If there’s one thing a pandemic has taught us, it’s that things can change in an instant. You can lose your main source of income and bills can pile up, leaving you wondering, “how can I make $800 fast?” A GOBankingRates survey found that over half of Americans have less than $800 in savings. It’s stressful when you’re in search of cash and need it fast — but you can find realistic ways to make $800 fast from home.
In fact, a recent UN News story predicts that the future of work is remote. Rather than scour the web on how to make money online, I’ve taken the liberty to give you an intensive list of different ways to make $800 from home.
How to Make $800 Fast: 11 Legal Ways to Make Money Online and From Home
Whether you’re someone who desires more flexibility or you want to make extra money on the side, under-the-table jobs, side hustles, or working online is a great choice. In fact, you can make $800 easily and get paid today. Here’s how.
1. Play with Dogs for Cash
Dog lovers, get paid to do the thing you love most. Play with dogs! I’d check out Rover if you wanted to get started quickly as it is great platform for making money quickly by offering pet-related services like dog walking, pet sitting, boarding, and drop-in visits. To maximize your earnings, you could start by setting up a compelling profile with high-quality photos, detailed descriptions of your services, and competitive rates.
Many pet sitters charge $40 to $100 per night for dog boarding, so hosting a few dogs over a week can easily add up to $600. If you prefer shorter commitments, offering dog walking services at $15 to $25 per walk or drop-in visits at $20 per session can help you reach your goal by taking on multiple clients per day.
Additionally, providing holiday or last-minute bookings often comes with premium rates, allowing you to earn even more. By actively promoting your Rover profile, responding quickly to inquiries, and encouraging repeat clients, you can consistently hit $600 or more in just a few weeks.
By signing up as a dog sitter through Rover, you’ll be connected to a nationwide network of pet owners in need of caring providers who offer boarding, pet sitting, or dog walking.
2. Do Freelance Work Online
Freelancing is a great way to leverage your skills to make $1,000 fast and make money online without a website. In fact, a recent study predicted that 50% of the American workforce would comprise freelancers by 2027.
Whether you’re interested in doing web design, sales, marketing, data entry, transcription, freelance writing, creative design, or teaching, you’re bound to find someone in need. The possibilities of what you can offer are endless, and there is a multitude of sites that connect freelancers with clients like FlexJobs, Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer, just to name a few.
"FlexJobs was incredibly detailed, resourceful, and helpful in finding me a job within two months in a pandemic! They only work with reputable companies, and since it is a paid membership, everyone on the website is legitimate and doesn't waste your time."
3. Deliver Groceries and Takeout
Delivery services are a good way to earn cash at your own pace. All you need is an app installed where you can monitor deliveries and a mode of transportation to carry out the deliveries.
Eager to earn some extra cash? DoorDash could be the answer! As a DoorDash driver, you’ll enjoy the freedom to work whenever and wherever you want. The earning potential is quite legit, with a base pay plus tips for each delivery.
And the best part? DoorDash offers enticing bonuses and incentives to help you maximize your income. Getting started is a breeze – just sign up, pass a quick background check, and you’re ready to start accepting orders and raking in the dough.
So why wait? Become a DoorDash driver today and start padding your pockets with that sweet, sweet side hustle income! If you haven’t yet, click through to become a DoorDash Dasher.
- Choose your own flexible working hours
- Get $150 when you refer a friend to join
- You get to keep 100% of all customer tips
4. Find Hidden Money
Having good money management skills can be difficult for most, and even when you have a budget and track your spending habits, some cash may still manage to slip through the cracks. Being able to notice where you’re losing a few bucks can immensely help you make significant savings.
Many people, myself included, rely on money-saving apps to simplify their finances—and Rocket Money is one of the best. This all-in-one financial tool helps you take control of your money by canceling unwanted subscriptions, negotiating lower bills on your behalf, and keeping you on track with a personalized savings plan. With its sleek and intuitive interface, Rocket Money makes it easy to see exactly where your money is going, so you can save more effortlessly. Whether you’re looking to cut down expenses or build better financial habits, this app does the heavy lifting for you.
- Helps lower your internet, phone, and cable bills automatically
- Trusted by over 5 million users to cut monthly expenses
- Contacts providers to find discounts and hidden savings
- Saves users an average of $300 per year
- Charges no upfront fees — you only pay if they save you money (40% of the savings)
- Tracks and cancels unused subscriptions effortlessly
5. Get Free Stocks
Yes, you read that right—some companies actually give out free stocks to encourage new users to join their platforms. If you’re looking to grow your investments with minimal effort, check out these current offers for 2025:
- Robinhood: This commission-free investing platform offers a free stock worth up to $200 just for signing up and inviting friends. Through their referral program, you can earn up to $500 in free stock per year.
- Acorns: Start investing with as little as $3 per month and automatically invest your spare change from everyday purchases. Plus, as a new member, you’ll receive a $20 bonus investment when you set up recurring investments of just $5.
Want to see more companies offering legit free stocks? Check out the full list here.
- Round up spare change from everyday purchases and invest automatically
- Even small investments can grow significantly over time with automated reinvesting
- Get a free $20 bonus investment when you invest just $5
You can see more details on which companies offer legitimate free stocks here.
6. Use Game Apps to Win Real Money
Wouldn’t it be great to get paid for playing games on your phone? You’re already playing for free, so why not turn your game time into real cash?
I’ve personally tried these apps, and you can actually win up to $83 per win! Mobile game developers are constantly offering incentives to attract new players, rewarding them with cash prizes and other rewards.
Here are some of the best game apps that let you win real money:
- Freecash: A top-rated rewards platform where you can earn real cash by playing games, completing offers, and taking surveys. Cash out instantly via PayPal, crypto, or gift cards.
- Bingo Cash: A fast-paced bingo game where you can compete in cash tournaments to win real money. Play against other users, and if you win, you can cash out your earnings instantly via PayPal.
- Solitaire Cash: Love solitaire? This app lets you compete in cash tournaments where skilled play can earn you real money. Rounds are quick (1-2 minutes), and winnings can be withdrawn anytime via PayPal.
Want more ways to earn with money-making apps? Check out the full list here.
- One of the fastest and most trusted ways to earn real money online
- The average user withdraws their first payout in less than 20 minutes
- Get paid via PayPal, crypto, gift cards, or even bank transfer—choose what works best for you
7. Get an Advance
Need extra cash without the hassle of fees, interest, or credit checks? Current lets you access up to $750 instantly whenever you need it—completely fee-free. Whether you’re covering unexpected expenses or just need a little extra to hold you over, Current makes it easy to get money on demand with no hidden costs.
And here’s an even bigger perk: Sign up today and use promo code WELCOME50, then deposit $200+ within 45 days, and you’ll get a $50 bonus—just like that! It’s one of the easiest ways to put extra cash in your pocket while enjoying all the benefits of a modern banking app.
With no overdraft fees, no minimum balance requirements, and fast access to your money, Current is designed to help you stay ahead financially. Sign up now, claim your $50 bonus, and get the cash you need—whenever you need it!
- Payday is just one tap away
- Get up to $750 before payday
- Get free instant access to your paycheck in advance
- No credit checks and 100% free
- Get $50 free with code WELCOME50 and a $200+ deposit in 45 days!
8. Rent out things
Consider renting out any extra space you have in your home, parking space, or unused car to earn quick cash. This is a great way to reach your goal of making $800 in just one rental since you’ll receive payment each month.
For instance, if you have a spare room in your house or a second home that you’re not using, you can list it on Airbnb and set your rental price. Renting out your entire home can be especially profitable and may help you reach your goal quickly.
Alternatively, you can list your unused car on Turo or rent out a parking or storage space on Neighbor. These platforms allow you to set your rental rates and connect with potential renters in your area.
9. Sell Your Data for Cash
In today’s digital world, data is more valuable than ever—companies are already collecting yours for free, so why not get paid for it?
With Nielsen Mobile Panel, you can earn up to $60 per month just by installing their app on your phone. There’s no catch—once the app is installed, it runs quietly in the background while you browse the web as usual. Nielsen securely collects anonymous data for market research, and you get paid simply for keeping the app on your device.
It’s completely free to join, requires zero effort, and won’t interrupt your daily phone use. If you’re looking for the easiest way to earn passive income, Nielsen Mobile Panel is a no-brainer.
- $60+ per year just for installing the app and simply keeping it on your phone
- Nielsen has been measuring internet usage and media trends for decades
- Runs in the background with no effort required, no tasks, no surveys, just install and earn
- 100% free to join
10. Start Investing in Real Estate
Think real estate investing is only for the wealthy? Fundrise makes it possible for anyone to start building wealth through real estate with as little as $10. Instead of dealing with the hassle of buying, managing, and renting properties yourself, Fundrise allows you to invest in a diversified portfolio of high-quality real estate projects—all managed by experts.
With Fundrise, you can earn passive income through quarterly dividends while your investment grows over time. Whether you’re looking to diversify your portfolio, generate steady returns, or invest for the long haul, Fundrise gives you access to the same kinds of real estate deals that were once only available to the ultra-rich.
Real estate has been one of the most reliable ways to build wealth, and now you can get started with just $10. Sign up for Fundrise today and start growing your money effortlessly!
- Earn passive income with real estate investing starting at just $10
- Easy-to-use app for seamless access to crowd-funded real estate deals
- Perfect for those who want their money to work for them
11. Get Paid to Read Emails
Did you know you can make money just by reading emails? These platforms pay you for engaging with brand messages, whether you’re interested in their offers or just want to cash in on easy rewards.
With InboxDollars, you get paid to read brand emails, and if you’re interested in their promotions, you can even score exclusive member discounts. But even if you’re not, you still get paid—plus, you’ll receive a $5 bonus just for signing up.
Another great option is InboxPays, which rewards you for interacting with links or images in emails, giving you full control over which messages you engage with. Once you reach $25, you can cash out your earnings. Toluna offers a variety of ways to earn, including surveys, polls, games, and reading emails, with daily sweepstakes that can award you 1 million points redeemable for cash or rewards.
If you’re looking for an effortless way to earn, getting paid to read emails is one of the easiest side hustles out there!
- Get paid real money (not points) for surveys, games, and more
- Join and start earning with an instant bonus after confirming email
- 2M+ active members with $80M+ paid out and a 4.2 Trustpilot rating
Final Thoughts: Anyone Can Make $800 Fast
Making $800 quickly might seem overwhelming at first, but it’s totally possible for anyone with the right mindset and strategy. Whether you choose to take on a side hustle, sell items you no longer need, complete high-paying gigs, or use money-making apps, there are plenty of ways to hit your goal fast. The key is to take action and stay consistent—small efforts can add up quickly.
No matter your experience or background, there’s an opportunity out there for you to earn extra cash. Start today, and you’ll be surprised at how fast you can reach $800!
