By Holly Reisem Hanna
There are LOTS of ways to make extra money online, from taking online surveys and competing short tasks, to sharing deals and smartphone apps, as well as shopping online.
Don't think you can REALLY earn extra money is these manners? I've been using Ebates since June of 2013 and during that time I've earned over $1,000 just by shopping online! I also use the smartphone app, Ibotta, and I've collected over $1,200 in Starbucks gift cards! And these are only a couple of side earners I use.
So if you're looking to earn extra cash to pad your wallet, without getting a second job, here are some fun and simple ways to do so.
Digital Earning:
Swagbucks is an online platform where you can earn points called SB, which can be redeemed for gift cards and coupons. You can quickly earn SB points by watching videos, playing games, answering questions, shopping online, and even surfing the web using their search bar. Refer your friends, and you’ll earn even more SB points. Your SB points can be traded in for gift cards from Amazon, Target, Starbucks, PayPal, and Walmart. Get a $5 bonus just for signing up; they also have daily polls and swag codes which make it super easy to earn SB points. Swagbucks has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
CashCrate is an online platform where you can start earning money by completing offers, taking surveys, watching videos, completing online tasks, and shopping online using their portal. Tasks pay out anywhere from a few cents to $30 or more, and you’ll receive a $1 for signing up for a new account. Payments are made via check and PayPal.
FusionCash is an online platform that allows you to make money from taking surveys, watching videos, shopping, completing short tasks, and much more. Sign up and immediately earn $5 just for joining. Most offers pay between .25 to $30 per offer, and payments are made via PayPal, check, or direct deposit once your account reaches a $25 threshold. Some offers do require a credit card number, so if you don’t feel comfortable giving out that information, just stick to the offers which display the No CC icon. Fusion Cash is a member of the Better Business Bureau.
InboxDollars you can earn cash for surveys, reading emails, playing games, redeeming coupons, searching the web, and shopping online. Membership is free, and you’ll receive $5 just for signing up. Payments are made via check. InboxDollars has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and they've been featured on NBC News and Good Morning America.
Online Surveys:
Global Test Market is a survey site where you earn points for sharing your opinion and referring other friends and family members to the site. Once you’ve accumulated 1,000 points, you can trade them in for cash or prizes. Payments are made via check, and it’s worth noting that Global Test Market has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
i-Say is a branch of Ipsos which is a global market research company that's been around since 1975. At i-Say you can earn points for taking surveys online, and the more surveys you participate in the more points you accumulate through their bonus system. Points can be traded in for prepaid Visa Gift Cards, Amazon Gift Cards, Walmart Gifts Cards and more. I-Say is available worldwide and can be accessed via desktop or smartphone app.
MindField Online is an online survey site where you can earn cash for taking surveys. Simply sign up for an account, fill out your membership profile (you’ll get more surveys by doing so), and complete surveys. Once your account has reached a $5 threshold, you can request payment via check. MindField not only has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, but they’re also a member of CASRO, which requires members to adhere a strict code of ethics and standards for survey research.
MySurvey is a top-rated online opinion poll and product testing platform, where individuals are compensated with reward points and sweepstake entries. For each task that is fully completed you earn points that can be redeemed for PayPal and Amazon e-certificates, gift cards, vouchers, money, and more. MySurvey has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Opinion Outpost you can earn money by completing online surveys. Just sign up, answer survey questions, and earn cash, sweepstake entries, or rewards for your time. Reviews on Opinion Outpost are favorable on their Facebook page, as well as on Survey Police where they have a solid 4 out of 5-star rating.
PineCone Research is an online survey site that is owned by the Nielsen Company. Simply fill out your profile, and you'll be matched to opportunities and surveys that fit your demographic. Most surveys take 15 – 20 minutes and pay out in points, which can be redeemed for cash, prizes, or sweepstake entries. If you select the cash out option, payments are made via a debit MasterCard or PayPal. PineCone Research also has opportunities for product reviews.
Survey Savvy is an online survey site where you’ll get earn money for sharing your opinions with companies. Most surveys pay out between $1 to $20 depending on the length and topic of the survey. Once your account has reached $1 in rewards, you can request payment via check. Survey Savvy has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Toluna is a survey and product testing site where you can earn points for participation. Most surveys and questionnaires take 15 – 20 minutes and members earn anywhere from 15 – 20,000 points depending on the length. Points can be redeemed for sweepstake tickets for gadgets or getaways, vouchers for stores like Amazon, and even cash. Payments are made via PayPal and check.
Viewpoint Forum is an online survey site where you can earn forum points and sweepstake entries. Most surveys will award 75 forum points and take about 10 minutes to complete. Once you’ve accumulated 375 forum points, you can redeem them for $10; payments are made via check. Viewpoint Forum is a member of CASRO.
VIP Voice formerly known as NPD Online Research, VIP Voice allows you to complete online surveys for the opportunity to win vacations, electronics, gift cards, and other prizes. The NPD Group was established in 1967 and conducts more than 12 million surveys each year.
Shopping:
Ebates is a cash back shopping site. Just sign up for a free account and then when you shop online go through the Ebates site to see if the retailer that you’re shopping with is affiliated. If they are affiliated with Ebates, click on the link, and start shopping. Most companies offer 3 percent cash back on your purchases, although I have seen some that offer 6 percent back and as much as 25 percent cash back! Want to make even more money? Refer three friends to Ebates and earn $30. Are you a blogger with a large following? Refer 400 individuals to Ebates and make a whopping $7,000! Ebates also offers cash referral bonuses for referring friends and family to the platform. As a new member, you can also earn a $10 Welcome Bonus when you make a minimum qualifying purchase(s) totaling at least $25 within ninety days of becoming a member. Again it's worth noting that Ebates is a member of the Better Business Bureau.
Here are 11 more ways to make money shopping!
Smartphone Apps:
1Q is a smartphone app both for iPhone and Android operating systems. Simply sign up and answer survey questions, each question pays $1. Payments are made immediately through PayPal, no need to meet a minimum.
App Bounty rewards you for downloading and trying out new smartphone applications. You can also earn points for spreading the word or liking on Facebook or following Twitter. Points can be redeemed for iTunes and Amazon gift cards, as well as Xbox Live, PS Network Points and paid apps for free. Available for iPhones and Android operating systems.
Blinker is a smartphone app that allows you to easily and securely sell your old car. Simply download the app, take a picture of your car, list it, and then wait for the offers to roll in. With Blinker your car is automatically listed on other major marketplaces, so you don't have to do any additional work. And when you download the Blinker app to sell your car, use the promo code HOLLY HANNA and Blinker will reward you with an extra $200 when your car sells!
CheckPoints allows you to make money by scanning barcodes, taking quizzes, watching videos, searching the web, and completing offers. Trade in points for gift cards from Amazon, Target, and Walmart or get entries for giveaways. CheckPoints has been featured on Mashable and is Android and iPhone compatible.
DoorDash is a smartphone app that connects Dashers (delivery drivers) to individuals who needs items delivered to their homes. Just fill out the online application, wait for your background check to clear, and once accepted start taking assignments via the app. With DoorDash you can use your vehicle, scooter, motorcycle, or bike, and in certain locales, you can even walk to make deliveries. Dashers are paid weekly via direct deposit.
Drop is a smartphone application where you earn points for shopping at individual stores. All you have to do is connect your credit card to their secure (256-bit encryption) smartphone application, and each time you make a purchase at a participating retailer, you'll earn points. One thousand points equals $1, and when you earn enough points, they can be traded in for gift cards from stores like Starbucks, iTunes, Amazon and many more. You can also invite friends to join with your own personalized referral code. For each friend who signs up with your referral code — you'll earn 1,000 points. Drop is available in the US and Canada and for both Andriod and iPhone users. Drop has been featured on Business Insider, Pop Sugar, and Fox Business.
Easy Shift is a micro-task application where you can make money by completing shifts. Shifts usually entail checking prices, seeing if a product is in stock, or taking photos of a store display. Once you have successfully completed the shift, payment will be made through PayPal within 48 hours of submission. Shifts pay anywhere from $2 to $20 per task. Easy Shift has been featured in USA Today, All Things Digital, and Mashable. Is currently only available for iPhone users.
Field Agent allows you to make money by completing various micro tasks, from checking shelf availability to checking demo and display compliance. Tasks pay anywhere from $3 to $12 per job and payments are made via PayPal. Field Agent works with brands like Tyson, Target, Hershey’s and has been featured on CNET, Forbes, and The New York Times. Only available for iPhones.
Foap allows you to make money by selling photos you take on your iPhone. Just download the Foap application to your smartphone and upload your photos. Once your image receives five positive ratings from other Foap users – your photo will be published for sale. You will earn $5 each time someone purchases your photo. Payments are made via PayPal when the user requests a cashout.
GigWalk is a mobile workforce of individuals using their iPhone or Andriod phone to connect, explore, and earn a second paycheck as they go about their day. Just register, apply for an assignment and then complete the task (usually verifying roads and street signs, geographic landmarks or transportation options). Gigwalk’s workforce is available in multiple US cities. GigWalk has been featured on CNN, Business Insider, and Forbes.
Ibotta is an iPhone and Android application that you can use to earn money when you go shopping. Before you head out on a shopping trip complete tasks relating to your favorite brands and companies. Next, go shopping at stores like Target and Walgreens and take photos of your receipts. Once your transaction has been verified, your account will be credited with a specified cash back amount. Refer your friends and earn even more money. Payments are made via PayPal and can be transferred as soon as you earn $5 and when you sign up today you can receive $10 Welcome Bonus! Ibotta has been featured on Mashable, Good Morning America, and Business Insider.
Job Spotter is a smartphone app from Indeed. To earn point using this app, all you have to do is snap pictures of Now Hiring Signs along with a photo of the store's sign. For every approved submission you'll earn a varying amount of points. You can also earn point by verifying other user's submissions. Points can be redeemed for Amazon gift cards. Job Spotter is available for Android and iPhone applications.
Lyft is a smartphone app that allows users to tap a button to request a ride (almost like a taxi cab on demand). So if you have some downtime and want to be a cabbie on demand, sign up to be a driver. Choose your own hours, drive your own car, and make $35+ an hour. You must be at least 21 years of age, have a 4-door car that is from the year 2000 or newer, and a clean driving record. Drivers get 80% of payment from passengers. Money is deposited into your account each week.
Poshmark is an application where individuals can sell women’s fashion clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories. Download the application on your iPhone, create an account and then start taking photos of the items you wish to sell. Once the item sells print out a pre-paid, pre-addressed shipping label and sends off your item. When the buyer receives the item, Poshmark will deposit 80% of the sale price into your account. Payments are made either via direct deposit or check.
Receipt Hog is available for Android and iPhone systems, Receipt Hog pays you money for shopping and taking surveys. Download the app and take photos of your receipts from any grocer, super-center, club store, dollar store, drug store, convenience mart, beauty supply or pet supply store. Once receipts are inputted into the system, Receipt Hog will award you with virtual coins that can be traded in for cash through PayPal or an Amazon gift card. The information that Receipt Hog collects is summarized and used in market research reports that companies will pay for. The number of coins you earn per receipt depends on how much your total bill is. You can submit 20 receipts per week and trade 1,000 coins in for $5.
Shopkick is a really cool rewards program that is available for iPhone and Android phones. Just download the app to your phone, and when you walk into your favorite stores (Old Navy, Crate & Barrel, Exxon, Target, Macy’s, etc.), you’ll instantly earn kicks. Scan specified barcodes once you’re in the store and earn even more kicks. Link up your credit card, browse through look-books or refer your friends for even more kicks. Kicks can be used for gift cards from Target, Old Navy, Starbucks, or on items like clothing, electronics or even a cruise! Shopkick has been featured in The Huffington Post, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal.
Uber is a smartphone app that allows users to tap a button to request a ride (think taxi on demand). So if you have some downtime and want to be a driver on demand, sign up with Uber. Choose your own hours, drive your own car (or rent one of theirs), and make good money on demand. Money is deposited weekly into your account.
Uber EATS is an on-demand, smartphone app where you can make money by delivering packages and food via your car, bike, or scooter. The more deliveries you make, the more you'll earn.
Viggle is great if you love to watch TV or listen to music. Just download the app to your Android or iPhone, check in with Viggle button and start earning points by watching TV or listening to music. You can even engage and answer questions for more points. Points can be redeemed for rewards from companies like Starbucks, Foot Locker, Groupon, and Best Buy.
So there you have it, a bunch of ways to earn extra money on the side!
Are you using any of these methods to make extra money? What other platforms and smartphone apps do you know about? Drop us a note below we would love to hear from you!
You’ll Also Love These Posts:
Studies have shown if you like this blog post — you will also love the following articles.
- 11 Sites That Will Pay You to Test Out Websites
- Need Extra Cash? Try These Work-at-Home Money Makers
- 11 Ways to Get Paid to Surf the Web
Originally published July 16, 2011. Content updated November 21, 2017.
This page includes some affiliate links. Please be aware we only promote advertising from companies we feel we can legitimately recommend to our readers. Please see our disclosure policy for further information.