Check out these ideas that will help you get free money! Even better? These are not jobs, they are quick and easy ways to get money without clocking in.
Who doesn’t love free money? I’ll never turn it down! What would you do with an extra $25? When you don’t have time to take up another job, these ideas could give you a little extra change that can make a lasting impact on your budget.
How To Get Free Money
Everything on this list is a way to earn money without getting a job. Nothing requires anything regularly and you don’t work for anyone. This is perfect for anyone that already has a 9-5 and wants to spend their free time with friends and family
You’ll find things on here like surveys that pay, the best rebate apps, and how to rent out things that you own. Check out all 17 ways to get free money below and try a few of them.
1. Fetch Rewards
The easiest cash-back app out there is Fetch Rewards. If you can take a picture, you can earn free gift cards through Fetch!
Here’s how to use Fetch Rewards – just take a picture of your receipts and upload them to the app. Scan every single receipt from anywhere. Then, Fetch Rewards reads your receipt and adds points to your account based on any qualifying purchases you happened to make.
The best thing about it is that the app does all the work. It automatically searches the receipt for qualifying purchases. This means you don’t have to scan through the app to check if you bought anything that qualifies for points. The app does it all for you!
You can let the points accrue in your account for up to 90 days. When you earn enough points, just trade them in for gift cards. This is basically free money for just shopping like normal.
Learn more about Fetch Rewards here!
2. Survey Junkie
If you ever find yourself in a waiting room, take a few online surveys and earn some extra cash. You just share your thoughts and watch the money add up in your account.
Build a profile within Survey Junkie and they match surveys that fit your criteria. After you complete the surveys, you can earn virtual rewards. These virtual reward points can be redeemed for PayPal and e-gift cards! This free money is easy to earn!
3. Swagbucks
There are actually quite a few different ways to make money through Swagbucks. Some of the easiest ways to earn free money is to:
- shop online by clicking through Swagbucks first
- watch videos
- use their web search engine
- answering surveys
You can redeem your points for gift cards to places like Amazon, Walmart, or even get cashback through Paypal!
4. Sell Clothes On Poshmark
If you have extra shoes, clothes, or accessories, lying around your home then it’s time to sell them. Turning your unused stuff into free money is so smart.
Poshmark is one of the most popular online apps that people use to buy fashion-type things. If you aren’t really a fashion person, Mercari is another option. You can sell just about anything on Mercari – from books to fashion to board games and even video games.
5. Write a Blog
This is the only idea on the list that might be the closest thing to a job. Some people start out blogs as a hobby and they quickly turn into a part-time or even full-time job. If you don’t have much time to dedicate to it, starting a blog can be a way to earn a little extra cash.
This blog is my job and a few years ago I shared my income and expenses when I first started out. Even if you don’t want to dedicate all this time to it, if you start a blog you can still earn a little extra cash from affiliate marketing.
Affiliate marketing is where you earn a small percentage when people shop using your links. All you have to do is sign up with an affiliate program (Amazon Associates is the most popular), and direct people to make purchases using your links. When they do, you get money back.
6. Earn Through The Shopkick App
Another app that is really easy to use while you do your normal shopping is Shopkick. You earn “kicks” that you can trade-in for gift cards to popular stores like Target and Sephora. You can earn kicks by:
- Scanning barcodes in stores
- Uploading your receipts
- Walking into select stores with location tracking on
- Making purchases with a linked card
- Watching videos
Some of the ways to earn kicks don’t even require you to leave your house or spend a dime.
7. Shop With Ibotta
If you frequently shop online, create an account with Ibotta and earn free cashback. All you have to do is remember to open the Ibotta app and click the store you are buying from before you start shopping. This way, it will track how much you spent and send you cash back.
Just link your store loyalty card to your Ibotta account and then it will begin verifying your purchases. No need to scan your receipts – it’s so nice!
8. Get Cashback from Debit Card
Another way you could be missing out on potential free money is by not signing up for a cashback debit card through your bank. Ask about checking accounts that give you cashback and the potential for other types of debit cards. These options are not credit cards and give you money back on purchases you already make.
9. Invest With Acorns
This next option won’t give you any money yet, but it will help you earn money for retirement. If you make wise investments, your money will grow and it could feel like free money.
A really simple way to do this is through the Acorns app. After you set it up, it rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar and puts that spare change into your investments in the stock market.
This is a great way to start investing without even thinking. Your future self will be thanking you for getting started earlier!
10. Take Surveys With Branded Surveys
Another way to earn money in your free time is by taking surveys with Branded Surveys. It really is that simple. Sign up and they send you surveys. After you share your opinions in the surveys, the points start adding up. Then, turn in your points for money, not just gift cards.
This is perfect for those lazy nights where all you want to do is lay on the sofa and binge watch The Office. While you’re laying there, complete a few suveys and watch the points add up.
Don’t believe me? Check you a message someone sent me about using Branded Surveys:
11. Get Paid To Lose Weight
If you are currently trying to lose weight, start a wager with other participants on HealthyWage. Everyone that meets their weight loss goal will split the money in the pot. Everyone that doesn’t, loses the money they put in.
This is a really fun way to keep you motivated on your health goals and it gives you the chance to make some money back. Good luck!
12. Rent Out Unused Baby Gear
Do you have a barely-used stroller just sitting in your garage? Rent it out on BabyQuip. This is a peer-to-peer rental program for baby gear. It’s such a smart idea since babies only use things for a really short period of time.
Renting can save people money and help you earn a little extra cash for something you don’t use anymore. Plus, you’ll get it back just in case you end up growing your family in the future!
13. Sell Unused Electronics On Swappa or Whistle
Round up the extra electronics around your house that you’re no longer using and list them on Swappa. This is also a great option if you upgrade your phone or computer and need extra cash.
Our family personally made $350.00 on Swappa when we sold my old iPhone. We made $200 more than if we had traded in my phone at phone store. Not too bad for free money!
Whistle is another option for selling your old apple electronics. They pay well and you’ll get your money fast!
14. Search For Unclaimed Money
State treasuries here in the United States have more than $43 billion in unclaimed funds ready to be claimed. To see if you have any unclaimed funds, check with the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators.
I have personally found unclaimed money for myself and my husband! Once you claim your money, you’ll likely get a check in the mail fairly soon.
Be very careful with this – there are lots of look-a-like sites out there to scam you. The safest way is to search your local state treasurer’s office.
15. Get Paid To House Sit
This is another option that isn’t really a job and puts money in your bank account. This option is ideal if you don’t have kids or pets – if that sounds like you, you could earn money just by spending time in someone else’s home while they travel.
People hire house sitters to watch over their plants and pets or just take care of their house while they are away.
There are lots of house sitting sites out there but the most popular one is TrustedHousesitters. They connect people looking for house sitters with people (like you) available for the job.
16. Max Out Your Company’s 401(K) Match
If you have the joy of working for a company who offers to match your 401(K) contributions, then be sure to sign up immediately. You might not get to enjoy this free money now, but you’ll love it for the future!
17. Earn Interest From Saving Money
Did you know that high-yield savings accounts online are a perfect way to earn money every year? You’ll make money just by saving money! There are many options out there, but our family personally uses Ally. Shop around for an account that meets your needs and save money to earn free money! Check out the best rates below:
What To Do With Free Money
After reading all of the ideas on this list, you have a chance to make some extra cash without clocking into a job. Sounds great, right? So what are you going to do with the money when you get it?
If you make smart choices with your money, create a budget, and stick to it, you have the potential to live in true financial freedom. Here are a few of the smartest ways to use this money.
Pay Off Debt
If you have any debt, focus closely on paying it off. I love the debt snowball technique. When you put the extra cash you earn into paying off your debt, you are giving yourself the gift of a future with fewer debt payments.
Remember that the sooner you pay off your debt, the more money you’ll free up every month when you no longer have payments!
Save Up For A Vacation
You can also use this extra money to save up for a really large expense like a vacation or new furniture/appliances. Saving up for things instead of taking credit out to pay for them saves you a lot of money in interest charges.
If you choose to save your free money, then opt for opening a separate savings account. Immediately send your money into this account and watch it add up over time!
Budget Your Free Money As Fun Money
You can also refer to how much you established as fun money in your budget and use this money in that category. This works really well, especially since a few of the ideas in this list pay you with store gift cards instead of cash.
Plus, since you can’t rely on the apps and ideas in this list to give you a regular income, it makes sense to use them in place of your fun money when you get it. Then, transfer your budgeted fun money to other expenses (or put it in your savings account).
Get Ahead With Your Bills
If you’ve ever come close to not paying a bill on time, then you know how stressful living paycheck to paycheck can be. To help create a stronger buffer with your bills, save up your free money to get one month ahead with every bill you have. This will take even more stress out of your budget and your finances!
Save For Christmas
December is likely one of the most stressful times of the year when it comes to your finances and money. Instead of waiting to budget for Christmas in December, start saving your free money now! Open up a separate savings account or even set up a Christmas cash envelope to help you start saving today.
Final Thoughts
There are so many easy ways to get free money – you just have to know where to look. Rebates and taking surveys are some of the easiest ways but don’t forget about selling your stuff or even renting it out.
After you begin to earn a little extra cash, you can start paying off debt or use this money for some fun experiences you wouldn’t normally splurge on.
