12 Ways to Make $100 in One Day: Quick and Effective Strategies

Whether you're in a pinch and need quick cash, or you're simply looking to make a little extra money on the side, making $100 in one day is a realistic and achievable goal. The best part is, you don't need a full-time job or a lot of upfront capital to get started. With the right approach, you can use your time, skills, and resources to earn that $100 and maybe even more.

In this article, we’ll explore 12 practical and actionable ways to make $100 in one day—many of which don’t require any specialized skills or investments. Whether you’re looking for online opportunities, gig work, or even ways to leverage what you already own, there’s a method for everyone.

1. Freelance Your Skills Online

One of the quickest and most flexible ways to make money is by offering your services as a freelancer. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, and PeoplePerHour allow you to create profiles and start bidding for jobs right away. Freelance opportunities cover a wide range of fields, from writing and graphic design to virtual assistance and marketing.

How to Make $100:

• Writing or Copywriting: If you have a knack for writing, you can charge $20 to $50 for an article, blog post, or social media copy. A couple of smaller projects or one well-paid project can easily add up to $100.
• Graphic Design: If you are proficient with design tools like Adobe Illustrator or Canva, you can design logos, banners, or social media graphics for clients.
• Virtual Assistance: Offer administrative support, data entry, email management, or social media management.

Quick Tip:

• To maximize your chances of earning, focus on tasks that can be completed quickly—such as creating social media posts, quick logo designs, or editing short articles.

2. Sell Unused Items Around the House

Take a quick walk around your home and look for items you no longer need. Selling unused or unwanted items can quickly help you reach the $100 mark, and there are various platforms where you can do so.

Platforms to Use:

• Facebook Marketplace: Perfect for local selling of everything from furniture and electronics to clothes and accessories.
• eBay: Ideal for selling collectibles, gadgets, and secondhand items.
• Craigslist: Great for selling furniture, used appliances, and even cars.

How to Make $100:

• Electronics: Old smartphones, tablets, or gaming consoles can often sell for $50 to $100, especially if they’re in good condition.
• Clothes & Accessories: Designer items or gently used clothing can fetch a good price on apps like Poshmark or ThredUp.

Quick Tip:

• Price items competitively to make sure they sell quickly, and consider bundling smaller items together (e.g., books, DVDs) to attract buyers.

3. Do Odd Jobs for Neighbors

If you're physically able and enjoy helping others, doing odd jobs for neighbors or local residents is a great way to make $100 in one day. You could assist with tasks like cleaning, lawn mowing, pet sitting, or even running errands.

How to Make $100:

• Lawn Mowing: Charge $30 to $50 per lawn depending on the size of the yard. Mowing two or three lawns in a day could get you to $100.
• Cleaning: Offer a one-time cleaning service, charging $25 to $50 per hour.
• Pet Sitting or Dog Walking: If you're an animal lover, offer pet sitting or walking services for $20 to $30 per hour.

Quick Tip:

• Use local apps like TaskRabbit or neighborhood groups on Facebook to advertise your services quickly.

4. Drive for Uber or Lyft

If you have a car, driving for Uber or Lyft can be a great way to make $100 in one day. The amount you can earn depends on factors like time of day, location, and demand, but it's entirely possible to hit that target.

How to Make $100:

• Surge Pricing: Driving during peak hours (e.g., rush hour, weekends, or during special events) can increase the fare.
• Long Rides: Taking longer rides (e.g., airport trips or rides between suburbs) can help you hit your target quicker.

Quick Tip:

• Maximize your earnings by driving during high-demand hours and in areas where there is less competition from other drivers.

5. Deliver Food with DoorDash or UberEats

If you don't want to drive passengers around, delivering food is another excellent way to make quick cash. Companies like DoorDash, UberEats, and GrubHub allow you to make money delivering food on your own schedule.

How to Make $100:

• Delivery Fees + Tips: On average, drivers make $10 to $25 per hour, depending on their location and the number of deliveries they make.
• Peak Times: Work during lunch and dinner hours, as these are the busiest times for food delivery.

Quick Tip:

• Use multiple food delivery apps to increase the number of orders you get and maximize your earnings.

6. Offer Your Services as a Handyman

If you're handy with tools, offering services as a local handyman can quickly put $100 in your pocket. Whether it's fixing a leaky faucet, assembling furniture, or hanging shelves, there’s always demand for these services.

How to Make $100:

• Hourly Rate: Handyman services generally charge $25 to $50 per hour, depending on the job and your skill level. You’ll need just 2 to 4 hours to make $100.

Quick Tip:

• Advertise locally: Post ads on neighborhood apps like Nextdoor or Craigslist, or ask neighbors and friends if they need any help.

7. Babysit or Pet Sit

If you love kids or pets, babysitting or pet sitting is a quick and lucrative way to make money. Parents and pet owners are often looking for last-minute help and will pay well for reliable care.

How to Make $100:

• Babysitting: Charge between $15 to $20 per hour, so 5 to 7 hours of babysitting could easily get you to $100.
• Pet Sitting: You can charge $25 to $50 per day for pet sitting, depending on the time required.

Quick Tip:

• For babysitting, advertise your services on Care.com or use local parenting groups on Facebook. For pet sitting, try Rover or Wag.

8. Offer Photography Services

If you're skilled with a camera, offering photography services is a great way to make money in one day. People often need portraits, event photography, or even product photos for online stores.

How to Make $100:

• Portrait Sessions: Offer quick portrait sessions for $50 to $100 per session. You can take family, senior, or headshot photos in under an hour, making $100 easily.
• Event Photography: Offer to photograph small events, parties, or gatherings for $100 or more per event.

Quick Tip:

• Advertise on Instagram or Facebook groups where people are looking for local photographers.

9. Teach or Tutor Online

If you’re skilled in a particular subject or language, you can teach or tutor online. Websites like VIPKid, Preply, or Wyzant allow you to find students quickly, and you can set your own rates.

How to Make $100:

• Tutoring Rate: On average, online tutors make $20 to $50 per hour, so you’ll need around 2 to 5 hours of tutoring to reach $100.
• Teach English: Platforms like VIPKid pay around $15 to $22 per hour to teach English to students in other countries.

Quick Tip:

• Offer specialized lessons in areas you’re passionate about (e.g., music, languages, test prep) to attract more students and charge premium rates.

10. Rent Out Your Equipment or Space

If you own equipment that others might need, such as cameras, drones, or power tools, consider renting them out for the day. Alternatively, if you have an extra room or a parking space, you could rent those out as well.

How to Make $100:

• Rent Equipment: Renting out equipment like a camera, power tools, or even a bike can make you $50 to $100 per day.
• Rent Space: Rent your room on Airbnb for a day or rent out parking space in busy areas for around $20 to $50 per day.

Quick Tip:

• Use platforms like Fat Llama for equipment rentals or Airbnb and Spacer for renting space.

11. Participate in Online Surveys or Focus Groups

While online surveys and focus groups won’t make you rich, they can certainly add up, especially if you participate in multiple studies throughout the day.

How to Make $100:

• Survey Sites: Websites like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and InboxDollars offer rewards for answering surveys. While each survey may only pay $1 to $5, completing enough surveys can add up quickly.
• Focus Groups: Participating in a focus group can pay $50 to $100 for an hour of your time, and there are often opportunities in various industries.

Quick Tip:

• Sign up for multiple survey sites and focus group platforms to maximize your earning potential.

12. Become a Mystery Shopper

Mystery shopping is a fun way to earn money while getting paid to shop and evaluate customer service. Companies hire mystery shoppers to pose as regular customers and report back on their experiences.

How to Make $100:

• Mystery Shopping Rates: Depending on the assignment, you could make $15 to $25 per shop, plus reimbursement for any purchases you make. By doing a few assignments in a day, you can reach your $100 target.

Quick Tip:

• Look for reputable companies like BestMark, Market Force, or Secret Shopper that offer legitimate opportunities.

Conclusion

Making $100 in one day is absolutely possible, and there are a variety of ways to do it depending on your skills, resources, and available time. Whether you choose to leverage your talents as a freelancer, sell unwanted items, or take on gig work like dog walking or driving for Uber, the opportunities are abundant.

The key to success is focusing on methods that align with your strengths and interests, and being proactive. With a bit of effort and smart strategy, you’ll be able to reach your goal quickly and efficiently. So, whether you need extra cash for an emergency or simply want to boost your income, these 12 strategies are your go-to guide for making $100 in a day!