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

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. Get Access to Up to $500 Whenever You Need It
We’ve all been there: Sometimes an unexpected bill pops up, or there’s an emergency you just don’t have the money to cover until payday.
Rather than turn to a payday loan, use an app like MoneyLion’s Instacash®. It will let you access up to $500 when you need it most — with no interest, no credit check and no mandatory fees with 1 to 5 business day delivery*.
Just download the MoneyLion app to sign up for Instacash, link your eligible bank account where your paycheck lands to see if you qualify, then select the amount of cash you want, up to $500.
Plus, your repayments are automated based on your pay schedule, so you can set it and forget it.
Want access to up to $500 whenever you need it? It takes just a few minutes to download the app for free and get started.
2. Stop Wasting $1,025 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 $1,025 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 $1,025 back to your wallet this year? It’s easy to get started here and see how much you can save.
3. Get Paid $17 a Day to Play Free Games on Your Phone
We all have a game or two we like to play on our phone during our free time. Wouldn’t it be nice to get paid real cash for it? That’s exactly what a free site called Scrambly does — the average person earns $17 per day.
Scrambly works with developers who want to get their games and apps in front of new people, and they’re willing to pay you to try them. When you sign up, you can browse more than 150 free games and apps. Just find one you like and start getting paid.
You don’t need to play long, either — you can earn by playing just a few minutes at a time. And it’s all completely free. In fact, if you make an in-app purchase on a Scrambly-discovered app, they’ll give you cash back.
Once you earn $1, you can cash out instantly via PayPal, Visa, Amazon Google Play and Apple. More than 2 million people already use Scrambly, and the average person cashes out in just six minutes.
Ready to start pocketing up to $500 a month in extra cash just for playing free games on your phone? Get started here and see how much you can earn. Right now, you’ll even get a 500 coin signup bonus.
4. Diversify Your Portfolio With Precious Metals — And Get Up to $20K in Free Metals
If the past few years have shown us anything, it’s that market disruptions can come out of nowhere and have a huge impact on people’s retirement savings.
That’s why a lot of people are investing in precious metals to diversify and protect their investments — they often outperform other investments in volatile markets, and their value tends to rise with inflation.
One way to do this is with a precious metals IRA through a company like Thor Metals Group. Right now, you can even get up to $20,000 in free metals on qualifying purchases.
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 2025.
5. Use This App to Get $300+ in Annual Value While You Build Credit — No Hidden Fees, No Interest
Building credit can feel impossible if you don’t already have it. Most cards either reject you or stick you with sky-high fees and interest.
But with an app called Fizz, you can actually get over $300 in annual value via rewards while you build your credit.
Here’s how it works: Become a Fizz Member for less than a cup of coffee a month. Connect your existing bank account and apply for a line of credit to use for everyday purchases. Then, turn on daily autopay, and Fizz will report your on-time repayments to the credit bureaus — so you can build your credit while your wallet grows, too.
You can earn over $300 in annual value along the way, including 3% cash back in a category of your choice, cash-back rewards at merchants near you, and flash deals worth up to 100% cash-back at popular spots.
Unlike traditional credit cards, there are no hidden fees, no interest and no ATM or foreign-transaction fees. More than 100,000 people already use the Fizz app.
Want to pocket an extra $300 in annual value or more while you boost your credit? Download Fizz on iOS and Android and start earning. You could get approved for up to a $1,000 line of credit today.
6. Get Up to $1,000 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 $1,000 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 $1,000.
*Moneylion: Instacash® is subject to terms and eligibility requirements.
* Fees apply for optional Turbo delivery within minutes
*Fizz: ShoulderTap Technologies, Inc. d/b/a Fizz (together with its subsidiaries, “Fizz”) is not a bank. The Fizz Debit Mastercard® (“Fizz Mastercard”) is issued by Patriot Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. The Fizz Visa® Debit Card (together with the Fizz Mastercard, the “Fizz Card”) is issued by Lead Bank, Member FDIC. Loans offered in connection with the Fizz Card are originated by Lead Bank. Any promotions or rewards offered in connection with the Fizz Card are offered and managed by Fizz, not our bank partners. Increases or specific changes to your credit score are not guaranteed. Impact on your credit score may vary depending on your use. Fizz is required to report late payments, missed payments, or other defaults on your account, which may negatively impact your credit score.
*Terms and eligibility restrictions apply. See joinfizz.com for details. Over $300 in annual value of Fizz Card based on cash value available to Fizz Card users assuming half of all available rewards and promotions are used. Membership is subject to a periodic, recurring subscription fee. Fizz Members may choose to apply for a Fizz Card, but are not required to. Fizz Membership does not guarantee access to a Fizz Card. Application and eligibility restrictions apply. You may apply for the Fizz Card without subscribing to the Membership by contacting support@joinfizz.com.
*SoFi: Probability of Member receiving $1,000 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
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