How to Make Money Today

So you need to make money today ... not tomorrow, not next week, but basically right now. Whether there's a debt you need to pay or food to buy, quick money is key. In this case, long-term ideas and making money online won't help (but could in the future, of course). Turn your savvy toward skills and contacts that will enable you to earn what you need right away. Here are some ideas to make money today.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Moving work

   Consider physical labor tasks that you could do for others and be paid for immediately.

   Put an ad on CraigsList, such as "Handyman/ Heavy lifter. Local references, available today. $35/hour." Include your cell phone number so that people can call you at any point during the day.

   Contact local moving and delivery companies and ask if they need a day laborer. If one of their workers has called in sick, or their crew is short a man, you might be in luck. Insist upon cash that day, even if they have to record your wages for tax purposes.

2. Sell things

   List several high-ticket items on CraigsList for immediate sale. Price them attractively, and offer same-day delivery or pick-up options to speed up the sale. Specify cash and carry.

3. Deliver pizzas

   Work a shift as a waitress, waiter, bar tender, or doing pizza delivery. Even if you aren't currently working in these capacities, find out if an old boss or a friend with a restaurant needs a hand. Tips are mostly cash, so you can earn money today by doing this.

4. Yard sale

   Sell things in front of your house if you get enough drive-by and foot traffic. You can hold a yard sale if you have enough quality items to sell, or sell produce from your garden, fresh eggs, baked good, cold drinks, or whatever else would be in demand by passers-by.

5. Offer last-minute babysitting, house cleaning or pet-care services to friends or contacts who might have a need, especially if you have worked for them in the past. There's no need to be worried about how it sounds. A simple call, "Hi Mary, it's Sue. I actually have a few openings today and wondered if you would like the lawn mowed or garage organized," is both a professional and effective way to get leads to make money today.

Tips & Warnings

• Call local temp agencies and find out if they have any quick work that will allow you to make money today.

• Find out where day laborers gather at the start of the day. You may find a crew or foreman who needs your abilities.

• Don't do anything illegal ... it's just not worth it.

Resources

• Fast Profits in Hard Times: 10 Secret Strategies to Make You Rich in an Up or Down Economy
• Legit Work at Home blog
• Work at Home Mom Blog