Updated 3/21/2020
Now more than ever with the current events we are faced with, we can and should save money and make money by simply adjusting the way we either shop or manage our money. Below are a few methods I have used in the past and will continue to do so especially during these challenging times. We not only need to stay physically, mentality and emotionally healthy but we must also make sure our financial health is in a good state as well.
1. Open A New Bank Account
Several banks offer promotional bonus incentives to open a new account, offering up to $350 in bonus money! I take advantage of this every year, I simply deposit their required amount and keep that account open for at least 6 months. I have made at least $150+ with Chase. The main point here is to make sure you have the amount they require to earn the bonus. If you need to close the account, make sure it's not before the required term so that you actually receive the bonus and don't incur any fees. I have opened several new bank accounts, each with a generous bonus from $100 to $350. Another good option is the Capital One money market account, which has a pretty good rate.
Several banks offer promotional bonus incentives to open a new account, offering up to $350 in bonus money! I take advantage of this every year, I simply deposit their required amount and keep that account open for at least 6 months. I have made at least $150+ with Chase. The main point here is to make sure you have the amount they require to earn the bonus. If you need to close the account, make sure it's not before the required term so that you actually receive the bonus and don't incur any fees. I have opened several new bank accounts, each with a generous bonus from $100 to $350. Another good option is the Capital One money market account, which has a pretty good rate.
2. Sell Your Stuff
Despite "social distancing", you can easily sell stuff via apps such as Letgo, OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, etc.. without having direct contact with the buyer. They can pay via Venmo or other similar apps so you don't have to handle cash. After you receive payment, they can pick up the item from your porch, driveway, etc..
One of my ongoing goal is to purge and get rid of anything that I don't need or use anymore. I try to keep only the items that spark "joy". I either donate, throw away or sell them. And in some cases, I've gotten perfectly good items from friends who didn't want their stuff anymore - so when it sells, it's pure profit. It's pretty easy - just take photos of each item, add good descriptions then post them. I've sold many things on Craigslist, LetGo, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp and NextDoor. I've also sold some vintage collectible items on Etsy. Not only did I make some money, but my life is a little less cluttered and more simplified.
Despite "social distancing", you can easily sell stuff via apps such as Letgo, OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, etc.. without having direct contact with the buyer. They can pay via Venmo or other similar apps so you don't have to handle cash. After you receive payment, they can pick up the item from your porch, driveway, etc..
One of my ongoing goal is to purge and get rid of anything that I don't need or use anymore. I try to keep only the items that spark "joy". I either donate, throw away or sell them. And in some cases, I've gotten perfectly good items from friends who didn't want their stuff anymore - so when it sells, it's pure profit. It's pretty easy - just take photos of each item, add good descriptions then post them. I've sold many things on Craigslist, LetGo, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp and NextDoor. I've also sold some vintage collectible items on Etsy. Not only did I make some money, but my life is a little less cluttered and more simplified.
3. Have A Garage Sale
Once it becomes safe to conduct sales in person, you can resume the method above of "selling stuff", however, the items I typically sell at our yard sales are mostly things that I deem not worth to sell online. These items include assorted clothing, shoes, and misc knick knack stuff. Not only did we make a some cash, but we've cleared out more space in the house, which is always a goal of mine. We plan to have our annual garage sale in the fall this year. In addition, we have made some cash recycling glass bottles, cans, cardboard, newspaper, etc. at out local recycling center.
Once it becomes safe to conduct sales in person, you can resume the method above of "selling stuff", however, the items I typically sell at our yard sales are mostly things that I deem not worth to sell online. These items include assorted clothing, shoes, and misc knick knack stuff. Not only did we make a some cash, but we've cleared out more space in the house, which is always a goal of mine. We plan to have our annual garage sale in the fall this year. In addition, we have made some cash recycling glass bottles, cans, cardboard, newspaper, etc. at out local recycling center.
4. Use Credit Cards With Rewards
There are plenty of cash-back reward credit cards out there. I make sure I am maximizing the money I get back by choosing the proper credit card that pays back the most on any given category. For example I rotate between my Chase and Discover cards to get 5% cash-back on groceries, restaurants or gas stations.
You can earn up to $150 bonus when you open a new Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card. This card gives me 1.5% cash-back on all purchases, so I use this card for other items. I monitor my credit card expenses daily and I always pay the balance off every month.
My American Express card gives me 2% back on groceries all the time. I use this card when groceries is not one of the 5% cash back rotating categories on the other cards. Grocery shopping is my biggest monthly expense, so the points add up quickly!
4. Use Credit Cards With Rewards
There are plenty of cash-back reward credit cards out there. I make sure I am maximizing the money I get back by choosing the proper credit card that pays back the most on any given category. For example I rotate between my Chase and Discover cards to get 5% cash-back on groceries, restaurants or gas stations.
You can earn up to $150 bonus when you open a new Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card. This card gives me 1.5% cash-back on all purchases, so I use this card for other items. I monitor my credit card expenses daily and I always pay the balance off every month.
My American Express card gives me 2% back on groceries all the time. I use this card when groceries is not one of the 5% cash back rotating categories on the other cards. Grocery shopping is my biggest monthly expense, so the points add up quickly!
5. Get Cash Back When You Shop
Another easy way to get cash back when you shop online are with shopping apps. One of my favorite is Ibotta, which earns me cash for shopping at local grocery stores. My other favorite cash-back shopping portals are Mr.Rebates and BeFrugal - both offer cash-back rewards for shopping online. Each of these programs offer cash bonuses when you sign up.
Another easy way to get cash back when you shop online are with shopping apps. One of my favorite is Ibotta, which earns me cash for shopping at local grocery stores. My other favorite cash-back shopping portals are Mr.Rebates and BeFrugal - both offer cash-back rewards for shopping online. Each of these programs offer cash bonuses when you sign up.
6. Install An App That Pays
This method is one of the easiest way to make money. Simply install the app on your smartphone (my favorite is Smart Panel), the company will pay you for every month you keep the app installed. It won't interfere with your data package and you don't have to answer a bunch of survey questions. It truly is "set it and forget it". The IQ app alerts you to answer a simple question, then automatically deposits cash in your PayPal account.
7. Take Photos Of Your Receipts
I found an app that pays me for taking photos of my receipts from (mostly) grocery shopping trips! It's easy money, plus I have copies of my receipts in case I lose them. Just download the Receipt Hog app on your smartphone, snap your receipts and watch those points accumulate which you can redeem for cash or prizes. They also have fun games, like jackpots and slots to earn more bonus points.
I found an app that pays me for taking photos of my receipts from (mostly) grocery shopping trips! It's easy money, plus I have copies of my receipts in case I lose them. Just download the Receipt Hog app on your smartphone, snap your receipts and watch those points accumulate which you can redeem for cash or prizes. They also have fun games, like jackpots and slots to earn more bonus points.
8. Answer Polls And Surveys
I've been earning money with Swagbucks for over a year now. My favorite ways to earn are... answering interesting surveys or polls, and watching movie trailers - before they hit the theaters. But there are countless more ways to make money, which can be redeemed for gift cards. You even earn a bonus just for signing up! Click here for more details.
I've been earning money with Swagbucks for over a year now. My favorite ways to earn are... answering interesting surveys or polls, and watching movie trailers - before they hit the theaters. But there are countless more ways to make money, which can be redeemed for gift cards. You even earn a bonus just for signing up! Click here for more details.
9. Start A Home-Based Business
If you want to be your own boss, where you can work as much or as little each day - there are many work-from-home opportunities for entrepreneurs. I am currently loving the product from this company called A Great Life - it's a tea blend that promotes healthy weight loss and it's super delicious. Click here for all the details on how you can make money working from home plus lose weight the healthy way!
If you want to be your own boss, where you can work as much or as little each day - there are many work-from-home opportunities for entrepreneurs. I am currently loving the product from this company called A Great Life - it's a tea blend that promotes healthy weight loss and it's super delicious. Click here for all the details on how you can make money working from home plus lose weight the healthy way!
10. Lower Your House Payment
I wasn't in the market to refinance my primary residence, and I receive several junk mail from various mortgage companies enticing home owners to refinance with them. However, I got a letter in the mail that convinced me to at least call this company to find out how much I can actually save. Long story short, I did refinance and saved almost $150 a month! You can read all the details on how I did it here.
11. Invest In Real Estate
One of my goals this year is to invest in another property. About 8 years ago I invested in a mobile home by the ocean, which I paid for in cash. My boyfriend and I "flipped it" it in 4 years time and enjoyed the beach lifestyle while working on the house. We sold it 4 years after I bought it to a nice family and their bulldog who couldn't get a mortgage from a traditional bank. The solution was to finance the loan myself, along with interest- it was a win win solution! We did the renovation work upfront, which didn't feel like work because it was enjoyable, then reap the rewards for years to come. Read all about this savvy investment here.
One of my goals this year is to invest in another property. About 8 years ago I invested in a mobile home by the ocean, which I paid for in cash. My boyfriend and I "flipped it" it in 4 years time and enjoyed the beach lifestyle while working on the house. We sold it 4 years after I bought it to a nice family and their bulldog who couldn't get a mortgage from a traditional bank. The solution was to finance the loan myself, along with interest- it was a win win solution! We did the renovation work upfront, which didn't feel like work because it was enjoyable, then reap the rewards for years to come. Read all about this savvy investment here.
12. Micro-Invest In Real Estate
This method is basically crowdfunding for real estate investors. It's a great way for me to invest money in real estate without shelling out a lot of money and without doing the labor of renovation. I discovered a company called Groundfloor that I can invest a little (or a lot) of money on properties across the U.S. I like that I can choose which property I want to invest in. The best part is that the returns are 6% up to 14% - you can't get those interest rates from a bank.
This method is basically crowdfunding for real estate investors. It's a great way for me to invest money in real estate without shelling out a lot of money and without doing the labor of renovation. I discovered a company called Groundfloor that I can invest a little (or a lot) of money on properties across the U.S. I like that I can choose which property I want to invest in. The best part is that the returns are 6% up to 14% - you can't get those interest rates from a bank.
13. Foster A Rescue Dog
I love all dogs, especially bulldogs! I was looking for a way to help out rescue organizations, in addition to my regular monetary donations. I happen to be looking on Craigslist one day, and saw an ad that said "Make Extra Money Fostering A Dog". I had assumed being a foster parent was strictly on a volunteer basis. I was happy to learn I could help by providing a dog a loving home until they are adopted, and supplement my income as at the same time. I've been fostering a lovable senior dog, an Olde English Bulldoge through a local non-profit dog rescue. They save dogs from shelters, giving them a new chance at life. Find out how you can make money fostering a rescue dog.
I love all dogs, especially bulldogs! I was looking for a way to help out rescue organizations, in addition to my regular monetary donations. I happen to be looking on Craigslist one day, and saw an ad that said "Make Extra Money Fostering A Dog". I had assumed being a foster parent was strictly on a volunteer basis. I was happy to learn I could help by providing a dog a loving home until they are adopted, and supplement my income as at the same time. I've been fostering a lovable senior dog, an Olde English Bulldoge through a local non-profit dog rescue. They save dogs from shelters, giving them a new chance at life. Find out how you can make money fostering a rescue dog.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
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