What do you want? $50! When do you want it? Fast!
Maybe that item you’ve wanted for ages is on sale for today only, but your next paycheck is a week away. Or your budget is too tight that you can’t afford something you want even once you get paid.
For one reason or another, you need to earn $50—fast. Squeamish people can rejoice that selling plasma isn’t the only way to make money quickly.
I’ve compiled a list of ways you can make $50 quickly. Some of these are one-time deals, while others can make you money well past that first 50 bucks. And some of these involve doing tasks in person, while others simply take a few clicks from your computer or phone.
But they all have one thing in common: You earn money quickly. Let’s get started.
Ways to Earn $50 Fast—Our Top Picks
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$50-$300 in Total Bonuses
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Free (no monthly fees).
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How to Make $50 Fast
From sign-up bonuses, to cash back, and more, there are many ways to make a quick $50.
Sign-Up Bonuses
Sign-up bonuses are one of the easiest ways to earn money fast.
1. Moomoo (Up to 15 free stocks)
- Available: Sign up here
- Platforms: Desktop app (Windows, Mac), web, mobile app (Apple iOS, Android)
- Promotion: Earn up to 15 free stocks, each valued between $2-$2,000
Moomoo is a commission-free trading platform for stocks, ETFs, and options. While Moomoo is best for advanced traders, offering powerful tools to empower your trading insights and strategies, it takes a different approach from other similarly targeted platforms, favoring simple interfaces and high ease of use. The desktop platform is highly customizable, while the mobile app is straightforward, allowing you to search for stocks and trade with minimal hassle.
Still, Moomoo has more than enough under the hood for advanced traders to get the job done. Its charting system, for instance, includes 62 technical analysis indicators and 22 drawing tools. You can set up alerts based on changes in price, bids, turnover ratio, and more. Free Level 2 market data helps you get a greater understanding of a stock’s value, determine how liquid a stock truly really is, and better time your trades. You can even enjoy 24/7 financial news handpicked by Moomoo’s editorial team.
→ How to get your free stocks on Moomoo
You can receive up to 15 free shares (collectively worth anywhere between $30 and $30,000) from Moomoo. Here’s how:
- If you open a new brokerage account with Moomoo and fund it with $100, you’ll earn five free stocks valued between $2 and $2,000 each.
- If you make a net deposit of $1,000 or more in the promotion period, you’ll get a total of 15 free stocks valued between $2 and $2,000 each.
Enjoy these free bonus shares by opening an account with Moomoo through our link and making a qualifying deposit.
For Moomoo disclaimer, please see the fine print at the bottom of this article.
- Moomoo is an all-in-one investment app geared toward stock, ETF, and options traders who want to work with real-time market data at the ready.
- The service offers free Level 2 market data, offering more insight into the trading activity below the NBBO surface shown on many financial data sites.
- Use the service's powerful stock charting software capabilities to find trading opportunities.
- Get a great return on uninvested cash: Moomoo currently offers a 5.1% APY from its cash sweep program, though current promo offers 8.1% for a limited time.
- Special offer: Get up to 15 free stocks worth $30-$30,000 when you sign up through WealthUp, for opening a new account and funding it with certain minimums.*
- Free Level 2 market data
- Free powerful stock charting software
- Free paper trading
- Low margin rates
- Fewer features than peers
- No robo-advisor functionality
2. SoFi Checking and Savings Account ($50-$300 in free cash)
- Available: Sign up here
- Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)
- Promotion: Earn $50 to $300 in free cash with qualifying direct deposit
The SoFi Checking and Savings Account sounds like your run-of-the-mill bank account, but it’s more: It’s also a high-yield savings account that earns 10 times the national average percentage yield (APY) and more than the average high-yield account. Better still, it boosts your ability to save right off the bat by rewarding you with $50 to $300 upon sign-up.
Sofi Checking and Savings covers all of the basics: no monthly account fees, no minimum balances, and website and mobile app access. But it also has several perks that match or top the competition. Features include:
- Early paycheck reception when you sign up for direct deposit
- FDIC insurance of up to $2 million (vs. $250,000 for most accounts)
- Up to 15% cash back when you spend with local retailers
- No-fee overdraft coverage up to $50
- Round-ups on debit card purchases, which are deposited into your savings “Vault”
And right now, you can get a head start on your savings with qualifying direct deposits.
→ How to get your free money from SoFi
First, you’ll need to Sign up with SoFi. Then you’ll receive $50 in bonus cash if $1,000.00 to $4,999.99 is sent to your account within a 25-day period, starting from when you receive the first direct deposit. That number jumps to $300 when you receive $5,000 or more.
The higher cash bonus requires you to hit an admittedly high threshold, but the $50 is still a reasonable bonus for a much more manageable threshold.
- SoFi's Checking and Savings Account is a free, no-monthly fee account that offers an above-average yield on the savings side, and up to 15% cash back when using your checking account's debit card.
- SoFi's high-yield savings account currently pays 4.60% APY, which is 10x the national average savings rate, and higher than the average high-yield rate.
- Available FDIC insurance of up to $2 million is 8x the typical insured amount at most financial institutions.*
- Round up debit card purchases, and the excess is automatically sent to your savings Vault.
- Special Offer: If you set up a qualifying direct deposit within the promotion period, you can earn up to a $300 cash bonus.**
- No account fees
- Above-average yield (4.60% APY) on its high-yield savings account
- Offers up to $50 of overdraft coverage with minimum monthly direct deposits in place
- Round-ups
- Up to $2 million in FDIC insurance
- Not as competitive yield as other banking institutions
- High direct deposit threshold for maximum cash bonus
Related: 7 Best Round-Up Apps for Saving + Investing Money Instantly
Cash-Back Apps
Cash-back apps let you get paid for shopping you do already. What could be simpler than that?
3. Ibotta ($10 spending bonus)
- Available: Sign up here
- Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)
- Promotion: Earn $10 in free cash when you spend $30
Ibotta gives users cash back whenever they buy from participating retailers, whether they’re shopping online or visiting a physical store. Whether you’re shopping in a brick-and-mortar location or online shopping on your phone, you can use the app, or you can add a browser extension to your desktop to earn exclusive cash-back offers at hundreds of retailers.
Earn up to 30% cash back at thousands of top retailers, such as Home Depot, Best Buy, Gap, and Kohl’s—and even on grocery pickup and delivery fees. Cash-back rewards can even apply to some gift card purchases! Better still? Ibotta also compares and tracks prices for you, helping you to get the best deals.
→ How to get free money on Ibotta
Currently, new users will get a $10 bonus when they spend $30 with Ibotta. (The offer excludes grocery purchases and purchases made on the Ibotta mobile app, and the $10 credit may take up to 90 days to land.)
→ How to get cash back on Ibotta
Users can withdraw their cash-back earnings through gift cards, PayPal, Venmo, or participating banks.
- With iBotta, you can earn real cash back on everything from groceries to online shopping to restaurants to even gift cards.
- iBotta offers you different ways to save no matter where you're shopping, whether that's uploading receipts, linking loyalty accounts, shopping through the app, or even activating its Chrome extension.
- Cash out earnings to your bank account, PayPal, or Venmo.
- Minimum cash-out: $20.
- Age restrictions: Must be at least 18 years old to participate.
- Special offer: Earn $10 when you spend $30.*
- Easily earn savings for shopping
- Offers gift cards
- Offers cash back
- Convenient Chrome extension
- High minimum cash-out amount ($20).
4. Drop
- Available: Sign up here
- Platforms: Web, mobile app (iOS, Android)
Drop is a shopping app that helps you earn rewards for the shopping you were already going to do anyway!
Typically, you earn 0.5 to 1.5% of your purchases back in the form of Drop points. The points can be redeemed for gift cards to stores, including popular ones such as Amazon and Starbucks; 1,000 Drop points are equivalent to $1 in gift card rewards.
If you want to earn points more quickly, you can play Drop’s mini-games or complete surveys.
→ How to get cash back on Drop
It’s a simple process: Download the Drop app, sign up, connect your credit card or debit card, and pick five stores you want to earn rewards from automatically. Options include Uber, Starbucks, Target, and Walmart, among many others.
- With Drop, you can earn points rewards by spending with your favorite retailers. Earn more easily by linking your credit or debit card.
- Redeem your Drop points for gift cards to several different stores/restaurants.
- Minimum cash-out: $25.
- Age restrictions: Must be at least 18 years old to participate.
- Easily earn savings for shopping
- Offers gift cards
- Convenient Chrome extension
- High minimum cash-out amount ($25).
Related: How to Invest Money: 5 Steps to Start Investing w/Little Money
5. Upside
- Available: Sign up here
- Platforms: Mobile app (iOS, Android)
Upside lets users earn cash back on purchases with minimal extra effort.
Upside can provide cash back at grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, and it can work alongside other discounts, coupons, and loyalty programs. And there’s no limit to how much you can earn.
Here’s how it works: You claim an offer through the app, then pay as you normally would with a credit card or debit card. From there, you either “Check In” your purchase (or upload a photo of the receipt), and cash back will be deposited into your Upside account.
→ How to get cash back on Upside
Cash out as you wish via e-gift card, PayPal cash, or bank transfer.
- Upside lets users earn cash back on gas, restaurant, grocery, and other purchases with minimal extra effort.
- Check into the app to log your purchases, or upload a photo of your receipt, to earn cash-back rewards.
- Minimum cash-out: None, but must cash out at least $10 for gift cards or $15 for PayPal to avoid a $1 fee.
- Age restrictions: Must be at least 16 years old to participate. Teens age 16 and 17 must have parental consent.
- Easily earn cash back for everyday purchases
- Offers gift cards
- Offers cash back
- No minimum cash-out amount
- Some teens can participate (16+)
- Fees apply to small cash-out amounts
Related: 9 Best Credit Cards for No Credit History: Starter Credit Cards
6. Dosh
- Available: Sign up here
- Platforms: Mobile app (iOS, Android)
Dosh automatically generates cash-back rewards when you shop—not just retail brands, but restaurants, hotels, and more. Some of the well-known brands under its umbrella include Walgreens, Nike, Forever21, Hyatt, Marriott, Shake Shack, and Disney+.
Participating is easy. Simply download the app, link up any cards or eligible mobile wallets. Whenever you use your card with a partner featuring cash-back rewards, Dosh will automatically deposit the cash back into your wallet. You can also accumulate rewards faster by completing special offers.
→ How to get cash back on Dosh
When you’ve accumulated at least $15 in cash-back rewards, you can cash out to your bank, PayPal, or Venmo.
- Dosh automatically generates cash-back rewards when you shop—not just retail brands, but restaurants, hotels, gyms, and more.
- Not sure where to begin? The app can show you any offers that are available near you.
- Download the app, then link up any cards, eligible mobile wallets, or other payment platforms. When you spend, Dosh will automatically deposit the cash back into your Dosh wallet.
- Cash out via bank, PayPal, or Venmo.
- Minimum cash-out: $15.
- Age restrictions: Must be at least 18 years old to participate.
- Easily earn cash back for everyday purchases
- Offers cash back
- Wide variety of available merchants
- Limited linkable cards
- Must use debit card as credit to earn rewards
Sell Unwanted Items
Selling unwanted items is a win-win. It frees up room in your home, and it makes you some quick cash.
7. eBay
In 1995, eBay became one of the first businesses to match buyers and sellers online. It’s currently the second most visited online marketplace, second only to Amazon.
It’s easy to make money on eBay if you have any items that are in high demand. The types of items you can sell are nearly endless. You can sell art, clothes, electronics, beauty products, jewelry, toys, and much, much more. Since you can sell big-ticket items, it’s easy to make 50 dollars fast.
The more items you sell, the more extra money you make.
→ How to withdraw money on eBay
Sellers can choose to be on a daily, weekly, biweekly, or monthly pay schedule. Those on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly schedule can also request available funds at any time by selecting “withdraw” in the payments section.
- List new or used items across a wide range of categories, including art, clothes, electronics, beauty products, toys, and more.
- Users can choose to be paid regularly, whether it's daily, weekly, biweekly, or monthly, and can also request available funds at any time.
- Sellers pay a final value fee (typically 13.25% of the total amount of the sale, plus 30¢), as well as a 35¢ insertion fee for all listings above the monthly 250 zero-insertion-fee listing allotment).
- eBay payouts can be delivered directly to your checking account or Visa or Mastercard debit card.
Related: How to Get Free Stocks for Signing Up: 7 Apps w/Free Shares
8. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is a great option for targeting buyers located near you.
For example, if you want to sell furniture, it’s much easier to sell to local customers. People in and around your city wouldn’t have to travel far to go to your home and pick up, say, a couch or table. But it would be a lot trickier to buy from someone in another state, and buyers don’t always want to cover expensive shipping costs.
Depending on what you’re selling, you also might be able to group several items into one purchase, which will definitely help you make money fast.
To sell on Facebook Marketplace, you need to have an active Facebook account.
→ How to withdraw money on Facebook Marketplace
If people pick items up in person, you can choose to get paid right away however you want, whether you prefer cash, Venmo, or another option. When you sell items that need to be shipped, your payout is initiated 15 days after the item is marked as shipped, or five days after the item is delivered upon receiving delivery confirmation. A selling fee of 5% (or 40¢ minimum per order) will be deducted from your payout.
- Facebook Marketplace allows you to tap Facebook's massive social network to find tenants.
- List property details and up to 50 photos, as well as videos.
- Simple listing process
- Can include photos and video
- No tenant screening
- No lease creation
- No rent collection
- No syndication with other listing sites
Related: 30 NFT Statistics to Understand [Market, Sales & Trends]
Gig Work
Gig work (aka a side hustle) has various pros and cons. You can make quick cash this way, and many odd jobs let you make your own schedule, so you can make money whenever is most convenient for you.
9. Fast Food or Grocery Delivery
Food delivery apps are a popular way to earn quick money. You can put in as many or as few hours as you want, depending on your availability and how much money you need. Some people give cash tips, so you can get extra cash right away, rather than waiting until your next paycheck to get paid. While many people deliver food by car, others do so on bike or other ways of transport.
Another option is to do grocery shopping for people or to deliver groceries. Instacart is one of the most popular services to consider.
→ How to get paid with Instacart
There are two ways to get paid with Instacart. The first option is direct deposits, which are paid out weekly for services provided the previous week.
The faster option is to do an instant cash out. Users can cash out their batch earnings (a batch being a unit of work that may include one or more orders) minutes after delivery and their full earnings, including tips, two hours after delivery.
- Instacart gets you paid for helping people with their groceries, whether that's doing the shopping in a store or delivering groceries to their homes.
- Full-service shoppers are paid by the batch, and pay is determined by size of order, driving distance, and effort involved. They also can earn more through Instacart promotions and receive 100% of tips. In-store shoppers work in shifts up to 29 hours each week and receive hourly wages.
- Receive your pay weekly, or cash out instantly for a 50-cent fee.
- Requirements include being at least 18 years old, being eligible to work in the U.S., having consistent access (and being able to use) a recent smart phone, and being able to lift up to 50 pounds with or without accommodation. If you want to be a full-store shopper (delivery person), you will also need consistent access to a vehicle.
- Is a legitimate side hustle
- Does not require own vehicle (in-store shoppers only)
- Somewhat flexible hours
- No need to advertise or market
- Small fee to cash out when you want
- High car gas and maintenance expenses for car delivery drivers (full-service shoppers only)
- Variance of rates (full-service shoppers only)
Related: 31 Millennial Spending Habits & Income Statistics to Know
10. Rideshare Driving
There are many reasons people don’t want to drive themselves places. They may be visiting a new city, not have a car, be inebriated, have a disability, and much more. If you’re comfortable driving others around, this presents an opportunity for you to make money whenever you have free time.
Uber and Lyft are two of the most popular rideshare apps.
→ How to get paid with Uber
Uber drivers automatically get paid every week.
Need money faster? You can use Instant Pay to cash out up to five times per day. Instant Pay charges $0.85 per cashout, but it’s the fastest way to get your money. It puts funds on your personal debit card. Soon, Uber will be releasing an Uber Pro Card, which will allow free automatic cashouts after every trip.
- Uber is the premier ride-share platform where drivers can pick up a few hours to earn some extra cash, or drive frequently as a full-time gig.
- Get paid base fares for the trip, get paid more via surge pricing, Boost+ trips, tips, and more.
- Receive your pay weekly, or automatically cash out after each ride with the no-monthly-fee Uber Pro debit card.
- Uber charges a 25% fee on all fares.
- Drivers must meet the minimum age to drive in their city, have at least one year of licensed driving experience in the U.S. (three years if the driver is under 25 years old), use an eligible four-door vehicle, and pass a background screening. You also must have a valid U.S. driver's license, proof of residency, proof of vehicle insurance if you drive your own car, and a driver profile photo.
- Uber typically offers sign-up bonuses that require you to complete a certain number of trips during your first month, though they frequently change and may vary by city.
- Is a legitimate side hustle
- Flexible work hours
- No need to advertise or market
- High car gas and maintenance expenses
- Variance of rates
- High competition for fares in some cities
→ How to get paid with Lyft
Lyft automatically transfers driver’s previous week’s earnings to their accounts every Tuesday. People who want to get paid faster can use Express Pay, which functions the same way as Uber’s Instant Pay.
Express pay costs $0.85 per transfer and sends funds to your debit card. Lyft Direct is another option. This is a debit card and bank account for Lyft drivers that offers instant payments after every ride without any fees.
- If you enjoy driving and want to get paid for driving others, Lyft is one of the top ride-share apps to join.
- Choose your own hours, and even request only to be matched with people on the route you're taking home.
- Earn base fares, bonuses during peak times, and tips.
- Lyft Rewards offers perks including cash back on gas and EV charging, maintenance and repair savings, even discounts on TurboTax Self-Employed.
- Receive your pay every Tuesday, or automatically cash out after each ride with ExpressPay (85-cent fee per transfer) or with the no-monthly-fee Lyft Direct debit card.
- Lyft charges a 20% fee on all fares.
- Drivers must be 25 years or older to drive, have a valid driver's license, have registration and proof of insurance if they plan to drive their own car, and pass a driver screening that includes driving history and a criminal background check. (Special requirements might apply depending on your state.)
- Lyft typically offers sign-up bonuses that require you to complete a certain number of trips during your first month, though they frequently change and may vary by city.
- Is a legitimate side hustle
- Flexible work hours
- No need to advertise or market
- High car gas and maintenance expenses
- Variance of rates
- High competition for fares in some cities
Related: 12 Best Apps That Give You Money for Signing Up [Free Money]
How to Make 50 Dollars Fast: FAQs
How else can I make money online?
You can make more money online by taking online surveys, playing games, and watching videos. Companies pay for people’s opinions on paid survey sites because market research is an important aspect of product development.
Similarly, people can get paid to play games because developers need to work out kinks and marketers need to gauge consumer interest. Alternatively, people sometimes get paid to play free games because they are filled with advertisements. Watching videos of advertisements and giving your opinion on them can be a fun way to make more money as well.
These methods didn’t make our list because you’re unlikely to make 50 dollars fast. The payouts are typically much lower and can take time to reach. You’re unlikely to earn $50 in just a few hours of doing paid surveys.
But if you need just a little extra money, these are easy options. Note that sometimes the cash prizes for paid surveys or playing games come in the form of gift cards or free stock, rather than PayPal money.
Are cash advances a bad idea?
While on the surface a cash advance may seem like a convenient way to borrow money, I recommend avoiding them. Cash advances have extremely high interest rates and there is usually no grace period, meaning interest starts accumulating right away.
A cash advance is a fast lane to racking up debt and can put people in a difficult-to-break debt cycle. If you need a little money quickly, consider the options detailed earlier in this article instead.
Related:
- Best Free Portfolio Trackers + Portfolio Management Software
- How to Get Free Money Now [15 Ways to Earn Money]
Disclosures
Moomoo Disclaimer
Moomoo’s parent company is Nasdaq-listed Futu Holdings Ltd (FUTU). Their subsidiaries are licensed and regulated in the United States, Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong.
