Make $500 This Week

Open accounts at Chase, Capital One, and one other bank offering bonuses. Most banks offer $200-$300 bonuses just for opening an account and meeting minimal requirements like a $500 deposit. This is the easiest money you can make—€”it takes 10-15 minutes per bank and requires just a small deposit that you can move around. Look for banks waiving monthly fees, and make sure direct deposit isn't required for bonus banks you find. You'll easily collect $700-$900 across three accounts.

Install the Rakuten app and browser extension, then sign up for a new account using a referral code to get the $40 welcome bonus. The app works automatically by earning cashback whenever you shop at partner retailers. Make at least one qualifying purchase this week—€”shop at Amazon, Target, Walmart, or any other retailer (most give 1-5% cashback). Your $40 bonus will be added to your account. This is passive money with zero effort after setup.

Create a Swagbucks account and complete the first welcome offers. New members can earn $25-$50 in their first few days by watching videos, taking surveys, and completing simple tasks. Spend 1-2 hours browsing available surveys and tasks (they pop up constantly). Focus on the highest-paying surveys first. Your first payout request will go through within 1-2 days. This is one of the most beginner-friendly platforms.

Dig through your home and list 5-10 items on Facebook Marketplace—€”focus on items in good condition worth $10-$50 each. Clothes, electronics, furniture, and sports equipment sell quickly. Take clear photos, write honest descriptions, and price competitively. You don't need to negotiate much; most items will sell within 24-48 hours if priced right. Aim for $50-$150 in sales from this step. Meetups are local and safe in public places.

Sign up for DoorDash (or Uber Eats) and complete 5 deliveries this week. You can start earning immediately once approved. Focus on lunch and dinner rush hours (11am-2pm, 5pm-9pm) when tips are best. With tips, you'll earn $15-$25 per delivery, totaling $75-$125 for the week. You only need a working vehicle (car, bike, scooter—€”anything mobile counts). Gas costs will be minimal for these local deliveries.

Visit your state's official unclaimed property website (each state has one run by the Comptroller or Treasurer). Search using your name and any previous names. Many people find money from old bank accounts, uncashed paychecks, utility deposits, or insurance refunds. You might not find anything, but some users discover $50-$500+. This takes 10 minutes and is completely free. Document any funds you find and begin the claims process immediately.

This week, buy your groceries using both a cashback credit card AND the Rakuten app for double rewards. Choose a credit card offering 3-5% on groceries (or use a 1.5% flat-rate card). Complete the purchase through Rakuten's app or browser extension when shopping online, or use in-store offers. On a $100 grocery trip, you'll earn $3-$5 in credit card rewards plus 1-3% from Rakuten ($1-$3), totaling $4-$8 in free money. Build this habit for ongoing savings.