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Cash Crunch? 5 Suggestions
photo of two people out of money
We've all been in a position where a little bit of money, even $100, would make a huge difference. In some cases, just a few extra dollars means that rent is paid on time or your bank account stays out of the red. While sometimes it may seem as though there's no good way to make quick money, there are several different options for students to get fast cash.

  • Take part in a study
    If you're a student at a large college or university, chances are there are some studies going on. From sleep deprivation to memory and behavior research, the psychology department usually has something you can do to make fast money. To find out if there's anything like this going on in your area, check your student paper, look for flyers in the psychology and management department buildings, or search your school's research participation site.
  • Give blood or plasma
    This may not immediately jump out as a viable option for making money, but if all you need is $50 or less it can be a good way to go. To find out if a plasma donation center in your area pays for donations, call around or check online. It's important to keep in mind that this is not a way to get rich, but in certain situations it can definitely help you make ends meet. As an added bonus, donating can help save a life!
  • Sell your stuff online
    Remember that obnoxious sweater you got a few years ago? You know, the one sitting in the back of your closet with the tags still on it? Believe it or not, somebody is probably willing to pay good money to take it off your hands. List it on eBay or Facebook Marketplace, or use a clothing-resale app like Poshmark or Depop. The same goes for old textbooks, electronics, video games, and furniture — Marketplace and OfferUp are great for anything too bulky to ship. Depending on how fast you need the cash, you can price to sell quickly or hold out for full value.
  • Babysitting or pet sitting
    If you did it in high school, you already know that babysitting is a great way to earn some easy cash, especially if you have references. Scour your college's community boards and neighborhood groups, or sign up on a site like Care.com or Sittercity. Pet sitting and dog walking through apps like Rover are another flexible option. And if you're handy with computers, phones, or IT, post that you'll do basic tech help and repairs for a reasonable hourly rate.
  • Pick up gig or freelance work
    The gig economy makes it easy to earn on your own schedule. Food delivery, rideshare, grocery shopping, and task apps like TaskRabbit let you work the hours you have free between classes. If you'd rather work from your laptop, freelance marketplaces like Upwork and Fiverr have steady demand for writing, editing, design, tutoring, and data work. As long as you have a few samples to show (old papers or projects are usually fine), you can be earning within a week or so. The key to finding freelance work is to be diligent and keep applying.

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