How To Make $2,000 Fast
It doesn't matter if you're in a financial pinch or just want to increase your savings rate: it's never a bad thing to make money fast.
And if you need to cover an emergency, it pays to make quite a bit of cash. And that's why I'm covering how to make $2,000 fast so you can cover a sudden emergency expense in your life or reach a new income goal.
I've used all sorts of side hustles to get quick money over the years. And the ones I'm going to cover all have the potential to make this sort of money in a short amount of time.
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The Best Ways To Make $2,000 Fast
1. Food Delivery Gigs
There are a lot of gig apps out there that let you make extra cash on the side. And, many of the highest-paying apps in this space are food delivery services.
These types of gigs are also flexible. And as long as you have access to a car, bike, or scooter, you can begin making money with at least one of these gigs:
- Uber Eats: One of the most popular delivery gigs in the entire world.
- Instacart: Earn $10 to $20+ per hour by delivering groceries.
- DoorDash: A popular gig like Uber Eats that's available in North America.
- Shipt: This grocery delivery gig pays a minimum of $16 per hour.
- Grubhub: Another food delivery app like Uber Eats and DoorDash.
If you put in enough hours, making $2,000 in a month or two is certainly possible. Just remember to track your fuel expenses and income so you can accurately report everything on your tax return and potentially get some deductions.
Start making money with Uber Eats and DoorDash!
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2. Freelance Writing
I make most of my income from freelance writing these days, and it was actually one of my first college side hustles as well.
I also think becoming a freelance writer is one of the best ways to make 2,000 dollars quickly since if you have enough clients, your earning potential is immensely high.
For example, it didn't take me too long to find clients who pay $0.10 per word, which only takes 20,000 words to make $2,000.
Granted, you have to have good communication skills for this method, and it pays to niche-down and to become a bit of an expert. You can also check out my new course, Freelance Writing For Freedom, for a detailed blueprint of how I went from $0 to $100,000+ in my writing income.
I think freelance writing is best started as a side hustle so you can gradually build your portfolio and contacts. And, that way, if you ever need to make $2,000 fast, you can always up your writing volume for a few weeks until you hit your income goal.
3. Sell Stuff You Own
While this isn't fun, liquidating your own assets through a garage sale is one strategy to make some cash in a pinch.
You can also try various websites and apps to sell stuff, including:
- The Facebook Marketplace: Ideal for selling stuff like electronics, apparel, furniture, and home goods in person for cash.
- Mercari – A leading selling app where you can sell just about anything.
- Poshmark – The go-to platform for selling clothing and shoes, especially from name-brands.
- Sideline Swap – Lets you sell used or new sports apparel and equipment.
- OfferUp – A popular app like Facebook Marketplace that's excellent for local selling.
- Worthy – A safe way to sell watches, jewelry, and diamonds online for quick cash.
Of course, you can always try selling on platforms like eBay, Craigslist, flea markets, or even pawn shops if you want to explore all of your options.
Making $2,000 quickly by just selling things you own might be tough, but even if this gets you closer to your income goal, you can use another idea on the list to get you the rest of the way.
4. Try Other Freelancing Gigs
Making money with freelance writing is how I make most of my income. But, writing is far from your only option to make money freelancing.
Some other popular skills to sell online include:
- Bookkeeping
- Coding
- Data entry jobs
- Graphic design
- Paid advertising for Google and Facebook Ads
- Proofreading and editing
- Recruiting and HR tasks
- SEO
- Social media marketing
- Stock photo seller or photographer
- Transcription
- Web design
- Virtual assistant work
- Voice over artist
The rate for a lot of freelancing industries can easily be between $25 to $50+ per hour. Plus, some freelance contracts work on a monthly retainer basis so you might be able to secure even more upfront!
A friend and I actually had a successful digital marketing side hustle in college and started earning $2,000 per month by running ads for two different furniture companies.
I've also dabbled in SEO consulting and paid ads consulting and was able to land some jobs on Upwork and from my own network for both those industries.
Like writing, freelancing in other industries can take time to build your portfolio and land some clients. But once you land one good client, things can snowball, and the earning ceiling is so high with freelancing as well.
Pro Tip: You can find high-paying remote jobs that are also flexible with job websites like FlexJobs!
5. Start A Blog
For context, I only made $1,700 with my first year of blogging. But after I learned how to blog properly and stuck with it, my income began to grow steadily.
Fast forward a few years, and WebMonkey made $272,000 in 2022. And it's now my full-time business that makes $50,000 a month or even more.
Most of my blogging income comes from affiliate marketing and Mediavine display ads. But blogs can also make money by selling online courses, coaching programs, brand sponsorships, or some combination of income streams.
A lot of bloggers also branch into other forms of influencer marketing, like making money with YouTube or a podcast. So, this online side hustle has immense potential.
6. Make Money With Real Estate
Making money with real estate isn't a new idea. And if you have a spare room or money to invest in a duplex, a lot of people make money by house hacking or renting out their extra space to tenants.
You can also consider investing in real estate to generate income if you prefer passive income. Some of the top real estate investment platforms include:
- Arrived: Invest in shares of rental homes and vacation properties with just $100.
- Fundrise: Another leading U.S. real estate investment platform.
- RealtyMogul: Access commercial real estate investment opportunities starting at $5,000.
Of course, you could also stick with traditional strategies to invest for income, like dividend stocks, ETFs, bonds, and mutual funds.
The entire idea here is to make your money work for you. And real estate or other income-generating assets are a beginner-friendly way to achieve this.
Note: This is a Fundrise endorsement and we receive compensation if you sign up with the provided links.
7. Start An Online Business
I don't think running an online business is the best method to make 2,000 dollars fast for a lot of people or business models.
But, some people do make quick money with online businesses, especially if they strike a hot trend and can get something like an ecommerce store up and running quickly.
For example, some people have made money with memes by selling merchandise based on recent political events or pop culture references.
Similarly, selling seasonal products on marketplaces like Etsy or through your own Shopify store or Sellfy Store are other options you can dabble with selling stuff online.
It's also easier than you might think.
I tried creating a dropshipping store in college and also sold print-on-demand products on Etsy, and I was able to get sales with each business model.
Extra Reading – How To Sell Stickers On Etsy.
8. Try Other Driving Gigs
Like food delivery gigs, there are numerous other driving gigs out there that let you earn above minimum wage while working at your own pace.
Popular driving jobs you can consider include:
- Lyft – A popular ridesharing app.
- GoShare – A peer-to-peer delivery gig that pays you for delivering packages for people and small businesses.
- Roadie – Another delivery gig like GoShare that also lets you complete long-distance deliveries for hundreds of dollars.
- Lugg – Get paid to help people move as a Lugg worker!
- Amazon Flex – Earn $18 to $25 per hour or more with this delivery gig.
- Walmart Spark – A newer job similar to Amazon Flex that pays you to deliver Walmart packages and groceries.
Delivery gigs like GoShare and Roadie can pay a lot for long-distance trips, while rideshare gigs like Uber and Lyft provide more consistent work.
Just keep in mind, some driving gigs require a pickup truck or cargo van to make money with since you have to deliver large packages for people!
9. Online Surveys
Online surveys are an easy way to make money online for free. And I've used these sites for years to make some extra pocket money.
Now, making $2,000 fast with cash surveys is going to take some serious grinding. But you can always stack this idea with some other hustles to get there faster.
Some popular survey platforms include:
Branded Surveys is my current favorite. But you can try out a variety of survey apps and websites to make some easy side cash.
10. Rent Out Stuff You Own
Want to make money on autopilot? If the answer is yes, your best bet is to rent stuff out for profit.
There are also some lucrative rental categories you can consider, including renting out a:
- Spare room or house on Airbnb
- Extra storage space with Neighbor Storage, which is basically the Airbnb of storage space
- Your Internet bandwidth with websites like Honeygain
- Your vehicle with companies like Turo and HyreCar
- Your RV with websites like RVShare
The bottom line is making 2,000 dollars fast by renting stuff out isn't easy, but it's possible, especially if you get into real estate with Airbnb and Neighbor.
11. Find On-Demand Work
If you've ever worked with a temp agency, you know that a lot of businesses often need short-term, temporary work to fill employment gaps. So, this is an excellent opportunity to make some fast cash.
Businesses that often need temporary labor include:
- Construction sites
- Event staffing companies
- Bars and restaurants
- Factories
- Shipping centers
If you want to begin your job search, you can try downloading the free Steady app to look for local gig jobs and short-term temp jobs.
You can also try the Wonolo app or Handy app, which also connect you with temporary jobs and cash gigs. Finally, I've found gigs on Taskrabbit before and think it's one of the best odd job apps out there.
12. Work Overtime
You can always try working more overtime if you're in a financial pinch. Of course, you need to work a job that pays you hourly for this, and ideally, you work somewhere that pays you time-and-a-half or more for your extra hours.
One of my best friends works at a brewery, and he works overtime all the time on weekends and can clear $1,000 in a single weekend of work. This route isn't for everyone, but again, it's the most straightforward way to earn $2,000 fast.
Extra Reading – How To Make $1,000 In 24 Hours.
13. Borrow The Money
If you're really in a pinch, you can always try turning to family or friends to borrow money.
Now, this route really depends on if you're comfortable with asking friends and family for help, but the offer is there. Alternatively, you can also consider using your credit cards, cash advance apps, or looking into personal loans, but I advise to avoid these options unless you truly don't have any other choice.
Companies like ZippyLoan let you borrow between $100 and $15,000 within a single business day, so again, you have some options here.
Just be sure to read terms and services of any option you take. And don't be afraid to speak with your bank or a financial professional.
Extra Reading – How To Turn $100 Into $1,000.
14. Make Money With Pet Sitting
If you like animals, you can always offer pet sitting and dog walking services with companies like Rover to make more money.
Rover lets you set your own rates, and you can walk dogs, provide drop-in visits, or offer pet-sitting services to make extra cash. Finding clients takes time like any marketplace, but a lot of Rover gigs pay $15 to $25 plus per hour.
Pet sitting is where most of the money is, especially if you can look after two dogs at once so two clients are paying you.
Of course, you can branch out from Rover and offer this service on your own, so don't be afraid to be a bit entrepreneurial. You can read my post on the best Rover headlines for advice on how to set up your profile and find clients.
Start making money with Rover today!
15. Get A Second Job
A second job isn't always worth it if you're passing up on higher-income opportunities or it ruins your life. But if you're wondering how to make 2,000 dollars fast, working a second job for a brief period of time might be the solution.
If you work from 9 to 5, you can find a night job like delivering pizzas or some sort of shift work that's a bit more flexible to accommodate your schedule. You could also try working on weekends with serving or bartending jobs.
Extra Reading – How To Make $400 A Day.
16. Offer Private Tutoring
If you're very knowledgeable in a particular subject or skills like preparing for SAT testing, you can offer private tutoring to make extra cash.
A lot of private tutoring gigs can easily pay $20 to $30+ per hour, especially for more advanced subjects in high school or university. You can teach younger students online or in-person as well, so you have several options. And, you don't necessarily need to put up flyers over town to find clients on your own.
Websites like BookNook and PrepNow Tutoring hire online tutors all the time, and there are loads of other online tutoring gigs as well.
This is a perfect side hustle for retired teachers, recent grads, or anyone who have a high level of knowledge in a specific subject.
Extra Reading – The Best Online Jobs That Pay Daily.
17. Flip Stuff For Money
Just like selling stuff you own, you can always try flipping stuff for money to make more money per month.
This is known as retail arbitrage, and the idea is to buy popular goods at a discount and to then resell them for a profit.
Typically, retail arbitrage sellers find products to flip at stores that have clearance aisles, like Walmart or Kohls. But you can also find things to sell at flea markets, thrift stores, garage sales, and pawn shops.
In terms of what to sell, anything that sells at high volume online is a good candidate; think apparel, electronics, collectibles, books, toys, and video games.
I actually interviewed a couple on WebMonkey who do retail arbitrage full-time, and they gross over a million in sales per year!
So, this is a bit of a riskier way to make $2,000 fast since you have to invest in upfront inventory. However, if you want to start a new business to try and make money, it's worth considering.
18. Do Craigslist Gigs For Cash
Another method to make money quickly is to complete various Craigslist gigs for cash.
If you search for “gigs” on Craigslist, you can actually find dozens of people looking for help for a specific task, and they're willing to pay cash. In my area, some Craigslist gigs I found include:
- Event staffing jobs
- Caregiving jobs
- Cleaning gigs
- Driving gigs like delivery jobs or being someone's personal driver
- Landscaping
- Modeling work
- Testing websites and tech products
- Vocalist work
There's also some really weird and really cool jobs on the platform. For example, I found a company that was paying $200 per day for you to be the face of their new YouTube channel, so this would only take two weeks of work to make your $2,000!
There are lots of general labor jobs as well, and you have to sift through some scammy listings to find legit jobs.
Tips For Getting Started
Now that you know some of the best ideas on how to get 2k fast, here are a few tips you should remember to increase your odds of success!
- Set A Time Goal: Decide how quickly you need the money so you can pick a side hustle idea that makes sense. Some ideas are more passive than others, or pay more per hour, so you need to choose gigs that make sense.
- Try Several Ideas: Trying different ways to make $2,000 fast is the best way to learn what you like and what pays the most in your area. So, try out delivering for Uber Eats, freelance writing, or finding local gigs on Craigslist. In time, you'll find the jobs that pay the most and are more enjoyable.
- Watch For Burn Out: If you need $2,000 fast, it might be tempting to grind 80 hours a week endlessly until you reach your goal. However, make sure you're getting enough sleep. And always be aware of burn out as a risk so you can avoid it!
Extra Reading – 20+ Best Jobs That Pay $5,000 A Month.
Final Thoughts
I hope my list of hustle ideas helps you reach your 2k income goal as quickly as possible.
It really doesn't matter if you're driving for Instacart or Uber Eats, starting an online business, or using some mix of gig apps to make money; it's all about putting in the time and effort to reach your goal!
One more tip I want to give is that working on your savings rate is also a way to end up with more money in your pocket.
After all, if you can save more money each month, that potentially means you don't have to hustle quite as hard.
Looking for more money-making ideas? Checkout:
- The Best Beermoney Sites & Apps.
- The Best Sites Like Appen To Make Money Online.
- How To Make $2,000 A Week.
