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Let's face it — it can be a challenge to make ends meet with just one job these days. Prices have gone up on pretty much everything, so every dollar counts. Plus, it's always nice to have extra money to pay off debt or save toward goals.
Whether you're looking for a side hustle, options for earning money while taking care of your kiddos, or flexible work that can fit your busy schedule as a student, there's something for everyone on our list of the best ways to make extra money.
Options range from various part-time jobs to passive income opportunities, and most are side gigs you could easily do in your spare time. If you're like me, at-home opportunities might be more up your alley, but you won't come up short of options if you prefer getting outside the house.
Featured ways to make extra money
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Take surveys online
You can ask pretty much anyone who knows me — I'm opinionated. And surveys are a fun way to make money from that trait. Here are two of my favorite options:
Cash Giraffe
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Unlike Survey Junkie and the other dedicated survey platforms we've mentioned, Cash Giraffe is a get-paid-to app that lets you earn real money for doing more than just taking surveys. Since I enjoy having variety, I like that you can also get paid just for downloading and playing games you find through the app.
You can get the Cash Giraffe app on Apple and Android devices, so almost anyone can use it. Plus, it has low payout minimums of $0.20 for PayPal and $5 for gift cards, so you shouldn't have to wait too long to start seeing extra cash.
Download Cash Giraffe | Check out our full Cash Giraffe review
Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie lets you make money by taking market research surveys, which are often short enough to complete in a little spare time. As one of the most popular paid survey sites, it has paid out over $76 million to its more than 25 million members. Plus, you only need to make $5 (500 points) to cash out via PayPal, gift cards, or bank transfer.
Because you can be turned down for some surveys, it's always smart to sign up for a few different survey platforms rather than hitch your wagon to one. I take this approach to money-making apps and platforms in general.
Check out our full Survey Junkie review
Play games on your phone (yes, you can win real money)
I love relaxing with a fun game after a long day at work. And if I can win a few dollars doing something I already enjoy, that's even better! Here are a few of my favorite legit games that earn real money.
Solitaire Cash
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Solitaire Cash is a free mobile game available on Android and iOS devices. I've always liked playing Solitaire, and with this app, I can play it for free using the in-app currency (gems) or by paying real money.
The app offers multiplayer games against users of similar skill levels with varying prize pools. As you play, Solitaire Cash will regularly reward you with more gems and cash. Once you've earned $5, you can withdraw your winnings instantly via PayPal or as a refund to your original payment method, though a $1 fee applies.
Download Solitaire Cash | Check out our full Solitaire Cash review
Bingo Cash
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Bingo Cash is a free mobile bingo game available for both Apple and Samsung devices. Having tried several paid Bingo apps, I've found that this one is even faster-paced than others, and I've regularly earned real money through free and paid tournament-style games.
I also like that Bingo Cash has relatively low minimum entry fees for its cash tournaments, and its varied ways to score and boost points make the game feel more rewarding. Personally, I enjoy the challenge of Bingo Cash's multi-board games. Plus, it has the same low $5 payout minimum as Solitaire Cash.
Download Bingo Cash | Check out our full Bingo Cash review
Freecash
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Unlike Solitaire Cash and Bingo Cash, Freecash isn't based on tournaments you have to win to make money. It's free to use, and you don't pay to compete against other players at all. Instead, Freecash is a get-paid-to (GPT) app that rewards you for trying out games and completing tasks, and I've had luck discovering fun puzzle games while using the app.
You get paid for your time, not your skill, and earn money just by downloading apps, logging time playing games, signing up for offers, and more. I find Freecash better than other get-paid-to platforms because it offers more choices, and you can use it via the Freecash Android or iOS app or by visiting Freecash.com in your web browser.
Note that while you'll need $5 to $20 to make your first withdrawal, the minimum drops to $0.10 to $5 after that.
Download Freecash | Check out our full Freecash review
Become a freelancer
I've freelanced on and off for years in various capacities, including transcription, writing, and editing. Jobs like these are a great way to bring in additional income and potentially build it into your main income (if that's something you're interested in). I've also found these gigs ideal for honing skills and trying something new.
If you want to become a freelancer as a side hustle, I advise starting with sites like Fiverr and Upwork since they make it easy to showcase your side job skills and accept paying gigs. Simply create a profile, select your areas of expertise, and start promoting yourself to businesses with relevant professional links. But be aware that competition is high, so it can take time to land that first gig.
Use cash back apps
It's always nice when you can earn extra income from things you already do. Shopping and cash back apps like Ibotta, Fetch, Shopkick, Rakuten, and Swagbucks let you make money when you spend money on everything from online orders to groceries. I've gotten into the habit of using them regularly and earning gift cards for Amazon, Target, Michaels, and Domino's.
These apps offer cash back for your purchases at hundreds of supported retailers. While many work on both iOS and Android devices, most also let you access their platforms from a web browser. Some even offer browser extensions that work in the background to help you save and earn.
There are a few ways to earn cash back with these apps. You can link a loyalty card, complete in-app purchases, or add offers on the app before you shop. While you'll often upload a photo of your receipt afterward, some apps connect with your shopping or email accounts and scan for receipts. Plus, cash back apps may offer bonuses or let you earn extra money by referring friends.
Become an influencer
If there's something you're particularly passionate about, consider that social media has made it possible for anyone to connect with a worldwide audience. The key to becoming an influencer is presenting yourself as an authentic, relatable (and entertaining!) persona in a specific niche. And honestly, that niche can really be anything. From home improvement to owning an entertaining pet to astrology to book reviews, the sky's really the limit in terms of topics.
You do need to commit to a platform or two and establish a regular posting schedule, even if it takes a while for people to find you. Once they do, they'll be able to enjoy all the content you've posted, and you could make money from a post you made months ago. You'll also need to engage with your audience by responding to comments and fostering community.
Once you've garnered a following on Instagram or TikTok, brands may reach out to have you promote their products to your audience through affiliate marketing. It's a super easy way to receive free products, make affiliate dollars, or get paid flat money working with relevant brands.
Become a content creator
Similar to becoming a social media influencer, you can also get paid for creating content as a blogger or on online platforms like YouTube and Twitch. You'll need to focus on an area where you have extra knowledge to share (for me, that's personal finance) to make your content engaging and entertaining.
The main difference between content creation and being an influencer is your focus. Is the content about you primarily, or is it about a specific topic, like true crime or Fortnite? If the focus is on the topic, you're a content creator. But honestly, the line between content creation and being an influencer is blurry.
Once you meet a certain threshold of followers, these platforms will pay you based on ad views within your content. They handle the advertising for you, so it's a fairly passive way to make extra cash.
Use a budgeting app
Although this won't exactly make extra money, using a budgeting app is one of the surest ways to stabilize your financial future. You may be able to find extra money in your budget, which, in some ways, is even better than making extra money, since you didn't have to do anything!
Setting a budget to track your spending and saving may seem like a daunting task to many, but luckily, there are plenty of excellent budgeting apps to help you get started. These include free and paid apps for learning the basics of tracking your spending, managing all your money in one place, and handling other tasks.
You can check our list of the best budgeting apps to find one that suits you. Once you find an app, I recommend getting into the habit of using it regularly and watching where your money is coming from and going throughout the month.
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Open a new bank account
Opening a new bank account from home is a super easy way to make passive income on your money. And, while moving all your automatic payments is mildly annoying, it might well be worth it for the right bonus offer and potential long-term savings when you choose an account without monthly fees.
In order to maximize your earnings, look for a high-yield savings account or a checking account that offers a cash bonus when you complete qualifying activities. Just double-check that you'll actually meet the requirements before you make the move.
For example, I recently opened a savings account that required making a minimum deposit within 14 days and maintaining a certain balance for a few months to get a tier-based reward.
Take advantage of high-yield savings
One of the best ways to make extra cash is to prioritize saving. If that sounds counterintuitive, here's why it's not: When you pay yourself first and keep a steady trickle of money going into a rainy day or emergency fund earning a high yield, you can take advantage of compound interest and resist the temptation of immediately spending it. In other words, the more you save, the more you keep.
As you're implementing all of the strategies for earning money on this list, make sure you're sending at least a little into a high-yield savings account. That way, you'll get a much better return than the 0.39% national average APY on a regular savings account. However, make sure there's not a high minimum balance requirement for that APY.
I also recommend looking for a bank that offers automated saving features, such as automatic transfers and debit card round-ups from a linked checking account.
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- Limited-Time Offer: Earn a $50 or $400 bonus with eligible direct deposit and up to 4.00% APY on Savings (3.30% APY1 <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/" >sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.</p><p>SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> with +0.70% APY Boost) for up to 6 Months on new accounts. Terms Apply.2 <p>Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 12/23/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account and pay the $10 SoFi Plus subscription every 30 days OR receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 3/30/2026. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#2">sofi.com/banking#2</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p>
- No account, overdraft, or monthly fees3 <p>We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Bank Fee Sheet for details at <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a>.</p>
- Get your paycheck up to two days early with direct deposit4 <p>Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.</p>
- Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3 million5 <p><b style="font-family: Rubik, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif;">SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.</b></p>
Apply for a new credit card
Many credit cards offer customers a lucrative welcome offer when they get approved for a new card and meet a spending threshold. Having taken advantage of such offers and sometimes not using the card much, I advise applying for a card that fits your individual needs and spending profile and doesn't have an expensive annual fee.
For example, if you're someone who wants to be rewarded for everyday purchases, like gas and groceries, look into a cash back card. If you're a wanderlust and constantly searching for your next adventure, or happen to travel often for work, look into a travel credit card.
When I was accepted for the Citi Custom Cash Card, I used the $200 welcome offer to help cover an online certification course. However, I wouldn't apply for a card just for the welcome offer. Instead, I'd look at the overall benefits so the card is useful after the first few months. For me, that would be a strong rewards program, credits toward services I frequently use, and discount programs.
Start investing with as little as $5
Stash is an investment app that lets you buy and sell stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with no trading fees. It offers fractional shares, so you can invest in the stocks you want with as little as $5.6 <p> For a complete list of fees please see the <a href="https://cdn.stash.com/disclosures/stride-deposit-account-agreement.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Deposit Account Agreement</a> for details. </p> I find these shares particularly useful for diversifying without putting too much money (or risk) into a particular stock.
Stash also has an FDIC-insured checking account with no fees and some neat features. For example, account holders can get paid up to two days early, round up purchases and invest the change, and earn 3% back in stock rewards when they spend money with the Stock-Back Card.7 <p class="">Early access to direct deposit funds depends on when the payor sends the payment file. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.<br></p> 8 <p class="">This Program is subject to <a href="https://lp.stash.com/stride-stash-stock-back-card-round-up-program/" target="_blank">terms and conditions</a>. In order to participate, a user must comply with all eligibility requirements and make a qualifying purchase with their Stock-Back® Card. All funds used for this Program will be taken from your Stash Banking account.<br></p> 9 <p class="">All rewards earned through use of the Stash Stock-Back® Debit Mastercard® will be fulfilled by Stash Investments LLC and are subject to <a href="https://lp.stash.com/stride-stash-stock-back-rewards-terms-and-conditions/" target="_blank">Terms and Conditions</a>. You will bear the standard fees and expenses reflected in the pricing of the investments that you earn, plus fees for various ancillary services charged by Stash. In order to earn stock in the program, the Stash Stock-Back® Debit Mastercard must be used to make a qualifying purchase. Stock rewards that are paid to participating customers via the Stash Stock Back program, are Not FDIC Insured, Not Bank Guaranteed, and May Lose Value.<br></p>
Passive income opportunities like this are among the best ways to make money without a job. However, keep in mind that Stash requires paying a $3 to $12 monthly fee, with your specific investing, banking, and rewards features depending on your chosen subscription plan.
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- Get $25 to make your first investment ($5 minimum deposit)
- Invest in 1,000's of stocks and ETFs with full or fractional shares, no add-on commission fees11 <p>Ancillary fees charged by Stash and/or its custodian are not included in the subscription fee</p>
- Registered Financial Advisor - get access to a professionally managed, diversified portfolio
- Join 1.2M Stashers who have already grown their investments over $500
- Start investing with just $5
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Start your own store
If you enjoy crafting, why not turn your hobbies into hustles? And no, we're not talking about setting up a tent at your local craft fair. Online retailers like Etsy, Poshmark, and Amazon provide straightforward platforms to create your own worldwide marketplace and connect with buyers. You can start simple with printed clothing, jewelry, or even digital templates, and grow from there.
Maybe you're not crafty, but your house seems to be a bit overrun with "stuff." Rather than hosting a garage sale, consider using eBay and Facebook Marketplace to resell your goods worldwide. You now have a good motivator to clean out the basement and start earning money from your clutter.
If you're like me and enjoy spotting a good bargain, another option is reselling items you buy on clearance or at thrift stores. I had luck reselling such items on eBay several years ago, but I recommend checking resale prices and watching out for fees and shipping costs so you can make a decent profit from your work.
Host a yard sale
If starting your own online store seems a bit daunting, that's okay, too. You can still declutter your home — and make money — by hosting a good, old-fashioned yard sale. Just keep in mind that this option will require a little bit of prep to gather the goods, price them fairly, and promote the date to the public.
If you live in a neighborhood, talk to the neighbors to see if you can all join forces and host sales on the same date to attract even more buyers. Some subdivisions near me do this and often market sales on local Facebook groups and Nextdoor, which spreads the word faster than hanging up old-fashioned signs.
Deliver food and groceries
I'll admit it — I rely heavily on food delivery and grocery apps. I really appreciate the work they do, and I know other people do as well. While it's not always the easiest job, you can set your own hours, which is really important if you have commitments like school, a full-time day job, or caring for family. It's also a quick way to make some money without taking on a loan.
With the explosion of delivery apps, it's easy to join as a driver and start earning money by running other people's errands. Uber Eats and Doordash are among the most popular delivery apps you can join, and the two we most recommend. If you prefer to deliver groceries, you can also consider Shipt, Instacart, and store-specific options, like Walmart Spark.
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- Earn money with your car, bike, or even a scooter in some cities!
- Make your own schedule and be your own boss
- You can access your earnings up to 6X per day with Instant Pay
- (Additional terms and conditions apply)
Walk dogs or be a pet sitter
Many people turn to services like Rover to help out with their furry friends, so if you're a pet lover, that could be a great way to bring in extra income. Platforms like Rover and Care.com help you connect with pet owners in need. You could make money by watching pets while their owners are away or walking dogs whose owners aren't able to provide them with enough daily exercise.
If you'd rather not use these apps, you can always advertise locally that you offer cat- or dog-sitting services in your own home or drop-in visits at people's houses.
Either way, it's the perfect way to get your animal fix and make some extra cash fast. Plus, you have a lot of flexibility to set your own schedule and rates.
