How to Make $40 a Day (15+ Ways in 2024)

By Forrest McCall •  Updated: 03/02/24 •  16 min read

Looking to make $40 a day? Check out these proven methods I've used to make an extra $1,200 a month or more!

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Some of the best ways to earn $40 a day include:

  • Taking online surveys with Rakuten Insights
  • Freelancing your skills
  • Investing with Arrived or Acorns
  • Starting a blog or YouTube channel

Take Surveys with Rakuten Insight

Take online surveys

If you're looking for an easy way to make some extra cash, taking surveys with Rakuten Insight might be a good option for you. Rakuten Insight pays you to answer online surveys. Their surveys can be as short as a couple of minutes or as long as about 30 minutes.

To get started, simply sign up for a Rakuten Insight account and start taking surveys. The surveys cover a wide range of topics, from products and services to current events and politics.

Rakuten Insight offers several payout methods, including PayPal cash, bank transfers, and gift cards such as Amazon, Target, Sephora, Starbucks, iTunes, and more. So, you can choose the payout method that works best for you.

While Rakuten Insight is not the only survey site out there, it's definitely worth checking out. Other survey sites like Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, and MyPoints can also be good options to consider. However, Rakuten Insight is a reliable site that pays on time and has a good reputation.

Make Money Testing Websites with UserTesting

If you're looking for a way to make money online, UserTesting is a great option. With UserTesting, you can get paid to test websites and apps. The process is simple: you sign up, take a practice test, and start receiving assignments.

UserTesting pays $10 per test, which usually takes around 20 minutes to complete. This means you can make around $30 an hour if you can complete three tests in an hour. However, the number of opportunities you receive is dependent on your demographic profile and background.

To maximize your chances of receiving more assignments, it is important to keep your profile up to date and complete all tests as quickly as possible. UserTesting also recommends that you speak your thoughts out loud during the test, as this helps the client understand your thought process.

If you're looking to supplement your income, UserTesting is a great option. However, other options include TaskRabbit and Clickworker, which offer a variety of tasks you can complete for pay.

Watch Videos with InboxDollars or Swagbucks

Swagbucks

If you're looking to make $40 a day, watching videos on InboxDollars or Swagbucks is a great way to start. Both platforms offer rewards for watching videos, playing games, and completing surveys.

With InboxDollars, you can earn cash for watching videos, as well as for shopping and taking surveys. On Swagbucks, you can earn rewards points for similar activities, which can be redeemed for gift cards or cash.

To get started, simply sign up for an account on either platform and start watching videos. You can also earn additional rewards by completing other activities on the site, such as playing games or taking surveys.

While you won't get rich overnight, watching videos on InboxDollars or Swagbucks can be a fun and easy way to earn some extra cash in your free time. So why not give it a try and see how much you can earn?

Work as a Virtual Assistant

If you're looking for a flexible way to earn money online, working as a virtual assistant might be the right choice for you. As a virtual assistant, you can work from anywhere and set your own hours. You'll be responsible for tasks like scheduling appointments, managing emails, and handling social media accounts.

As a virtual assistant, you can make up to $40 per hour depending on the services you offer. Some in-demand virtual assistant services include managing social media accounts, scheduling appointments, and handling emails. You can also complete focus groups with Survey Junkie, which pays you for your opinions on products and services.

Invest in Real Estate with Arrived

If you're interested in investing in real estate, Arrived is a great platform to consider. With over $83 million of real estate owned, Arrived is one of the best real estate platforms you can use to invest your money. Best of all, you can get started with just $100!

Arrived Homes Investing

Arrived makes money in two ways. For one, it charges a sourcing fee, which works out to about 3-3.5% for almost acting as an agent on behalf of investors. Secondly, it makes money through the rental income generated from the properties it owns.

Investing in real estate with Arrived can be a great way to earn passive income and work towards financial freedom. With Arrived, you don't have to worry about the day-to-day management of your properties, making it a great option for those who want to invest in real estate but don't want to deal with the hassle of being a landlord.

Invest in Stocks with Acorns

If you're looking for a simple way to invest in stocks and make money online, Acorns might be the solution you need. With Acorns, you can invest your spare change automatically and start building your portfolio without much effort.

Acorns Investing

Acorns offers a range of investment portfolios, each with its own risk level and potential return. You can choose the one that fits your goals and preferences, and then sit back and watch your money grow.

One of the best things about Acorns is that you don't need a lot of money to start investing. You can begin with as little as $5, and then add to your portfolio on a regular basis. This means you can build your wealth gradually and without taking on too much risk.

Acorns also offers a range of tools and resources to help you make informed investment decisions. You can track your portfolio performance, set investment goals, and get personalized advice based on your risk tolerance and financial situation.

Make Money with MyPoints

MyPoints

Are you looking for a way to make some extra cash online? If so, MyPoints is an excellent option to consider. MyPoints is a popular rewards site that pays you for a range of online activities like taking surveys and playing games.

New members can earn a $10 bonus in their first 30 days. To qualify for the $10 bonus (paid out in 1,750 points), you need to sign up using the links on their website and then use the MyPoints cash-back shopping portal to make a purchase of $20 or more within your first 30 days.

Once you're signed up, there are a variety of ways to earn points, including:

You can redeem your points for gift cards to popular retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target. MyPoints is a great way to earn some extra cash in your spare time without having to invest any money upfront.

Try Amazon Mechanical Turk

If you're looking to make some extra cash online, Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) is a great place to start. MTurk is a marketplace where businesses and individuals can outsource small tasks to a large pool of workers. These tasks can range from simple surveys to more complex tasks like data entry or content moderation.

To get started with MTurk, all you need is an Amazon account. Once you're signed up, you can browse available tasks and start working on them right away. The pay for each task varies depending on the complexity and time required, but you can expect to earn anywhere from a few cents to a few dollars per task.

One of the great things about MTurk is that there are always new tasks available, so you can work as much or as little as you want. However, keep in mind that the pay for each task is usually quite low, so you'll need to complete a lot of tasks to make a significant amount of money.

Deliver Food with Doordash

Doordash

If you have a car or bike and want to make some extra cash, delivering food with Doordash is a great option. Doordash is a popular food delivery app that connects customers with local restaurants. As a Doordash driver, you'll get paid to pick up food from restaurants and deliver it to customers in your area.

To get started, sign up to become a Doordash driver. You'll need to provide some basic information, such as your name, address, and vehicle type. Once you're approved, you can start accepting delivery requests.

One of the great things about delivering with Doordash is that you can work whenever you want. You can log in to the app and start accepting deliveries at any time. This makes it a great option for people who want to earn extra money on their own schedule.

The amount of money you can make delivering with Doordash varies depending on a few factors, such as the number of deliveries you complete and the tips you receive. However, many drivers report earning around $15-25 per hour. If you work for a few hours each day, you could easily make $40 or more.

Deliver Groceries with Instacart

Looking for a flexible way to make money? Consider delivering groceries with Instacart. Instacart is a popular grocery delivery service that hires independent contractors to pick up and deliver groceries to customers.

As an Instacart delivery driver, you can earn money by shopping for and delivering groceries to customers. You can choose your own hours and work as little or as much as you want. Plus, you can earn tips on top of your delivery fees.

To get started with Instacart, you'll need to meet a few basic requirements. You must be at least 18 years old, have a reliable vehicle, and be able to lift and carry up to 40 pounds. You'll also need to pass a background check and have a smartphone.

Once you're approved to deliver with Instacart, you can start accepting orders and earning money. You'll receive delivery requests through the Instacart app, and you can choose which orders you want to accept. Delivery fees vary depending on the size of the order and the distance you'll need to travel.

Drive for Amazon Flex

If you have a car and some free time, you can make extra money by driving for Amazon Flex. Amazon Flex is a delivery gig that allows you to deliver packages to customers using your own car. You can make up to $25 per hour by using a larger car, which makes you eligible to deliver more packages.

One way to maximize your earnings is to claim blocks during busy times, which are marked in the app, or to deliver packages during peak delivery hours. Another way to increase your earnings is to drive a fuel-efficient vehicle. A Toyota Prius, for example, usually gets about 50 miles to the gallon, whereas a Jeep Cherokee gets about 19 miles to the gallon. Therefore, expect to see a spike in your gas bill each week if you drive a less fuel-efficient vehicle.

To get started with Amazon Flex, you'll need to sign up and complete the application process. Once you're approved, you can start accepting delivery blocks and making money right away. Keep in mind that the availability of delivery blocks may vary depending on your location, so it's important to check the app regularly for new opportunities.

Become a Freelance Writer

If you enjoy writing, you can start making money by becoming a freelance writer. Freelance writing is a great way to earn money online, and you can do it from anywhere in the world. All you need is a computer and an internet connection.

To get started, create a WordPress blog or website to showcase your writing skills. You can also sign up for freelance writing platforms like Upwork or Freelancer to find writing gigs.

As a freelance writer, you can write articles, blog posts, eBooks, and more. You can set your own rates and work on your own schedule. The more experience you have, the more money you can make.

To succeed as a freelance writer, you need to be able to write well and meet deadlines. You should also be able to communicate effectively with clients. With hard work and dedication, you can turn freelance writing into a profitable career.

Here's a great video on how to get started.

Try Proofreading

If you're looking for a flexible side hustle that can earn you $40 or more a day, proofreading could be a great option for you. With this digital side hustle, you can make money by simply reviewing and correcting errors in written content. It's a relatively easy task that doesn't require any special skills or experience. All you need is a computer and internet connection to start.

As a freelance proofreader, you can work from anywhere and set your own hours. You can find proofreading jobs on freelance marketplaces like Upwork and Fiverr, or you can reach out to businesses and individuals who may need your services. You can also specialize in a particular niche, such as academic writing or technical writing, to increase your earning potential.

When it comes to pricing, rates for proofreading vary widely depending on a variety of factors, such as experience and difficulty. Rough median rates are indicated in the table below for proofreaders who work independently and those who work with established platforms.

Style of workMedian rate per hour
Working with a platform$20-$28
Independent freelancer$36

Grow a YouTube Channel

Are you passionate about creating content? Starting a YouTube channel is a perfect side hustle that you can start without much money. Similar to blogging, it can take some time for you to grow your channel and make money, but it is possible to make $40 a day once you get some traction.

To start, you need to find a niche that you are passionate about and create content around it. This could be anything from cooking to gaming to beauty. Once you have a few videos uploaded, you can start monetizing your channel through display ads. As your channel grows, you can also look into sponsored content and affiliate marketing.

Growing a YouTube channel takes time and effort, but it can be a fun and rewarding way to make some extra cash. Make sure to engage with your audience, promote your videos on social media, and stay consistent with your content.

Remember, the key to success on YouTube is to create valuable content that people want to watch. So, be creative and authentic, and you'll be on your way to making $40 a day in no time.

Try Transcription Work

If you have a knack for typing and are a good listener, transcription work can be a great option to make some extra cash. Many companies offer transcription work that you can do from home, making it a flexible option for those looking to make money online.

One popular option is Rev, which offers freelancing work from home jobs to people who are interested in getting paid to transcribe or type closed captions. The pay range for transcription jobs is $0.30 to $1.10 per audio/video minute. Another option is TranscribeMe, which pays rates starting at $15 per audio hour.

To get started with transcription work, you will need a good internet connection, a computer, and a good headset. You should also have good typing skills and be able to listen carefully to audio or video recordings. Some companies may require you to take a test to demonstrate your skills before hiring you.

Data Entry

If you're a fast typist, data entry is an excellent way to make money online. Many companies and individuals need help entering data into spreadsheets, databases, and other systems. You can find data entry jobs on websites like TaskRabbit and Clickworker, which connect freelancers with people who need help with various tasks.

One of the best things about data entry jobs is that they don't require any special skills or experience. All you need is a computer, internet connection, and a good typing speed. You can work from anywhere, and the pay is usually around $10 to $15 per hour.

The downside to data entry jobs is that they can be tedious and repetitive. However, if you enjoy working with data and have a keen eye for detail, you might find this type of work satisfying. Just be sure to take breaks often to avoid eye strain and other repetitive strain injuries.

Start Blogging

If you're looking to make $40 a day, starting a blog could be a great option for you. Blogging has become a popular way to make money online, and it's relatively easy to get started.

To start a blog, you'll need to choose a blogging platform. One of the most popular platforms is WordPress, which is free and easy to use. Once you've chosen your platform, you'll need to come up with a topic for your blog. This could be anything that you're passionate about, whether it's cooking, travel, or fashion.

Once you've started your blog, you can begin making money through display ads. These ads will appear on your blog, and you'll earn money every time someone clicks on them. It's important to note that you'll need to have a significant amount of traffic to your blog to make a substantial income from display ads.

In addition to display ads, you can also make money through sponsored content. This is when a brand pays you to write a blog post about their product or service. Sponsored content can be a great way to make money, but it's important to be transparent with your readers and disclose that the post is sponsored.

Become an Affiliate Marketer

If you're looking for a way to make money online, becoming an affiliate marketer is definitely worth considering. Affiliate marketing is essentially promoting someone else's product or service and earning a commission for each sale made through your unique referral link.

One of the biggest advantages of affiliate marketing is the ability to earn passive income. Once you've set up your affiliate links and promotional materials, you can earn money even while you're sleeping.

To become a successful affiliate marketer, you'll need to choose a niche that you're passionate about and find products or services that align with that niche. This will make it easier to create content and promote the products to your audience.

Another important aspect of affiliate marketing is building trust with your audience. You'll need to provide valuable information and recommendations to your audience, and only promote products that you truly believe in.

Final Thoughts

There are plenty of ways to make $40 a day or more. I recommend signing up for a few passive income apps and freelancing your skills. These are fast and easy ways to make money in your free time.

Forrest McCall

Forrest is passionate about helping others grow their passive income streams so they can reach financial freedom. He has been quoted in many popular finance publications including Business Insider, Bankrate, CNET Money, and more.