Earn money online, FAST and FREE! These are real ways to earn extra money with tried and true apps/sites that I actually use!
I’ve always been someone who loves finding new ways to earn extra money. My entrepreneurial journey started when I was 8 years old, with a “business plan” to sell blackberries I’d picked at a nearby church. It seemed like a genius idea at the time, but after selling one container to my parents, my berry empire didn’t really take off.
Not long after that, I was determined to grow my babysitting business, so I dreamed up the idea of having my own business cards and flyers. My dad brought that dream to life, getting them printed at a local shop. Before long, I had regular families I babysat for. Fast forward to when I was 14, and my best friend and I found ourselves folding t-shirts for a guy who sold tourist t-shirts in downtown DC. I’ll never forget the thrill of getting my nails done for the first time and buying a new shirt with my own money. It lit a fire in me—I knew I wanted to earn my own money, anyway I could.
As soon as I could get a “real” job, I did, but that didn’t stop me from constantly looking for side hustles and legit ways to make money online. In my early 20s, I tried everything from those envelope-stuffing gigs you’d find in the classifieds to MLM opportunities. Even though I liked some of the products, I just was not into building a team in that way. It felt too pushy for me.
Then, life changed when I became a mom. I started using coupons for diapers and formula, and honestly, those coupons saved me during weeks when money was tight. This sparked a whole new world of savings for me. I began visiting brand websites, requesting coupons, clipping from newspapers, and stacking deals to get the most out of every grocery trip. It became a fun challenge—like a game I was determined to win! Soon, I was buying multiple newspapers every Sunday and joining local coupon groups to trade extras. I found such joy in knowing I could score things like yogurt or fruit snacks for next to nothing, which felt like a huge win for my little family.
My 30’s came with their share of ups and downs, especially when it came to my health (but that’s a story for another day!). One thing that helped me distract myself during tough times was product reviewing. I’d get boxes full of free items in exchange for my feedback. From skincare products to kitchen gadgets to toys for my kids, it was a lot of fun! But after a while, I realized I was just collecting so much stuff.
As my kids outgrew their clothes, I decided to sell them on eBay. At first, it was overwhelming, but after a few listings, I got the hang of it. I even started selling clothes for friends and family, splitting the profits with them. Then, I stumbled across an article about reselling clothes from yard sales and thrift stores—and I was hooked. That became a side hustle I’m still doing today.
Recently, I’ve found myself sharing some of the best apps to earn money online, and people are often surprised by how many easy ways there are to earn extra cash. One of my favorite ways is scanning receipts. If you’re like me, you probably have receipts stuffed in your purse or lying around. Instead of just using them to balance your checkbook, did you know you could be earning money or gift cards by simply scanning them? Every Sunday, I sit down with my receipts, scan them while catching up on TV, and it adds up! In just the last couple of weeks, I used my earnings to buy a few books and a smartwatch on Amazon, plus we ordered pizza from Domino’s using my Ibotta cash-back.
I haven’t shared this list with many people—my parents and a handful of friends…literally—but I know times are tough for a lot of families right now, so I wanted to share it with you in case it helps. I’ve included referral links for most of these platforms, which means you’ll get bonus points when you sign up (and so will I!).
I’d love to know if you find this helpful! I will also be doing more in-debt articles about each app I use. So stay tuned for those!
My Favorite Money-Making Apps
I use several receipt-scanning apps, and I also complete microtasks to earn extra cash or gift cards. Below is a list of my top recommendations, along with my referral codes to help you get started quickly.
Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services I believe can genuinely help you in your journey to make money online. Your support helps keep this blog running and allows me to continue providing valuable resources. Thank you!
Receipt Scanning Apps
- How it works: This is probably my favorite app to use! Ibotta is awesome for getting some money back on things you’re already buying! You just browse deals on the app before you shop, then either shop online through Ibotta or scan your receipt after in-store purchases. They have deals with tons of stores and brands, so you can find cashback offers on everything from groceries to clothing. It’s pretty easy andcan really add up over time! You can redeem to your bank, PayPal, or buy gift cards (which also earn cashback!).
- Tip: Earn cashback by purchasing digital gift cards. For example, I bought a $27.46 Domino’s gift card and earned $1.09 back!
- How it works: Fetch is super simple for earning rewards on things you already buy! All you do is snap a picture of your receipt after shopping, and Fetch gives you points for the brands they partner with. You can rack up points on pretty much anything, then redeem them for gift cards to places like Amazon, Target, and more. There’s no need to search for offers ahead of time- it’s just a quick way to turn your receipts into rewards! I’ve redeemed many Dunkin’ Donuts and Amazon cards 😉
- Click here to go to my Step-by-Step Guide for How To Maximize Your Earnings With Fetch
CoinOut
- How it works: CoinOut is a super easy rewards app where you can earn cash back just by snapping a picture of any receipt—no specific stores or items needed! Unlike some apps, it doesn’t matter what you bought or where you shopped; you just scan your receipt, and CoinOut gives you random cash rewards. You can cash out via PayPal, gift cards, or even direct deposit. It’s a quick way to turn your everyday receipts into a little extra money!
- How it works: Pogo is a rewards app that pays you just for doing your usual shopping, driving, and using your phone. You connect your bank or credit cards, and it tracks your spending to give you points for everyday purchases—no need to upload receipts or hunt for deals. It also lets you earn by sharing location data (if you’re comfortable with that), completing surveys, and finding extra savings on your bills. It’s a super low-effort way to earn cash and rewards in the background!
Receipt Pal
- How it works: ReceiptPal is a straightforward app where you earn rewards just by uploading your shopping receipts. You snap a picture of any receipt—grocery, restaurant, gas station, you name it—and earn points that you can redeem for gift cards. The cool thing is that you get points no matter where you shop, and they even accept e-receipts from your email. It’s an easy way to turn all your receipts into rewards without any fuss!
Receipt Jar
- How it works: Receipt Jar is a super simple app that lets you earn rewards by uploading your receipts from any store. You just snap a photo of your receipt, and Receipt Jar gives you points based on what you spent. You can save up those points to redeem for gift cards to popular stores. Plus, they have fun little bonus features, like a “shake jar” for extra points. It’s a nice, low-key way to get a bit of value back from your everyday shopping!
- Referral code: CHERRBGX4
Learn how to maximize your cash back by clicking here!
Cashback & Shopping Apps
- How it works: Rakuten is a cashback app and website that pays you for shopping at tons of popular stores. You just go through Rakuten’s app or site to find your favorite retailers, and then shop like normal. They give you a percentage back on what you spend, and they even offer extra coupons and deals to help you save more. Every quarter, Rakuten sends your cashback via check or PayPal, which is super nice. It’s an easy way to earn a bit back on things you’re already planning to buy!
- How it works: I admit, I was reluctant to add another app into my routine. I was not sure how easy it would be to use. But now that I have it, I am mad I did not give it a chance earlier lol. Upside is a cashback app that gives you money back on gas, groceries, and dining out. You just open the app, find offers at nearby places, and “claim” one before you make a purchase. For gas, you usually just check in at the pump, and for restaurants or stores, you may need to snap a picture of your receipt. They deposit the cashback straight to your Upside account, which you can cash out via PayPal, gift cards, or direct to your bank. It’s a handy way to save on everyday expenses!
Gig Work & Microtask Apps
- How it works: Swagbucks is a fun rewards platform where you can earn points, called SB, for doing a variety of online activities. You can earn points by taking surveys, watching videos, shopping online, and even searching the web. Once you collect enough SB, you can redeem them for gift cards to popular retailers or get cash back via PayPal. It’s a super easy way to earn a little extra cash or rewards for things you might already be doing online! (Pro tip: Check Reddit for earning strategies.)
- Extra Info: I signed up for this one during COVID, as did my son, who was 13 at that time. I did various sign up offers, played tons of games, and started scanning receipts. They really do have decent cash back offers for groceries and household items. My son made close to $400 on his own account over that summer just playing games! For him, it was easy. He is a gamer, so he knew where to find strategy guides and tips. He cashed his earnings out in Visa gift cards since he was too young for his own PayPal account.
- How it works: InboxDollars is a neat platform where you can earn cash for doing everyday activities online. You can get paid for things like taking surveys, watching short videos, and even reading emails. The cool part is that instead of earning points, you earn real cash, so it’s easy to see how much you’re making. Once you hit a certain threshold, you can cash out via check or choose gift cards. It’s a simple way to make some extra money while you’re browsing the web or just hanging out!
- Tip: SwagBucks and InboxDollars are sister companies. I recommend always comparing the two to see which is offering the best deal at that time. I use InboxDollars for receipt scanning as much as I do Swagbucks, but you can only scan with one or the other as they are sister companies.
- How it works: Prolific is a unique platform that connects researchers with participants for online studies and surveys. It’s a great way to earn money by sharing your opinions and experiences on various topics. You create a profile to match with studies that fit your interests, and each task usually pays well for your time. Plus, the surveys are often more engaging than typical market research. When you’re done, you can cash out your earnings via PayPal. It’s a straightforward way to make some extra cash while contributing to interesting research! You can see what is available, and you decide if you want to participate. Seriously y’all, I really like Prolific. It is interesting stuff. You may have to join a waitlist, but it’s worth it! You are able to cash out using PayPal, and you can convert all earnings to USD from there.
- How it works: Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) is a platform where you can earn money by completing small online tasks, known as Human Intelligence Tasks (HITs). These tasks can range from taking surveys and data entry to transcribing audio and categorizing images. You get to choose which tasks to work on, so you can pick what interests you and fits your schedule. Payment varies depending on the task, and once you reach a certain amount, you can transfer your earnings to your Amazon account or cash out. It’s a flexible way to earn some extra money from home! You do have to build up your rating to get the higher paying tasks. But there are many sites to go for assistance, tips, tricks, advice, etc. I will be writing a full post on this and will link soon!
- How it works: Respondent is a platform that connects you with companies looking for feedback on their products and services. If you sign up, you can participate in paid research studies, interviews, and focus groups, often from the comfort of your home. The studies typically pay well, depending on their length and complexity, and you get to share your opinions on topics that interest you. It’s a great way to earn some extra cash while helping companies improve their offerings!
- Click here to go to Respondent- Earn Extra Money Online With Research Studies
- How it works: PaidViewpoint is a survey platform where you can earn cash by sharing your opinions. When you sign up, you fill out a profile to help match you with surveys that fit your interests. The surveys are usually quick and easy, often taking just a few minutes to complete. You earn cash for each survey, plus you get bonus points for being an active participant. Once you reach a certain amount, you can cash out via PayPal. It’s a simple way to make a little extra money while giving feedback on products and services!
- How it works: UserCrowd is a user testing platform that allows you to earn money by giving feedback on websites, games and apps. You participate in quick tests where you provide your thoughts on design, usability, and features. Each test usually takes just a few minutes, and you get paid for your insights. The cool part is that you can help shape the way products are developed while making some extra cash on the side. Once you accumulate enough earnings, you can cash out via PayPal. It’s a great way to share your opinions and get paid for it!
- How it works: SurveySavvy is a platform that rewards members for participating in online surveys and focus groups. By sharing your opinions on various products and services, you can earn points that can be redeemed for cash via checks or PayPal. Additionally, SurveySavvy offers the SavvyConnect app, which allows you to earn extra rewards by browsing the web and providing insights into your online behavior. I earn $3 every month just for having it installed on my computer.
If you need PayPal, sign up here! PayPal. I basically use PayPal for everything 🙂
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