💸 How to Make $500 in a Week (Even If You’re Starting From Scratch)

Need cash fast? Whether you’re saving for something big or just trying to survive until payday, there are realistic ways to make $500 in one week, even with nothing but your phone and a willingness to hustle.

Below are 10 creative, low-barrier side hustles that Canadians (and others) are using . right now to generate quick income. No fancy degrees, no big investments. Just smart moves and a little effort.

1. Offer Local Services on Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji

What to do: Post a simple ad offering services like house cleaning, junk removal, yard work, or helping people move.

Why it works: People are often looking for last-minute help and will pay $20–$30/hour.

How to hit $500: 4–5 hours a day for 5 days = goal reached.

Tip: Use keywords like “same-day available,” “affordable,” and “reliable.”

2. Flip Items for Profit

What to do: Find undervalued items at thrift stores, garage sales, or Facebook Marketplace and then resell them online.

Best places to resell:

What to look for: Brand-name clothing, electronics, retro items, tools, sealed board games.

Tip: Look for items you can clean up, repackage, or photograph better than the original seller.

3. Offer Microservices on Fiverr or Upwork

What to do: Sell skills like proofreading, Canva design, transcription, or AI-generated content writing.

How to start:

  • Create a free Fiverr or Upwork profile.
  • List 1–3 specific, valuable services.
  • Use eye-catching gig titles like “I will proofread your resume in 24 hours.”

How to hit $500: 5–10 gigs at $50–$100. Bonus: you can keep earning long after this week.

4. Sell Digital Products You Already Own

What to do: Package up old templates, lesson plans, trackers, or artwork into downloadable products.

Where to sell:

Pro tip: Use Canva to design quick printables like meal planners, journal pages, or budget trackers.

5. Do Delivery or Task-Based Work

Apps to try:

Earnings potential: $20–$30/hour, especially during dinner rushes or weekends.

Tip: Stack apps to get more offers per hour. Work Friday–Sunday for the fastest returns.

6. Offer “Done for You” Local Business Help

Ideas:

  • Set up a business Facebook or Google profile
  • Make flyers or menus in Canva
  • Help seniors digitize their photos
  • Offer simple logo design or social media scheduling

Where to advertise: Local Facebook groups, church bulletins, bulletin boards at libraries or cafes.

Easy pricing: $100–$150 per task is reasonable for small biz owners with no time.

7. Get Paid to Test Websites or Apps

What to do: Sign up for user-testing platforms and give feedback on websites, apps, or ads.

Sites to try:

Pay: Usually $10–$30 per 10–20 minute test.

Pro tip: Test multiple platforms daily and check for new tests throughout the day.

8. Rent Out Your Stuff

What you can rent:

  • Camera gear
  • Power tools
  • Lawn mowers or snowblowers
  • Extra room or parking spot

Platforms:

Tip: Always get a signed rental agreement or use platform protections.

9. Sell Unused Gift Cards, Books, or Electronics

Where to sell:

Tip: If you have even a few high-value items lying around, you can cash out quickly.

10. Offer Pet Sitting, House Sitting, or Babysitting

How to get started:

  • Post in local Facebook or mom groups
  • Sign up for Rover or Pawshake
  • Offer evening babysitting for working parents

Pay: $15–$25/hour or $50+ per overnight stay.

Bonus: This can turn into repeat gigs and long-term clients.

Final Tip: Stack 2–3 Hustles for Faster Results

Many people hit $500 faster by combining multiple ideas — for example:

  • Deliver food during peak hours
  • Flip items in between
  • Do 1–2 website tests per day

Track your hours, keep receipts, and celebrate every dollar earned. Every hustle counts.