How to make fast, easy money in Canada

Whether you’re making ends meet or you’re just looking for some extra cash you can use to treat yo’self, we could all do with a little more money. But before you start considering a second job or applying for a high-interest loan, check out these legit ways to make a bit of money without investing a lot of time or effort.

1. Complete online surveys

How quickly you can earn money: Surveys commonly let you earn between 5 to 30 minutes.

How much you can earn: You can generally earn anywhere from $0.50 to $5 per survey.

How to get started fast: Go to popular sites like Branded Surveys or Swagbucks and create an account profile.

• Why it's easy

  • Simple sign-up. You can sign up online and complete your first survey in a matter of minutes.
  • Free. You don’t need to invest any of your own money to make money fast in Canada by completing surveys.
  • Easy-to-use apps. Most paid survey sites offer user-friendly apps so you can answer surveys wherever and whenever you want.
  • Quick cash-out. The best online survey sites offer low minimum cash-outs and instant withdrawals, so you can turn your hard work into cash straight away.

• Tips to make money online fast

  • Sign up for multiple platforms. Increase your money-making opportunities by creating profiles on multiple survey sites. You can then shop around for the most lucrative surveys each day.
  • Devote time each day. The more time you commit to completing surveys, the more you’ll earn. Try to set aside at least an hour each day to answering surveys—you might be surprised by just how quickly your rewards balance grows.
  • Check the fine print. Before signing up for a survey platform, read the terms and conditions closely to check two things: the minimum cash-out amount and how long it takes for withdrawals to be processed. This will ensure that you only sign up to sites that let you make money fast in Canada.

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2. Play online games

How quickly you can earn money: Potentially less than an hour.

How much you can earn: It varies depending on the game and any tasks you have to complete, but it’s possible to make $5 or more per day.

How to get started fast: Go to sites like Branded Surveys, Swagbucks, Pawns.app or Toluna, create an account and start searching for games you like.

• Why it's easy

  • Fun. You could potentially get paid simply for playing a game you actually enjoy.
  • Convenient. Mobile games make it easy to make the most of your spare time, like when you’re riding the bus to work or waiting to pick up the kids from soccer practice.
  • Plenty of options. There are hundreds of games to choose from, so you can shop around to find a game that combines the fun factor with decent payouts.

• Tips to make money online fast

  • Find games you like. Don’t waste time playing games you don’t enjoy. When you play a game you like, getting paid to do so is just an added bonus.
  • Avoid in-app purchases. Some games will require you to make in-app purchases to increase your reward-earning power, but remember that you’re here to make cash, not spend it.
  • Watch out for fees. Check the fine print to find out if the platform charges withdrawal fees, then choose a withdrawal option with no fees.

3. Sign up for banking offers

How quickly you can earn money: Varies depending on the requirements you need to meet to activate the offer, but you’ll typically receive funds within a few days of completing the specified tasks.

How much you can earn: Approximately $150 to $700.

How to get started fast: Check out the latest banking offers, choose the best one for you and apply.

• Why it's easy

  • No special skills required. You don’t need any special skills or knowledge to take advantage of banking offers.
  • Quick and easy. You can usually activate banking offers by opening an account and performing specific transactions, so the time investment required may only be a matter of minutes.
  • Not just cash. Welcome bonuses aren’t always cash, so you may also be able to earn tech gadgets or reward points.

• Tips to make money online fast

  • Read the T&Cs. Check exactly what you need to do to activate the offer. Some offers may require you to maintain a direct deposit into your account for a minimum of three to six months, so they don’t offer the fastest way to make money in Canada.
  • Watch out for minimum balance requirements. Many special-offer chequing accounts come with a monthly fee, but the fee will be waived if you meet a minimum balance requirement. Make sure you’ll be able to meet this requirement to avoid a monthly account fee eating away at your cash bonus.
  • Learn more. Check out our guide to the best new bank account offers in Canada to find the latest deals.

Sign-up Offer

Go to site

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• Earn an $800 welcome bonus
• Unlimited free transactions
• $0 Interac e-Transfers
• Monthly fee waived on $4,000+ balance

Credit Union

Go to site

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• Get the monthly fee waived
• No transaction fees
• $0 Interac e-Transfers
• Free cheque book
• Free access to ID Assist monitoring

Earn Interest

Go to site

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• Earn 2.75% interest for 12 months
• No monthly account fee
• Free ATM withdrawals across Canada
• No transaction fees
• No e-Transfer fees

4. Sell your items

How quickly you can earn money: As little as a day, but it depends on the demand for what you’re selling.

How much you can earn: Varies depending on what you’re selling.

How to get started fast: Research on eBay or Facebook Marketplace which items are high value and in demand, then look through your belongings.

• Why it's easy

  • Anyone can do it. If you’ve got unused items lying around at home, you can sell them to make money fast.
  • Quick and easy. It only takes minutes to list the items you want to sell online.
  • De-clutter. You can make money and tidy up your home at the same time.

• Tips to make money online fast

  • Take better photos. The images you post will make or break your ad, so take the time to capture high-quality images of the item you’re selling from every angle.
  • Be willing to negotiate. Haggling is part and parcel of selling items online, so be prepared for a bit of back-and-forth when meeting prospective buyers.
  • Set the right price. Research how much other users are selling similar items for before setting your price. You’ll also need to set an asking price that’s slightly higher than what you’re willing to accept. This will give you some wiggle room during the negotiation process.

5. Sign up for user testing

How quickly you can earn money: Tests generally start at around 20-25 minutes.

How much you can earn: Expect to earn around $10 from a 20-25 minute test.

How to get started fast: Go to sites like UserTesting, Userlytics and Userbrain and create an account.

• Why it's easy

  • Do it from home. You can test apps and digital products and services from the comfort of your own home.
  • Flexible hours. You’ll often be able to select a date and time that suits you when completing testing jobs.
  • Anyone can do it. There are no special skills or qualifications required to become a tester.

• Tips to make money online fast

  • Sign up for multiple platforms. Increase your testing opportunities by creating accounts on multiple platforms.
  • Take live tests. Tests that require you to participate in a live video call interview will generally pay the most, so accept these invites when they become available.
  • Be honest. Companies want honest feedback from real people like you, so be upfront and transparent when giving your thoughts on a product.

6. Deliver food to customers

How quickly you can earn money: As a general guide, you could earn $100 in approximately 4-5 hours.

How much you can earn: It depends on how many deliveries you make and how often you work, but expect approximately $20 per hour.

How to get started fast: Sign up to become a delivery driver on platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats and SkipTheDishes.

• Why it's easy

  • Use your car. If you own a car and have a driver’s licence, you can become a food delivery driver.
  • Minimal thought required. You don’t need any special skills and you don’t need to use a whole lot of brain power to deliver food.
  • Flexible. You have the freedom to work as little or as much as you like.

• Tips to make money online fast

  • Provide friendly customer service. Whether you’re dealing with restaurant staff or customers, being polite and friendly will go a long way to helping you succeed.
  • Work during peak times. Make the most of lunch and dinner peak times, particularly Friday and Saturday nights, to maximize your earnings.
  • Monitor promotions. Monitor your food delivery app for details of any current promotions and specials that might encourage more customers to order from restaurants grouped in a specific area.

7. Grocery shop for customers

How quickly you can earn money: Some apps let you cash out your earnings in as little as a couple of hours.

How much you can earn: You can generally expect to earn between $15 and $25 per hour.

How to get started fast: Sign up to become a shopper on sites like Instacart, Uber Eats or DoorDash.

• Why it's easy

  • Simple signup process. It’s quick and easy to create an account online and start accepting orders.
  • Get paid to shop. Earning money simply for going grocery shopping is an easy way to boost your income.
  • Set your own schedule. You have the flexibility to choose a work schedule that fits with your lifestyle.

• Tips to make money online fast

  • Choose orders at familiar stores. Picking orders at stores where you know the layout and location of all items will help improve your efficiency.
  • Focus on customer service. Friendly and helpful customer service will go a long way toward increasing the size of your tips.
  • Check the list first. Read over your shopping list before you get to the store. This will ensure that you can plan your trip and get it done as quickly as possible.

8. Freelance day labour

How quickly you can earn money: You can start earning straight away.

How much you can earn: Depends on the job and your skills, but expect to earn at least $20 per hour.

How to get started fast: Create an account on sites like LocalStudent, Taskrabbit, Jiffy or UrbanTasker, or consider advertising your handyman services locally on notice boards and community Facebook groups.

• Why it's easy

  • Be your own boss. Providing outdoor work or handyman and home services allows you to work the hours you want and take on whatever jobs you like.
  • Put your skills to work. If you’re in good physical shape or you’re good with your hands, you can turn your talents into a way to earn extra income.
  • Get out and about. If you don’t like the idea of sitting in front of a screen all day, freelance day labour might just be your perfect side hustle. The downside is how physically demanding some jobs can be.

• Tips to make money online fast

  • Spread the word. From word of mouth to posts on community Facebook groups, spread the word about your services in the local area to attract more business.
  • Know what’s in demand. The type of outdoor jobs that are in high demand vary depending on the season, so it’s worth offering a variety of services like mowing, cleaning gutters and shovelling snow.
  • Be responsive. Unreliable tradespeople don’t get repeat business, so make sure to turn up on time and respond quickly to calls and emails from potential customers.

9. House sitting

How quickly you can earn money: You can get paid the first night you mind a house.

How much you can earn: House sitting can be done for free in return for free accommodation, but some sitters offer rates ranging anywhere from $20 to $80 per night.

How to get started fast: Create a profile on sites like House Sitters Canada and House Sit Canada and then start looking for work.

• Why it's easy

  • You get a place to stay. Even if you don’t get paid, you get free accommodation for the length of the booking.
  • Basic jobs. House sitting involves basic duties like minding pets, watering plants and checking the mail, so it’s a simple and stress-free way to make money.
  • Lots of opportunities. There are multiple house sitting platforms where you can list your services and look for sitting opportunities.

• Tips to make money online fast

  • Must love animals. Many house sitting jobs involve caring for owners’ pets, so you’ll need to feel comfortable caring for domestic pets.
  • Stay in touch. Communicate regularly with the homeowner while they’re away to keep them updated about things on the home front. This is especially important if you’re caring for their pets too.
  • Ask for references. If a sitting job goes well, ask the homeowner to provide you with a reference. The more glowing references you have, the easier it will be to secure future jobs.

10. Dog walking or pet sitting

How quickly you can earn money: You can get paid for something as quick as a 30-minute dog walk.

How much you can earn: You can earn approximately $20 or more for a 30-minute dog walk, while pet sitting rates start at around $40 a night.

How to get started fast: Create a profile on sites like Pawshake, Rover and Spot.

• Why it's easy

  • Quick and easy signup. Anyone over the age of 18 can sign up online to become a dog walker or pet sitter.
  • Great for animal lovers. You can turn your love of animals into a simple way to make extra money.
  • Flexible. Dog walkers can choose to work hours that suit their schedule, while sitters get the convenience of a place to stay while caring for someone else’s pets.

• Tips to make money online fast

  • Get pet qualifications. From pet first aid to grooming and training qualifications, completing pet-related courses will help your walking/sitting profile stand out from the crowd.
  • Stay in touch. When you’re pet sitting, provide the owner with regular updates about their furry friend. This will give them peace of mind and help increase your chances of repeat bookings.
  • Offer special services. From jogging with dogs to administering medication, list any special services you’re happy to offer to pet owners to help generate more bookings.

11. Rent out your car

How quickly you can earn money: You’ll typically get paid within a few days of the end of the rental period.

How much you can earn: According to Turo, the average earnings for a model like the Chevrolet Cruze are $7,300 per year.

How to get started fast: Create an account on peer-to-peer car sharing platforms like Turo and list your car for rent.

• Why it's easy

  • Minimal time commitment. You’ll need to keep your car clean and in good working order, but otherwise, there’s little required in terms of ongoing effort to earn money by renting out your car.
  • Put your assets to work. If you own a car that you only drive occasionally, you can use it to earn passive income—and offset its depreciation in value.
  • Flexible. You can choose when to list your car for rent, ensuring that it’s available for you to use whenever you need.

• Tips to make money online fast

  • Take good photos. Upload good-quality photos of your vehicle from all angles to help your listing stand out from the crowd.
  • Stay on top of maintenance. Keep your car clean and service it regularly to ensure that you earn five-star reviews.
  • Research the market. Check average rental rates in your local area before choosing the price to set for your vehicle.

12. Rent out your parking space

How quickly you can earn money: Spaces are typically rented by the month.

How much you can earn: In Toronto, parking spaces commonly rent for around $100 to $300 per month.

How to get started fast: List your parking space for rent on sites like UrParking, Clicknpark and Parkify.

• Why it's easy

  • Put your unused space to work. If you’ve got an unused parking space in a convenient location, you can use it to make money fast in Canada.
  • Easy online process. It’s quick and easy to rent out your parking space through a variety of online platforms.
  • Passive income. Once you’ve rented your space, there’s minimal effort required on your part to keep earning passive income.

• Tips to make money online fast

  • Price it competitively. Check what other people are listing their spaces for before deciding the ideal price for your spot.
  • Make sure it’s permitted. Check with your landlord or strata corporation to make sure you’re allowed to rent out your space.
  • Create a detailed listing. Provide all the info a prospective renter might like to know about your space, such as where it’s located, how it’s accessed and what security features are in place.

What’s the fastest way to make money in Canada?

The fastest way to make money in Canada really depends on your personal situation. If you’re looking for something that everyone can do, completing surveys, playing online games and signing up for banking offers are all simple ways to make money fast. There are no special skills or qualifications required, and you may be able to cash out in as little as a day.

There are plenty of other fast ways to make money in Canada, but the right method will vary from one person to the next.

If you’ve got possessions you no longer use or need—from designer clothes to musical instruments, sporting equipment and everything in between—you might want to try selling them online to make a quick buck.

If you’ve got a car, you could deliver food or become a grocery shopper. If you love animals, you could be a part-time dog walker. If you’re particularly handy, you can work as a day labourer to make money fast.

Assess your own situation before settling on the fastest way you can make money.

What are easy ways to make money online in Canada?

There are many easy ways to make money online in Canada.

Some, like answering surveys, playing games and user testing, have no barrier to entry and offer an easy way for anyone over the age of 18 to earn some extra cash. Just be aware that they’re not going to make you rich, so don’t expect them to replace your regular income.

Others, like new account promotions from banks, are one-time-only offers. You may be able to earn a sizable payout, but there are terms and conditions to meet and offers are only available to first-time customers.

Then there are those money-making opportunities that require either an extra investment of time or certain skills or possessions. So, if you’ve got a car or parking space you can rent out, or if you’ve got unused items you want to sell, there are plenty of legit and easy ways to make money fast.

Frequently asked questions

• How can I make $1,000 fast in Canada?

  There are multiple ways to make $1,000 fast, but the right option for you depends on your personal situation. If you've got unused possessions you'd like to offload, selling them online is a quick and easy way to make cash. Alternatively, you might want to consider renting out your car through a car sharing platform or renting out your unused car parking space. Other options include house and pet sitting, dog walking and working as a day labourer.

• How much can I make from online surveys?

  The amount you can make from surveys depends on the length and complexity of each survey and the time you devote to completing them. As a general guide, online surveys commonly range from 5 to 30 minutes in length and pay between $0.50 to $5 per survey.

• What is a good way to make money from home?

  There are many different ways to make money from home. If you're looking for something simple that anyone can do, consider answering online surveys, playing mobile games and selling your unused possessions. There are plenty of other options available, including working as a freelancer or running a dropshipping business, so check out our guide on 20+ ways to make money online for more details.

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 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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