How to Make $500 a Day in 2024 (17 Realistic Ways)

Making $500 a day is an ambitious goal that can be achieved through various means, depending on your skills, resources, and the amount of time you're willing to invest.

Do you want to learn how to make 500 dollars fast today?

If you’re strapped for time, I’ll go ahead and share how to make $500 a day.

How to Make Money $500 Fast

Wondering how to make $500 fast a day? You can make 500 dollars fast in 2024 by renting a spare room, investing money, starting a blog, online surveys, podcasting, and teaching English online just to name a few lucrative methods.

If you want to see the full list, continue reading.

#1: Start a Blog

Starting a blog and earning $500 a day is an exciting goal! First, pick a topic you love, like sports, fashion, or tech. Then, set up your blog on a platform like WordPress or Blogger, and choose a catchy name that people will remember.

Write engaging posts about your passions, and share them on social media to attract readers. To make money, you can include ads, do affiliate marketing (promoting products for a commission), or write sponsored content.

The key is to post regularly, interact with your audience, and keep improving your content. It takes time and effort, but if you're passionate and consistent, you could turn your blog into a profitable adventure. Remember, enjoy the journey and the creativity that comes with it!

#2:  Make $500 Fast with Online Surveys

Taking online surveys to make $500 fast is a no-brainer!

You definitely won’t get rich or make hundreds of dollars per day with surveys alone, but you won’t waste much time, and you can make some money the easy way. Here is my favorite (and highest paying) survey sites:

• Survey Junkie: This is a free survey app for your phone that pays you to take online surveys, participate in focus groups, and try new products. And, I really mean free all around – free to join and they don’t charge anything to be a member (they will actually pay you in cash via PayPal). You can get a free registration bonus for free when you join through this link.
• Swagbucks is another great survey site to make some extra money in your free time. As a new member, you can earn up to $35 per survey! They are known for giving out fun, top-paying surveys. And you can also get paid to play games and watch TV. Swagbucks is conveniently offering a $10 bonus just for signing up through this link, so act fast.

There are quite a lot of survey sites out there. These just happen to be the more reputable ones that are legit. As always, be wary of handing out your information to random survey sites. I recommend using an entirely separate email address for online paid survey sites so you don’t clutter your inbox.

If you are interested in paid surveys, here is a good resource if you want a more in-depth review of paid survey sites you can see which ones pay $50 per survey.

#3: Collect $60 from This App

This is an easy way to make passive income just by downloading an app that tracks your internet usage. If you are looking for how to make money at home without a job, this may not be your best choice but if you want easy money — it is.

By using the internet as you do every day, Nielsen invites you to make a difference – and you can make money too.

You don’t even have to do anything other than register your computer or phone. Nielsen will pay you $60 a year to keep their app on your favorite internet browsing device and they also give away $10,000 each month. 

So you can make more than $60 for no effort at all. You can try it out with a registration bonus.

#4: Become an Influencer

Becoming an influencer who makes $500 a day is like becoming a mini-celebrity on the internet, and it's totally possible with some hard work and smart moves. First, pick something you love and know a lot about, like makeup, video games, or cooking. This is your niche, and it's what you'll be known for. Then, choose where you want to share your stuff – like Instagram, YouTube, or a blog.

Start making cool posts or videos about your niche. Be yourself and have fun with it! The more you post, the more people will see your stuff and start to follow you. Talk to your followers, reply to their comments, and make them feel like they're part of your online family.

Now, to make money, you can work with brands that fit your niche. They might pay you to talk about their products, or you can get a little money every time someone buys something through a link you share. Just remember, becoming a big deal online doesn't happen overnight. Keep at it, stay real, and you could be making $500 a day doing what you love!

#5: Become a Freelance Writer

Becoming a freelance writer and earning $500 a day is like being a word wizard who can turn phrases into paychecks. Here's the scoop: first, decide what kind of writing you're good at. It could be anything from writing stories to blogging about tech gadgets. This is your special writing zone.

Next, set up your magic shop, which is basically making a cool online profile where people can see your work. Websites like Upwork or Freelancer are great places to start. Show off some of your best writing so people can see how awesome you are with words.

Now, start looking for writing gigs. This part is like a treasure hunt – you have to search for jobs that fit what you're good at. Apply to lots of jobs and don't get bummed out if you don't get picked right away. Remember, even famous writers got rejected at first!

When you land a gig, do your best work and turn it in on time. Happy clients often come back for more, and they might even tell their friends about you. As you get more gigs and become known for your amazing writing, you can start charging more.

Keep at it, and soon enough, you might just be making that cool $500 a day, all by turning your ideas into words that people love to read. Plus, you get to be your own boss, which is pretty awesome.

#6: Get Up to $225 in Free Stocks

We all heard the old saying “make your money work for you” right? Investing can sound tough if you don't have a lot of money lying around. But investing can be for everyone — and you can even get a free stock.

“For about 3 minutes of work, you can earn yourself a random stock (anything from Sprint to Apple) whose value is anywhere between $3.00 and $225.”

This is possible through an investing app called Robinhood. They are currently running a sign-up bonus through this link — which will give you a completely random stock worth up to $225 once you sign up.

There are no obligations to actually invest your money once you sign up – so it truly is free money.

#7: Make $500 Fast Playing Solitaire

If you like playing solitaire then you'll love Solitaire Cube. This is an addicting game where you can compete in cash tournaments and head-to-head competitions for real prizes.

It’s pretty easy to get started and the game will match you up with other players who have the same level of skills in real-time. Cash outs are through PayPal and I had no issues withdrawing or depositing money.

How to play? Stack cards into piles to sort them by their suit. Sound easy? It is! You can download it here.

#8: Earn Rewards for Grocery Shopping

This is one of the easiest side hustles there is (this list has a lot of them). The app you should know about is Ibotta. This cell phone app is available for iOS or Android phones, helps you get paid to shop.

Yup, for real! You use it after you go grocery shopping and use your receipt. It’s basically a rebate app, so you can earn anywhere from 50 cents to $5 off everything you buy. It's not brand specific either, you can scan any brand of cheese for 50 cents off, for example.

If you do regularly coupon, you can still use the app and get a rebate. You can essentially get grocery items for free if you're really into couponing. It's free and all you have to do is scan your receipt and you'll get free money back. The best part, sign up here and you will receive a $10 cash bonus.

#9: Make $500 fast with HealthyWage

HealthyWage offers people the opportunity to earn $500 fast. Earn $500 cash for losing weight?

Sounds too good to be true, but you read it right. The company was founded in 2009, and its HQ is in New York, and part of its mission is to provide ways to have a measurable impact on the growing obesity epidemic in the US.

They do this by legitimately offering cash prizes to make weight loss and fitness more fun and effective. Since HealthyWage was founded they have been featured in literally hundreds of newspapers, magazines, TV shows, blogs and websites.

How can you make money with it? You essentially bet on yourself and how much weight you can lose. Since they are promoting ways to be healthy, your winnings depend on how much weight you lose and how much you bet. While you will have to bet some money in order to make 500 dollars, if you are determined to lose weight then this will be the extra push you need.

#10: Start A Service Arbitrage Business

Starting a service arbitrage business and making $500 a day is like being a matchmaker for services, connecting people who need something done with those who can do it, and earning money in the process. It's a cool way to be in business without doing all the heavy lifting yourself.

Here’s how it works: First, think about services that are in demand, like graphic design, writing, or even dog walking. Then, find skilled people who can provide these services. These are your team, but they don’t work for you directly – you just connect them with jobs.

Now, set up a way to get customers. You could create a simple website or use social media to let people know what services you offer. When someone needs a job done, you find the right person in your team to do it. The customer pays you, and you pay the person who did the work, keeping a bit of the money for yourself as a ‘finder's fee'.

The trick is to charge the customer a bit more than what you pay your team. This difference is where you make your money. For example, if you find someone who can design a logo for $50, you might charge the customer $70. That extra $20 is your profit.

To make good money, you need lots of customers and a reliable team. It's about being good at organizing and making sure everyone's happy – the customers get great service, and your team gets regular work. If you do it right, you can make a nice chunk of change each day, all by being the person who brings it all together.

#11: Make $500 Fast Sharing Your Car

Renting out your car to make $500 a day is like turning your car into a money-making machine when you're not using it. It's a smart way to make extra cash without a lot of work.

Here's how you can get rolling: First, make sure your car is in good shape, clean, and ready to impress. Safety and comfort are key for anyone renting your ride. Then, sign up with a car rental platform like Turo or Getaround. These websites are like Airbnb, but for cars. They let people rent your car for a day, a week, or even longer.

Create a profile for your car on the site. Take some cool photos of it and write up a friendly description. Set a rental price based on what other cars like yours are going for. The website will help with insurance and support, so you don't have to worry too much about the details.

When someone rents your car, you arrange a time and place to hand over the keys. Then, when the rental is over, you get the car back and it's ready for the next person. The more your car is rented out, the more money you can make. Just keep in mind things like maintenance and wear and tear on your car.

Renting out your car can be a great way to earn extra cash, especially if you live in a busy city or near an airport where people often need a quick ride. It's all about making your car work for you when you're not using it.

#12: Make $500 Fast by Podcasting

Starting a podcast and making $500 a day is like hosting your own radio show, right from your home. First, choose a topic you love and know a lot about – it could be anything from movies to cooking. Then, get some basic equipment like a good microphone and recording software.

Create your first few episodes, talking about things that interest you and you think others will enjoy too. Upload these episodes to podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Share your podcast on social media to get listeners.

To make money, you can find sponsors for your podcast or use ads. As more people tune in and your podcast grows in popularity, you can start charging more for ad space. Keep your content interesting and engage with your listeners to grow your audience. With dedication and creativity, your podcast could turn into a fun way to earn good money.

#13: Make $500 Fast Dropshipping

A risk free way to try and make 500 dollars fast is through dropshipping.

Dropshopping is basically setting up a store and selling items that you don't physically own. Once a buyer buys something from your Shopify store, the supplier will send it directly to them.

This is low risk because you don't have to buy or store any products. Oberlo allows you to easily import products from AliExpress directly into your Shopify store and ship directly to your customers – in only a few clicks.

It's very simple to open a shop on Shopify and drop ship items in order to create a business without too much risk.  You can literally start and set up a drop shipping business without any type of product in one afternoon with minimal risk as Shopify has a 14-day free trial and Oberlo is completely free.

#14: Make $500 with On-Demand Apps

With all of the on-demand apps out there today this one is an easy one. All you need to have is a car or bike, in most cases. Apps like DoorDash, Instacart, and Uber Eats are easy to sign up for and help you make $500 fast. There are always people that are looking for a ride or looking to get something delivered.

Another great part about doing this is that you can pick your hours. If you have 30 minutes between classes you can do a ride or two. If you are only available 8-11 at night then you can work then. It is extremely flexible and you can make good money doing it.

#15: Flip Stuff on Selling Apps

Flipping stuff on selling apps to make $500 a day is like being a treasure hunter in the digital world. You start by finding things you can sell, like old furniture, electronics, or clothes you don't use anymore. Garage sales, thrift stores, and even your own attic are great places to find these hidden gems.

Next, clean up your finds to make them look their best. Take good, clear photos and post them on selling apps like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Mercari. Write a catchy description and set a reasonable price, maybe a bit higher than what you paid, but still a good deal.

When someone buys your item, you ship it out or meet up locally for the exchange. The difference between what you paid for the item and what you sell it for is your profit. The more you do this, the better you get at finding deals and knowing what sells well.

Flipping items can be a fun and profitable way to make money. With some effort and savvy shopping, turning a profit of $500 a day is within reach. Remember, it's all about finding good deals and selling them for a bit more.

#16: Make $500 Fast with Apps That Pay

You’re not going to get rich by downloading mobile apps that pay you, but you can use these to earn a passive income every month. Money-making apps can be a simple way to pad your bank account in your free time or earn free Amazon gift cards.

You probably know these apps aren’t my favorite way to make extra money, but I make an exception for it when you’re just hanging out — e.g. watching T.V., riding the metro, during your break at work, or in the back of an Uber. Might as well click a few buttons and make some money while you’re at it.

Here is our list of the best money making apps if you want to give them a shot. This also serves as a great way to learn how to make money without a job in high school or college.

#17: Make $500 fast with Fundrise

Fundrise allows you to invest in real estate and beat the stock market year after year from just an app.

Their crowdsourcing model sets them apart from traditional methods allowing the average investor to participate in deals for as little as $10.

The interesting thing about Fundrise is that it lets investors buy into private commercial and residential properties by pooling their assets through it's app available for iOS and Android devices.

Making $500 Fast FAQs

When you need more money, times can get difficult or even depressing. But, there is a way to combat your lack of funds:

How to Make $500 Fast Summary

If you went through this list then you should have come out ahead. Enjoy your $500 (or more) and feel free to take the weekend off!

Thank me later.

One idea that I didn't share because it won't make you $500 (but will make you easy money) is getting paid to watch TV. If you have a few minutes to spare, give it a read and your wallet will thank me later.

Enjoyed these best ideas to make $500 fast in a day? Then be sure to come back as I will continue to update this post often.