Whether you’ve just made a huge payment on your credit card, are waiting on late freelance checks, have gone over the limit on your expenses, or are in another pinch and don’t have immediate access to funds, sometimes you need to get creative about making some money — quick.
Thankfully, there are a number of enterprising ways to make some cold, hard cash right away, and it may be a good idea to keep them in the back of your mind in case you ever find yourself short on rent just a few days before the first of the month.
Ahead, we compiled a list of six hustles that could allow you to make a few bucks fast. So next time you find yourself in a stressful money situation, look no further.
Though babysitting may sound like a relic from your high school years, it’s still a great way to make some quick dough.
Creatives, especially those in cities like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, are no stranger to picking up a last-minute nanny gig or babysitting hustle. And with average babysitting rates reaching upwards of $15 an hour in many cities, it’s not a bad way to make some money fast.
If you love dogs, consider being a dog walker! For ongoing work, there are many apps, including Wag and Rover, that streamline the dog-walking process. But if you can find a direct client to work for, then chances are you’ll get paid right away.
Dogs are proven to reduce anxiety and stress, too, so if you’re worried about money, this might be the perfect way to make some while also easing some pent-up nerves.
These days, Marie Kondo is inspiring everyone to spark joy by ditching their old stuff. But if you’re tight on cash, you might be better off trying to sell some of it instead of giving it away for free.
Most cities have consignment stores — whether it’s chains such as Buffalo Exchange, Crossroads Trading Co., or independent boutiques — and it’s worth seeking them out to sell your items. And if they don’t work out, there are plenty of online options, too, such as Poshmark.
Again, a reminder of your bygone teen era, but tutoring can be a pretty lucrative gig. If you’re particularly skilled at mathematics, science, English, or another subject and love teaching and helping kids, it might be worth your while to check on Craigslist and see if anyone is looking for a tutor.
Remember, you’re probably more than qualified to tutor high schoolers or middle schoolers — no matter how rusty you might feel. Also, with the SATs right around the corner, keep in mind that SAT tutors can charge as much as $100 an hour.
Cleaning houses is often looked down upon, but it’s a completely respectable way to make a buck or two. The average hourly cleaning rate is between $25 and $45 per person, so it’s a fairly lucrative gig, especially if you’re in a pinch.
The best part about cleaning is that you can put on some music and don’t really have to talk to anyone.
Do you love photography but don’t really take photos anymore? Or love to draw but never seem to have time? For many of us, our passions and hobbies get swept by the wayside, but there are plenty of opportunities to do things we love and also get paid.
If you have a dusty photography portfolio you’ve nearly forgotten about, consider putting it out there. Reach out to people and offer discounted portrait sessions or customized drawings. You never know who’s going to want to support your art — and pay you for it, too.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Money Diaries, Couples Edition: A Week In Durham, NC
The Curiously Millennial Problem Blindsiding Today’s Retail Workers
Money Diaries, Couples Edition: A Week In Colorado
Source: Refinery29 – Ludmila Leiva