20 ways to make money quickly

In our recent survey of 1,000 UK adults, we discovered that while two-thirds (66%) of Brits have savings, only 50% of people feel secure enough to sustain themselves for three months or more. Meanwhile, almost three-quarters of people (73%) struggle to save due to the high cost of living.

Many of us will have experienced tricky situations where we need a quick boost in cash or income to keep us afloat. Even with steady earnings, unexpected costs can occasionally mess up your budget.

Of course, as a short-term loan provider, we offer a quick and flexible solution to temporary financial hurdles. Borrowing a small amount of money from a responsible direct lender like Moneyboat could help tide you over until your cash flow improves. But we also understand that short-term loans might not be the right option for everyone. In this case, there are alternative ways to access cash quickly.

So, if you’re looking for ways to make fast cash or set up passive income streams quickly without resorting to emergency loans, we’ve got you covered. Find out how to make money fast without a loan below.

In this guide: 

• 20 ways to make fast cash
• More help and resources from Moneyboat

20 ways to make fast cash

From alternative borrowing options to passive moneymaking strategies, read on to find out how to make cash quickly with a few creative suggestions.

1. Ask for a salary advance at work

If you need money quickly, one early option to consider is to ask your employer. If you’ve never asked for an advance on your salary before, and you’ve been in your current job for a while, your employer may consider your request for some or all of your next salary upfront.

It’s worth remembering that if you receive your salary early, it has to last you even longer than usual. Therefore, you’ll often need to factor in some extra budgeting to prevent a similar cash shortfall the following month. Our guide to budgeting made simple can help, offering budgeting checklists and tools to help keep you on track.

For more guidance on what a salary advance involves and the potential pros and cons of asking for one, explore our guide to how to ask your boss for a wage advance.

2. Borrow money on an arranged overdraft

Arranged overdrafts can be useful if you need extra cash to tide you over temporarily without getting a short-term loan. If you don’t have an overdraft already, you can call your bank or apply online. If you’re accepted, the money is usually available to spend within 24 hours.

• Like any credit application, you’ll need to pass affordability and credit checks to make sure you can pay it back.
• Interest is payable on balances in most circumstances, so be sure to clear the overdraft each month if you can. Keeping overdraft borrowing to a minimum can help you avoid being charged.
• If you go over your overdraft limit – also known as your unarranged overdraft – you’ll likely be charged extra for each day. So, it’s important to bear this in mind when considering this as an option.

Before applying for any type of credit, it’s important to consider each factor carefully. If you’re not sure what the best course of action is and need some financial advice, free support is readily available.

Independent organisations and charities such as StepChange, Citizens Advice, and MoneyHelper can offer expert financial guidance at no charge to help you make informed decisions.

3. Sell unwanted items to earn money

Selling unwanted clothes, books, homeware or toys can be a great way to free up some extra cash and streamline your belongings.

Earn quick cash with our top tips for selling unwanted items, including:

• Garage sales
• Car boot sales
• Online auction sites like eBay
• Online marketplaces such as Gumtree, Preloved, or Facebook Marketplace
• Online media purchasing sites, like musicMagpie
• Electrical/phone recycling sites such as Sellmymobile or Mazuma Mobile
• Gold and silver purchasers on the high street and online
• Games retailers
• Dress agencies – high street and online retailers that will sell or buy your unwanted designer clothing

4. Sell second-hand textbooks

Selling second-hand textbooks can be an easy way to make fast cash at the start of the academic school year. Look out for university students selling or giving away their unwanted textbooks at the end of the school year, then sell them on again when they’re in demand in September. Platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Amazon Marketplace are a great place to start.

4. Make cash online with paid surveys

Although this might not be the most immediate cash boost, it’s possible to make money with a few nifty online tools. Providing you’re happy to share your information and personal consumer data, you can make money simply by completing online surveys.

You can receive decent payouts from survey websites such as:

• iSay
• Swagbucks
• YouGov
• Google Opinion Rewards
• OnePoll

Always check that any survey website you interact with is safe and authentic – and never share sensitive data or banking information. Legitimate survey websites won’t you ask for a fee to participate. They’ll also feature privacy policies and terms of services.

5. Watch videos for fast cash

Likewise, websites like Swagbucks and InboxPounds pay participants to watch videos and adverts, so if that’s more your style, why not give it a try?

6. Market research

Ever wondered how products make it to the shelves? Participating in market research is another way to make some extra money by taking part in projects, focus groups and forums. Some projects can offer between £40 to £200 to test new products and games, and even taste-test food. Get in touch with companies like Saros, Angelfish Opinions, Research Opinions and QMR to take part and take home some cash.

Meanwhile, becoming a mystery shopper can also help boost your income by anonymously visiting businesses, restaurants and shops for consumer research. Companies like Clickworker, iShopFor Ipsos and Marketforce are just a few well-known mystery shopping websites to consider.

7. Provide paid reviews

Make fast cash by giving your opinion. Some services pay you to review websites and apps, and will reward you instantly through PayPal for each review you undertake. Check out UserTesting.com for product review jobs. If you’re into music, you might enjoy working for Slicethepie, which pays users to listen to songs and review them.

8. Affiliate marketing

If you already have a steady social media presence, or an idea for an engaging blog or website, you can make money by promoting products and services using online affiliate links. If a customer clicks your link and makes a purchase, you’ll receive a commission on the sale from the brand. Sometimes, you can offer users discounts too.

Some of the top affiliate marketing programs in the UK include:

• Amazon Associates program
• Awin
• Clickbank
• Booking.com
• Etsy
• Revolut

9. Driving and deliveries for Uber, Bolt or Deliveroo

The likes of Deliveroo, Uber and UberEats are always on the lookout for new riders and drivers, and you can earn decent money pretty quickly providing you meet their criteria. You’ll need a smartphone and a bike to get started as a delivery driver. And like any job, you’ll need to be willing to put the time and effort in. But the rewards can come quickly if you dedicate yourself to the task.

10. Freelance work

Thinking of starting a side hustle? Consider joining the gig economy to make a little extra money. Freelance websites like Fiverr can offer ways to earn quick cash for specialist skills, including:

• Graphic design
• Illustration
• Copywriting
• Coding
• Video editing
• Administration
• Virtual assistance
• Writing CVs
• Beta reading
• Voice over recording

11. Sell your photography to Adobe Stock

If you’ve got a passion for photography, use your skills to create a source of passive income. Adobe Stock pays their photography contributors 33% in royalties for photos, vectors and illustrations, and 35% for video. You might be surprised by what you could earn in the background.

12. Pet sitting services

Whether you’re a casual animal lover or you’re thinking of taking up pet sitting part-time, looking after someone’s four-legged fur babies could help you make some fast cash.

While there are websites like Rover that can help connect you to potential pet owners looking for help, you could also make use of local Facebook groups to get the word out there. If you don’t have one already, you might want to consider applying for a DBS check to show potential clients that you’re trustworthy.

13. Be an extra on TV

Make your silver screen debut or turn your childhood dreams of being a TV star into a reality by being an extra on set. Outside of London, basic day rates can range from £100, to £160 for night rates. Look for casting advertisements online or get in touch with casting agencies in your area to see what exciting projects you could join. However, some casting agencies may take a cut from your earnings.

14. Get involved in crowdsourcing to make extra money

Access basic low-paid work online any time through apps like Clickworker. Clickworker lets you opt into helping out with flexible tasks like data entry, form filling and other basic manual tasks in exchange for cash paid straight into your PayPal account, ready for you to withdraw whenever you need extra cash fast. It’s an easy way to top up your income around your other commitments.

15. Switch bank accounts

The Current Account Switch Guarantee, which obligates current account operators to take care of switching within seven days, has taken the hard work out of switching bank accounts. And what’s more, there’s often a cash reward to make the switch.

You can earn as much as £100 simply by switching over to a new bank. To compare different switch rewards and benefits, check out this helpful guide on how to switch your bank account from Which? It sets out the best switching deals available right now.

16. Renting a room out or take in a lodger to make fast cash

If you have a spare room in your home, why not rent it out on Airbnb? You’ll have to pay a small fee to become a host and invest a little time and effort in getting your listing up and running, but you could be earning cash within the month if you apply yourself.

17. Rent out your parking space

Spare parking spaces can be highly sought-after, especially in city centres where decent parking is limited. If you have a spare parking spot, consider making some passive earnings by renting it out. You can advertise your spot on local Facebook groups to handle the exchange directly, or set up your parking spot on apps like Parklet or Just Park to run it for you.

According to the UK Government, you’re allowed to rent out a single parking space, so long as it doesn’t bother your neighbours. Meanwhile, it’s often a good idea to check your home insurance and mortgage terms to see if you need permission to rent out your driveway.

18. Check if you could be due a tax refund

If you’ve paid too much tax, you may be able to check if you could apply for a tax refund (also known as a rebate). This might happen if you’ve been given the wrong tax code, started a new job and paid too much tax, or had a break from work, for instance.

The first step is to check how much income tax you paid in the previous tax year. If you have, you can then claim a tax refund, where you’ll be sent a cheque to settle the difference.

19. Get cashback when shopping

Save hundreds of pounds while shopping online with free cashback websites. Cashback websites can help you save a percentage of your spending as cashback when you go through them to make a purchase.

So, remember to check websites like Quidco and Topcashback next time you make an online purchase. You can even add them as a browser extension, automatically letting you know if you could make a saving through them.

20. Switch your utility providers

Lastly, earning extra money isn’t necessarily the best way to boost your income in the short, or long term. You can often improve your outgoings by switching your utility providers and addressing any unused subscriptions you’re paying for but no longer need. Our guide to how to find and cancel subscriptions you don't use shows you how to do this with easy step-by-step instructions.

Take the opportunity to compare providers and offers and find the very best deals for your needs. You might be surprised how easy it is to save hundreds of pounds each year, which, of course, means extra money in your wallet right away.

More help and resources from Moneyboat

While budgeting is often an effective way to mitigate financial emergencies, there may be times when you need a little extra money. Hopefully our tips have outlined a few ways to earn some extra cash quickly if you prefer to avoid taking out a loan. However, it’s important to find methods that suit your financial situation and existing commitments.

If you’re concerned about your finances or priority bills, don’t hesitate to get in touch with third-party organisations and charities that offer free, confidential advice for financial stress.

Help is always available. Reach out to StepChange, Citizens Advice, and MoneyHelper for independent guidance, or find out if you could be claiming benefits to help support your income.