What I Would Do If I Needed $500 Fast (Realistic + Beginner-Friendly)
When money is tight and an unexpected bill pops up, finding an extra $500 fast can feel impossible. But the truth is, you have more options than you think — even if you’re starting with no money, no special skills, and no extra time.
In this guide, I’ll break down exactly what I would do if I needed $500 fast, step-by-step. These are practical, real-life methods that work for beginners and don’t require complicated setups or investments.
Let’s get into it.
1. Sell Something You Don’t Use Anymore ($50–$300 in 24 Hours)
One of the fastest ways to generate cash is to sell items you already own. Go room by room and look for:
old electronics
small appliances
video game systems
unused tools
furniture
purses, shoes, or clothes in good condition
workout equipment
List them on:
Facebook Marketplace
OfferUp
Craigslist
Poshmark (for clothes/shoes)
Why this works:
People buy fast on local apps because they don’t want to wait for shipping.
Realistic potential:
$100–$300 in a single day.
2. Offer a Simple Service in Your Area ($50–$200 in a Weekend)
You don’t need a business, a website, or a degree. You just need to offer value that someone else doesn’t want to do.
Services that sell FAST:
yard cleanup
snow shoveling
dog walking
basic house cleaning
assembling furniture
hauling unwanted items
running errands for older adults
Post a simple message in:
Facebook Groups
Nextdoor
Local community boards
Realistic potential:
Just 2–3 small jobs can bring in $100–$200.
3. Pick a Quick Online Gig That Pays Within Days ($25–$150)
While many online jobs pay slowly, some pay quickly if you choose the right platforms.
Beginner-friendly options:
UserTesting
Get paid to test websites and apps. Fast payouts.
Rev (Transcription)
Work as much or as little as you want.
Textbroker / WriterAccess
If you can write basic English, you can take easy assignments.
TaskRabbit
Setup is fast and jobs pay directly.
Realistic potential in a week:
$50–$150 depending on how many tasks you accept.
4. Return Something You Don’t Need Anymore ($20–$100)
We often forget about items we bought recently:
unused clothes
unopened Amazon items
small gadgets
home goods
Returning items is basically free money back into your pocket.
5. Use the “Skills You Already Have” Method ($100–$500)
This is the most powerful option.
Think about something you already know how to do:
writing
graphic design
basic video editing
making Pinterest pins
organizing or decluttering
simple lunch prep
helping someone set up a phone or laptop
editing photos
watching pets
Now turn it into a quick service.
Post something like:
“I’m available this weekend for ______. Message me if you need help!”
People respond FAST when you’re offering something useful.
Realistic potential:
$100–$500 depending on your skill.
6. Do Fast Delivery or Gig Work for 1–3 Days ($75–$250)
If you have access to a car, scooter, or bike, you can make quick money through:
DoorDash
Uber Eats
Instacart
Shipt
Even 2–3 hours a day can add up quickly.
Realistic potential:
$25–$100 per day depending on your area.
If you want even more beginner-friendly ways to earn extra income, check out my free guide: 10 Side Hustles You Can Start With $0.
If you're ready to build a long-term income stream, my ebook Start Broke, Earn Daily breaks down 15 real side hustles you can begin immediately.
7. Use a Simple 48-Hour Challenge to Reach Your Goal Faster
Here’s the formula I personally follow when I need cash quickly:
Step 1: Sell something
($50–$200)
Step 2: Do a small local service
($50–$150)
Step 3: Add a quick online gig
($25–$100)
Step 4: Cut one expense for the week
($20–$40)
All together:
$145–$490
…in two days.
This is EXACTLY how many people pull themselves out of emergency money situations without taking on debt.
Once you’ve earned your first $500, the next step is learning how to save consistently — here’s my guide on how to save your first $1,000 even on a tight budget.
8. What Not to Do When You Need Money Fast
Avoid these traps:
❌ payday loans
❌ high-interest cash advances
❌ apps that charge crazy fees
❌ borrowing from friends/family
❌ selling important items you actually need
❌ taking on a long-term commitment for short-term cash
Fast money is helpful — but fast mistakes can make everything worse.
Stick to low-risk, high-return options.
Final Thoughts: You Have More Options Than You Realize
Needing $500 fast can feel overwhelming, but there are always realistic ways to get there. The biggest shift comes from remembering this:
You’re not powerless. You’re resourceful.
And once you’ve solved this problem once, you have a blueprint for life.
