Extra cash fuels our country’s addiction to Starbucks. But the Motley Fool suggests Americans are completely addicted to spending, not saving — so that $5 cup of Joe is more likely stuck on a credit card than being paid with a pocket full of extra cash. A survey by Go Banking Rates says 69% of Americans have less than $1,000 in savings.
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It doesn’t have to be this way.
There are hundreds of online resources designed to help consumers bring in extra cash with just a few clicks every day. This article lists our top 20 opportunities to make easy money online. A little cash is waiting for those with a little hustle.
Top 20 Online Money Makers
1. Airbnb
Extra room in the house? Rent it out. That’s the concept of Airbnb and millions of people have rented or stayed this way.
2. Amazon Affiliate Marketing
For bloggers or owners of other websites, the Amazon Affiliates program is a cinch for making extra cash. In fact, it’s one of the best ways to easily monetize a website. For more than a dozen years it’s been helping websites make cash by advertising millions of Amazon products. Website owners can select native shopping ads closely tied to the type of site. Then, as consumers make purchases, the website owner makes a kickback or “referral fee” from everything that’s purchased.
3. CraigsList
While CraigsList might not be the site many of us would consider as a moneymaker, it actually is a great tool whether the visitor is trying to sell stuff or looking for a side hustle.
4. Dealspotr
Dealspotr, a crowdsourced promo code website, offers everyday shoppers several ways to make money. First, the actual promo codes — Dealspotr has coupled AI and machine learning technology with the crowdsourcing power of its couponing community to amass the largest and most accurate database of promo codes on the web.
Second, the site has a nifty points program that puts more of the green stuff back in your pocket. By joining the community and adding, editing, or removing promo codes and other deals for popular stores, you’ll be able to earn points, and put those points towards Amazon gift cards. For bloggers and influencers, you can also join the Dealspotr Marketplace to connect with brands and run paid sponsorships with them.
5. Decluttr
Most people have too much stuff. That’s where the free app Decluttr comes in handy. Download the app then scan the barcode of the movie, tech gadgets or CDs to see how much they’re worth. Then mail them the product and they cut a check. Easy.
6. Drop
Like Dealspotr, Drop lets consumers earn cash back for everyday spending. The app is free to download. Just link existing credit or debit cards to the service and earn bucks for every dollar spent. It’s a no-brainer way to get cash back.
7. Foap
This app lets amateur photographers take advantage of their smartphone. Foap works by making everyday pics available on the app and selling the licensure to the picture. The picture can be sold repeatedly, which makes for more money for the photographer.
8. InboxDollars
Many people use the Internet to kill time by scrolling around, watching videos, and playing online games. InboxDollars lets these browsers earn money while conducting these activities online. The rewards for taking surveys, reading emails, or simply shopping through the site provide users with easy cash for simple tasks. It’s a legitimate site that pays real money.
9. HealthyWage
HealthyWage in an app that allows people to place a wager on how much weight they will lose and then win a prize if they nail it.
10. Ibotta
Join Ibotta and make $10. Stick with the app and make money from online purchases. Do this in three ways: send a receipt; link a loyalty card; or make a mobile purchase.
11. Kindle
For writers or author wannabes, Kindle’s Direct Publishing service is an excellent way to make extra cash. The writer can earn up to 70% in royalties, and it’s very easy to get started.
12. Letgo
The TV commercials are fun; the reality is more cash in the pocket. Any old stuff can be sold on Letgo for cash. Letgo is an app designed to help declutter our lives while putting more green stuff in the bank.
13. MobileXpression
The Android and iPhone app MobileXpression pays consumers for downloading their app. At the end of one week, the user plays and instant rewards game and wins a prize. The most common reward is a $5 gift card, but some lucky winners earn a new TV.
14. MyPoints
Signing up for MyPoints is free and simple. The app tracks purchases at any of their partner sites, from Groupon, Walmart, and a whole lot more. As the points rack up, members can redeem them for gift cards.
15. Nielsen
Nielsen has a computer and mobile device tracking system that, after registering these devices, tracks online buying patterns. The consumer does nothing else beyond registering — and cashing the $50 check that they receive for letting Nielsen document their online behaviors.
16. QuickThoughts
The free app QuickThoughts is a survey tool that pays people for their opinions. The app also sends members on missions for location-based surveys. Cash these out for Amazon gift cards.
17. QuizXT app
The QuizXT app pays cash for playing trivia quiz games. Points are applied for every correct answer in music, history, sports, and more.
18. ShopTracker
Harris Poll Online has an online shopping rewards app called ShopTracker. The app lets Amazon shoppers share their purchase history and rewards them with $3 per month for simply adding to consumer research on shopping trends. That’s $36 for doing nothing out of the ordinary, just shopping.
19. Upwork
Everyone has a marketable skill, and Upwork lets users offer themselves as a freelancer to work in about a dozen specific categories from IT to customer service, legal to consulting. It’s easy to sign up and earn extra cash. Upwork says their freelancers earn more than $1 billion on the site each year, offering more than 3,500 skills to companies.
20. YouTube
From advanced videography to cell phone recordings, YouTube channels are making millions of dollars annually. For people that have a knack for videography and a going-viral kind of personality, YouTube could provide more than “easy money,” it could provide a steady income.
