8 Unusual Ways To Make Extra Money (That Actually Work)

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Between rising costs of living, stagnant wages and the lingering effects of inflation, our money just doesn’t seem to go as far as it used to. Rent is skyrocketing, grocery runs nearly break the bank, and going out for dinner is starting to feel like a distant memory…

We could all use some extra cash. But it’s not exactly easy to just go out and snag a higher-paying job — and who has time for a second job? 

Luckily, there are some pretty clever ways you probably didn’t realize you can make extra money without getting a new job — and they actually work.

1. Grow Your Money More Than 10x Faster

If you’re keeping your money in a traditional savings account, you’re missing out on some serious growth. You need an account that lets you earn competitive interest on your everyday balance. 

With a Langley High Yield Savings Account, you’ll earn 3.60% — that’s more than 10 times the national average interest on a savings account, which pays just 0.33% APY, according to the NCUA*.

The Langley High Yield Savings Account has no fees, no minimums, and your money is insured up to $250,000.

Want to start growing your money more than 10 times faster? It only takes a few minutes to open an account

2. Diversify Your Portfolio With Precious Metals

If the past few years have shown us anything, it’s that disruptions to the market can come out of nowhere. Between the pandemic, supply-chain issues and bear markets, a lot of people’s retirement savings felt the impact. 

That’s why it can be a smart idea to look for ways to protect your retirement savings from the unpredictable. For a lot of people, investing in precious metals is a way to diversify and protect their investments.

One way to do this is with a precious metals IRA through a company like Thor Metals Group. Precious metals often outperform other investments in a volatile market, and their value tends to rise with inflation, making them an effective hedge during uncertain economic times.

Opening a gold or silver IRA is easy, and you can roll over funds from existing retirement accounts without any taxes or penalty fees. Or you can buy gold and silver directly from Thor Metals Group’s extensive collection.

Worried you may need to sell your precious metals in the future? Thor Metals Group offers a no-fee buy-back program. Plus, Thor Metals Group has an A rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Want to diversify and safeguard your investments by adding gold and silver to your portfolio? It’s easy to get started here and get your free report. Right now, Thor Metals Group is offering up to $20,000 in free metals on qualifying purchases — plus, you’ll pay no account fees for 2026.

3. Use a High-Yield Savings Account with a Competitive APY

Most people have a savings account. But too many people keep their money in a savings account that isn’t growing their money as fast as it could be. As of Jan. 20, 2026, the national average interest rate on a savings account was just 0.39%. 

To make sure your money is working for you, look for a high-yield savings account with a competitive APY, like the Capital One 360 Performance Savings account, which pays APY — more than eight times the national average.

Want to start growing your savings more than eight times faster? It’s simple to get started below and see how much you could earn.

4. Grow Your Money More Than 13x Faster

This one’s almost too easy. If you’re keeping your savings in a traditional savings account, it’s probably not doing much for you. In fact, the latest numbers from the FDIC show that the average savings account only pays 0.39% APY.* 

If you want to grow your money faster — 13 times faster* — one option you might consider is the Gainbridge® FastBreak™ annuity. You’ll earn up to APY** on this annuity, which comes with a self-managed platform and the ability to withdraw your money without a tax penalty before age 59 1/2. 

An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company that promises you a future payout in regular installments, usually monthly and often for life. The Gainbridge® FastBreak™ annuity comes in three to 10 year terms, in premiums of $1,000 to $1 million, and you’re able to withdraw up to 10% of the account value each year.** 

The FastBreak™ annuity is self-directed, easy to set up and comes with 30 days to cancel your contract if you change your mind. 

Want to start growing your money 13 times faster than if you kept it in a savings account? Get started here to start earning up to APY**.

5. Your Savings Could Grow Up to 21x Faster  

Most people have a savings account. But too many people keep their money in a traditional savings account, where they’re missing out on serious growth. 

With an AlumniFi High-Yield Savings Account, your savings can earn up to 4.00% APY,* which is 21 times higher than the average credit union savings account (which pays just 0.15% APY*)

Even better? AlumniFi keeps things simple. There is no minimum balance, no monthly maintenance or overdraft fees, and you’ll have access to more than 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs.  

Your deposits are also federally insured to at least $250,000, and the account is backed by MSU Federal Credit Union, one of the largest credit unions in the country. 

If your current savings account isn’t earning much, switching to a high-yield option could help your money grow faster. Get started here and watch your money grow. 

6. Pocket an Extra $325 When You Open This Checking Account

Keeping your cash in the right place is one of the easiest ways to boost your balance.

When you open a new Wells Fargo Everyday Checking account, you can earn a $325 bonus. All you have to do is make $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits within 90 days of opening the account. After the 90-day qualification period, Wells Fargo will deposit your bonus within 30 days, as long as you’ve met the requirements.

You’ll also get FDIC insurance, 24/7 fraud monitoring, and access to an app with a 4.9-star rating.

Want to add an extra $325 to your wallet? It takes just minutes to open an account.

7. Stop Wasting $1,100 a Year on Car Insurance

Sometimes, the easiest way to put money in your pocket is to find out where you’re wasting it. And most people are seriously overpaying for car insurance — by as much as $1,100 a year.

Fortunately, Insurify lets you compare all your car insurance options at once — and it can put an extra $1,025 a year back in your wallet. 

Just enter some basic details about your car and background, you’ll get customized quotes you can review on your own time and from the comfort of home. 

Want to add up to $1,100 back to your wallet this year? It’s easy to get started here and see how much you can save.

8. Get Up to $3,000 in Free Stock Just For Investing

While your cash sits in a basic account doing absolutely nothing, smart investors are growing their wealth effortlessly – and getting up to $3,000 in free stock just for opening and funding a new SoFi Active Invest account.

Whether you’re new to investing or a seasoned pro, SoFi® makes it easy to start, manage and grow your portfolio by investing in stocks, ETFs and even fractional shares, meaning you can own a slice of your favorite company without having to buy a full share.

Traditional investing platforms charge fees that eat away at your gains. But with SoFi Active Invest, you keep more of what you earn: There are no commissions on stocks and ETFs, no account minimums and no hidden fees.

It takes just a few minutes to open an account. Get started here and fund your account within 45 days to earn up to $3,000. 

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*NCUA Credit Union and Bank Rates

*Source: FDIC, national average of savings, week of 1/20/26. Rates subject to change.

*SoFi: Probability of Member receiving $3,000 is a probability of 0.026%; If you don’t make a selection in 45 days, you’ll no longer qualify for the promo. Customer must fund their account with a minimum of $50.00 to qualify. Probability percentage is subject to decrease.

Other fees, such as exchange fees, may apply. Please view SoFi’s fee disclosure to view a full listing of fees

There are limitations with fractional shares to consider before investing. During market hours fractional share orders are transmitted immediately in the order received. There may be system delays from receipt of your order until execution and market conditions may adversely impact execution prices. Outside of market hours orders are received on a not held basis and will be aggregated for each security then executed in the morning trade window of the next business day at market open. Share will be delivered at an average price received for executing the securities through a single batched order. Fractional shares may not be transferred to another firm. Fractional shares will be sold when a transfer or closure request is initiated. Please consider that selling securities is a taxable event.

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

*Source: FDIC, national average of savings, week of 1/20/26. Rates subject to change.**Gainbridge®: Annuity rates are subject to change at any time, and the rate mentioned may no longer be current. Please visit Gainbridge.io for current rates, full product disclosures and disclaimer. Withdrawals above the 10% free withdrawal amount are subject to a withdrawal charge and market-value adjustment. FastBreak™ is issued by Gainbridge Life Insurance Company in Zionsville, Indiana. FastBreak™ is not a tax-deferred annuity; instead, it is taxed annually.

AlumniFi: *APY = Annual Percentage Yield. See full rates and terms at alumnifi.org/rates. 
‡Competitor’s checking account with a 0.15% APY – $2,500 average based on the credit unions national average rate, as of 12/26/25, as reflected on NCUA Credit Union and Bank Rates. 

Capital One interest rates accurate as of 03/12/2026. See website for all current rates. Savings vary depending on account usage and payment behavior.

GOBankingRates maintains editorial independence. While we may receive compensation from actions taken after clicking on links within our content, no content has been supplied by any advertiser prior to publication.

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