Find more money without more work
Need extra cash for that last drink or a business-class upgrade? How about tackling that extra debt? Get 30 smart ways to find extra money below without finding extra work.
1. Get better insurance
Insurance is pricey and a hassle—like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole—but it doesn’t have to be. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Lemonade.
Lemonade makes it a breeze to get the perfect coverage, whether you’re a homeowner, pet parent, life planner, car commuter, or renter. They’re as friendly as they are charitable, and here’s the kicker: Lemonade lets you donate any unused premiums to a charity of your choice.
So far, they’ve helped support incredible causes like Citymeals on Wheels, Code to Inspire, March for Our Lives, and one of our other favorites, The Trevor Project.
Ready to make insurance more accessible and do some good? Learn more and save with Lemonade today.
2. Slash credit card payments
Ready to manage those pesky credit card payments? The Debt Lasso Method is your trusted tool for negotiating lower interest rates and freeing up more cash to pay off your debt faster.
Consider this: the average American is saddled with $5,551 per credit card, paying a whopping 16.5% interest. But if you use the Debt Lasso Method to corral that interest rate down to 0%, you’d see an extra $916 in your pocket each year. That’s nearly an extra grand to lasso onto your credit card principal! Imagine how much faster you could ride off into the debt-free sunset with that kind of cash.
So, how soon could you be debt-free with an extra $1,000 a year? Let’s find out.
3. Get paid for your thoughts
Got opinions? Of course, you do! Now, let’s turn those hot takes into cold, hard cash. Survey sites are basically begging for your two cents and the best part? They’ll actually pay you for them. Our top pick? Survey Junkie—because who doesn’t want to get paid to watch videos, review stuff, take surveys, and even shop (yes, seriously, you can get paid to shop)?
Here’s a sneaky little pro tip: Set up a routine to rake in $1-3 a day while binge-watching your favorite shows. You could pocket an extra $350-$1,000 a year just for sharing your oh-so-wise opinions. That’s some sweet side cash for the same amount of effort it takes to microwave popcorn.
But wait, there’s more! If you’re on the prowl for even more cash-earning opportunities, check out Swagbucks. Not only will you get paid to share your opinions, but you’ll also earn when you shop online. And let’s face it—we all do some online shopping, so why not get paid or snag some juicy cashback?
Ready to make bank with your brilliant opinions? Sign up with Survey Junkie and Swagbucks today.
4. Optimize grocery shopping
- Step 1: Channel Your Inner Grandma and Subscribe to the Sunday Paper. Yep, those ancient relics are still packed with coupons. Break out the scissors and get to clipping like it’s 1995. Trust me, old-school works.
- Step 2: Become the Sherlock Holmes of Grocery Deals. Go to your grocery store’s websites and sleuth out the in-store sales. Get ready to hunt those discounts like they’re the last snacks at a party.
- Step 3: Plan Your Weekly Menu Like a Boss. With your stash of coupons, the latest sales, and a quick peek in your fridge, create a masterpiece of thrift menu. The goal? Buy little to nothing at the total price and absolutely no wasted food. You’re a food-saving ninja now.
Two trusty sidekicks in your quest: The Honey Extension and Ibotta. Before you shop, pop into Ibotta to see if the stuff in your cart has any secret discounts lurking. If your grocery heaven is Target, check their coupons, too. Whole Foods fan? See what discounts they’ve got—just because it’s fancy doesn’t mean you need to pay fancy prices.
All of this? The same strategy helped us slash over $30,000 off our food bill in a single year. Who knew saving money could feel this good?
5. Use a menu and grocery list
Before you even think about heading to the store, become a fridge detective. Look at what’s already hiding there—anything chilling since last week? That half-used bag of spinach or those leftover tortillas? Instead of letting them morph into unrecognizable science projects, make them the stars of your weekly menu. Use what you’ve already got before it turns into something only a compost bin could love.
Once you’ve planned out your breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and dinners around what’s already in your kitchen, it’s time to get strategic. Create your grocery list like a savings pro, only adding the essentials you don’t already have. Stick to the list! You’re on a mission to save, not to impulse-buy that fancy cheese you don’t need (okay, maybe one guilty pleasure, but let’s not go overboard).
Now it’s time to hit the store, and here’s the golden rule: Stick to your list like it’s your new religion. Walk those aisles with purpose, armed with your coupons and reusable bags. Bunch your coupons by store and flash them like a coupon ninja. Don’t forget to grab that bag discount! It might seem small, but every penny adds up. You’re the frugal version of a Pokémon master, collecting savings wherever you go.
6. Grocery shop 21st-century style
Downloading Ibotta to your phone is like having a personal savings assistant in your pocket. With just a few taps and a quick scan of your receipts, you can unlock instant discounts and rebates on items you buy from your favorite stores, restaurants, grocery spots, and movie theaters. The beauty of Ibotta? Those savings can go directly toward tackling your debt, turning your everyday purchases into mini victories for your financial health.
For even more savings, dive into the world of online discounts with RetailMeNot, SlickDeals, and Entertainment.com (which, trust me, is nothing like the clunky coupon book your mom used to carry). These sites offer a treasure trove of discounts and rebates on things you already planned to buy. With just a bit of browsing, you can shave off dollars on everything from clothing to home essentials—and funnel those extra savings straight toward paying off your credit card debt.
Lastly, make sure to install the Honey extension on your computer. Honey is like a magical little elf that automatically applies discounts, free shipping, and promotions to your online purchases without you lifting a finger. Gone are the days of frantically searching for promo codes. Honey does all the work for you, leaving you more time to bask in the glow of your newfound savings while making those online shopping sprees feel a little less guilty.
7. Grocery shop once a week
We’ve all been there: you’re driving home with no idea what’s lurking in the fridge, so you swing by the store “just to grab a few things.” Fast forward 20 minutes, and you’ve got a cart full of random items, a menu you made up on the fly, and somehow you’ve spent $50 on a one-time meal (oh, and half of it? You already had at home, but it’s too late now). Every one of these little trips chips away at your food budget until it’s nothing but crumbs.
Trust us, we’ve done it too. But seriously, don’t make the same mistake.
8. Get paid to shop (for others)
We stumbled upon Instacart, and let us tell you, it’s been a game changer. Not only are we saving time, but we’re also dodging those sneaky impulse buys (because, let’s be honest, who hasn’t thrown a $10 fancy cheese in the cart just because it looked fun?). No more wandering the aisles aimlessly; Instacart has us in and out without ever stepping in the store.
But here’s the kicker: Our time could mean cash in your pocket. Instacart is the perfect side hustle for after school, work, or weekends. A few trips here and there could easily add an extra $100-200 to your monthly wallet. That’s a lot of lattes—or better yet, a nice chunk towards your next financial goal. So if you’re looking for an easy way to earn while you run errands, sign up to be an Instacart shopper and start cashing in
9. Use cash
It might sound old school, but using cash for everyday spending is like unlocking a secret money-saving superpower. Seriously, people who pay with cash spend 12% to 18% less than those swiping their credit cards like they’re on a game show. Case in point: McDonald’s says the average order is $7 with a credit card but only $4.50 when someone forks over cash. Turns out, that extra Big Mac isn’t as tempting when you’re handing over real dollar bills. So, if you want to save yourself 12% to 18% without even trying, start paying in cash!
Of course, cash works even better when you have a budget in place. Once you know exactly what you’re spending, grabbing the cash you need on the way home from work or before heading out is easy. It’s like having a built-in spending limit—you know, without the credit card guilt trip later.
10. Save online purchases
Wouldn’t it be amazing if every time you shopped online, you magically saved money without lifting a finger? Well, get ready to meet your new shopping BFF: Honey. This little browser extension is like having a personal deal detective that hunts down the best coupon codes while you’re busy adding stuff to your cart. Whether you’re on Amazon or another favorite site, Honey swoops in with discount codes like it’s on a mission to make your wallet happy.
Even better? It’s totally free! And as if saving money wasn’t sweet enough, Honey also lets you earn points toward gift cards when you shop at select stores. So you’re basically getting paid to shop smarter—talk about winning the internet.
11. Rock your credit score
Let’s get real: having a good (or even great) credit score will save you a $hit ton of money over your lifetime. Whether it’s the interest on credit cards, loans, or your mortgage, the better your score, the more cash you keep in your pocket instead of handing it over to the banks. We’ve even helped folks boost their credit scores and then worked with them to use the Debt Lasso method to wrangle down those credit card payments.
So how do you improve your credit score? It’s simple: have a plan. And no, “hoping for the best” doesn’t count.
Step one: Know your credit score. Step two: Understand what makes up your credit score. Step three: Take steps to improve it. Start by signing up for Credit Karma to track your score with zero effort (and zero cost). Then, kick things up a notch with Experian Boost, which can boost your score by 5 to 50 points in as little as 15 minutes. Yes, it’s that fast—like microwave popcorn fast.
Once you’re signed up for Credit Karma, it’s smooth sailing. You only need your social security number, phone number, and address to get started. After you’re in, you’ll see your credit score and a handy breakdown of everything that’s affecting it, like your total credit, payment history, recent accounts, and the credit you’ve got available. It’s like a cheat sheet for your financial life.
Credit Karma also serves up a list of steps to improve your score—no need to tackle them all at once, but slowly chip away at them, and you’ll see that number start to climb. Ready to make your money work for you? Sign up for Credit Karma today—for free. Your future self will thank you.
12. Cut back on all your expenses
You’re not one for big, dramatic gestures but have a knack for subtle, strategic moves. Time to channel your inner CEO and try a corporate-style cost-cutting. Big companies love to slash a cool 4% across all departments—why not do the same with your personal finances? It’s like giving your budget a little trim without the drama. Need help figuring out where to start?
Start by identifying the 1-3 expenses secretly sabotaging your money game. These little outliers can be the biggest culprits, and simply cutting or reducing them can make your financial life much easier.
Once you’ve got those sorted, consider trimming a small percentage off all your expenses—without having to go overboard. This method frees up extra cash you can put toward your bigger financial goals. It’s corporate cost-cutting, but make it personal—and way less painful.
13. Give back
Got a pile of stuff and clothes you’ve never touched? You know what to do: Return. Them. All.
Seriously, don’t let that sweater you swore you’d wear or that gadget that’s still in the box haunt you any longer. Stores like Amazon, Nordstrom, Home Depot, and Target have return policies that are so generous they might as well hug you on the way out. Ideally, you’ve still got the tags and the receipt, but if not, just bring the debit or credit card you used, and voilà—refund time.
Now, go forth, declutter, and get your money back. And next time, do yourself a favor and save those receipts like golden tickets.
14. Get gifted
No random stuff to return, but sitting on a pile of half-used gift cards with a few cents to a few dollars left? Jackpot! This is found money, and it’s just waiting for you at PlasticJungle.com. Sure, you’ll only get about 80% of the value, but let’s be honest—that’s 80% more than you had, and it’s not like you were going to buy anything useful with that leftover $1.37 from Chili’s.
So go ahead, cash them in, and turn that forgotten plastic into real cash. After all, it’s better than spending it on more stuff you don’t need.
15. Lower student loan payments
One of the easiest ways to keep more cash in your pocket is to stop throwing money away on sky-high interest rates for your student loans—whether they’re public or private. Take a cue from our niece, who used SoFi to refinance her student loans and is now sliding an extra $200 a month back into her wallet like a boss.
Over the next ten years, she will save over $25,000. That’s enough for a dream vacation, a new car, or about a million fancy coffees. Now, imagine what you could do with that kind of cash—actually, don’t just imagine it. Go refinance those loans and start seeing the savings pile up.
16. Pay attention to your money
Experts agree: just paying attention to your money is half the battle when it comes to managing it better. If you have no clue how much you’re bringing home or where it’s all disappearing to, it’s like trying to steer a ship blindfolded—it’s not going to end well.
To get a realistic handle on your cash flow, try exercises like tracking your spending, cutting back on unnecessary expenses, and dare I say it, budgeting. Yes, I know, budgeting sounds about as fun as watching paint dry, but trust me, it’s the key to keeping your money in check and working for you—not the other way around.
17. Increase W-4 allowances
Your W-4 is like a sneaky little tool that lets your employer prepay your taxes to the IRS. A chunk of each paycheck goes straight to Uncle Sam to cover your income taxes, and for most people, this means a sweet tax refund between February and April. But here’s the kicker: if you’re getting that refund, you’ve been giving the IRS a no-interest loan. Who does that? No one—except you, apparently.
If you’d rather keep more of your money now (and not act as the IRS’s personal piggy bank), ask your employer for a new W-4. Increase your allowances so you pay less in taxes throughout the year. Just remember, this might shrink or eliminate that shiny refund, but the extra cash in each paycheck can go straight toward slashing your credit card debt.
Of course, before you go wild with your W-4, it’s a good idea to chat with an accountant to figure out the right balance. Because while giving the IRS an interest-free loan is one thing, owing them money come tax season is a whole different story.
18. Cut the cord
Get all the Golden Girls your heart desires with debt-free TV! But let’s dish—what are the pros and cons of kicking cable to the curb like the latest queen on RuPaul’s Drag Race?
For many of us, cutting the cord feels as terrifying as the day Britney shaved her head. But let’s be real: at $150+ per month, keeping cable is basically burning money, especially since you’re only watching a handful of shows out of those 36 million channels they give you. Meanwhile, your true favorites—whether it’s Golden Girls marathons or the latest tea on RuPaul—are probably chilling on Amazon Prime, Hulu, or Netflix anyway. So why not wave goodbye to that overpriced cable bill and say hello to debt-free TV bliss?
19. Cut your bills
Meet Trim, your new financial BFF who does the dirty work of negotiating your bills and canceling those sneaky subscriptions you keep meaning to ditch. It’s like having a personal assistant, but way cheaper. All you have to do is download the app, connect it to your bank accounts, and let Trim go to battle for you—canceling those unwanted recurring charges and getting your bills knocked down, all while you sit back and relax.
Trim users typically save between $5 and $50 a month, and yes, Trim takes a cut of 25% from your first month’s savings. But here’s the kicker: those savings keep rolling in month after month. So, by the end of the year, that’s anywhere from $58.75 to $587.50 back in your pocket—even after Trim’s cut.
Oh, and if you’re feeling extra fancy, you can upgrade to Trim Premium for even more money-saving tricks. If you open a high-yield savings account with Trim, you’ll score a 4% annualized yield on the first $2,000 you save. So not only are you saving money, but you’re also making it grow. It’s like financial magic.
Ready to let Trim do the heavy lifting? Check them out today.
20. Right-size your insurance
Car insurance: the recurring expense we all love to hate. Most of us just shrug it off as one of life’s unavoidable costs, like taxes or forgetting your password, and we rarely bother to look for a better deal. Why? Because it feels like way too much effort. But here’s the thing—it’s actually not that hard!
In just a couple of minutes, you could be saving hundreds by shopping around for a better rate. No fees, no headaches—just actual savings. On average, you could slash up to $720 a year off your car insurance bill. That’s cash you could use for something way more fun (or, you know, responsible… like paying down debt).
So, don’t settle. Get yourself a better deal and keep that extra money in your pocket where it belongs.
21. Sell stuff
Let’s face it—most of us have way more stuff than we actually need. Remember that fancy food processor you got for Christmas a few years ago and haven’t touched since? Or the mountain of books you’ve been collecting that you swear you’ll read someday? And let’s not forget that “gently-used” clothing you’ve been saving for when you’re no longer holding onto that extra weight. (We’ve all been there.)
It’s time to sell it, sell it, sell it! Two of our favorite spots to offload the stuff gathering dust are Decluttr.com and Swap.com. Not only can you sell your unwanted items, but Swap is also a treasure trove for snagging gently-used, name-brand clothing at deep discounts. So, clear the clutter, make some cash, and maybe even score a few wardrobe upgrades while at it.
22. Get a raise
You might not be thrilled about picking up a side gig to find extra cash, but guess what? You might be sitting on a pile of extra money at your current job—you just have to dig for it. It’s not easy, and it won’t happen overnight, but it’s time to earn it and, more importantly, ask for it. Yep, I’m talking about a raise!
Think of it as finding hidden treasure—except instead of a map, you’re using your hard work and a well-timed conversation with your boss. You’ve earned it, so get that extra cash.
23. Rent your space
If someone’s willing to pitch a tent in someone else’s backyard—don’t worry, we’re keeping it PG—you might just have more space than you realize! While letting a guest set up camp in your backyard might not be your style, renting out that extra room in your house or the space above the garage? Now we’re talking.
A perfect option is MisterBandB, the largest network of gay-owned and gay-friendly rooms, apartments, and houses available for a night or more. It’s a fabulous way to make extra cash while being part of a welcoming community. And hey, if you prefer the mainstream route, Airbnb is always there, too, with its endless stream of travelers.
So why let that extra space sit there when it could earn you some serious cash?
24. Change banks
If your current bank is hitting you with fees—ATM fees, low-balance fees, any fees—it’s time to break up and move on. Seriously, you deserve better. Plenty of banks out there (even virtual ones!) won’t nickel-and-dime you for simply existing. No matter your banking needs, one thing is sure: you don’t need to pay fees.
Sure, the “freer” the account, the lower the savings rate might be, but hey—better to keep your hard-earned money in your pocket than hand it over to your bank just for the privilege of using your cash, right?
25. Rent your car
Got a car that’s just sitting around, collecting dust and maybe a few bird droppings? Time to put that bad boy to work! Use Turo.com, JustshareIt.com, or GetAround.com to rent it out to people who actually need it. It’s like turning your car into a part-time Uber driver—without you having to make small talk or navigate weird GPS routes. So, let your car take the wheel (literally) and make you some extra cash while it’s at it.
26. Sell your shots
If you’re even a casual photo hobbyist, it’s time to cash in on those iPhone or Android snaps! Sell your photos to Shutterstock, Photoshelter, Fotolia, DreamsTime, or iStock. Yes, your pics could be out there, making money, instead of just sitting in your camera roll next to all those memes you saved.
But here’s the deal: to really sell photos online, you’ve gotta master the beast that is Instagram. Trust us; Instagram is part art and part science. And hey, most artists are pretty good at science, right? It’s like balancing the perfect filter with knowing the exact time of day to post to get the most love. You’ve got this.
27. Get the Saver’s Credit
Don’t sleep on the Saver’s Credit! Instead of just taking a tax deduction for your IRA or company-sponsored retirement contributions, consider filing for this credit instead. The Saver’s Credit can knock up to $2,000 off your tax bill—yes, two grand! But before you go high-fiving yourself, chat with your accountant to make sure you’re doing it right (because no one wants an angry IRS letter).
Now that you’ve got 20 new ways to find extra cash without working extra hours, you’ve got 20 more ways to pay off that pesky credit card debt faster. Be smart with your newfound money, and soon enough, it’ll start working for you instead of disappearing into the black hole of interest payments.
Need some help with this nifty tax trick? Click here to find an accountant who can help you out.
28. Get cheap drugs
YouDrugstore is like the VIP pass to Canadian-priced meds for Americans. Yep, you read that right—Canadian pricing, eh? From the land of maple syrup and politeness, but with serious savings. Registration and shipping? Totally free for orders over $100, because why pay extra when you’re already saving on meds?
Whether you need the usual go-to prescriptions or something rare that sounds like it belongs in a medical drama, YouDrugstore has you covered—with both brand name and generic options.
So why wait? Sign up for YouDrugstore today and start saving like a Canadian.
29. Buy cheap health insurance
Finding health insurance that’s both affordable and easy to understand doesn’t have to feel like navigating a maze blindfolded. In just a few clicks and after answering a few simple questions, you can get a curated list of health plans from top providers like Cigna, BlueCross BlueShield, and Kaiser—all tailored to you and your family’s needs.
Health insurance is way too important to put off, so don’t delay. Start your search today and get covered before your next “I Googled my symptoms” panic.
Here’s more info to help find extra money:
- Debt Lasso Method: Best Way to Pay Off Credit Card Debt
- 35 Best Tips on How to Become Debt Free
- How Can I Make $1000 Fast in 2024? 30+ Proven Ways
