In 2022, the per capita disposable income decreased by 6.3%, which was a big hit for many people. While statistics show that it’s been on a steady rise since 2023, the fact remains that the cost of living is high in most places, which means the population still suffers from financial struggles.
You might be feeling the strain on your bank account, and you’re willing to take on additional duties to pad your savings account. Luckily, there are several ways to get free cash without working extra hard for it. Read on to discover how to get free money.
Use Cashback and Rewards Programs
It’s rare for Americans not to have credit cards; on average, they have four in their wallets. But if you’re one of the few who have zero, then perhaps it time to consider signing up for one. It’s true that credit cards can lead to reckless spending and more debt, but if you’re careful and wise about it, you’ll end up in the green.
For example, it’s common to see promotional offers. Upon signup, you might get significant bonuses if you spend a certain amount within the first few months. So if you’re thinking of making some major purchases, save up and plan to make them immediately after getting a credit card.
When weighing your options, go for cards that have cashback or rewards points on purchases. These allow you to buy anything from mundane, everyday items to large, once-in-a-lifetime things while generating free cash.
In addition, join loyalty programs at stores where you frequently shop. Make sure you install cashback apps too; for instance, you can use Rakuten, Ibotta, and Honey. There are also receipt scanning apps like Fetch Rewards and Receipt Hog that give you rewards for scanning your shopping receipts.
Take Advantage of Signup Bonuses
As we’ve just covered above, you can get signup bonuses from credit cards. But that doesn’t just end there.
If you don’t already have a bank account, then check your choices for ones that have signup bonuses. By meeting certain requirements, you can get legal free money. Plus, you’ll have a secure place to put your money, and if you get a savings account, you can see the amount grow too.
Are you interested in investing? Then start dabbling by using investment platforms. Brokerages like Robinhood or Webull often provide free stocks if you open an account.
Look for Unclaimed Money
Did you know that in many cases, Americans have unclaimed money from the government? There could be cash sitting in their accounts, just waiting for you to claim.
To get started, use this guide on finding unclaimed government money. In general, you’ll want to check with your local state government’s database. You might find old bank accounts or insurance policies that have your name written on them.
Become a Delivery Driver
Do you like to drive around, and do you have your own car? Then become a delivery driver.
As a delivery driver, you can go for rides in your vehicle without having to interact with clients. Some jobs involve shopping in stores though, while others solely require you to pick up and drop off the goods. Either way, you work as little (or as much) as you want to.
Picking up orders during your spare time is just one benefit of being an Uber Eats driver as well. You might discover a new restaurant to try, or you might strike up a friendship with a restaurant owner. Plus, you won’t have an overbearing boss to deal with, so you can have an easygoing job.
Become a Rideshare Driver
Delivering items or food can be a great gig already. But if you enjoy interacting with people, then consider becoming a rideshare driver instead.
Like with deliveries, you can work whenever you want. Also, lots of people drive for multiple companies so they can pick up as many clients as possible.
Your vehicle must be in excellent condition though, and you’ll need a spotless history (as well as an active insurance policy). Both you and your car will have to pass the company’s checks before you can start working for them.
With a few strategies for success, you’ll soar on the platforms and get stellar reviews. As a result, riders will easily pick you over other drivers, and you’ll get a steady stream of income.
Rent Out Your Space or Items
The real estate market is super hot nowadays, even for rentals. Rental vacancy rates in cities like New York City are as low as 1.4%, and over half of renters pay over 30% of their income towards rent. This is all to say that if you have a spare room, that’s gold right there.
You can rent out your spare room to a long-term lodger and make big money. And this person may end up becoming a lifelong friend you’ll treasure.
If you don’t want to commit to such long rental periods though, you can opt for short-term rentals instead. For example, you can have people stay for a few weekends by putting your room, apartment, or house up on Airbnb.
Take a look around in your house to see what else you can rent out. For instance, platforms like Fat Llama connect you with people who want to borrow things like tools, cameras, bikes, drones, and more. You can even lend out your vehicle if it’s just collecting dust.
Sell Unwanted Items
Renting out your equipment is a good idea, as you can keep the money coming in. This type of zero-investment earning is more of a long-term income stream, and it may not be a great solution if you need cash fast.
One of the best alternative fast-money methods is to sell these belongings instead. This can be especially beneficial if you haven’t used these items in a while and need to free up space too.
Things in better shape will attract more interested buyers, and they’ll also fetch higher prices. So if you can, clean them up and make repairs if they’re easy and cheap enough.
If your belongings are on the older side, then do some online research to determine fair prices. You’ll never know if you’ve something in high demand that’s worth tons unless you look!
Sign Up for Research Studies
As an inquisitive species, we’re always studying ways to improve ourselves, the environment, and more. So there’s never a shortage of scientific studies being done.
Those living close to universities will have a huge advantage, as these establishments often seek participants for their research studies. The requirements can be very specific though, so you might have to go through a few rounds of initial interviews before you can land actual paying studies.
Otherwise, there are online research studies as well. You can sign up on these sites, give them some details and preferences, and they’ll contact you in the future if you’re eligible for any studies.
Play Mobile Games With Rewards
It might sound too good to be true, but there are actual mobile games that pay you to play. Gamers will rejoice since they spend a lot of their spare time on their screens anyway.
Admittedly, it’s not easy to find games that’ll pay you; usually, it’s the other way around. But if you look in the right places, you’ll find ones that have things like tournaments where the prize pools are very enticing.
In addition, the majority of them have reward systems where the better you play, the more points you get. You can then redeem these points for cash or gift cards. If you play often during your spare time, you’ll have money in your pocket before you know it.
Participate in Online Competitions and Giveaways
Over 62% of the world’s population uses social media, so there’s a high chance that you do too. Scrolling endlessly can be fun, but what if we told you that you could earn money while doing so?
Businesses are constantly running competitions and giveaways, so scour those pages for ones you have a good shot at. Many are so easy that all you have to do is enter your details, and you’re done. Others may be more complicated and require you to create content, but this can be fun to do.
Once you’ve found outstanding pages to follow, keep checking your feed. It’s likely that they’ll do future competitions and giveaways, so keep your eyes peeled.
Use Passive Income Apps
This is another way to earn money online that sounds too good to be true. You don’t have to do anything, and you’ll get paid!
One concept is that you share your internet connection with others. This is perfect for people who have generous internet plans and never reach their gigabyte caps.
On top of being paid for “selling” your unused bandwidth, you can also get money for referrals. Some sites have milestones too, which give you extra cash.
Another concept is sharing data about your internet usage with companies like Nielsen and MobileXpression. Not only do you earn money, but you’ll help shape future customer journeys as well.
Do Micro-Tasks and Freelancing
Internet-savvy people can make money with their skills by checking the right platforms. You won’t have to take on labor-intensive jobs either, as these sites offer micro-tasks that are simple and fast to do.
This means that if you’re working a main job, you can sit down during a break, do a few micro-tasks, then get back to your work in a few minutes. The pay isn’t super high, but if you do a few things here and there, it’ll add up.
You can also consider doing freelance work for your other talents. Whether it’s writing, graphic design, music, or anything else, it’s possible to match with suitable clients. Sites like Fiverr and Upwork are great places to start.
Test Websites and Apps
How many times have you clicked on a website, and what loaded was atrocious? Or maybe you’ve used countless apps that were clunky and not intuitive, and you’ve wondered if these web developers even tested these things out.
Well, sites like UserTesting are taking matters into their own hands. They pay people like you to test and review both websites and apps.
With this gig, you’ll get to play an important role and determine what works (and what doesn’t). Your assistance will improve the usability for numerous other users.
Take Online Surveys for Money
It can be fun to voice your opinion, and often, people even do it for free. Check out any brand’s social media page and you’ll see pages plastered with consumer takes (usually unasked for).
Don’t waste your time following in their footsteps, as you can get money for your thoughts. The world’s your oyster regarding paid online surveys since companies are constantly bringing them out.
It can be tough qualifying for them, and you may not receive much pay for them, but again, it can add up, especially if you use the best-paying platforms. And because you can easily take these surveys from any device, you can multitask to make a quick buck.
Not only can you take surveys for money, but you can also join focus groups and market research studies. You can find both online and in-person versions; keep all your options open to cast a wider net.
Know How to Get Free Money in a Smart Way
When it comes to how to get free money, there are a ton of options out there. However, not all of them are worth your time, so you need to determine which are best for your situation.
We’ve given you an excellent starting point here since you can try anything from being a delivery driver and renting/selling your items to doing micro-tasks and taking online surveys. The beauty of all these choices is you can mix and match to get the perfect combination. And as a result, you’ll bring money in with little effort.
If you’re interested in maximizing your earnings with paid surveys, then read our thorough guide. When you’re ready, you can sign up with IncomeFindr to start earning cash at your own pace.
