Every now and then, an emergency comes up and then you realize that your salary can only stretch so far. Perhaps you need some extra cash imminently, only to discover to your dismay that it will still be a few days or weeks before the next payday arrives.
This is why it is always good to have multiple streams of income, multiple skills that you can leverage to generate money—essentially a plan B so that you are never left stuck or stranded at the last minute.
A recent resume template survey revealed that Gen Z workers do not make enough on their salary to be able to cover and afford their basic needs and expenses, with one in five acknowledging that they would need to make over $100,000 to survive.
What’s even more shocking, is that in nearly half of the 50 states in the U.S., the cost of living expenses is so high that one would need to earn between $102,000 and upwards of $130,000 to be able to live comfortably, according to recent analysis by Yahoo Finance. The states with the highest cost of living as of 2024, include Hawaii, California (no surprises there), Massachusetts, Washington, New Jersey, and Colorado, amongst others, and within the 24 states with the highest cost of living, in almost all cases the median household income is always less than the average living expenses for that state.
If you’re reading this article, chances are that you’re probably feeling stuck right now. The good news is that you don’t need to be limited to your salary or the next payday. You can actually start earning money within a very short space of time.
29 Side Hustles That Make $100 In One Day
What’s important to note here, is that there is no such thing as a valid get-rich-quick formula. If that is what you’re after, you’re not going to find anything legitimate. Boosting your salary outside of a regular employer/employee relationship takes time, commitment, and some type of initial investment to thoroughly build and get off the ground.
If you want to find a side hustle that will make you money fast, be prepared to put in the time, hard work, and market research to ensure it is a viable idea that will take off relatively quickly due to high demand. Analyze trends and patterns in consumer behavior. And remember, it’s not sufficient to just be good at what you do; you must be exceptional at your craft.
Once you put in that initial investment, you can easily make passive income and have $100 coming your way every day, or every few days at the most, accruing to a rainy day fund or something that will cover necessary expenses over time.
- AirTasker
- TaskRabbit
- Freelance writing for publications or for clients via platforms such as Fiverr, or gigs advertized on FlexJobs
- Dog walking/pet sitting via platforms such as Rover
- Ride-sharing via Uber or Lyft
- Food delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub)
- Online tutoring
- Graphic design use platforms 99designs
- Virtual assistance
- Handyman services
- Photography
- Car washing/detailing
- Babysitting
- Consulting
- Launching an Etsy shop selling digital products or handmade items
- Selling second-hand personal items on e-commerce marketplaces such as eBay
- Lawn care and landscaping services
- Renting out equipment on Fat Llama
- Dropshipping
- Offering freelance social media management
- Proofreading and editing
- Renting your car
- Flipping items and selling online
- Affiliate marketing
- Freelance MC for events
- Freelance video editing
- Voice acting
- Becoming a TikTok or YouTube influencer
- Freelance web development
To maximize your chances of earning more, try to avoid generalism, and lean into specific niches so you can cater to a very specific market who need what you have to offer. This specialist approach positions you as an expert in that field and gives you leeway to be able to charge more. For example, instead of offering web development for all types of clients, why not focus on web development for agency websites, or for small e-commerce businesses, or other types of niches?
When you have skills lying dormant, there is no reason why you should be stuck in a financial emergency before payday ever again.