5 Best Money Making Apps

Are you like me and always looking for ways to make a little extra cash? It can be hard to tell which apps/websites are legitimate ways to make money. I'm sharing my 5 favorite resources that really work! These are all fun, easy ways that I earn extra money!

*contains affiliate links

1. Acorns

I am thrilled I found Acorns which is an investment/savings app rolled into one. I've earned money & saved more as well since opening my account! You can withdrawal money to your linked checking account at any time. This one does cost a few dollars a month to use but it's worth it compared to what you will quickly earn/save!

Experts do the investing for you in stocks such as Nike, Walmart, Grubhub etc. No prior knowledge is needed which is perfect because I had no idea where to start with investing!

Acorns gives the option to round up your spare change on purchases made with your debit card directly into your Acorns account, creating savings for you + investing your change at the same time! I've made over $100 in investments so far and saved a big chunk of money by simply automatically setting aside my spare change!

There are other ways to use Acorns as well such as depositing an extra $5 or $10 a week into your account. My Acorns account has been a game changer in stepping up my savings strategy. This app is literally awesome. 

Start off with $5 in your account by setting one up today!

2. Ibotta

Ibotta is the most lucrative coupon app in my eyes. I love using Ibotta to earn cash back  simply by scanning receipts! Once you earn $20, you can cash out to your bank account or PayPal. I've cashed out many times on Ibotta & you really rack up $$$ quickly!

The easiest way to earn money on Ibotta is from grocery purchases. Each week there are a selection of grocery items from different stores featured on Ibotta. Some of the items are brand specific (such as Eggo Waffles) but there are also generic options like "bread" or "cereal". You go through the list selecting each item that appears on your grocery receipt, scan each item's barcode and then scan the receipt using your phone.

Download the Ibotta app to easily earn cash back from receipts!

3. Fetch

Fetch is fairly new to me but I finally downloaded this app after reading great reviews  and it's proving to live up to the hype! With Fetch, you easily add up points for every receipt you scan. Points can then be redeemed for gift cards or other prizes! On Fetch, you earn for specific items similar to Ibotta but also just in general for each receipt. There is no scanning items so you quickly and easily receive points in seconds!

Use my code: U7MHM or click here to get $2 automatically in your account when you sign up!

4. Shopkick

There are a few ways to earn points using Shopkick. My favorite and easiest way is to "check in" at different stores. You literally just open the app on your phone and click on the store that you are currently inside! Points can also be earned by scanning selected items inside the store or connecting the app to your credit card to earn points with purchases. Points can be cashed in for gift cards. I always get the Target gift cards and they can be scanned at checkout right off the app!

Use my code: FUN321438 or click here to earn 250 kicks automatically after you use Shopkick for the first time! 

5. Receipt Pal

I like this app because it's super simple + fast. All that's required to earn points is scanning any receipt! For every 4 receipts, you earn 100 points, easy peasy. Points can be redeemed for Amazon gift cards and we all love Amazon, am I right?!

Download Receipt Pal + start earning gift cards!

I hope you found a new app or two to download today. You may as well earn a little money by simply rounding up spare change or scanning receipts before tossing them! I love using what I earn from my apps for Christmas presents + my Acorns account has truly stepped up my savings game for the future! Leave a comment and let us know if you have a favorite way of making extra money that needs to be added to the list!

5 Easy Ways to Make Extra Christmas Shopping Money!

*This post contains an affiliate link.*     

     I can't believe how close the holidays are and to be honest, the thought of Christmas shopping (and all that $$$) is a bit stress inducing right now! Do you guys feel the same way? I am always trying to bring the cost of Christmas down and today I want to share 5 easy things I've tried that can earn you some extra Christmas shopping cash! 

Sell Some "Stuff"

     I'm a minimalist and I love getting rid of some "stuff" before Christmastime since Christmas presents mean that more things are about to come into my house. Here are a few different ways you can sell items you own to make a little extra Christmas shopping cash!

Consignment Stores

I love taking a laundry basket full of old kids' stuff into Once Upon A Child and earning a little money back. There are plenty of other consignment shops out there for different types of items as well. You won't make very much money selling consignment but it's probably the easiest and quickest way to make a little bit of money for things that you don't want anyway!

Facebook Groups 

Check to see if your town has local Facebook buy + sell groups! I have bought items from a Facebook group and it was so easy! (Take someone with you if you are meeting a person you don't know and always meet somewhere public!) 

Set up an IG closet shop 

Set up a shop account on Instagram to sell clothing (or other small items) you don't want anymore! This one is probably easier for bloggers or those of you who have a higher amount of followers on Instagram. This is something I'd like to start doing because I have so many cute little boy clothing items sitting around that we don't' need anymore. I set up a shop account but haven't gotten around to listing anything!

Coupon Apps!

     I wrote an entire post about this last year: here. Coupon Apps are a really fun way to earn a little extra spending money. Most of them work by scanning receipts and awarding money amounts for different items. These apps can be time consuming but are so fun and easy to use! For the past 2 years I've cashed out about $20 each holiday season to put towards presents just after using them for a few months! (Fun, easy, free money- yes please.)

     If you are going to try just one, start with Ibotta- it's my favorite and gives you the most money back. You can use my referral code: tddfoyb to get a $10 bonus for signing up!

Take on Extra Work

     I've been looking for a few ways to take on a little extra work before the holidays. I just did a photography job this past weekend and I'm taking on a little more sponsored content on the blog. For my family personally, this is also to cover other expenses that we've had come up lately but will also definitely help come Christmastime! Look for little ways that you could make a little extra money at your job! Pick up an extra shift or project. Taking a holiday retail job is a great way to earn some easy money and the discount can help with Christmas expenses as well! (Win, win!)

Mystery Shopping

     I used to always be so intrigued by the idea of mystery shopping! I finally tried it out a couple years ago through SeeLevel Shoppers. My mystery shop took place at Hot Topic (oh hey, high school memories!) and I earned a little money for completing the shop and also got reimbursed for the nose rings I purchased there. This would be a fun way to make a little holiday cash. 

Open a credit card

     I know a lot of people with be against the advice to open a credit card and I totally get it. This is only good advice if you go about it carefully! Many stores offer extra benefits to open a credit card during the holidays. Make this work for you by choosing one that is going to save you a chunk of money and then pay it off immediately + close it out! Last year I opened an Amazon credit card and in return got a $50 Amazon gift card which I then used towards Christmas shopping!

.
.

I hope you saw a tip that might help you earn a little cash this holiday season! Of course, these tips can be used year round as well. What secret ways do you have to earn extra money? I want to hear them!