10 Ways to Make $400 Fast

An extra $400 goes a long way. Whether you’re saving for a shopping spree, a vacation or just a rainy day, there are plenty of part-time gigs and simple hacks that can provide a welcome boost to your bank balance. Keep reading for 10 ways to make $400 fast—some of them obvious, but others a little less well known.

1. Take surveys or play games

How it works: There are several legit online platforms where market research companies will pay you to answer surveys. Many of these platforms also offer rewards for downloading and playing game apps and completing in-game milestones.

How long it takes to earn $400: Most surveys pay between $0.50 to $5, while game rewards vary greatly. Expect it to take at least a couple of months to make $400.

Is it online? Yes.

• Tips to make $400 fast

  • Join multiple platforms. There are lots of legit survey platforms and “get-paid-to” (GPT) sites in Canada. Create accounts on multiple platforms so you can shop around for the most lucrative earning opportunities.
  • Do some Reddit research. Check what Reddit users are saying about which survey sites offer the best rewards, and which mobile games are the most lucrative as well as fun to play.
  • Make time. If you can, try to devote at least an hour per day to playing games or taking surveys. It won’t make you rich, but you might be surprised just how quickly your earnings add up.

• Sites or resources to check out

  • Branded Surveys
  • HeyCash
  • Testerup
  • Swagbucks

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2. Switch bank accounts

How it works: Banks regularly offer juicy cash welcome bonuses of a few-hundred dollars or more to entice new customers. Sometimes all you have to do to qualify for the bonus is open a new account, but in some cases you might need to perform specific transactions as well, such as setting up a direct deposit to the account. Finder sometimes offers exclusive bonuses in addition to banks’ offers.

How long it takes to earn $400: You can typically do what you need to do in less than an hour, but you’ll then need to wait for the bank to process your application and pay your bonus. Check the fine print for processing times.

Is it online? Yes.

• Tips to make $400 fast

  • Check the T&Cs. Some welcome offers require you to jump through a few hoops and keep your account open for a minimum period of time to qualify for the bonus. So if you’re after quick and easy cash, be sure to check the fine print.
  • Compare offers. It always pays to shop around for the best offers. Compare bonuses across a range of banks to find the most lucrative option—some offers will pay plenty more than $400.
  • Switch again (and again). It’s a little time-consuming but reasonably easy to hop from one bank account welcome bonus to another, to another, and another. Just be aware that you will usually need to be a first-time customer with the bank to qualify, so make sure it’s a juicy offer before switching.

• Sites or resources to check out

  • Our guide to the best new bank account offers.
  • Websites of banks and credit unions across Canada. Check for new offers at the start of the month.

3. Rent out tools, equipment and other items

How it works: Sites like Lend-it.ca and Fat Llama make it easy to rent out tools and other equipment you have lying around at home to people in your area. From pressure washers to chainsaws, projectors to sound systems, drones to kitchen appliances, the list of things you can rent out to make extra money is pretty much endless. To protect your items from theft or damage, platforms charge borrowers a security deposit.

How long it takes to earn $400: It depends on what you rent out. You could make $400 renting out a single high-end item in just one day, but in other cases, it could take weeks or months to reach your goal.

Is it online? Yes.

• Tips to make $400 fast

  • Check what’s in demand. Browse listings in your area to get an idea of what items are in high demand near you.
  • Set competitive prices. In a crowded market, setting attractive prices is a simple way to help your items stand out. Check what other people are charging and then match or beat their price.
  • Create great listings. Take your time taking quality photos of your items and writing detailed listings with all the essential information. The time and effort you put in now will lead to better rewards in the future.

• Sites or resources to check out

  • Fat Llama
  • Lend-it.ca
  • Next-Door Rental

4. Chat with people online to help them learn English

How it works: While there are plenty of sites where you can work online as a professional language tutor, some sites will also pay you simply to chat to people who want to improve their English skills. In some cases, you don’t need any prior teaching experience or language teaching qualifications to get started.

How long it takes to earn $400: Cambly pays US$0.17/min (US$10.20/hour) and Cambly Kids pays US$0.20/min (US$12/hour).

Is it online? Yes.

• Tips to make $400 fast

  • Set goals. Speak to your students to get a clear idea of exactly what they want to achieve from their lessons. You can then tailor your conversations to ensure that you’re working on the things they want to improve.
  • Sign up for Priority Hours. By signing up for Priority Hours timeslots on Cambly, you can increase your chances of receiving student calls and making more money.

• Sites or resources to check out

  • Cambly
  • Palfish
  • Fiverr

5. Get paid to be a virtual or real-world friend

How it works: There are plenty of lonely people out there, and there are several legit platforms where you can get paid to offer companionship and conversation. Many platforms offer virtual friendship where people will pay you to chat with them online, while some sites allow you to rent yourself out as a friend in real life. A few reasons someone might rent a friend are if they have an extra concert ticket, if they’re uncomfortable dining at a restaurant alone, if they need to learn a new language, if they need a tennis partner, or if they need a gym buddy to hold them accountable.

How long it takes to earn $400: Varies depending on the platform and the rate you set, but it could take a few weeks at a minimum.

Is it online? Yes, sometimes—it depends on the platform you choose.

• Tips to make $400 fast

  • Use social media. If you’ve built up a loyal following on social media, use your channels to promote your services as a friend to your audience.
  • Start out with competitive rates. If you’ve never been hired as a virtual or real-world friend before, setting a high rate could see you price yourself out of the market. Start with a low rate until you’ve gathered some positive reviews.

• Sites or resources to check out

  • Rent a Friend
  • Rent a Cyber Friend
  • Phrendly
  • Rent a Local Friend

6. Do odd jobs

How it works: There are plenty of odd jobs around the home that people simply don’t have the time, inclination, skills or equipment to do. You can earn extra money on the side by taking care of all these odd jobs, like helping set up a home wi-fi network, assembling furniture, taking bulky items to landfill, laying turf, shovelling snow and a whole lot more.

How long it takes to earn $400: It depends on your hourly or per-job rate, but you could potentially make $400 in as little as two to three days.

Is it online? No.

• Tips to make $400 fast

  • Ask for recommendations. Just completed a job for a happy customer? Ask them to leave you an online review or recommend you to their friends.
  • Know your limits. If a job goes beyond your skillset or expertise, don’t be afraid to turn it down. You don’t want to produce substandard work that could damage your reputation.
  • Think seasonally. From mowing lawns and weeding gardens in summer to shovelling snow in winter, tailor your services to take advantage of seasonal demand for different types of odd jobs.

• Sites or resources to check out

  • Angi
  • Fiverr
  • Jiffy
  • Taskrabbit

7. Trash bin cleaning

How it works: There’s nothing particularly glamorous about this side hustle, but tackling an unpleasant task that many people are happy to avoid can often lead to lucrative results. With a pressure washer, some cleaning products and protective gear, you can start a trash bin cleaning side hustle in your local neighbourhood.

How long it takes to earn $400: It depends how much work you get. As a guide, you could charge $10 to $15 per bin for your regular customers and more for one-off bookings that require a deep clean.

Is it online? No.

• Tips to make $400 fast

  • Focus on repeat customers. Turn up on time, be polite and do a thorough job to generate recurring bookings from neighbours who want their bins cleaned monthly.
  • Offer discounts. Provide discounts to repeat customers to encourage recurring bookings.
  • Promote yourself locally. Community noticeboards and Facebook groups are simple but effective resources when you want to spread the word about your side hustle.

• Sites or resources to check out

  • Facebook community groups
  • Taskrabbit
  • Fiverr

8. Bartending

How it works: Bartending offers a legit way to earn income on the side and meet new people at the same time. You could work regular shifts at a nearby bar, or maybe mix drinks at private parties and special events. Best of all, it’s the sort of work that’s easy to fit around your 9-to-5 job.

How long it takes to earn $400: Your earning power varies greatly depending on what nights you work, the type of bar you work at and how many tips you receive. You could potentially make $400 with just a couple of nights’ work, but it could take longer.

Is it online? No.

• Tips to make $400 fast

  • Be a people person. Bartenders are generally paid a low hourly rate, so tips are crucial to how much you can earn. That’s why it’s essential that you’re friendly, sociable and provide great customer service.
  • Choose the right bar. While working in a bar close to home might be convenient, it could be worth your while to bartend at a venue a little further afield. If you can find work at a higher-end establishment in a popular nightlife neighbourhood, there will be much more potential for lucrative tips.
  • Get comfortable shoes. Bartenders spend a whole lot of time on their feet, so comfortable footwear (with plenty of grip) is a must to make each shift more manageable.

• Sites or resources to check out

  • Fiverr
  • Indeed
  • Taskrabbit
  • reddit.com/r/bartenders

9. Umpiring or refereeing

How it works: Get involved with your local community sporting organization to umpire weekend or weeknight sports. From kids’ soccer and hockey teams to local softball and basketball leagues, you can make money simply by participating in a sport you love. There are plenty of sports experiencing umpire shortages at the moment, so there’s work available if you know where to look.

How long it takes to earn $400: Pay rates vary depending on the sport and the level of competition, but you could earn anywhere from $15 to $100 per game.

Is it online? No.

• Tips to make $400 fast

  • Stick to sports you know. To be a successful umpire and keep getting repeat work, it’s best to stick to sports you know inside out. This will make your job easier and help you make money faster.
  • Start at the junior level. There is generally less stress and pressure umpiring junior games, so this level is a great starting point if you’re new to umpiring.

• Sites or resources to check out

  • Any national or local sporting association
  • Umpires associations
  • reddit.com/r/Referees
  • reddit.com/r/Umpire

10. Join focus groups

How it works: There are several legit market research platforms where you can sign up to be considered for focus groups. Provide your personal details, demographic information, and details about your lifestyle and hobbies, then wait to be invited to participate in focus groups. These groups sometimes require you to physically attend a session in person, but they’re also sometimes conducted online.

How long it takes to earn $400: Pay commonly ranges from $50 to $200 per session, so you could potentially make $400 after attending a couple of two-hour sessions.

Is it online? Sometimes.

• Tips to make $400 fast

  • Provide detailed information. Don’t rush when creating your profile on a market research panel. Take the time to provide detailed info about who you are, what you do, and your interests and hobbies—this will increase your chances of being invited to more focus groups.
  • Give quality feedback. Don’t just do the bare minimum required of you during the focus group. Give thoughtful and detailed responses to questions, and you’ll have a better chance of being invited back for future sessions.
  • Sign up on multiple platforms. Sign up for multiple focus groups and market research platforms to maximize your earning opportunities. It might be worth setting up a second email address first so that your main inbox doesn’t fill up with too much spam.

• Sites or resources to check out

  • User Interviews
  • CRC Research
  • Inclusive Insight

Bottom line

Making an extra $400 doesn’t have to take months or require special skills. From online gigs and side hustles to real-world jobs and smart money hacks, there are plenty of ways to boost your income. Try a few of these ideas to see which ones fit your schedule and skills, and start earning $400 today.

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

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Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 20-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

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