveys. In general, survey companies pay between 0.25$ and 25$. Obviously, higher earnings depend mostly upon the amount of available surveys. However, the key point is to keep track of opportunities that appear regularly so you can eventually accumulate several hundred dollars worth of free samples every week. Also, try combining different offers together. Most often, signup bonuses and referral rewards allow earning hundreds of extra dollars per month just by referring new members.
7. Start an internet dating site. Dating industry is booming nowadays and the profits are shared equally among everyone involved. That being said, starting an online dating website requires minimal investment and loads of patience. It's a long road ahead but well worth taking. Not only will you get to meet potential partners and friends but also gain lots of knowledge that can later be applied elsewhere.
8. Start an Amazon store. If you love shopping and hate wasting time searching for items, consider setting up shop on Amazon Marketplace. Every year, Amazon sells billions of items worldwide and customers usually expect same level of customer support. To run an effective operation, Amazon employs thousands of employees across the world. While the company itself earns 90% of sales revenue, sellers pocket the remaining 10%. Why wouldn't you participate? Besides, you never know until you give it a shot.
9. Launch a YouTube channel. Creating educational tutorials, funny clips, infographics, music compilations etc. is extremely profitable. When executed properly, these kinds of videos rank pretty high in Google search engine result pages meaning that viewers tend to click through to watch them whenever they stumble onto them. Depending on what kind of niche you choose, you may end up making millions of views within a few short weeks.
10. Write ebook reviews. Many times we buy books or DVDs expecting to read or watch them right away only to realize that we forgot to bookmark our favorite passages, chapters or scenes. Or maybe we decide to borrow somebody's DVD or book and forget to return it before next rental date arrives. Then again, sometimes we finish reading a book or watching a movie halfway through and still remember to send feedback to whoever sent us the materials. These scenarios occur quite frequently and represent tremendous untapped markets waiting for solutions. Enter eBook review programs. By writing honest reviews, you can win over existing readers, attract new ones and increase overall product exposure significantly. As an added bonus, most reviewers charge anywhere between $0.01 to $0.05 per word depending on length.
11. Rent movies and TV shows. We live in the age of piracy where almost everything costs half price or less than retail prices. Unfortunately, due to copyright laws, renting copyrighted material isn't always possible unless you happen to be part of Hollywood elite. Fortunately, you can find plenty of legal alternatives both offline and online. Offline methods include borrowing from library, asking permission from friend whose collection you borrowed, purchasing used copies from thrift stores, pawn shops and garage sales. Online methods include checking local classified ads sections, participating in peer to peer lending platforms and signing up to Netflix trial periods.
12. Start a blog. Blogging is still one of the easiest ways to generate passive income. You set up shop on WordPress.org and begin posting relevant, interesting content. People coming across your posts may check out your page and leave comments. From there, you can use various tools to promote your blog including social media networks, email newsletters, advertising space, link exchanges, guest appearances and more. Ultimately, the more popular your blog becomes, the bigger your profit margins will be. Of course, it takes considerable dedication and persistence to succeed at this endeavor. Don't worry -- it was tough for me too.
13. Make short personal loans. Personal loan providers typically lend small amounts of money ranging from $100 to $1500 at lower interest rates compared to traditional banks. After paying back principal plus reasonable fees, borrowers enjoy repayment period extended beyond 6 months. Loans range in maturity dates and repayments vary according to lenders. Like with mortgages, credit cards or car financing, the longer you hold on to your personal loan, the larger your monthly savings will be.
14. Investing. According to experts, investing now is much easier than ever before thanks to low cost index funds. Index fund managers pick stocks that match predefined criteria and invest accordingly. Over time, investors earn steady returns regardless of fluctuating stock values. However, if you're unable or unwilling to handle the responsibilities related to managing your investments, professional financial advisors can assist you. Some firms specialize solely in matching clients with suitable investment portfolios. Often, such plans involve fixed or variable annuities, mutual funds, bonds, CDs and insurance policies.
15. Passive income streams. Another excellent idea is to diversify your portfolio by adding multiple sources of passive income. Examples include real estate ownership, franchising businesses, membership clubs, royalties, franchises, webinars, coaching programs and network marketing. The key is to select a reliable source of income that allows you to focus exclusively on growing your primary income stream while letting your money work for you 24/7.
Not everyone has an unlimited supply of money. Even if you're rolling in dough, there may be days when you need some extra funds -- and quickly! Fortunately, it's easier than ever to turn a few bucks into more. In this article we'll share the fastest ways to make 50 dollars without spending too much time or effort.
So what can you actually do with just 50 dollars? Well...you could pay off all your bills, for starters. Or buy a new Kindle e-reader. Or maybe get that haircut you've been putting off. But as fun as those ideas sound, they aren't very practical. We want something faster. Something that will put money back into your pocket so you can spend it however you like.
Here are 15 simple ways anyone can use 50 dollars -- plus one tip on how to create them easily. Read through these tips first, then pick out which ones appeal most to you. You might have some favorites, but feel free to try different ones until you find at least two methods you really enjoy using. After all, it only takes 30 days to form a habit!
Buy lunch every workday. If you don't live near where you work, it's not hard to sign up for Amazon Flex. This service allows you to schedule delivery from thousands of restaurants around the country. They send you emails when orders are available for pickup and even offer discounts. The best part is that they won't charge any fees unless you earn over $30 per week. It doesn't take long to build up enough deliveries to qualify for full commissions. And since you receive payment weekly rather than monthly, you avoid accruing interest costs. Just set aside whatever amount you'd normally spend on lunch at work, plus shipping costs, and invest it instead. You'll save hundreds of dollars next year alone. (Note: Since I'm based in Portland, Oregon, I got started by ordering food from my favorite local restaurant.)
Start saving extra. When was the last time you added to your 401k plan? If you haven't opened a retirement account recently, now's the perfect opportunity. Not sure how to open an IRA? Check out our guide here. Once you begin contributing regularly, consider opening other types of investment accounts such as stocks and mutual funds. Online brokerages also allow you to trade directly from their websites, meaning no commission charges. There are many reasons why investing early is better than waiting. One recent analysis showed people who waited till age 35 earned about twice as much after taxes as those who invested sooner.
Get paid simply for shopping. A number of services let shoppers earn rewards points whenever they shop online. Some programs require little interaction while others ask for feedback surveys. Most of the reward comes from rebates, but there are still plenty of legitimate opportunities to rack up savings. For example, Rakuten lets users accumulate "Rakuten Points" whenever they order from its site. Simply log in once during checkout and watch your balance go up. Plus, when you collect 500 points, you get a $5 credit toward future purchases. Similarly, Google Offers lets advertisers target specific shoppers with offers worth redeemable for gift cards. These cards can range anywhere from $1 to several hundred dollars depending on the program. While earning rewards isn't going to replace income overnight, it does add up overtime.
Spend less, earn more. Pay yourself first is a common financial advice saying, but why stop there? Why not cut loose unnecessary expenses that drain your budget before giving anything else away? Unsurprisingly, gas prices are among the biggest culprits. According to Bankrate, Americans spent nearly half of 2012's earnings on gasoline. That means leaving home without wearing matching socks and eating leftovers isn't doing anything to help reduce household debt. Other things to consider cutting down include cable TV, gym memberships, alcohol, cigarettes, lottery tickets and impulse buys. By making small changes to your lifestyle, you can shave huge chunks off your overall expense level. Then use that freed-up money towards your investments.
Give blood. Donating blood is a great way to give to charity while helping someone in need. Blood donations are always needed, especially right now because hospitals are experiencing record levels of patients. To donate, visit redcrossblood.org/donate today.
Once you know what kinds of activities bring in 50 dollars, the rest is pretty straightforward. Start slow and gradually increase your contributions as you become accustomed to adding additional resources. Remember, this isn't meant to replace steady employment. Rather, it's designed to supplement your job or provide relief when you temporarily run short of funds.
It's important to remember that the strategies listed below should complement your current situation, goals and skillset. So whether you're single, married, employed, unemployed, looking for work or otherwise, tailor them according to your unique needs.
If you already own a blog, consider monetizing it further by promoting affiliate links within articles and posts. Affiliate marketing is another popular method for turning passive income into real results. Basically, merchants partner up with bloggers to sell products related to topics covered in blog content. Bloggers typically keep 100% of sales profits. Learn more about blogging and affiliate marketing in general in our beginners' primer here.
Keep reading for 15 quick ways anyone can make 50 dollars fast.
Make a list of everything you would usually spend 50 dollars on and divide it by 14. That gives you an average cost per item. Now imagine buying those items individually and subtracting that total from your original figure. That tells you exactly how much room you have to play with. Use that space wisely by focusing on high-value, low-cost options.
Take public transportation. Studies show that taking transit saves commuters money in both time and fuel compared to driving solo. On top of that, riding buses often gets cheaper with frequent departures and good routes. See if you qualify for discounted passes offered in your area.
Sign up for Netflix. Yes, streaming movies and television shows via Netflix is completely legal thanks to recent legislation. With more than 60 million subscribers worldwide, chances are you already subscribe. What better way to relax after a stressful day?
Ask friends & family for assistance. Do you have relatives living nearby willing to lend a hand? Ask them if they wouldn't mind babysitting occasionally. Maybe they can cook dinner one night, clean up afterwards and drive your kids somewhere fun. Take turns hosting events like these, and soon you'll see your friend group growing exponentially.
Borrow books from library. Instead of paying exorbitant amounts of money for paperbacks and hardcovers, borrow titles from libraries. Depending on where you live, you could check out dozens of books for free or even rent them for cheap. No membership required.
Go digital. Digital media such as music, video games and apps are becoming increasingly affordable. Download songs, films and games on Steam, iTunes or Xbox Live. Many companies offer free trials of premium subscriptions. Rent movies digitally on YouTube or Blockbuster. Keep track of deals with tools like Groupon, LivingSocial and SliceThePie.
Don't underestimate Craigslist. People post ads for lots of odd jobs, goods and services on Craiglist. Try asking your city's classified section if you can look for apartments or housemates. Chances are somebody wants help cleaning, cooking or walking dogs.
Save money on car repairs. Did your mechanic tell you that brakes were probably fine, but he wanted to inspect the rotors anyway? Save money on brake pads by stopping by Home Depot and picking up a package deal. Same goes for replacing tires. Stop by auto parts store and grab the cheapest tire tread gauge.
Eat breakfast everyday. Breakfast is arguably the most important meal of the day and yet many skip it altogether. Experts say skipping meals makes us hungrier later on. Consider starting your mornings with cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, eggs or pancakes. Snack on fresh fruit throughout the day, too.
Create a side hustle. Working second jobs and freelancing can help pad your bank account significantly. Think about areas you enjoyed researching or hobbies you used to love. Could you combine those passions into a profitable business? For instance, my husband loves watching sports highlights on ESPN2. He creates highlight videos for his clients and earns roughly $40K annually.
Do laundry. If you hate folding clothes, load washing machine with delicates and whites. Your wallet will thank me later.
Like most numbers, 50 dollars starts with 1 followed by 10 zeroes. However, unlike most numbers, it ends with 5. As such, it contains the letter O, which happens to symbolize abundance. Also, it shares the same numeric value as the word "fifty".
Now that you're familiar with the basics, you can move onto learning advanced techniques for maximizing your income potential. From mastering Excel formulas to building webinars, we've shared tons of information that can help supercharge your finances.
Have questions or comments about this tutorial? Join the conversation in /r/personal finance.
If you're looking for ways to earn some extra income, we've got plenty of great ideas. But if you don't want to wait around for the magic fairy dust that will turn your dreams into reality — or even just need something today—we have some quick solutions.
From making money while you sleep to getting paid in pizza and soda, here's what it takes to get started with short-term side hustles.
You know those cereal boxes where they promise kids that they'll be rich by adulthood? Well...don't believe them! Instead, try one of these simple jobs when you were young.
1. Babysit - When my mom was going back to school after maternity leave, she needed someone to watch her two younger children. She found this babysitting service on Craigslist. The company required applicants to pass a background check before providing any services, but it didn't take long for us to find our first client. We made about 20 bucks during the summer months and then 40+ more over Christmas break. If you live near a college campus, there may well be other families who could use help with their little ones. You'd only need a few hours' notice to offer your time.
2. Tutor students at local colleges - If you speak English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Dutch or Swedish, consider tutoring people's foreign language skills at their homes or yours. There are many companies offering opportunities to do so through sites like Varsity Tutors. For example, ETS offers certification courses that allow you to become proficient enough in certain languages to tutor others. It's not a glamorous career path, but it does provide useful experience. And unlike most careers, you won't need special equipment or clothing. Just come prepared to teach and bring water bottles.
3. Clean houses - This is another option that doesn't require much investment. Most major cities have websites listing home cleaning businesses. Simply search "home cleaning" in Google Maps and see which ones look most appealing. Then call them up and ask questions. Don't worry too much about finding references because homeowners rarely bother checking them out anyway.
4. Deliver food - Food delivery apps such as UberEats and Postmates allow users to request deliveries from restaurants. These requests typically show up within a half hour or less. To sign up, simply download the app and give permission for the delivery driver to access your location information. Once you receive the order, simply hand it off to the customer. If customers appreciate your efforts, they might tip you.
5. Run errands - Many parents rely on teens to run errands for them. In exchange, they'll sometimes let the teen keep part of the tips they collect. This is a great opportunity to learn valuable life lessons. Plus, you'll probably end up saving big bucks on gas compared to driving yourself everywhere.
6. Do yard work - If you're handy with tools, gardening accessories, lawnmowers, leaf blowers, rakes, shovels, etc., you should think about putting together a small landscaping business. As with all things related to entrepreneurship, however, you'll also need capital to launch. Startups often cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some entrepreneurs choose to invest in franchise fees instead. However, if you decide to go down this road, make sure to thoroughly research franchising options before signing anything. Franchises aren't always profitable, and some can actually ruin a person's credit score.
7. Drive for Lyft/UberX - Even though rideshare drivers now face stiff competition from traditional taxi cabs, these platforms continue to thrive thanks to better technology and lower fares. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, passengers were killed by cars driven by private transportation network operators between 2015 and 2019. Still, this isn't reason enough to stop using ride sharing apps. They still save riders money. With luck, you'll never encounter problems like these. Before embarking upon this type of gig, make sure to read reviews from current drivers. Also, make sure to understand your rights and responsibilities as a rider.
8. Be a baby sitter - Baby sitting gigs are popular among millennials. Parents tend to trust their friends and family members with their infants and toddlers. So why not leverage that relationship? Find a child care provider nearby, set your own schedule, and enjoy working flexible hours. Depending on your state laws, you may be able to charge slightly higher than typical hourly wages.
9. Sell stuff via Facebook Marketplace - People regularly sell used items on social media networks including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and TikTok. While selling products directly on these sites has its drawbacks, it provides an inexpensive alternative to eBay.
10. Take pictures of pets - Pet lovers love nothing more than taking cute photos of animals. Unfortunately, pet photography requires lots of patience and practice. Fortunately, you don't necessarily need expensive camera gear to capture beautiful images. All you really need is a smartphone and basic editing software.
11. Create flyers - Designers spend millions of dollars every year on fancy printing materials. Why not recycle all of that waste? By doing so, you can create marketing pieces for free. Check out Canva to get started. Alternatively, you can design your own flyer with Microsoft Word.
12. Make phone calls - Making cold calls and placing telemarketing orders are common entry level tasks for anyone interested in becoming a salesperson. Call centers usually hire temporary workers to answer incoming queries. Although the process seems tedious, it allows you to build confidence quickly. Keep in mind that calling leads involves listening to recorded messages and reading scripts. Afterward, you'll need to follow up with potential clients based on whatever responses you received. That said, this skill alone can serve as a stepping stone toward bigger goals.
13. Become a virtual assistant - A lot of people struggle with balancing multiple commitments. Having no boss means you can focus entirely on completing projects without having to account to anyone else. Virtual assistants handle everything from bookkeeping to administrative duties. On average, you'd likely earn somewhere between $20-$40 per hour depending on your experience.
14. Deliver pizzas - Pizzerias across America hire large teams of delivery drivers. Working for Domino's Pizza or Papa John's lets you pick up a paycheck every week. Delivery drivers generally drive 10-15 miles per shift. Your vehicle must meet specific requirements, but you'll mostly be responsible for staying sober, obeying traffic laws, avoiding accidents and following health guidelines. Like regular Uber drivers, you can either accept trips manually or automate the process using a platform like DoorDash or Instacart.
15. Get paid for referring new customers - Businesses depend heavily on word-of-mouth advertising. One effective method of generating buzz is through referral programs. These encourage consumers to refer friends and colleagues to particular establishments. In return, the establishment pays customers a commission for bringing new customers. Popular examples include Amazon Smile, Apple Rewards Card, Best Buy Reward Zone program and Target REDcard rewards program.
The best thing about teenagers is their ability to solve complex problems. Because they lack financial responsibility, they often feel compelled to seek answers elsewhere. Thankfully, there are several different ways to supplement your earnings. Below are three notable methods you can explore.
16. Edit videos - Video editing applications such as iMovie, Final Cut Pro X, Da Vinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2017, Avid Media Composer 8+, Sony Vegas Movie Studio 17, HitFilm Express 2, CyberLink PowerDirector 16, KineMaster 9.0, Magisto, Shotcut, DVS RX 5K Plus, Cinestudio Gold Edition, Opener Broadcaster 4 and Lightworks are available for purchase. Each comes with tutorials showing you exactly how to edit footage effectively. Online video editors abound, but YouTube is a great place to begin. Uploaded content gets viewed instantly worldwide.
17. Write blog posts - Writing blogs can be lucrative, especially if you write high quality articles. Consider joining freelance writing communities like Fiverr, Freelancer, Guru, Helium, Scriptlance, Paypal Careers and Upwork. These platforms connect buyers with sellers. Writers earn anywhere between five cents to tens of dollars for each article written. Generally, the more original your material, the higher your chances of earning money.
18. Transcribe audio files - Audio transcriptionists listen to dictated documents and convert them into coherent text. The resulting transcripts are commonly used by doctors, lawyers and journalists. Typical rates range from 25 cents to 45 cents per minute transcribed. However, you can negotiate a rate closer to 60 cents per minute if you already possess relevant knowledge. Try visiting freelancing sites such as Elance, oDesk, USAJOBS, Toptal, Scribd, Voice123 and Soundexpert to source suitable assignments.
19. Work as a personal assistant - Personal assistants perform various types of chores for busy professionals. Examples include shopping, transporting valuables, coordinating travel plans, managing calendars, creating schedules, organizing appointments, greeting guests, running errands and cooking meals. Services vary greatly, ranging anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours per task. Hourly salaries typically hover around $25-$35.
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.