What to Do With $100: 9 Ways to Really Make It Count
Sometimes a $100 can show up when you least expect it. Maybe it’s a birthday gift, a small side-hustle payment, or even just money left over after bills. The first thought might be to spend it right away, but then you hear that other voice: What’s the smartest way to use this?
For many people, $100 is more than a casual splurge. It can be the difference between paying a bill on time and racking up late fees. It can cover a week’s worth of groceries or be the start of an emergency fund or an investment in yourself and your future.
In this guide, you’ll find 15 ideas for what to do with $100 across three categories: using $100 for essentials, building financial strength, and investing in yourself. The goal isn’t just to give you a bunch of interesting tips to choose from; it’s to help you use $100 in a way that actually creates breathing room today and momentum for your financial future.
$100 can mean a lot for your financial future
When you’re living paycheck to paycheck, $100 can feel like a lifeline. Covering a utility bill or rent shortfall on time might save you $30–$35 in late fees. Do that a few times a year, and you’ve saved well over $100 just by paying your bills on time and staying ahead of late fees or penalties.
And if you’re in a position to save? Putting $100 into a high-yield savings account at ~4% interest could grow to about $122 in five years. Repeat that monthly, and you could build a hefty $6,700 emergency fund — one small step at a time.
These decisions may seem small, but they’re small decisions that can add up to a powerful result. That’s why EarnIn’s mission is to make financial momentum accessible to everyone — because even $100 can be a turning point that could lead to financial freedom. (Get more on the EarnIn story here.)
What comes next are nine ways to use $100 to your advantage, including some you may not have thought of.
3 ways to use $100 for essential needs
Before you think about saving or investing money for the future, sometimes the most impactful move is simply keeping life on track by covering day-to-day expenses. This may help you avoid fees and cycles of debt, giving you breathing room to work towards your future goals.
1. Stretch $100 across a week of groceries
Groceries are one of the fastest ways $100 can disappear. With some planning, you can make it last:
- Plan meals around cheaper staple foods, like rice, beans, and pasta.
- Shop seasonal, local produce, which is often less expensive.
- Compare prices across stores, use discount apps, and consider buying in bulk.
- Buy generic instead of brand-name items where quality is similar.
With a little planning and prep, $100 can comfortably feed you for the week.
2. Cover transportation and gas with $100
Gas prices can eat into even the most well-planned budget. Here’s how to make $100 stretch further:
- Use gas price apps to find cheaper stations.
- Carpool or use public transit when possible.
- Keep tires inflated and stay on top of maintenance to save fuel long-term.
This $100 can also go toward a small repair or oil change, which may prevent larger maintenance costs down the road.
3. Put $100 toward bills and avoid fees
Using $100 to cover bills on time keeps you from falling behind. Prioritize essentials like rent, utilities, and internet. Here’s a quick way to rank bills:
Priority | Bill type | Why it matters |
1 | Housing | Avoid eviction or late rent fees |
2 | Utilities | Keep lights, heat, and water running |
3 | Internet/phone | Critical for work and communication |
If you need extra time to get cash before bills are due, consider asking service providers or landlords about payment plan options. This may help alleviate the burden of a single lump sum and break it into smaller, more manageable amounts paid over time.
Still short? EarnIn’s Cash Out1 can help bridge the gap. Get up to $150/day, with a max of $1,000 between paydays of your own earned money. No interest, no mandatory fees, and tips are optional.2 Sign up in minutes.
3 ways to use $100 to strengthen your finances
Once essentials are covered, $100 can help build stability. Even small contributions toward savings, debt, or investments can pay off over time.
1. Start an emergency fund
Life happens. You can wake up one morning to a flat tire, a medical bill, or an unexpected fee. Even having $100 in a high-yield savings account can give you peace of mind. Setting aside money in an emergency fund now creates a cushion for the future. Automatic transfers can make saving painless, even in small amounts.
2. Make a beginner-friendly investment
Investing doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With $100, you could start with:
- Fractional shares of stock
- Low-cost index funds
- A robo-advisor account
Small, consistent contributions (a strategy called dollar-cost averaging) can help you build wealth gradually while managing risk.
3. Use $100 toward debt reduction
Debt interest can sometimes cost more per month than what you could earn in savings. Paying off debt by putting $100 toward a high-interest credit card balance helps you cut future costs and may even help boost your credit score.
If you’re stuck on which credit card to pay off first, start with either the debt snowball (smallest balance first) or avalanche (highest interest first). Then stick with the plan, adding more money as you can, until all of your debts are paid.
3 ways to invest the $100 in yourself
Sometimes the best investment is in your own skills, health, or opportunities.
1. Use $100 for skill development and education
Platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, or local or online colleges often have affordable courses. A certification or skill upgrade could help raise your earning potential, whether you’re in healthcare, tech, or the service industry.
2. Invest it in your health and wellness
Your health is an asset. You could put $100 toward:
- One month of a gym membership
- Preventive care or health supplies
- A mental health or meditation app subscription
These investments can save money long-term by potentially helping you prevent medical bills and bigger expenses later.
3. Start your side hustle
Putting $100 toward a side hustle can be your first step to creating a new stream of income. Low-cost ideas include buying supplies to sell handmade goods, investing in marketing materials for a service you already provide, or paying for whatever you need for gig economy work, like tools for handyman services or additional insurance coverage to start driving for a rideshare company.
If you’re open to exploring digital opportunities, you could start a blog, launch a YouTube channel, or enroll in an online course that sets you up for freelance work. The key is to think about return on investment (ROI), or how quickly you'll make money back. If you need money soon, you might choose to focus on side hustles that help you make quick money in one day.
Keep in mind that a weekend side hustle or part-time gig may not replace your main income overnight. But it can give you extra breathing room and long-term earning potential, like setting you up for passive income down the road.
Manage your money better with EarnIn tools
EarnIn offers tools to help you optimize every $100 decision:
- Tip Yourself3: Save automatically for up to five goals in a no-cost, FDIC-insured account.
- Budget calculator4: See how $100 fits into your spending and saving plan.
With these tools, you can build momentum toward your financial goals while reducing stress.
Maximize your $100 impact
Ready to make that $100 work for you? It's a small amount that’s more powerful than it looks. Whether you spend it on essentials, invest it, or put it toward your goals, each choice builds financial momentum.
With EarnIn’s tools, you can stay flexible, make smarter decisions, and move closer to freedom from financial stress.
FAQs
How to turn $100 into $500?
Options to grow your money include investing or starting a side hustle, like reselling items. Depending on the option you choose, it may take time to grow your cash to $500, and results may vary and aren’t guaranteed — especially if you’re putting money in the stock market.
How do you decide between paying bills or building savings with $100?
It may be best to cover urgent bills first to avoid late fees, then put any remainder into savings.
What to do with $100 for fun?
You can still have fun on a budget, with a little planning. Explore free or low-cost experiences, local events, or creative hobbies to stretch your $100.
How can you make $100 fast legally?
Gig apps, reselling, or using financial tools like EarnIn may help you get access to money legally in the short term. With a few practical steps and diligence, you can build your way up to making $100 a day.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult with a qualified financial advisor for personalized guidance.
Please note, the material collected in this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as or construed as advice regarding any specific circumstances. Nor is it an endorsement of any organization or services.
This Blog was sponsored by EarnIn. While the author received compensation, the information shared is grounded in independent research and intended to provide helpful and accurate guidance to readers.
EarnIn is a financial technology company, not a bank. The Cash Out product is provided exclusively by EarnIn. Certain bank products are provided by Evolve Bank & Trust and/or Lead Bank, Members FDIC. The FDIC insures deposits to protect your money in the event of a bank failure. More details about deposit insurance here. Additional services in the app are offered in partnership with trusted third parties.
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A pay period is the time between your paychecks, such as weekly, biweekly, or monthly. EarnIn determines your daily and pay period limits (“Daily Max” and “Pay Period Max”) based on your income and financial risk factors as outlined in the Cash Out Maxes section of our Cash Out User Agreement. EarnIn reserves the right to adjust the Daily Max and Pay Period Max at its discretion. Your actual Daily Max will be displayed in your EarnIn account before each Cash Out.EarnIn does not charge interest on Cash Outs or mandatory fees for standard transfers, which usually take 1–2 business days. For faster transfers, you can choose the Lightning Speed option and pay a fee to receive funds within 30 minutes. Lightning Speed may not be available at all times and/or to all customers; see the Lightning Speed Fee Table and Cash Out User Agreement for details and eligibility requirements. Tips are optional and do not affect the quality or availability of services.
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Tips go to EarnIn and help us provide tools such as Credit Monitoring for free and keep Lightning Speed fees low. Your service quality and availability aren’t affected by whether you tip or not.3
Tip Yourself Account funds and Tip Jars are held with Evolve Bank & Trust, member FDIC and FDIC insured up to $250,000. Tip Yourself is a 0% Annual Percentage Yield and $0 monthly fee service deposit account. For more information, visit Evolve Bank & Trust Customer Account Terms.The FDIC provides deposit insurance to protect your money in the event of a bank failure. More details about deposit insurance here.
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The calculations provided are based on estimates and should be used for informational purposes only. Please be aware that comparisons may not be 100% accurate. The insights and data presented do not constitute financial advice, and we recommend consulting with a qualified financial advisor for personalized guidance. Popular articles
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