We've all faced moments when a little extra cash could really come in handy—whether it's an unexpected expense or just wanting to treat yourself.
If you're wondering how to make $5 fast, you're in the right place.
In this post, we’ll share practical ways to earn $5 quickly, including easy side hustles for extra cash and trusted platforms to make $5 online. Whether you're starting a new side hustle or just need quick money, these quick cash ideas will help boost your wallet today.
Earn $50 Quickly with Nielsen Consumer Panel
One of the easiest ways to make $50 fast is by joining the Nielsen Consumer Panel. As a member, you’ll take part in market research that influences the products and services people use every day.
Once you sign up, you’ll be invited to complete online surveys based on your everyday habits. In return, you’ll earn rewards you can redeem for cash or other valuable prizes.
Getting started is simple—no points system, no hidden fees, and no long-term commitment. Just share your opinions and start earning right away.
Make Money with Paid Surveys on Rakuten Insight
Looking for a simple way to make $5 online fast? Rakuten Insight is one of the top ways to earn $5 quickly. It’s a reliable paid survey site that rewards you for sharing your opinions on everyday products and services.
After signing up and getting approved, you’ll receive survey invitations straight to your inbox. Each survey typically pays a few dollars, and once your earnings hit $5, you can cash out via PayPal.
It’s free to join, easy to use, and a great option if you want to earn from home in your spare time.
Make $5 Fast by Joining Paid Survey Sites
If you're wondering how to make $5 fast with minimal effort, joining online survey sites is one of the best and easiest ways to earn money fast from home.
These platforms pay you cash or points for sharing your opinions, and most surveys take just a few minutes to complete. By joining a few reputable survey sites, you can easily rack up $5 or more in no time.
- Survey Junkie
- InboxDollars
- Pinecone Research
- Opinion Outpost
- Vindale Research
Earn $5 Fast by Referring Friends to InboxDollars
Want to make $5 fast online with zero effort? InboxDollars is a trusted option among those looking for quick ways to earn cash, offering $5 for every friend you refer who signs up and confirms their email.
There’s no limit—you can refer as many friends as you like and earn unlimited cash.
To get started, log in to your InboxDollars account, head to the “Refer a Friend” section, and enter your friend’s email. Once they join and verify their account, you’ll automatically receive your $5 bonus.
It’s a simple and effective way to earn extra money just by spreading the word.
Make $5 Fast by Delivering Groceries
Need quick cash ideas and have a car? Delivering groceries with services like Instacart or Shipt is one of the easy side hustles for extra cash, helping you make $5 fast or even more in a single delivery.
Once you sign up and get approved, you'll start receiving grocery delivery requests from nearby customers. Your job is to shop for their items, follow the provided route, and drop off the groceries at their doorstep.
You set your own hours, and payments add up quickly—especially with tips. If you're looking for a flexible side hustle that pays fast, grocery delivery is a smart option.
Earn $5 Fast with the Ibotta Cash Back App
Ibotta is one of the top cash back apps for earning quick rewards on everyday purchases. From groceries and clothing to electronics, it gives you real cash back just for shopping.
Using Ibotta is simple—browse available offers, shop at participating stores, and scan your receipt to earn. You can even stack your savings by combining Ibotta with coupons or store discounts.
If you're looking for a fast and effortless way to make $5, Ibotta is a smart place to start.
Make $5 Fast with Swagbucks Rewards
Swagbucks is a popular rewards platform and one of the most flexible ways to earn $5 quickly. It’s ideal if you're searching for how to make $5 online by watching videos, taking surveys, or playing games. Beyond cash back on purchases, you can earn points by taking surveys, watching videos, playing games, and even browsing the web.
Once you’ve collected enough points (called SB), you can redeem them for PayPal cash or gift cards to your favorite stores.
If you want a flexible, all-in-one app to earn $5 quickly, Swagbucks is a solid choice.
Earn $5 Fast with Shopkick While You Shop
Shopkick makes it easy to earn rewards just by shopping at popular stores like Target, Best Buy, and more. You’ll earn points—called “kicks”—for walking into stores, scanning items, making purchases, and even watching videos.
Those kicks can be redeemed for gift cards to top retailers, making it a fun and effortless way to earn a quick $5.
If you enjoy shopping and want to get paid for it, Shopkick is definitely worth checking out.
Make $5 Fast with Food Delivery Apps
Food delivery apps offer several easy ways to earn $5 or more quickly. Whether you're driving, referring friends, or helping with orders, these platforms can help you boost your income fast.
- Sign up as a delivery driver with Uber Eats or DoorDash
- Refer friends to earn bonuses through apps like Uber Eats
- Deliver groceries or meals through Postmates or Instacart
- Complete food-related tasks via TaskRabbit
- Offer customer support for platforms like Zomato or Grubhub
Earn $5 Fast by Investing with M1 Finance
M1 Finance is a user-friendly investment platform that lets you start building wealth with as little as $5. It’s a great option if you want to grow your money without needing a large upfront investment.
- Sign up for a free M1 Finance account
- Choose your preferred stocks or ETFs
- Deposit funds
- Start investing automatically
Save and Earn with the Trim App
Looking for a quick way to earn $5 and save money? The Trim app helps you cancel unused subscriptions, secure refunds for fees, and lower your monthly bills like cable, internet, and phone.
Trim works by analyzing your spending and negotiating better rates on your behalf. Plus, you can earn $5 for every friend you refer who signs up.
If you're aiming to cut costs and make a little extra cash, Trim is a smart and effortless option.
Make $5 Fast by Watching Videos Online
Getting paid to watch videos is one of the easiest ways to make $5 fast online, especially if you're looking for quick tasks to earn money from home. Several platforms partner with brands that pay users to watch promotional content, product videos, or ads.
Your earnings depend on the length and type of video, but it’s possible to make a few dollars quickly—especially when you stay active on multiple sites.
Just sign up for a trusted paid video site, start watching, and cash out once you hit the minimum payout. It’s a simple way to earn from home during your downtime.
Earn $5 Fast by Playing and Testing Games
Love gaming? It’s one of the most enjoyable ways to earn $5 quickly—just test new games and share your feedback. If you're wondering how to make $5 fast while having fun, this is a great option. Game developers often pay players to try out their products and report bugs, glitches, or general impressions.
To get started, research reputable companies that offer paid game testing opportunities, then sign up and complete your profile. Once approved, you can browse available games and apply for the ones that match your interests.
Most tests require you to play for an hour or two, take notes on any issues, and provide a short review. After completing the task, you'll get paid—often through PayPal.
If you're a gamer looking to earn $5 or more quickly, game testing is a fun and rewarding option.
Sell Gift Cards for Quick Cash
Got unused gift cards lying around? You can turn them into fast cash by selling them online. It’s a simple process and a great way to make $5 or more in just a few minutes.
Make $5 Fast by Pet Sitting in Your Area
If you’re an animal lover, pet sitting is a fun and easy way to earn quick cash. Start by offering your services to friends, neighbors, or family members who need someone to care for their pets while they’re away.
You can also join trusted platforms like Rover.com, where you can create a profile, list your services, and begin booking clients right away.
Depending on the job, you can earn $5 or more per hour—whether it’s walking dogs, feeding pets, or just keeping them company. It’s a flexible way to make money doing something you enjoy.
Join Paid Focus Groups and Earn Fast Cash
Participating in paid focus groups is a reliable way to earn quick money while sharing your opinions. Companies use focus groups to gather feedback on products and services, and in return, they pay you for your time.
Many focus groups are now held online, making it easy to participate from home. To get started, sign up with trusted platforms like Respondent or 20/20 Panel and complete your profile.
Browse available opportunities based on your demographics and interests. Most sessions last between 30 minutes and 2 hours, with payouts ranging from $50 to $200—often averaging $100 per hour.
If you’re looking to make money fast, joining a focus group is a smart and well-paid option.
Earn $5 Fast with Simple Freelance Gigs
Freelancing is one of the quickest ways to make $5 online. Many platforms offer small tasks or short projects that pay instantly or within a few days.
Websites like Fiverr, Upwork, and PeoplePerHour let you offer services such as writing, graphic design, voiceovers, and more. Even if each gig only pays a few dollars, completing several can add up fast.
You can also offer your skills locally—promote your services through social media, community groups, or word of mouth to find quick-paying opportunities in your area.
If you’re looking for flexible, fast income, freelancing is a great way to start.
Claim Free $5 or More by Finding Unclaimed Money
One surprising way to make $5 fast is by searching for unclaimed money that may already be owed to you. Millions of people have forgotten funds sitting in old accounts, and it only takes a few minutes to check.
- Search national databases: Look up “unclaimed money” or “unclaimed funds” online to access government-run databases.
- Check your state’s unclaimed property office: Each U.S. state has an official site where you can search by name.
- Review old bank accounts: Use the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) website to track down forgotten balances.
- Look for utility deposits: Contact past utility companies to ask if they’re holding unused security deposits in your name.
Make $5 Fast by Helping with Yard Work
If you're looking for a quick and easy way to earn $5, offering gardening or yard work services in your neighborhood is a great option. Many homeowners need help with simple tasks like mowing lawns, pulling weeds, or raking leaves—and they’re often willing to pay for it.
To get started, ask around locally or post on neighborhood apps and social media groups. Make sure you have access to basic tools like a lawn mower, weed trimmer, or leaf blower.
With just a few small jobs, you can quickly make $5 or more while enjoying time outdoors.
Earn $5 or More with a Bank Account Sign-Up Bonus
One of the easiest ways to earn quick cash is by taking advantage of bank account sign-up bonuses. Many banks offer incentives—ranging from $5 to $500—for opening a new account and meeting simple requirements.
- Open a new checking or savings account with a participating bank
- Meet the minimum deposit or direct deposit requirements
- Receive your bonus, usually within a few weeks
How to Make $5 Fast: Easy Tasks That Pay Quickly
- Sell Items Online
Want to know how to make $5 fast? List unused items on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay—it’s one of the most straightforward ways to earn $5 quickly by turning clutter into cash.
- Do Odd Jobs Locally
Offer services like lawn mowing, car washing, dog walking, or helping with moving. Ask neighbors or post on local apps like Nextdoor.
- Take Paid Online Surveys
Join legitimate survey sites like Survey Junkie or Swagbucks to get paid for sharing your opinion. Most surveys take just a few minutes.
- Sell Old Textbooks on Amazon
If you have old school books or other valuable items lying around, Amazon is a great platform to earn money quickly.
- Join Focus Groups
Participate in market research studies or focus groups online. These often pay well for an hour or two of your time.
Make Extra Cash by Renting Out a Room in Your Home
Looking for a low-effort way to earn money? Renting out a part of your house or apartment is a smart way to generate passive income.
Whether it’s a spare bedroom, basement, or guest apartment, you can list your space on platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo and start earning quickly. Set your own pricing, availability, and rental terms to suit your schedule and comfort level.
With minimal effort, you can turn unused space into a steady stream of extra income—all from the comfort of your home.
Conclusion: Best Ways to Make $5 Fast Today
If you need quick cash, the methods in this guide offer practical ways to make $5 fast, whether you're looking for easy side hustles for extra cash, quick cash ideas, or trusted ways to make $5 online today. Take action, and you'll be earning in no time!
Pick the options that work best for your lifestyle, take action today, and start earning right away. Even small wins can add up—so why wait?
Yes, you can quickly earn $5 through trusted platforms like InboxDollars or Swagbucks, which offer instant rewards for simple tasks like signing up, watching videos, or taking surveys.
- Signing up for survey sites like Rakuten Insight or Survey Junkie.
- Referring a friend on InboxDollars for a $5 bonus.
- Using cashback apps like Ibotta or Shopkick while shopping.
It depends on the platform and available surveys, but typically you can earn $5 in 30 to 60 minutes on reputable sites like Swagbucks or Pinecone Research.
Some platforms like Swagbucks and InboxDollars are available only in specific countries like the United States and Canada. However, there are alternative global platforms such as ySense, Toluna, and YouGov that accept users from various countries.
Most platforms pay via PayPal, but some also offer:
- Gift cards (e.g., Amazon, Walmart)
- Direct bank transfers (in supported countries)
If you don’t have a PayPal account, it’s free and easy to set one up.