How to Make $20 Fast [2024] Get $20 Now – 11 Best Ways
By Maddy Scheckel Do things seem more expensive these days? Well, they are. Global inflation in the last year was a whopping 8.8%.
And with prices rising, you might find yourself wondering how to make $20 fast.
Quick list:
Luckily, you can use the internet to earn money in just a few days. And once you’ve got a side gig going, you can turn it into consistent income.
Below, I’ll describe some of the fastest ways to make $20. Some involve going out into the real world, and others let you earn from home.
But with all of them, you can make $20 (or more) quickly!
How to Make $20 Fast
You’re in a pinch, and you need some money – preferably $20 or more. I get it, and I’m here to help.
So here are some killer ideas for how to make $20 fast.
1 – Play Games
How Fast You Get Paid: 2-4 days
Believe it or not, playing online games is one of the most reliable ways to make $20 quickly.
To get started, register with a gaming platform or download an app-based game. From there, you can play games at your own leisure and make money as you go.
Of course, the internet is full of scammers, and some games don’t actually pay out as promised. That’s why it’s best to use reputable platforms with plenty of online reviews.
Here are the best gaming platforms:
- Rewarded Play – This platform doesn’t pay cash, but it lets you redeem points for gift cards. And it’s sent users over $15 million!
- Mistplay – With over $60 million in total payouts, this is a heavy-hitter in the online gaming world. And while you can’t earn cash, you can receive Visa gift cards (read this article on more ways to earn Free Visa Gift Cards).
- Cashyy – As the name suggests, this platform pays in cash – and you can receive your earnings directly to your Paypal account. Read this Cashyy app review to learn more.
Source: Google Play Store
Here are more games to check out:
- Bubble Buzz (read “Is Bubble Buzz Legit?”)
- Bingo Tour (read “Is Bingo Tour Legit?”)
- Bingo King (read “Is Bingo King Legit?”)
- Solitaire Clash (read “Is Solitaire Clash Legit?”)
- Solitaire Smash (read “Is Solitaire Smash Legit?”)
- FreeCash (read “Is Freecash Legit?”)
These are just a few of the many games and apps available. Want more options? Check out this list of apps that pay cash.
If you’re wondering how to make $20 fast, you might want to try several games and platforms at the same time.
Learn where to play games to win gift cards and how to get a free DoorDash gift card.
Got gift cards you don’t want? Learn how to get instant cash for gift cards.
2 – Complete Online Surveys
How Fast You Get Paid: 1-10 days
You might have heard of online surveys as a way to make money. And while it sounds too good to be true, it really isn’t.
Of course, you won’t get rich with surveys – but that’s not your goal, is it? You’re here to learn how to make $20 fast. Taking surveys can help you do that.
Here are three of my favorite survey platforms:
- Swagbucks – This platform pays out in gift cards and cash, meaning you get to choose your reward. Learn to maximize your earnings with survey sites like Swagbucks.
- MyPoints – You can earn gift cards from Target, Walmart, and other top retailers.
- Survey Junkie – One of the most famous names in the online survey scene, this platform pays through gift cards and Paypal. You can also check out this article sharing the best Survey Junkie hacks.
Also check out our answer to the question, “Is Apex Focus Group legit?” to learn about this survey platform.
With most survey sites, you’ll complete your profile by answering some basic demographic questions. Then, you can choose from the available surveys and start providing answers. It’s super easy, and some people even find it entertaining.
When your responses are approved, the money should appear in your account. You’ll be able to get your money or gift card when you reach the platform’s cashout threshold (usually around $5, but it may vary). Read surveys for gift cards to learn more.
3 – Grocery Shop for Others
How Fast You Get Paid: 1-2 weeks
Whether you’re a shopaholic or simply someone wondering how to make $20 fast, you should consider grocery shopping for people in your community.
Lots of folks need things from the supermarket, but they can’t go out to get them. That’s where you come in! All you have to do is hit the store with their shopping list, buy the things they need, and then drop the products off. Sounds easy, right? It really is!
And no, you don’t have to start knocking on doors and asking, “Hey – want me to do your shopping for you?”
Well, I guess you could do that, but you’re much better off applying for Shipt. It’s an app-based platform that helps you get paid for buying things and delivering them.
Shipt does have a few requirements:
- You must be 18+
- You must have a reliable car, a driver’s license, and auto insurance.
- You must be able to lift 40 pounds.
- You must have an iOS or Android smartphone.
Do you meet those criteria? Then sign up for Shipt, do an interview, and start earning money by shopping!
4 – Exercise
How Fast You Get Paid: 6 months
Everyone knows exercise is good for the body – but did you know it can be good for your bank account, too?
Well, it can! That’s because HealthyWage will literally pay you to lose weight.
Here’s how it works:
- You make a weight loss bet – meaning you risk your own money by wagering that you’ll lose a certain amount of weight in a given time.
- You exercise and diet to meet your weight-loss goal.
- You get paid (if you win the bet by losing the agreed-upon amount of weight).
Of course, this strategy only works if you’re disciplined enough to actually lose weight. But if you’re planning to shed some pounds anyways, you might as well get paid for it with HealthyWage!
5 – Deliver Goods
How Fast You Get Paid: A few days
These days, people seem to value convenience more than ever before. Everyone wants food, drinks, and other products – but actually going out to get them? Nah. Too much work!
As someone wondering how to make $20 fast, you can take advantage of the situation.
Delivering goods is easy, and there’s pretty much a limitless demand for it. That makes it an incredible side hustle.
The easiest way to get into the delivery business is by making an account with DoorDash. It takes a few minutes to sign up, and you can start earning money within days.
And in some locations, you don’t even need a car. That’s right. You could actually make deliveries on your motorcycle, bike, or scooter!
6 – Join Focus Groups
How Fast You Get Paid: 1 day
Imagine getting paid just to talk about your opinions. It sounds crazy, but it’s totally possible! You just have to participate in focus groups.
Lots of companies want to hear regular people’s opinions as they develop their products. Well, you’re a regular person, right? That means you can make money by providing this essential (and very easy!) service.
To get started, sign up for an online platform that helps companies find people for their focus groups.
Survey Junkie is one great option. You can register online, then sign up for focus groups as they become available. Each time you participate, you’ll get awarded points. Then, you can redeem those points for gift cards or money delivered through Paypal.
Ipsos is another platform. It’s a massive market research company that studies some pretty fascinating fields, from artificial intelligence to cancer treatments.
7 – Babysit
How Fast You Get Paid: 1-3 days
Hilarious hijinks, childish laughter, and the occasional temper tantrum. There’s nothing like taking care of kids! And if you’re someone who thinks the funny outweighs the infuriating, babysitting could be your ticket to earning $20 fast.
Finding a gig is often a challenge for beginning babysitters. You can’t just ask some random parent in the park if you can take a turn watching their kid!
But, like with many side hustles, the internet is there to help.
Care.com is a platform that links babysitters with parents. You can create an account in just a few minutes, then look at online job boards until you find a gig that works for you.
There are all sorts of childcare gigs available on the platform. You can sign up for a regular shift with a single family, or take smaller jobs on a case-by-case platform. It’s this flexibility that makes Care.com such a great way to kickstart your babysitting career.
8 – Provide Pet Care
How Fast You Get Paid: 2 days
If you’re an animal lover, getting paid to provide pet care probably sounds like a dream. But it’s a dream that’s super easy to turn into reality. All you have to do is find someone who needs help with their pets.
Source: Rover
You could start by asking around and seeing if anyone in your circle needs their dog walked or their cat fed while they’re away.
But don’t worry if you can’t find any takers. Your next step is to make an account with Rover, an app designed for pet-care providers.
With Rover, you can provide four different services:
- Boarding
- Dog walking
- Doggy daycare
- House-sitting/drop-in visits
And with all these jobs, you’ll have the flexibility to work on your own schedule.
9 – Sell Your Photos
How Fast You Get Paid: 30 days
Are you a talented photographer wondering how to make $20 fast? If so, the best solution might be the most obvious one: You should sell your photos.
Being a “professional” photographer isn’t as intimidating as it sounds. You can sell photos and video clips on Shutterstock, an online stock image platform, with just a few clicks.
Here’s the simple three-step process for selling images on Shutterstock:
- Step 1: Create high-quality photos and video clips that customers can download.
- Step 2: Upload your photos to Shutterstock.
- Step 3: Earn money each time a Shutterstock customer downloads one of your images.
And you can earn additional money just by referring photographers and customers to the platform.
Start by creating a Shutterstock account. It only takes a few seconds!
10 – Open a New Bank Account
How Fast You Get Paid: 30-90 days
Lots of banks will give you a sign-up bonus if you open a new account. So if you’re wondering how to make $20 fast (and without doing any actual work), this could be your secret solution.
Your first step is to look at different bank promotions and decide which is best.
There are three things to consider as you weigh your options:
- The size of the bonus. You might as well try to maximize your earnings!
- Requirements to earn the bonus. Some promotions demand a certain balance or monthly direct deposits.
- The characteristics of the account. Instead of signing up for any old account just to get the bonus, try to find one that actually meets your banking needs.
Check out this list of the best bank promotions available today. You can probably find one that works for your situation.
But what if you can’t receive direct deposits, which is a common requirement for bank promotions? Don’t panic! Just read this list of sign-up offers that don’t have a direct deposit requirement.
11 – Review Your Spending
How Fast You Get Paid: 1-31 days (varies based on when a subscription was canceled)
I know you’re here because you want to know how to make $20 fast. But here’s the thing: It would be just as beneficial to save $20 fast. And you can do that by working with Rocket Money.
I can hear you already: “I don’t need an app to help me manage my money!”
But Rocket Money isn’t just a money management app. It’s a subscription management service that helps you identify places where you’re wasting your money.
The subscription identifier is probably the platform’s most popular feature. Rocket Money will create a single list of all the subscriptions that drain your money each month. That way, you can cancel the ones you don’t really need.
The bill negotiation fee feature is also super helpful. You know when you know you’re paying too much, but you don’t want to deal with the hassle of waiting on hold to negotiate? Well, Rocket Money will do that dirty work for you.
Imagine it now: a canceled subscription here, a negotiated bill there. You’ll have saved $20 in no time!
Commonly Asked Questions About How to Make $20 Fast
Make $20 Instantly?
Here are some ideas for how to make $20 fast:
- Play games on platforms like Rewarded Play, Mistplay, and Cashyy.
- Take surveys on Swagbucks, MyPoints, or Survey Junkie.
- Deliver food and products with DoorDash or Shipt.
- Babysit through Care.com.
- Take care of pets with Rover.
And to learn which budgeting app could best help you manage your finances and boost your savings, check out these comparisons of Rocket Money vs the competition:
If you’re looking for a low-tech, hands-on budgeting method, learn about cash envelope categories. And if you need to boost your savings fast, the 60/30/10 rule budget can help.
Then use a net worth tracker to see how your new financial strategies are paying off.
Free $20 Instantly?
You might not be able to get $20 instantly, but you can get it in just a few days by playing online games or taking surveys. Rewarded Play, Swagbucks, and Survey Junkie are some of the best platforms for making money online.
Get $20 Now?
You can earn $20 fast by walking a neighbor’s dog or going shopping for them. And if you don’t have any neighbors in need, try finding work through an app. Rover is great for dog walkers, while DoorDash can help you get started as a professional shopper.
Easy Ways to Make $20 Fast?
The easiest way to make $20 fast is definitely by playing online games. You can make an account with Mistplay, Rewarded Play, or Cashyy, then get paid to play. Some people earn $20 in just a few days – and you won’t even have to break a sweat. Also, consider helping others in this guide on how to donate plasma for money.
Legit Ways to Make $20 Fast?
There are lots of legit ways to make $20 fast. Are you looking for a gig in the “real world?” Then try babysitting through Care.com, dog walking with Rover, or delivering for DoorDash. If you’d rather work online, give survey platforms like MyPoints of Swagbucks a shot.
Here’s how to make an extra $100 a week. And learn how you could make money as a mystery shopper in this Field Agent review.
Make money just for opening a bank account or inviting a friend to after you join with a Chime referral bonus.
How to Get $20 Right Now?
You could make $20 right now by taking care of someone’s pets or children. If you can’t think of any potential clients, use online platforms to find some. Care.com is great because it’s for both babysitting and pet sitting. Or if you’ll only work with animals, Rover is fantastic.
