5 Wealth-Building Shortcuts Proven To Add $1K to Your Wallet This Month    

High angle view of unrecognizable mature man placing USA Dollar bills into wallet stock photo

It goes without saying that you could use an extra $1,000 this month. Every month, really. Whether you’re standing in the egg aisle watching prices climb or getting closer to a major savings goal, that money could make a real difference. But $1,000 is a large amount of money to make in such a short amount of time. How can you possibly do it? 

Fortunately, it’s easier than you might think. You can even make money playing games or exploring investment opportunities on your phone — things you do anyway. With some simple and fun tasks, you can create shortcuts that put more cash in your wallet each month.

1. Add Up to $20K in Free Precious Metals to Your Portfolio

If the past few years have shown us anything, it’s that market disruptions can come out of nowhere and impact your retirement savings. 

That’s why many people invest in precious metals to diversify and protect their wealth: Precious metals often rise in value during uncertain economic times.

One option is a precious metals IRA through a company called Thor Metals Group — right now, you can even get up to $20,000 in free metals on qualifying purchases.

Opening an account is easy, and you can roll over funds from existing retirement accounts or buy gold and silver directly from Thor Metals Group.

If you decide to sell your precious metals in the future, Thor Metals Group offers a no-fee buy-back program. Plus, they have an A rating with the Better Business Bureau.Want to diversify and safeguard your investments? It’s easy to get started here and get your free report. Plus, you could get up to $20,000 in free metals on qualifying purchases — and, you’ll pay no account fees for 2026.

2. Invest in Real-Estate Loans — and Earn 8.1% in Dividends

Loaning people money and charging interest is one of the ways large institutions and the ultra-wealthy earn passive income. It’s not something that’s typically available to the average person.

But with the Arrived Private Credit Fund, you can invest in a portfolio of real-estate loans that pay dividends monthly — with a historic yield of 8.10% annualized dividends.

Arrived is a platform backed by Jeff Bezos, Marc Benioff, and other top-tier investors, with more than 800,000 registered users and nearly $300 million invested.

Here’s how it works: You’ll invest in a diversified portfolio of loans across the U.S. that help fund renovations, rehabs, and new home construction. As borrowers pay the loan back, the interest is distributed among investors like you on a monthly basis. Historically, this has yielded investors 8.10% annualized dividends.

Want to start earning passive income like the ultra-wealthy do? It’s simple to get started here and see how much you could earn.

3. Use an Annuity to Earn Guaranteed Growth on Your Retirement Savings

If you want to build wealth, it’s smart to start thinking about your long-term goals and how you can protect what you’ve built against the unknown — like a stock market downturn tanking your 401(k) before retirement.

That’s where an annuity can come in — they can provide a guaranteed stream of income during retirement at a fixed rate. No stock-market risk involved.

You can get started with a Gainbridge® FastBreak™ annuity with a minimum investment of just $1,000. The more you invest, the higher rate you can earn — up to 5.20% APY**. The best part? There’s no risk to your investment. 

For context, 5.20% APY is more than 13 times* the average rate on a savings account. Plus, your principal amount is fully protected, unlike when you invest in the stock market.

The FastBreak™ annuity is self-directed, easy to set up and comes with 30 days to cancel your contract if you change your mind. Plus you can access up to 10% of your money each year without penalties — even if you’re under 59½. 

Looking for a predictable, stable way to grow your retirement savings without risking any of your principal investment? Get started here with as little as $1,000 to earn 4.90% APY, or deposit more to earn up to 5.20% APY.

4. Stop Wasting $1,025 a Year on Car Insurance

Sometimes, the most effective way to save money is to stop spending it on overpriced services — like insurance that is far more expensive than it should be. 

Over time, those extra costs can add up to hundreds of dollars per year. To pump the brakes on this excess spending, use Insurify, a platform that lets you easily compare car insurance policies — and it can save you up to $1,025 a year.

On a single platform, you can browse insurance offerings from some of the most respected providers. After entering basic details about your needs, you’ll receive customized quotes that you can review on your own time from the comfort of your own 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.

5. 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.

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Bottom Line

Ready to start adding some extra cash to your wallet this month? Make sure you’re using the best checking, savings and CD accounts here.

*Source: FDIC, national average of savings, week of 12/15/25. Rates subject to change.

Instacash® is subject to terms and eligibility requirements. 

* Fees apply for optional Turbo delivery within minutes 

 *Source: FDIC, national average of savings, week of 12/15/25. 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.

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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