How to make $200—online & offline options

Whether you’re saving for your next trip or you just want a little bit of pocket money, we could all do with some extra cash. The good news is that there are several ways to make $200 in Canada, and some of them are a whole lot quicker and easier than you might think.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to make $200 fast in Canada, plus explore slower options that can still help you reach your $200 goal.

1. Fill out surveys, play games and complete other offers

How long it takes to earn $200: Realistically, it could take a month or two.

How it works: Get paid-to (GPT) platforms like Freecash, Swagbucks and HeyCash offer several ways to make $200 fast. You can get paid to complete online surveys, with the potential to earn between $0.50 to $5 per survey. Alternatively, you can make money downloading and playing mobile games, reaching in-game milestones and signing up for special offers from third-party providers.

Is it online? Yes.

• Pros

  • No special skills required
  • Quick and easy to get started
  • Easy to do in your spare time

• Cons

  • Not a fast option
  • Decent amount of time and effort required
  • Won’t replace your regular income

Play Games, Take Surveys & Test Apps

Go to site

• Access a variety of tasks
• Make an average of $300 per offer
• Get a $5 CAD sign-up bonus when you start your first offer

Best for Mobile

Go to site

• Earn up to $120 per test
• No limit on how much you play games or complete surveys
• Earn money while playing games

Survey Variety

Go to site

• Earn between $5 and $100 per month
• Cash out at just $5
• 300+ rewards

2. Take advantage of a banking offer

How long it takes to earn $200: You can qualify for the offer in as little as an hour, but the time it takes to get your money varies depending on the bank.

How it works: Many Canadian financial institutions offer cash welcome bonuses to encourage new customers to open an account. You’ll typically need to sign up for a specific account and then perform certain transactions to qualify for the bonus. Check out our guide to the best new bank account offers for more details.

Is it online? Yes.

• Pros

  • Easy money
  • Wide range of offers to choose from
  • Simple way to make $200 fast

• Cons

  • The account might not be the right fit for you
  • Offers are for new customers only
  • Terms and conditions apply

BMO Performance Chequing Account

• Earn up to a $700 bonus
• Exclusive: Get an extra $150 reward from Finder
• Enjoy up to 4.60% promo interest

Go to site

3. Work as a pet sitter

How long it takes to earn $200: Usually at least a couple of nights.

How it works: Turn your passion for pets into a lucrative side hustle as a pet sitter. List your services on a pet-sitting app like Rover and get booked by pet owners who need someone to look after their furry friends while they’re away. You stay in the owner’s home, give their pet top-shelf care, and in return get paid a nightly rate.

Is it online? No.

• Pros

  • Great if you love animals
  • Decent earning potential
  • No qualifications needed

• Cons

  • Weekend work often required
  • Dealing with difficult clients (human or animal)
  • Time commitment required

4. Sell your personal items

How long it takes to earn $200: It depends on the value of what you’re selling and whether it’s in demand. It could take less than a day or it could take weeks or months.

How it works: Free up space around your home by selling the old clothes, sporting goods, musical instruments, tech gadgets, furniture and other stuff you no longer need or use. List it on marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji, then wait for buyers to contact you and negotiate a fair price.

Is it online? No.

• Pros

  • Easy to do
  • Declutter your home
  • Plenty of marketplaces where you can list your stuff

• Cons

  • You need to have things you want to sell
  • Earning $200 could take time
  • Dealing with lowballers and potential scams

5. Become a user tester

How long it takes to earn $200: Potentially as little as four to five hours, but usually longer. You can typically earn around $10 from a 20- to 25-minute test.

How it works: As a user tester, it’s your job to test out products, websites and apps to check how they perform in the real world. You’ll get paid to provide feedback on things like how user-friendly an app is or the pros and cons of the checkout process of an online store. To get started, sign up for an account on a platform like UserTesting or Trymata. Most platforms pay cash via PayPal.

Is it online? Yes.

• Pros

  • Anyone can do it
  • Quick and easy to get started
  • Multiple platforms to choose from

• Cons

  • Won’t make you rich
  • Some tasks can be repetitive
  • You may need to invest in a microphone

6. Work as a rideshare or delivery driver

How long it takes to earn $200: Assuming an average hourly rate of $20, expect it to take 10 hours to make $200.

How it works: Use your car to generate extra income and make $200 fast. You could provide rides to paying passengers through an app like Uber or Lyft, or deliver take-out food in your local area through apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats.

Is it online? No.

• Pros

  • Flexible hours
  • Easy to sign up and start driving
  • Be your own boss

• Cons

  • You need your own car
  • Gas and vehicle maintenance costs
  • Dealing with difficult customers

7. Work as a virtual assistant

How long it takes to earn $200: It depends on your hourly rate, but you could make $200 in less than a day.

How it works: If you’re blessed with strong organizational and communication skills, you can make $200 fast as a virtual assistant. Working remotely, you’ll get paid to answer emails, schedule appointments, make travel arrangements and take care of a variety of other admin tasks. You can find work through sites like Upwork and Fiverr as well as dedicated virtual assistant platforms.

Is it online? Yes.

• Pros

  • Work from home
  • Choose your hours
  • You’re free to choose clients you like working for

• Cons

  • The hours may not work around your schedule
  • Managing multiple clients can be tricky
  • It’s not passive income—you need to be willing to work

8. Start a blog

How long it takes to earn $200: Varies, but it could take months.

How it works: Platforms like Substack make it quick and easy to set up your own blog. Whether you’re focusing on a niche topic or just sharing your opinions, you can post regularly to develop a loyal audience of subscribers. You can then offer paid subscriptions to fans who want to read your blog posts or newsletter.

Is it online? Yes.

• Pros

  • Write about what you’re passionate about
  • Easy to get started
  • Connect directly with your audience

• Cons

  • More of a slow burn than a fast money-making method
  • No guarantee of success
  • Not everyone is a writer

9. Do odd jobs

How long it takes to earn $200: Potentially as little as a day.

How it works: Offering your services as a local handyman or yard worker is a legit way to potentially make $200 a day. Promote yourself on community Facebook groups or do a letterbox drop in your area offering to weed gardens, mow lawns, shovel snow, mount shelves, assemble furniture, complete small plumbing jobs and more.

Is it online? No.

• Pros

  • Wide variety of work available
  • Low startup costs (if you already have all the basic tools)
  • You won’t be stuck in an office all day

• Cons

  • You’ll need to get out there and go looking for work
  • You’ll need to be handy and/or physically fit
  • You will also need some basic tools

10. Invest

How long it takes to earn $200: It depends on your budget, what you invest in and how the market performs.

How it works: Online brokerages make it quick and easy to invest in stocks, ETFs, bonds and more. Alternatively, you could consider higher-risk investments like trading forex or cryptocurrency. Choose your investment goals and time frame, then decide where to invest your funds.

Is it online? Yes.

• Pros

  • Some brokers offer commission-free stock trading
  • You don’t need a large amount of money to get started
  • Trade online or via mobile

• Cons

  • There’s no guarantee that you’ll make money
  • Some investments are high-risk
  • You may need to pay brokerage fees

Frequently asked questions

• How do I make an extra $200 a month?

  There are several ways you can potentially make an extra $200 per month. For example, you could work as a freelance writer or designer, become a dog walker or pet sitter, be a rideshare or food delivery driver or work as a user tester. It may also be possible to make $200 per month by answering surveys or playing mobile games, but you'll need to devote plenty of time to this approach to reach your monthly $200 milestone.

• How can I make money with Google Maps ($100-$200 per day)?

  You can't make money directly from Google Maps, as Google does not offer payment to Maps users. However, you may be able to use Google Maps as a tool to help you earn extra income. For example, you could use the platform to help plan your routes as a delivery or rideshare driver, to find local businesses you could market your services to, or even to advertise your own business.

• I want to learn how to make $200 fast. What are my options?

  The best way to make $200 fast depends on your circumstances. For example, if you've got unused possessions cluttering up your home, selling them through an online marketplace could be a quick and easy way to make $200. Alternatively, if you have any special skills or qualifications, you might be able to work as a freelance writer or designer, or maybe as a handyman.

  But if you're looking for options with no barriers to entry, consider taking advantage of a banking sign-up offer, becoming a dog walker or pet sitter, or working as a user tester.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Leanne Escobal as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Tim Falk

Writer

Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 15-year writing career, he has reported on a wide range of personal finance topics. Whether you're investing in stocks and ETFs, comparing savings accounts or choosing a credit card, Tim wants to make it easier for you to understand. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors. See full bio

Tim's expertise

Tim has written 501 Finder guides across topics including:

• Banking
• Personal Loans
• Car Loans
• Stock Trading
• Cryptocurrency