8 Easy Ways To Get Free Money Online
Written by
Jami Farkas
Edited by
Elizabeth Constantineau, CFHC™
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
Whether you want to save money for something special, like a down payment on a car or to build your nest egg, you’ll need to divert money from your paycheck. But what if you don’t have any extra dollars to squirrel away at the end of the month after paying all the bills?
You’ll need to find more money, whether by cutting your budget, taking a side job or seeking a raise. All of those can help achieve your savings goals, but don’t overlook other options, including finding free money. Plenty of simple ways exist to bring in more cash with little effort.
And just what are the best ways to do that? Read on to find eight ways to boost your bank account through free money.
1. Open a Bank Account
One of the ways banks attract new business is by offering promotions. By opening an account and meeting the promotion requirements, you can earn earn a bonus from a participating bank.
How much can you earn? It depends on how much you put in your account at opening and how you meet other requirements, such as funding your account with recurring direct deposits. At Chase, for example, a promotion gives new customers a $200 reward just for opening a Total Checking account and setting up direct deposit within 90 days — as long as you open the account by Oct. 19, 2022.
2. Sign Up for Browser Extensions
When you shop online for things you plan to buy anyway, your browser extensions will help you find the best deals — or put a cash rebate in your account. Capital One Shopping, Ibotta, Honey, Swagbucks and Rakuten are among the popular extensions today.
Some of the extensions extend your benefits to in-store shopping, too.
3. Register for Venmo
If you don’t have Venmo but were considering downloading the popular money-transfer app, now is a good time to try it. Venmo is offering a $10 bonus for signing up.
4. Use Your Cash-Back Rewards Card
You could have a credit card in your wallet that offers cash-back rewards with every purchase you make and not be taking advantage of the deal. Several financial institutions offer cash-back credit cards, with some providing a higher percentage back on specific purchases and a lower amount on everything else.
Many credit cards have specific rewards and perks for shopping online, and some even offer sign-up bonuses to earn you even more free money. If you apply for a card, be sure to read the terms to make sure there’s no annual fee to maximize your earnings.
5. Get ‘Free’ Stocks
Have you wanted to dabble in stocks but didn’t think you had the extra money to invest? Stock trader Robinhood gives you incentive to get started.
Open an account with Robinhood, and after approval and following a few steps, the company will give you credit to buy stock in one of 18 of “America’s leading companies,” according to its website. The credits range from $5 to $200, though most are on the lower end of that spectrum. Your credit won’t be enough to buy a full share — you’ll get a “fractional” share — but it’s a start.
Competitor Webull also offers a gift of free fractional stocks during specific promotional periods.
6. Search for Unclaimed Money
Unclaimed money includes dormant accounts, uncashed paychecks, utility company security deposit returns, insurance refunds and other funds that have been turned over to state governments and treasuries. The states won’t come looking for you if you have unclaimed funds, but you can search their databases for free.
7. Sell What You Don’t Wear
If your clothes are in good condition and you gravitate toward name brands, you could make money by selling your old clothes online. Resellers such as ThredUp and Poshmark give you a way to recoup money on that designer handbag or expensive shoes that you decide really aren’t your style.
8. Get Seated
If you live in one of a limited number of major cities across the United States, check out the Seated app. Through Seated, you can make a reservation or place a takeout order at what the company calls a “highly-vetted” dining establishment and get a reward back — usually $10 to $20 — with each purchase.
The rewards include gift cards to places like Amazon, Starbucks and Uber. The benefits are available at restaurants in New York City, Dallas, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago and Philadelphia.
Daria Uhlig and Barb Nefer contributed to the reporting for this article.
Data is accurate as of Aug. 26, 2022, and subject to change.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.
Our in-house research team and on-site financial experts work together to create content that’s accurate, impartial, and up to date. We fact-check every single statistic, quote and fact using trusted primary resources to make sure the information we provide is correct. You can learn more about GOBankingRates’ processes and standards in our editorial policy.
- CNBC Select. 2022. "The 5 best browser extensions that automatically find coupons at checkout."
