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Living paycheck to paycheck is often stressful. Unfortunately, this is a problem for 80% of working Americans. An extra $20 here and there can make a huge difference.
It doesn’t sound like much, but I think of it in terms of bills. $20 is ¼ of my phone bill or a full monthly credit card payment. If this sounds good to you, you should know that earning that spare cash is easy.
In this post, you’ll find 20 ways to earn $20 online. All of these ways to make money online pay in one week or less. Using just one of the options below may net you $80 or more. Check out these diverse websites and apps. I’m confident you’ll find a method or two that you like.
Table of Contents
Perform Small Tasks
You’ve probably heard that you can get paid to take surveys online. You can even get paid to use search engines and tag photos. But you’re likely wondering why these opportunities are available. Major companies need real consumers to give their honest feedback on surveys. Answers are used for market research to improve products and services.
The same logic applies to other types of small tasks. Real humans are needed to type realistic terms into search engines and accurately tag photos. Companies use this data to improve their software, websites, and more. Almost anyone can get paid to perform small tasks on their phone or laptop.
1. Survey Junkie
How To Make Money
Survey Junkie is one of the highest-paying survey sites out there. You can earn anywhere between $5 – $18 per hour – the way to reach a higher rate is to only stick to higher-paying surveys.
If you see that you’re only receiving surveys that pay at a low rate, log-in the next day and see if there’s a better opportunity. There are plenty of surveys to go around.
How To Get Paid
Survey Junkie pays in the form of gift cards to Amazon or Target and also to PayPal. It may take up to 10 days before you receive any of your payments.
2. GigWalk
How To Make Money
Gigwalk is a popular platform that major brands and companies use to collect details about their own products. Downloading the app and registering as a Gigwalker only takes a few minutes.
You complete small tasks called Gigs that are based on your location. For example, you may be asked to pictures of a retail display at a store nearby. Or you may be asked to find the price of a product. Each Gig pays anywhere from $3 to $100.
How To Get Paid
Gigwalk pays Gigwalkers via PayPal. You get paid once your Gig is approved, and this typically happens within one week. The maximum amount of time for Gig approval is 12 days, but waiting that long is uncommon.
3. Swagbucks
How To Make Money
Swagbucks is a very popular website and app where you get paid to complete small tasks. These tasks include taking surveys, watching videos, playing games, completing free trial offers, and more.
Pay per task is usually a few cents because the tasks are easy and take a few minutes or less. Some tasks pay a few dollars or more. User reviews report earnings of $70 per month or more.
How To Get Paid
Swagbucks pays via PayPal or gift cards, and there are lots of payment increments to choose from. For example, you can get a $3 Amazon gift card, $10 VISA gift card, or $25 PayPal payment. Once you choose your payment option, you’ll receive it in about 3 to 5 days.
3. EarningStation
How To Make Money
EarningStation is a rewards website that’s similar to Swagbucks. You earn points by taking surveys, referring friends, watching videos, playing games, and more. Points are called Station Dollars, and each point equals about $0.01. You can even get a $10 bonus when you sign up for five partner websites. Additionally, you earn money by referring friends.
How To Get Paid
EarningStation offers PayPal payments, VISA gift cards, and store gift cards. You can request a PayPal payment once you’ve earned $25. You’ll receive your payment within 1 to 5 business days.
4. EasyShift
How To Make Money
EasyShift is another smartphone app that pays you to complete small tasks at stores near you. Tasks include taking product photos, checking product prices, and asking employees specific questions. You’ll usually earn about to $2 to $6 per task, but there are tasks that pay up to $20. It typically takes 10 to 20 minutes to complete each one.
How To Get Paid
EasyShift pays users through PayPal. You get paid per task once it’s approved. You’ll typically get paid within 48 hours of approval.
5. Clickworker
How To Make Money
Clickworker is a reputable website that pays users to complete micro-tasks. These short tasks include data categorization, writing product descriptions, completing surveys, performing web searches, and more. Pay per task varies a lot depending on the length and complexity of the job. Clickworker states that workers typically earn $9 per hour completing tasks.
How To Get Paid
Clickworker pays through PayPal. Payments are sent weekly between Wednesdays and Fridays.
Read Our Full Clickworker Review
Get Cash Back And Bonuses
It’s common knowledge that you have to spend money every month. So why not earn free cash back when you shop? You can get it when you buy food, toilet paper, clothes, furniture, and more. There are tons of free cash back portals that partner with in-store and online retailers.
The three cash back platforms below offer excellent signup bonuses. You get 100% free money just for registering and trying out these sites and apps. You also get paid when you tell friends and they register, too. You can use a combination of these options to maximize your bonuses, too.
6. Ibotta
How To Make Money
Ibotta is a very popular receipt scanning app that pays you cash back for purchases you make.
There are thousands of cash back offers for items you already buy. Examples include groceries, toiletries, cleaning products, and more. You just take a picture of your receipt, and your earnings are deposited into your Ibotta account.
You can get cash back amounts anywhere from $0.10 to $5 or more per product. I typically get $0.25 to $1.00 per product.
Get a $10 registration bonus when you sign up and scan your first receipt.
How To Get Paid
Ibotta pays via PayPal, Venmo, or gift cards. You need a minimum balance of $20 to receive payment. Reaching this minimum within a week is super easy with the signup bonus. Once you request payment, you’ll receive it in 24 to 48 hours.
7. TopCashback
How To Make Money
TopCashback is a cash back portal where you earn cash back by shopping online. They partner with over 4,000 retailers, so you’ll likely find cash back offers for items you plan to buy. The currently featured offers on their main page are as high as 30% cash back. The company states that there are even 100% cash back opportunities at times. You get a $10 bonus when you register as a new user. You also get a $10 bonus when you refer new users.
How To Get Paid
TopCashback pays via PayPal, direct deposit, American Express digital gift card, and PayPal digital gift card. You can request payment once you’ve earned $20 in cash back. With bonuses and high cash back offers, it’s easy to get paid pretty quickly.
8. BeFrugal
How To Make Money
BeFrugal is another popular cash back portal and the one I use the most. They partner with over 5,000 retailers, and you can earn up to 40% cash back on a single purchase. BeFrugal automatically applies digital coupons to your purchases, too. When you register using the link above, you’ll earn a $10 welcome bonus. You’ll also earn a $10 bonus every time you refer a new user to BeFrugal.
How To Get Paid
BeFrugal pays via PayPal, direct deposit, paper check, and digital gift cards. PayPal is the quickest payment option; you can request payment with a minimum account balance of $0.01. The other options require a minimum account balance of $25. You’ll receive payment in 10 days or less.
18 Best Cash Back Shopping Apps
Sell Unwanted Gift Cards Online
There’s a good chance you’ve received gift cards for birthday, holidays, and other special occasions. These gift cards may be collecting dust in your desk drawer or wallet. Fortunately, you can get quick cash by selling new and partially used gift cards online. The websites below make it super easy for you to trade in your cards for cash. Most companies will also buy digital gift cards, so you have a lot of selling options.
9. Cardpool
How To Make Money
Cardpool is a platform where you can easily buy and sell gift cards. You can sell physical and digital gift cards, and it doesn’t matter if they’re partially used. The only requirement is that the balance on the card is $25 or more. You’ll get paid up to 92% of the card’s balance – that’s up to $23 per $25 gift card. If you choose an Amazon gift card instead of cash, your payout is increased by 6% – up to $24.50 per $25.
How To Get Paid
Cardpool pays via paper check or Amazon digital gift card. Paper checks are sent in the mail within 1 business day, and it takes 5 to 10 days to get to you. Amazon digital gift card payments are sent within 1 business day.
10. CardCash
How To Make Money
CardCash is another well-known platform for selling and buying used gift cards. Your unwanted gift card just needs to have a minimum balance of $20. You type in the retailer and balance of your card and instantly receive an offer. CardCash pays up to 92% of the card’s value, but the average offer is around 80%. If you choose to get paid with a gift card instead of cash, your payment increases up to 13.5%.
How To Get Paid
CardCash pays via PayPal, direct deposit, paper check, or gift card. Payments are usually sent within 1-2 days of gift card approval.
11. SaveYa
How To Make Money
SaveYa is a platform that offers two methods for selling gift cards. You can sell them directly to SaveYa, or you can list them for sale. The listing process is similar to eBay. You can set your own price for this option, but you won’t get paid automatically. If you want quick cash, sell your gift cards directly to SaveYa.
How To Get Paid
SaveYa pays via PayPal, ACH direct deposit, or paper check. Once SaveYa receives your gift card, you’ll get paid within 1 business day.
Use Your Talents
The Internet gives anyone and everyone an opportunity to make money doing something they enjoy. Maybe you’re skilled at drawing or editing photos. Or you’ve got a passion for writing but lack professional experience. Put your passions and talents to good use using the platforms listed below.
Some of these options are great ways to earn a part-time income from home. With regular use, you can earn a few hundred dollars per month. You’re also getting paid to gain experience or explore your hobbies, so there’s no reason not to give them a shot.
12. Fiverr
How To Make Money
Fiverr is a major online marketplace where anyone can sell or buy services and goods. It’s 100% free to create an account and make listings. The gigs you offer are totally up to you. From article writing to handmade birthday cards, Fiverr is the place to sell. You list each gig for a minimum of $5, but you can increase your prices. A buyer orders your gig, you deliver their finished order, and your buyer pays you. Fiverr collects a 20% commission on your earnings.
How To Get Paid
Fiverr pays via PayPal or direct deposit. You pay a small PayPal fee and need a $1 account balance to withdraw through PayPal. You pay $1 and need a $10 account balance to withdraw through direct deposit. You can withdraw your earnings once every 24 hours. The only downside is that your earnings from each gig take 7 to 14 days to get approved.
13. Chegg
How To Make Money
Chegg is an online platform that connects tutors with students of all ages. If you’re looking for a long-term way to make some extra cash, apply to be a Chegg tutor. You’ll need to successfully apply and meet all requirements to start tutoring. Once you do, you’ll earn at least $20 per hour. Visit the review link below for more information.
How To Get Paid
Cheggs pays weekly via PayPal on Thursdays. Your weekly payment will consist of all the earnings you’ve made the previous week.
Read Our Full Chegg Tutors Review
14. Cambly
How To Make Money
Cambly is a unique tutoring platform that pays you to speak conversational English with international students. You don’t need any experience, and you don’t have to speak a second language. These tutoring sessions take place over video chat. You earn $0.17 per minute which equals $10.20 per hour. Cambly automatically tracks the time you spend casually chatting with students.
How To Get Paid
Cambly pays tutors weekly on Tuesdays through PayPal. You need a minimum account balance of $20 to get paid. This minimum is very easy to meet each week.
15. iWriter
How To Make Money
iWriter is an online service that connects writers with content buyers. You don’t need any writing experience to join iWriter. As long as you have average spelling and grammar, you can apply and start earning money. You’ll get paid to write articles, blog posts, product descriptions, and more. Pay per article depends on your iWriter skill level.
How To Get Paid
iWriter pays every Tuesday through PayPal. You need an account balance of $20 or more to request payment. At the lowest skill level, you can meet this minimum by writing 1-2 article per day.
16. Rev
How To Make Money
Rev is a web-based company that hires transcriptionists, and you don’t need experience to get started. As a transcriptionist, you get paid to convert English audio files into written documents. The exact pay per audio minute depends varies for each audio file. You’ll see upfront how much an assignment pays before you accept it. The average Rev transcriptionist earns $245 per month.
How To Get Paid
Rev pays weekly via PayPal on Monday. Rev doesn’t list any minimum earnings you need to get paid. You simply get paid for all of the work you completed the previous week.
17. Textbroker
How To Make Money
Textbroker is one of the most well-known content mills. Like iWriter, this company connects writers with content writers. You don’t need any experience to work for Textbroker. You’ll write articles, blog posts, social media content, product descriptions, and more. Simply complete the application process and wait for approval to start working. Textbroker pays per word based on your skill level. You’ll earn anywhere from $3.50 to $25.00 per 500-word assignment.
How To Get Paid
Textbroker pays weekly via PayPal on Fridays. You can request payment once you’ve earned at least $10. At the lowest skill level, you only need to complete three 500-word articles per week.
Read Our Full Textbroker Review
Test Websites
Website testing is crucial for all brands and organizations. Companies need user-friendly websites and apps to appeal to consumers. That’s why the platforms below pay you to give honest feedback. You’ll typically need a built-in or external microphone to provide verbal feedback. You also need to download secure software to allow screen recording while you complete tests.
The process for testing websites and apps is fairly easy, and it can even be fun. You explore them to discover what you like and dislike about them. You provide your opinions and often answer specific questions about the sites and apps. I suggest signing up for as many website testing platforms as you want. This is a great way to consistently take tests and earn money.
18. UserTesting
How To Make Money
UserTesting is one of the most popular website testing platforms. Some of their major clients include Facebook, PayPal, and eBay. You complete tests that consist of giving website feedback. You’ll answer specific questions and follow a few instructions. Each test takes about 20 minutes and pays $10. Many reviews say that users typically receive at least 1-2 test invites per week.
How To Get Paid
UserTesting automatically pays via PayPal seven days after you complete a test. You don’t need to request payment or meet any minimums to get paid.
19. TryMyUI
How To Make Money
TryMyUI is another website testing company with a solid reputation. It’s very similar to UserTesting. You test websites and apps simply by using them and providing verbal feedback. You’ll complete a quick survey at the end of each test. Tests pay $10 each and take about 20 minutes to finish. TryMyUI states that you can expect to receive a few test invitations per week.
How To Get Paid
Payments are made every Friday via PayPal. You’re paid for all approved tests you completed the previous week.
20. Userlytics
How To Make Money
Userlytics follows the same model as the platforms above. You get paid to test websites and apps, but there is a bit more variety. Test usually pay between $5 and $20, and some pay up to $90. The pay per test is based on factors like complexity and link. Userlytics FAQ says tests typically take 20 to 40 minutes to complete. You may receive 1-2 tests per week or more based on third-party reviews.
How To Get Paid
Userlytics pays through PayPal weekly on Fridays. You’ll get paid for the approved tests you completed the previous week.
14 Companies That Pay You To Test Websites For Money
Final Thoughts And More Ways To Earn
It’s clear that you can really earn $20 online within a week. Many of the options above give you the opportunity to earn more than that, too. Try as many of them as you want to reduce your paycheck to paycheck struggle.
If you’d like to see more greats ways to make money online fast, read 30 Best Survey Sites For Money: Earn $500+/Month and 11 Free Apps To Earn Money: Make An Extra $200/Month Or More. You’ll easily find money making sites and apps that suit you.