How To Get Free Money: 12 Easy, Proven Ways To Earn
When you need extra money, you often don’t have to look very far. Whether you need to pay the rent, a student loan or another bill — or you just like free money — these 12 simple ways to earn money can boost your bank account balance.
Explore: Your Biggest Money Etiquette Questions Answered
More: Should You Still Buy a Home in Today’s Market?
12 Ways To Get Free Money
In most cases, to get free money, you provide something of value and get something in return. You might open an account or download an app, or you might give your time and effort in filling out an application. In return, you can get money — or, perhaps, phone, internet or utility discounts. If you think about it, that’s kind of like free money because it’s money you would’ve had to spend otherwise.
Now that you know that these and other opportunities to earn free money are out there, it’s time to find out where to look.
Take Our Poll: How Do You Typically Split the Restaurant Bill?
Earn Rewards or Stock Investments
Free money offers can boost your savings or checking account balance. The only thing you need to do is move your funds, and many banks can handle that electronically. Here are some ways to take advantage of rewards or stock investments.
1. Take Advantage of Bank Promotions
One of the ways banks attract new business is by offering promotions. Just open an account and meet the promotion requirements to earn a bonus from one of these bank offers.
How much you can earn: Most bonus offers are $200 to $500, but you may find higher offers if you carry a high balance or receive large direct deposits.
What you need to do: Look for promotions at online banks and banks near you. Here’s a starting point for finding the best bank account promotions.
What you need to watch out for: You typically have to maintain a minimum balance or receive direct deposits to qualify.
How you’re paid: Money is typically deposited into the account you opened.
2. Get Free Stock Investments
When it comes to legitimate free money apps, stock apps are some of the best. You can earn money by investing in stock, and some even offer free stock.
How much you can earn: It varies by stock and whether the app is offering full stocks or fractional shares of stock. The value of stock rewards can range from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars.
What you need to do: Look for an investing app that offers free stock. For example:
Robinhood: This investing platform offers a free stock if you sign up through a referral link.
Stash: Stash’s debit card allows you to earn a percentage back as stock in a company you choose as a default or the companies you make purchases from. For example, if you buy from Walmart, you can earn Walmart stock.
What you need to watch out for: For some offers, you either need to refer someone or be referred by someone else.
How you’re paid: Stocks or fractional stocks are added to your portfolio.
3. Earn Credit Card Bonuses
Much like how banks offer bonuses to entice people to switch, credit cards offer sign-up bonuses. In most cases, you just need to purchase a specific amount to earn the bonus.
How much you can earn: It varies by card, but many offer $200 to $500 in cash or points.
What you need to do: Look for credit cards you’re likely to be approved for that offer sign-up bonuses .
What you need to watch out for: You need to have good credit or you’ll be declined for offers. Also, applying for too many cards can hurt your credit score.
How you’re paid: It varies by card; you could be credited points or a statement credit once you meet the requirements.
Look For Discounts
Another way to get free money is to look for discounts for essential services. Here are some options to consider.
4. Get Help With Utility Bills
Utility bills can make a significant dent in your budget. These government programs can provide free money assistance.
How much you can save:
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is administered by states, so your savings can vary.
Lifeline is a federal program that assists with phone, internet or bundled services and contributes $9.25 toward your bill.
What you need to do:
For LIHEAP: Visit the Office of Community Services website to find out who to contact in your state.
For Lifeline: Visit the Lifeline website to find a company that accepts it. If your current phone or internet provider accepts Lifeline, it can help you complete the application process.
What you need to watch out for: Both programs have income eligibility limits.
How you’re paid: Assistance is typically paid directly to the service provider.
Government Initiated
Various federal, state and local programs allow you to get free money from the government.
5. Take Advantage of Your Employer’s 401(k) Match
401(k)s are retirement funds, so you won’t see the money until later. Taking advantage of a 401(k) saves you money now, though, because your contributions are tax-deferred, so they lower your taxable income in the years you pay into your plan.
Even better, federal laws encourage employers to contribute funds. For example, your employer might match 100% of your contributions up to 5% of your salary, which means for every $1 you contribute, your employer will also contribute $1 up to that limit. That’s essentially free money.
How much you can earn: Over time, employers could contribute thousands to your 401(k), and you’ll likely defer hundreds or more on your taxes.
What you need to do: Sign up and contribute to your employer’s 401(k) plan. If you’re not sure where to start or what your employer matches, ask your human resources contact.
What you need to watch out for: You can contribute a maximum of $20,500 to a 401(k) in 2022 ($27,000 if you’re age 50 or older). Also, note that contributions are tax-deferred, not tax-free — you’ll pay tax on your contributions when you withdraw funds in retirement.
How you’re paid: The money grows in your account, and you can withdraw it without a penalty starting at age 59 ½ or if you experience hardship.
6. Search for Unclaimed Money
Unclaimed money includes dormant accounts, trust distributions, refunds and more that haven’t been claimed. It doesn’t hurt to see if you have any unclaimed funds. Finding out that you do could be almost like winning free money.
How much you can earn: Hundreds to thousands of dollars
What you need to do: Start your search online at the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators website. If you find unclaimed funds, the site will guide you to the appropriate site to file a claim.
What you need to watch out for: Ignore texts offering unclaimed money or letters that ask you to send funds in exchange for unclaimed assets. These are scams.
How you’re paid: Payment varies by type of unclaimed property.
Products and Services
You likely own items or can perform services that bring in extra money. Here are a few to consider.
7. Make Money From Your Old Devices
You may have old cellphones, computers or other tech devices that you no longer use. You can sell them and put some money in your pocket.
How much you can earn: Earnings vary depending on the device, its condition and where you’re selling it.
What you need to do:
Find your devices and remove your personal information.
Disable any anti-theft or device protection features.
Decide where to sell. You can sell on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craiglist or a site like Decluttr.
What you need to watch out for: If you’re selling it directly, make sure to get cash or use a reputable platform with seller protections to avoid falling victim to fraud.
How you’re paid: Payment is via cash or a platform like Venmo or PayPal. Decluttr offers direct deposit.
8. Sell Your Old Clothes
If your clothes are in good condition and you gravitate toward name brands, you could make money by selling your old clothes online.
How much you can earn: Earnings vary by site, and most take a cut of your earnings.
What you need to do: Sign up with a site like Poshmark or ThredUp.
ThredUp: The company photographs and lists your items.
Poshmark: The seller is required to photograph and list items.
What you need to watch out for: These services only accept certain brands and/or items in good condition.
How you’re paid: Payment is often by PayPal or direct deposit.
9. Sell Your Photos
If you have an eye for photography, you can make money by selling your professional-quality photos online.
How much you can earn: You earn a percentage each time your photo is downloaded for use. Typical earnings range from a few cents to over $100 per download, depending on the image and license offered.
What you need to do: Sign up with a site like Shutterstock or iStock by Getty Images.
Shutterstock: You must submit a portfolio of 10 images for review. If approved, you can start uploading images for sale.
iStock by Getty Images: You must submit three to six photos for review. If approved, you can start uploading imagines for sale.
What you need to watch out for: Follow the instructions for image size and whether model and property releases are needed.
How you’re paid: Online payments via PayPal, Payoneer or Skrill
Via Apps and Survey Sites
You’ve likely heard at least once in your life, “There’s an app for that.” And that statement holds true for getting free money, too. Here’s more.
10. Earn Money While You Shop
Many apps and browser extensions make it simple to earn money while you buy the things you need.
How much you can earn: The earnings might seem small but can add up to $100 or more over the course of a year.
What you need to do: Download an app or browser extension. Popular options include:
Rakuten: Ibotta app or a browser with the extension installed.
If you shop in person, you can link loyalty cards and upload receipts.
What you need to watch out for: Not every shopping site offers cash back, so review your app for the best places to shop.How you’re paid: PayPal or linked bank account
11. Take Surveys
Marketing companies want to know what you think, and you can turn that into free money.
How much you can earn: Surveys typically don’t pay much, but your earnings can add up over the course of a year.
What you need to do: Sign up with a survey site. Some sites are currently offering sign-up bonuses. Options include:
InboxDollars: $5 for signing up
Pinecone Research: Sign-up bonus not currently offered
What you need to watch out for: Not everyone will qualify for every survey, and some can take a long time to complete.
How you’re paid: Payments are made via PayPal or check.
12. Watch TV and Use the Internet
Advertisers also want to know what you watch and your internet surfing habits.
How much you can earn: Like with surveys, you don’t earn a lot, but it’s for doing things you enjoy, like watching TV or listening to music.
What you need to do: Sign up with a site. Options include:
What you need to watch out for: IRazoo requires you to reach 3,000 points before you can receive payment. Swagbucks requires that you reach 2,500 points to redeem points for cash via PayPal.
How you’re paid: Both sites offer gift cards and cash payments via PayPal.
More From GOBankingRates
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How To Get Free Money: 12 Easy, Proven Ways To Earn
