We’ve all run into times where having a little extra money would help out immensely. Whether it’s to pay an unexpected repair bill, a monthly gym membership, or random school fees for the kids a little extra money goes a long way. In this post, I’m going to tell you how to make extra money on the side.
Note: This page contains affiliate links, which means that if you buy something using one of the links below, I may earn a commission.
5 Ways to Make Extra Money With a Side Hustle
UPDATE: There’s a Bonus Side Hustle at the bottom of this post that you don’t want to miss.
1 – Make Extra Money Completing Online Surveys
Making extra money by completing surveys has been around for quite some time. It is a proven method of putting in work online to generate extra cash. You won’t become rich from completing surveys, but if you have some time on your hands you can make a few extra dollars a month to supplement your income.
Inbox Dollars
Inbox Dollars is a site that pays you for taking surveys, watching tv, and even shopping. Advertisers pay Inbox Dollars to send them people who will do specific actions like taking surveys. Inbox Dollars then pays its members for completing those actions. To put it simply… advertisers pay Inbox Dollars then Inbox Dollars pays you part of what they have received for doing what an advertiser has requested.
Inbox Dollars also has a referral program where they will pay you 10% of the qualified earnings of anyone you refer to them. This allows you to make money on both the actions you complete and those of your referrals. Sweet!
Visit Inbox Dollars to start earning extra money taking surveys.
2 – Make Extra Money with Cash Back Apps
Utilizing Cashback apps are a quick and easy way to make extra money. This strategy is something you can implement that falls in line with your current spending habits. If you happen to be the type to shop, travel, and eat out a lot, this option is for you. Here are details on three of my favorite cash back programs. Each has a slightly different spin on how you earn cash back, but they all yield good results.
Dosh
Dosh is a cash back app that pays you cash back when you shop, eat at restaurants, and book travel. To use Dosh, you simply download the Dosh app to your smartphone (works on iPhone and Android devices) and linking your credit or debit card to the app.
That’s it! You automatically start earning cash back when you shop at any of the vendors that Dosh has partnered with. The key to earning cash back is using the credit or debit card that you have linked inside of the app. The Dosh app shows you the vendors that are offering cash back deals and the percentage of cash back you will receive if you shop with them. Dosh works for both online and in-store purchases.
Current Dosh vendors include Sams Club, Walmart, Fitbit, Bed Bath & Beyond and tons of local stores in your area. The Dosh app allows your to view offers in your area and online by clicking on the “Offers” tab within the app.
Dosh has an awesome referral program that went viral at the end of 2017. They will pay you $5 for every person that you get to download the app and add their first credit or debit card. Dosh is also known for running special promotions where they will pay $15 per referral.
Dosh allows you to transfer your cashback earnings and referral commissions directly to your bank account or your PayPal account as long as you have at least $15 in your wallet.
Download the Dosh App and start earning extra money auto-magically. (Note: Make sure you click on this link from your smartphone)
Related Post: Dosh App Review – Scam or Legitimate
Ebates
Ebates is a cash back program that allows you to earn cash back while shopping using the Ebates website or the Ebates App. To use Ebates, you simply browse the Ebate site which shows the stores that are offering coupons and cash back offers. You can redeem an offer by clicking on the “Shop Now” button if you are shopping online. If you would like to redeem and in-store offer, you click the “Link Offer” button which allows you to link the credit or debit card that you plan to shop with in the store.
Ebates has partnered with stores such as Macy’s, Walmart, Groupon, Barnes & Nobel, Old Navy, Gymboree, and Bath and Body Works just to name a few.
Ebates keeps track of your cash back balance and sends you payments every three months. You can choose to be paid via check or PayPal.
Join Ebates and start earning cash back from some of your favorite stores.
Ibotta
Ibotta allows you to use a smartphone app to earn cash back on in-store and mobile purchases. They offer you 3 ways to earn cash back which include:
- Sending in receipts by taking a picture
- Linking loyalty cards from participating stores
- In-app purchases
Ibotta works with stores such as Walmart, Kroger, Food Lion, Publix, Walgreen, CVS Pharmacy, Best Buy, iTunes, Groupon, Hotels.com, Booking.com, eBay and many more.
Ibotta also has a referral program that allows you to earn $10 for every person you refer to their service. Note: Referral program details are subject to change. Refer to the official Ibotta website for current referral program details.
Ibotta allows you to transfer your cash back earnings into your PayPal or Venmo account as soon as you have earned at least $20. You can also choose to convert your earnings into a gift card.
Sign up and download the Ibotta to start making extra money on your everyday purchases.
3 – Make Extra Money Testing Websites & Apps
Believe it or not, you can make extra money testing websites. This allows developers to get real-world feedback on their software and applications. Testing websites do not require you to overly technical, however you need to have the patience and ability to follow instructions and provide valuable feedback. Here are two sites that allow you to sign up to make extra money testing websites and Apps.
UserTesting
UserTesting will pay you $10 for every 20-minute video you complete as you user test a particular application. They pay you to visit websites or apps, complete a set of tasks, and speak your thoughts out loud on video. UserTesting pays out 7 days after you submit a video. Payments are processed via PayPal only.
Check out UserTesting and start making extra money by testing websites and apps.
TryMyUI
TryMyUI is another site similar to UserTesting. They will pay you $10 for recording your screen while you perform certain tasks which test websites and apps. This is a valuable service to User Interface (UI) designers as they need feedback to see how potential visitors will feel as they browse their website. TryMyUI pays out each Friday via PayPal.
Sign up for TryMyUI to begin making a little extra money providing feedback on websites and apps.
4 – Make Extra Money Blogging
Blogging is a way to make extra money online by sharing your thoughts and ideas on any topic you find enjoyable. The great thing about blogging is anybody can do it. You don’t need any special training or technical skills. Blogging does take hard work and real desire to get your content out to the masses.
How do bloggers make money?
Great question! Bloggers make money by selling affiliate products, selling their own products or by placing ads on their site. The more people that visit the blog, the more money the blogger makes.
If you want to make extra money blogging, take a look at the following list of related posts. You’ll find everything you need to create your blog, monetize your blog, and promote your blog.
Learn How To:
Start a WordPress Blog | Tutorial
Make Money Blogging – No Matter the Topic
5 – Make Extra Money by Turning your Hobby into a Side Business
Chances are you are already doing something that you enjoy that can be used to make extra money. Turning your hobby into a business not only allows you to do something you like doing, it opens the door for you to potentially make more than a little extra money. Your side gig could turn into a full-time job.
Here are some hobbies that can easily be turned into money-making opportunities:
- Baking
- Photography
- DIY Crafts
- Home Decorating
- Shopping (Yes, you can provide personal shopping services)
- Drawing or Painting
- Cooking
- Traveling
With just a little thought and the word of mouth, you can start making extra money doing some of your favorite things.
Bonus Side Hustle – Proofreading
Here is a bonus side hustle that you may not have thought about. Proofreading! There is a high demand for proofreading worldwide. Proofreading is basically reviewing what someone else has written with a fine tooth comb and correcting errors. Believe it or not, there are some proofreaders out there that make over $40K working for themselves.
If this sounds interesting to you, check out this free intro workshop by Proofread Anywhere. It’s a free course that will help you figure out if proofreading is something you might enjoy.
Thanks for Reading!
Leave a comment and let me know if you know of any other ways to make extra money. Also, let me know if you found any of the 5 ways listed above useful.
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I love Ibotta! I like Ebates too but Ibotta is my jam. I will have to check out Dosh. Thanks for the tip 🙂
Thanks Natasha! If you love Ibotta, then you will adore Dosh. They’ve made getting cash back super easy.