7 of the Best Money-Making Apps of 2024
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For those looking to earn money in an easily accessible way, apps provide plenty of avenues to consider. You can use your smartphone to take surveys, pick up a side gig, sell your unwanted stuff and more.
Here’s the scoop on seven free money-making apps. NerdWallet considered apps with at least 3.8 stars and 25,000 reviews in both Google Play and the iOS App Store.
7 of the best apps to make money
- Shopping for Medicare plans? We have you covered.
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- NERDUP BY NERDWALLET
- How to maximize your rewards
- Still deciding on the right carrier? Compare Medicare Advantage plans
- Simplifying tax time with accounting software
- Top-rated parent loan lenders
- 1. Inpatient hospital care
- Nearest airports
- 1. Emotion management is key to money management
- If your employer offers health insurance
- Amazon
- 1. Delay your application
- 1. Earn with ads as a YouTube Partner Program member
- Find financing to pay off your lease
- 1. ThredUP
- EVs can provide long-term fuel savings
- Pay more than minimums
- Term life insurance
- 1. Create educational content or activities
- Understanding your results
- 1. Select an online stockbroker
- Coinsurance
- 1. A generous sign-up bonus
- Alliant Credit Union: Best credit union
- 1. Frontier will notify you of flight changes
- 1. You still owe your debts …
- Google’s Search Network
- 1. Accounting and bookkeeping
- Grants.gov
- U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
- First Internet Bank Business CD
- 1. Ibotta
- Education level
- If your employer doesn’t offer health insurance
- 1. Pick up freelance work online
- 1. Figure out if you are eligible
- Two important notes
- Size
- A faster reservations process
- 2. Money is a tool to help you create the life you desire
- The real cost of your home
- 1. Roll your debts onto a balance transfer credit card
- Our pick for: Simplicity
- 1. Keep your charges on each card to a minimum
- Understand the budgeting process
- Check if private student loans are right for you
- Earning points
- 2. Offer virtual team-building
- 1. Know your deadlines
- What are American Airlines Flagship Hawaii flights?
- Use your results to save money
- 1. Check your EIN confirmation notice
- T-Mobile
- Copay
- Standard with ads: $6.99 per month
- VA renovation loan
- Ally Bank: Best bank and best CDs
- 1. Gather your documents.
- 2. … but you might make your payments to someone else
- Coverage eligibility
- What to know about cash advance apps
- Monthly after-tax income
- A list of the financial aid types and amounts awarded
- State and local government grants
- Our pick for: A low interest rate
- Debt snowball
- How to unfreeze credit with Experian
- Discover it® Cash Back and Citi Double Cash® Card
- How being an authorized user can help you build credit
- Child tax credit 2023 (taxes filed in 2024)
- 2. Bonus earnings on travel, dining, select streaming services and online grocery purchases
- Ability to skip the line when you drop off your car
- 1. Retirement plans for retirement goals
- Life insurance and the COVID-19 vaccine
- Best for those with any 529 plan: Fisher-Price College Savings Mastercard
- 2. Business consulting
- Step 1: Enter your personal information
- If any of these situations apply to you
- Your guest gets the qualifying night credit toward status — not you
- Alaska credit cards with free baggage
- Live Oak Business CD
- Whole life insurance
- 3. Start a meal-prep business
- Welcome bonus
- 2. Work longer
- Major airlines flying to New York
- Verizon
- 2. Research the stocks you want to buy
- Deductible
- 10-night trip, peak summer travel season
- 1. Set financial goals
- Charles Schwab: Best for ATM access
- 2. It’ll try to book you on the next available flight
- Our pick for: Introductory offers and rewards
- 1. Donate to a qualifying organization
- Minimum down payments and credit scores
- 3. Your credit score will fall
- Google’s Display Network
- 50% of your income: needs
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs
- Cheap auto insurance from large companies
- Unlimited classes
- Debt avalanche
- SBA loans
- 2. Skilled nursing facility care
- EBay
- 2. Gather your financial records
- 2. Check other places your EIN could be recorded
- Those who are credit invisible
- Durability and security
- Access to deals and rewards
- Amica: Best for customer service
- American Express
- Standard: $15.49 per month
- Traditional 401(k)
- 2. Get a transcript if you need one.
- Big three prepaid plans
- Your cost of attendance
- You can bestow Globalist benefits unlimited times — as long as you keeping booking on points for your friends
- Online personal loan
- Alliant: Best for fast funding
- Field of study and school attended
- Income taxes for single-member LLCs
- 4. Create a food waste solution
- Comparing health insurance plans: HMO vs. PPO vs. EPO vs. POS
- 2. Decide what type of investor you are
- Child tax credit 2024 (taxes filed in 2025)
- Premium
- Seven-night trip, shoulder season
- Our pick for: Chime users
- 3. Think about what makes you happy
- Chase: Best for sign-up bonuses and best for branch access
- 1. Practice with fake money
- Amica: Best homeowners insurance for customer satisfaction
- Tuesday and Friday flights can help you avoid the rush earlier in the week
- 3. Marketing services
- Step 2: Account for multiple jobs
- Small Business Development Centers
- 2. Ask for higher credit limits
- Day and guest passes
- Automate
- Redeeming points
- How being an authorized user could hurt your credit
- What are the other American flights to Hawaii?
- 1. Open a brokerage account
- 2. Poshmark
- 3. Use the proper forms.
- If you qualify for a hardship withdrawal
- You can eliminate some maintenance costs
- Changes and cancellations
- TAB Bank Business CD
- Advantages of a lady bird deed
- 2. Rakuten
- How to unfreeze credit with Equifax
- 5. Capitalize on plant-based foods
- Bonanza
- 3. Earn more
- Best points and miles for cheap flights to New York City
- Other student loan calculators
- Those with a thin credit file
- Step 1: Find a gold ETF
- Hertz perks
- Bank of America®
- Premium: $22.99 per month
- Discover® Bank: Best online banking experience
- 2. Low-cost brokerage accounts for (nonretirement) financial goals
- Best for those with a Upromise account: Upromise Mastercard
- 4. You have options
- 30% of your income: wants
- 4. Real estate business
- 2. Apply for a credit card consolidation loan
- Minority Business Development Agency Centers
- Your guest's stay can't be booked online
- How it works
- 1. Calculate the car payment you can afford
- Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard
- Referral program
- Traditional bank loans
- Formation
- Look for a summary of benefits
- Annual fee
- 3. Complete the proper tax forms
- 2. Test websites and apps
- Credit requirements
- Google Fi Wireless
- Out-of-pocket maximum
- 3. 10% point bonus each year
- Budget for repairs even before you buy
- 2. Track your money
- EveryDollar
- 2. Actually invest your money
- 3. You might be able to request a refund
- 4. Consider a payment plan if you can't afford your tax bill.
- Debt-to-income ratios
- Wednesdays and Saturdays are the cheapest day to fly internationally
- Cheap car insurance from midsize companies
- Crypto.com DeFi Wallet: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- First Tech: Best for co-sign and joint loan options
- Income taxes for multi-member LLCs
- 6. Start a dropshipping business
- 3. Call the IRS to locate your EIN
- Step 2: Analyze the ETF
- Interior storage space
- VA and USDA loans: 0% down payment
- SoFi: Best for checking account overall and best checking account for overdraft fee avoidance
- 1. Address your feelings about money
- 1. The home must be your principal residence
- Step 3: Claim dependents, including children
- You must book with points or a free night award
- Discounts
- U.S. Bank Business CD Special
- Weigh your family’s medical needs
- 3. Hospice benefits
- Needs
- Boost
- Stay on the beach or rent a car every day, but don’t do both
- Other perks
- What to do if the credit bureau made an error
- 5. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
- 20% of your income: savings and debt
- 5. Event planning
- Find the net price
- Where to get it
- Does basic economy get a carry-on on United?
- Disadvantages of a lady bird deed
- 0% balance transfer credit card
- Online lenders
- Operations and management
- Bonus points at IHG hotels
- 3. Choose how much you want to invest
- If your income exceeds the Roth IRA limits
- 4. A 25% boost when redeeming for travel via Chase
- Country Financial: Best for using an agent
- HMBradley
- Capital One
- 4. Homeownership doesn't have to be a financial goal
- VA cash-out refinance
- UFB Direct: Best savings account
- Credit Karma
- Roth 401(k)
- 3. Explore funds over individual stocks
- 2. Document your charitable contributions
- Best for a flat cash-back rate: CollegeCounts 529 Rewards Visa Card
- Step 4: Refine your withholdings
- EV subsidies and incentives can save you money
- 3. Set up balance alerts to stay on top of spending
- Free training
- Average annual life insurance rates for women
- 7. Curate subscription boxes
- Consider whether you want a referral system of care
- 4. Consider your spouse
- Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- 4. Lean on a tax professional
- DTI for VA loan
- Best insurance company overall: Travelers
- 2. Find and compare ETFs with screening tools
- 3. Decide how many shares to buy
- Conventional mortgages: As low as 3% down payment
- Fly on the holidays (or as far from it as possible)
- Strategy 1: Negotiate the out-the-door price
- Best insurance company overall: Travelers
- 6. Video production
- The percentage method
- Think beyond year one
- Fast Break for Small Business
- Delta credit cards with free baggage
- 1. States with no income tax
- Our pick for: Gas station spending
- Credit union personal loan
- Regions Business CD
- PenFed: Best for a seamless application process
- Personal loans
- Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, OfferUp
- 3. Learn to use AI tools
- 2. Take a cut with affiliate marketing
- 5. A $50 hotel credit
- Figure out base project costs
- 3. Budget for emergencies
- Vio Bank: Best money market account
- 3. Index funds and ETFs
- 4. Research stocks the right way
- 2. Get an accountability partner
- 2. You must have owned the home for at least two years
- Mortgage insurance
- American Forces Travel
- Best for those with a Greenlight subscription
- 1. Making money
- Step 5: Sign and date your W-4
- If you are converting your 401(k) to an IRA
- Zengo Wallet: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Allow up to 50% of your income for needs
- 3. Swagbucks
- Average annual life insurance rates for men
- Choosing corporate tax status for your LLC
- How to unfreeze credit with TransUnion
- 4. Home health services
- Wants
- LifeLock pros
- Step 3: Buy the gold ETF
- FHA loans: As low as 3.5% down payment
- Goodbudget
- What to do if the debt collector made an error
- 3. The RealReal
- 4. If your re-booked flight is at least three hours later, you’ll receive a meal voucher
- Our pick for: Elevated rewards
- But wait, there’s more
- 7. Podcasting
- Eligible properties
- 2. Calculate the car loan amount you can afford
- Stock mutual funds = higher potential returns (or losses)
- What qualifies:
- Personal loan calculator
- 4. Select a provider to open your Roth IRA
- If your income reduces your Roth IRA contribution
- 6. Combine points from multiple cards
- Wheels and maneuverability
- Oportun
- Citi
- 3. You must have lived in the house for at least two years in the five-year period before you sold it
- Cheap car insurance after a speeding ticket
- 4. Pay your bill before your issuer reports to the credit bureaus
- Wells Fargo Special Fixed Rate Business CD
- Average annual full coverage car insurance premium by company
- Taxes
- 1. Cash dividends
- 8. Create an airport-centric app
- Our pick for: No credit check at all
- Airline points and miles programs
- Jumbo loans: As low as 5%-10% down payment (varies)
- 5. Check your emotions at the door
- 3. Set clear goals
- Strategy 2: Make a preemptive refusal
- IFundWomen Universal Grant Application Database
- EVs are better for the environment
- 2. States with flat income tax rates
- Our pick for: Online purchases
- Credit card
- Navy Federal: Best for military members
- Earning points
- What doesn't qualify:
- Spending bonus
- 5. Investigate divorced spouse benefits
- Dun & Bradstreet business credit scores
- Eat cheaper
- Add a budget buffer
- 4. Tackle high-interest debt
- 3. Don’t miss out on tax deductions for volunteering
- Andover Companies: Best homeowners insurance for coverage
- Armed Forces Vacation Club
- Best for those with a Fidelity 529 plan: Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Card
- 8. IT consulting
- Experience level
- 2. Stock dividends
- 9. Become a destination wedding planner
- What about an HDHP with a health savings account?
- Savings and debt repayment
- 1. Find a dividend-paying stock
- LifeLock cons
- 4. Buy stocks using the right order type for you
- Turn your car in for another of the same brand
- 7. Transfer points to airline and hotel partners
- Erie: Best in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest
- Where to stash home-repair money
- 4. Help from robo-advisors
- 5. Verify whether you’re protected by your credit card
- 4. You cannot have claimed the home sale capital gains exclusion recently
- 3. Tap your home equity for a loan or line of credit
- The aggregate method
- 3. States with progressive tax structures
- How it works
- Find preapproved auto loans
- Average annual full coverage car insurance premium by age
- Leave 30% of your income for wants
- Choose term life if you:
- Redeeming points
- Poshmark
- Did you start freelancing?
- 3. Place the trade
- Price
- Outline your funding plans
- Chase
- 1. Find a dividend-paying stock
- 4. Grailed
- Best for those with a Merrill 529 plan: Bank of America® credit cards
- Strategy 3: Have a fallback answer
- 9. Catering
- Amber Grant for Women
- EV range can still be a sticking point
- PayPal Cashback Mastercard®
- Bond mutual funds = lower returns (but lower risk)
- 4. Fiverr
- 3. Dividend reinvestment programs (DRIPs)
- 10. Make local guides
- How to use American Airlines AAdvantage miles
- 3. Land a brand deal and make sponsored content
- Sesame Cash
- VA loan for energy efficiency (EEM)
- 4. Keep the deadline in mind
- 5. You cannot have bought the house through a like-kind exchange
- How to maximize your rewards
- Free online tax filing software compared
- 5. Monitor your total credit utilization
- Guarda: 4.6 out of 5 stars
- Choose whole life if you:
- Elite status
- Ruby Lane
- 6. Add your minor child
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express and Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- 4. Take surveys for money
- Equifax business credit scores
- Turn your car in, then buy or lease a different brand
- 8. Worldwide acceptance
- Hotel loyalty programs
- 5. Plan for retirement
- 6. Keep an investing journal
- 4. Show up in other ways
- 1. You avoid having the IRS do it for you.
- Deductibles, limits and payouts
- Mortgage rates
- Hotels.com
- 10. Social media management
- 3. Set a target purchase price
- Cheap auto insurance after an accident
- Location
- 4. Special dividends
- 2. Evaluate the stock
- Cruising further from the U.S.
- Earned income restriction
- Best insurance company for affordability: NJM
- Your money management style
- Sample letter requesting a goodwill deletion
- But wait, there’s more
- 6. You cannot be subject to expatriate tax
- Best insurance company for affordability: NJM
- National Association for the Self-Employed Growth Grant
- JetBlue credit cards with free baggage
- Where to get it
- CareCredit
- Money market mutual funds = lowest returns, lowest risk
- 11. Create a local grocery delivery service
- Why does the network matter?
- Did you receive a loan through the Paycheck Protection Program?
- 5. Gather your paperwork
- General Electric
- Market orders
- Our pick for: Current users
- Size
- Devise an 'oh crud' plan
- It’s a home, not an investment
- 2. Evaluate the stock
- 2. You can pay your tax bill in installments.
- Note: Qualifications have been adjusted for 2021
- Commit 20% of your income to savings and debt paydown
- Debt management plan
- Leverage elite status
- Legal protection
- 5. Preferred dividends
- Perks that are the same
- Etsy
- Our pick for: Beginner-friendly features
- Certain repositioning cruises
- Disability housing grants
- Consider a condo
- U.S. Bank
- Bonus features
- Additional standard deduction 2023 (taxes due 2024)
- Book one to three months in advance
- 11. Business planning service
- Bizee’s Fresh Start Business Grant
- You can use credit card benefits to travel in basic economy
- Our pick for: Simple cash back
- Exodus: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- 12. Start a virtual event planning company
- Do you have preferred doctors?
- NerdWallet's List of Best QuickBooks Alternatives
- 7. Suspend your benefit
- Citi Premier® Card and Citi Custom Cash® Card
- 3. Decide how much stock you want to buy
- Experian business credit scores
- 4. Sit back and relax
- 4. Sell some merch
- In network
- 9. Coverage if your trip is canceled or delayed
- USAA: Best for military and veterans
- MoCaFi
- 6. Optimize your finances with tax planning
- 7. Know your strategy
- 5. Vestiaire Collective
- 3. The government might owe you money.
- Best for those with a SoFi Loan: SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card
- Nationwide the EV infrastructure is in its infancy
- 2023 tax rates by state
- Bankruptcy
- Demographics
- 6. Dividend funds
- Excess Roth IRA contributions
- Travel
- 3. Decide how much stock you want to buy
- Account linking
- Our pick for: A 0% introductory APR
- Additional standard deduction 2024 (taxes due 2025)
- Loan limits
- Base hotels
- 2. Managing money
- 12. Tax consulting
- 4. Borrow from your 401(k)
- 1. Review your W-4
- 5. Upwork
- Is a large network important?
- Benefits unique to the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- 5. Make money from your blog with affiliate links
- Native American Direct Loan
- How to use British Airways Avios for a flight to Hawaii
- Out of network
- 10. Baggage delay insurance
- Durability and security
- 4. You can avoid problems getting a loan.
- What’s covered and what’s not
- Chubb: Best homeowners insurance for high-value homes
- Home equity line of credit
- Debt settlement
- Government bonds
- Paperwork and compliance
- 13. Sell zero-waste products
- Filing status
- Swappa, Gazelle
- Did you work in multiple states?
- 6. Pick your investments
- Wells Fargo
- How long do things last?
- Venmo Small Business Grant
- There are upfront costs to charge at home
- United credit cards with free baggage
- Cheapest car insurance after a DUI
- Coinbase Wallet: 4.4 out of 5 stars
- Watch the calendar
- Consider paying with miles
- 8. Use a do-over
- In case of medical emergencies
- Citigroup
- 5. Offer memberships
- 11. Rental car coverage
- Pay with a credit card that earns bonus rewards on rental cars
- Security
- 5. Safeguard your Social Security.
- Best for a big sign-up bonus: Laurel Road Student Loan Cashback Credit Card
- How it works
- Perks await when you fly economy with elite status
- 14. Make products for pets
- Earned income
- 1. Automate transfers
- Limit orders
- Interior storage space
- Dave
- 7. Invest to build your future goals
- Property standards
- Set a price alert
- Which credit cards to use for primary coverage
- 13. PR agency
- 2. Make sure your bonus is actually taxable
- Set cash aside
- Dividend per share (DPS)
- Our pick for: Fixed monthly payments
- Hilton
- Cell phone insurance deductible
- 12. Travel assistance
- How to have more taxes taken out of your paycheck
- 15. Create custom clothing
- Expenses
- Know your health insurance terms
- 6. Sell your wares on Etsy
- How to use Alaska miles for an American flight to Hawaii
- How quickly could the IRS implement the child tax credit expansion?
- Pay with points and miles
- Amica vs. State Farm home insurance
- Customer support
- Armed Forces Recreation Center resorts
- Rebook if you find a cheaper price
- 3. Use tax deductions
- The Amplifier Grant
- EVs come with an element of the unknown
- Our pick for: Cell phone and internet bill payments
- Family loan
- Upgrading to Main Plus
- Dividend yield
- Best insurance company for accident forgiveness: Geico
- Prudence's policy:
- 13. Purchase protections
- 8. Grow your financial well-being
- Best insurance company for accident forgiveness: Geico
- 14. Professional organizing
- Floods
- Trust Wallet: 4.3 out of 5 stars
- Consider using a retirement account
- 6. OfferUp
- Can you pay estimated taxes at any time?
- 2. Count your coins and bills
- Long-term care insurance deductible
- Link your Amazon account
- 5. Enter a debt management plan
- How to have less taxes taken out of your paycheck
- 4. Contribute to a tax-advantaged account
- Where to get it
- 16. Sell vintage clothing online
- Scenario: Doctor visits and an MRI
- 14. Customer service without the wait
- Wheels and maneuverability
- American Family
- M1
- User experience
- 15. Photography
- Hurricanes, tropical storms and tornadoes
- FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
- Cheapest auto insurance for poor credit
- Higher premiums, more coverage
- Pet insurance deductible
- Pay upfront
- Amica vs. Geico home insurance
- Be flexible with destination, airport and dates
- Past years' state tax rates
- Apple Card
- Our pick for: Flexible rewards and a bonus
- Compare business CD rates: 12-month term
- Corporate bonds
- 17. Begin niche blogging
- Where is the best place to exchange currency?
- 7. Self-publish an e-book
- What happens if I forget to pay my quarterly taxes?
- 3. Prep for grocery shopping
- Our pick for: Varo users
- 9. Estate planning: Protect your financial well-being
- Reviews
- Country Financial: Best homeowners insurance for using an agent
- How to use a W-4 to owe nothing on a tax return
- Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program
- Surgery grants
- MetaMask: 4.0 out of 5 stars
- Dividend payout ratio
- Our pick for: An upgrade path
- Dollar-cost averaging
- Our pick for: Sam’s Club memberships
- 1. Live in the house for at least two years
- Refinancing
- 16. Event space
- 5. Defer your bonus
- Lower premiums, higher out-of-pocket
- How do I find a currency exchange near me?
- Why Chase Ultimate Rewards® can be the best option
- Travel insurance deductible
- Price
- Stash
- Freshen up your merchandise
- Wildfires
- Flexible spending accounts
- 7. Poshmark
- 18. Become an e-book writer
- How can I make paying quarterly taxes easier?
- Scenario: Trip to the ER
- 2. See whether you qualify for an exception
- 17. Interior decorating
- Where can you exchange currency for free?
- Book through another third-party service
- Payment plan
- 8. Get advertising revenue from your blog or YouTube channel
- Auto Club Group
- Take clear photos
- 3. Keep the receipts for your home improvements
- 3. Building a budget
- 18. Woodworking or furniture building
- How it works
- Electrum: 2.5 out of 5 stars
- 19. Start ghostwriting
- Using American Express Membership Rewards points
- Best insurance company for having few customer complaints: American Family
- 4. Minimize restaurant spending
- Acorns
- Best insurance company for having few customer complaints: American Family
- Complete financial plan and investment advice
- Self-funding
- Your location
- 20. Become a resume writer
- Our pick for: No security deposit, low annual fee
- Write an honest description
- 19. Graphic design
- Where to get it
- Using Citi ThankYou Points
- 5. Optimize your stock portfolio
- If you want to pay later
- Your credit
- Venmo Credit Card
- Cheapest car insurance for young drivers
- Don’t always choose the cheapest option
- 21. Open a coworking space
- 5. Get discounts on entertainment
- Albert
- Specialized guidance and/or want to meet with an advisor face-to-face
- Conventional loans
- 20. Clothing boutique
- Our pick for: Maximized value
- Address any lingering questions
- 9. Become an Instagram influencer
- Price clothes to sell
- Financial assistance
- 4. Saving money
- 1. Has the W-4 form changed?
- 6. Know when to sell stocks — and when not to
- Auto-Owners
- NJM: Best small regional home insurer
- 21. Bed and breakfast
- Your claims history
- Our pick for: Worldwide acceptance
- Compare options
- 22. Become an online coach
- 6. Map out major purchases
- Portfolio management only
- Our pick for: Costco memberships
- FHA loans
- Some Budget locations have free pickup service
- 22. Food truck
- 2. What does it mean to be exempt from taxes?
- Your coverage limits
- How it works
- 23. Flip failing websites
- Our pick for: No security deposit, low annual fee, potentially high credit limit
- Monzo
- Ledger: 5.0 out of 5 stars
- 10. Monetize your Twitch channel
- Best insurance company for financial strength: Auto-Owners
- Best insurance company for financial strength: Auto-Owners
- Your deductible
- Where to get it
- Cheapest auto insurance for senior drivers
- Budget and plan
- 24. Become a web developer
- 7. Restrict online shopping
- Our pick for: Subscriptions
- Budget also rents other equipment
- 23. Restaurant or cafe
- Other policies
- 25. Start a podcast
- Pros
- Farmers
- 24. Craft brewery
- 3. When should I review my W-4?
- Trezor: 4 out of 5 stars
- Marriott
- Greenlight
- Your home’s features
- Capital One® Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard®
- 26. Be a social media influencer
- 8. Delay purchases with the 30-day rule
- Our pick for: Average credit and rewards
- 11. Sell your photography
- Pros
- Budget offers rental car insurance
- USAA: Best homeowners insurance for military and veterans
- 25. Ice cream shop
- 4. Can I adjust my W-4 multiple times throughout the year?
- Your dog
- How it works
- Cons
- SafePal: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- 27. Create online courses
- 9. Get creative with gifts
- Co-branded credit cards
- 26. Personal chef
- Where to get it
- Our pick for: Prime gaming
- Step
- 28. Become a marketing consultant
- Best insurance company for discounts: Amica
- Cons
- The Hanover
- Best insurance company for discounts: Amica
- 27. Landscape services
- Methodology
- 10. Lower your car costs
- 28. Pet grooming
- Apple Cash: digital card
- 29. Develop an app
- Our pick for: Average credit and no annual fee
- Budget roadside assistance
- 5. Maximizing your credit cards
- Look up the insurer’s financial strength
- 12. Become a dog walker with Rover or Wag
- Majority
- 29. Florist
- 11. Reduce your gas usage
- How it works
- 30. Make a smart appliance
- Deferred interest offers
- Cash App debit card
- Our pick for: Those who are unbanked
- Nationwide
- 30. Massage therapist
- Research the insurer’s reputation for customer service
- 31. Tap into virtual reality experiences
- Comun
- Erie: Most generous coverage
- 13. Sell unused gift cards
- 1. Look at customer satisfaction scores
- 12. Bundle cable and internet
- Where to get it
- Individual stocks
- 32. Make a niche dating site
- Our pick for: Limited credit
- 2. Consider financial strength
- 31. Nutritionist
- 33. Develop a chatbot
- Best insurance company for customer satisfaction: State Farm
- 13. Switch your cell phone plan
- Best insurance company for customer satisfaction: State Farm
- 6. Borrowing money
- Our pick for: Target gaming purchases
- 3. Evaluate the policy options
- Bunq
- 32. Personal trainer or fitness instructor
- 34. Offer matchmaking skills
- 14. List your spare bedroom on Airbnb
- State Farm
- Dividend stocks
- Hyatt
- 35. Be a virtual assistant
- 4. Get prices from a handful of companies
- 14. Reduce your electric bill
- 33. Beauty services
- Our pick for: Good credit
- Totem
- Nationwide: Best online experience
- 34. Life coach
- 36. Reinvent exercising
- 15. Lower your student loan payments
- 37. Create eco-friendly, health-friendly makeup and beauty products
- Best insurance company for military members: USAA
- Travelers
- Best insurance company for military members: USAA
- 15. Sell your gently used clothes
- 16. Cancel unnecessary subscriptions
- Our pick for: Spending guardrails
- 35. Tutor
- What is a prepaid debit card?
- 38. Open a food truck or restaurant pop-up
- Our pick for: Travel
- 36. Daycare provider
- 39. Start an organization business
- 17. Refinance your mortgage
- What is a prepaid credit card?
- Standard (nonbank) neobanks
- Our pick for: Walmart gaming purchases
- 40. Do interior design for young professionals
- Openly: Fewest consumer complaints
- 37. Senior care provider
- Where can you get a prepaid card?
- 16. Trade in old phones, electronics for cash
- 18. Set savings goals
- How to compare renters insurance
- 38. Interpreter or translator
- How do you add money to a prepaid card?
- Neobanks that are online banks
- Our pick for: Instant gratification
- 39. Housecleaning
- Which prepaid card is best?
- 17. Get a babysitting gig
- 19. Track spending
- Digital wallets with banking services
- 7. Your credit score
- 40. Automotive repair
- 20. Pay off high-interest debt
- 41. Handyman services
- Our pick for: A low security deposit
- Our pick for: PlayStation purchases
- 18. Rent out your car
- Fintech firms with cash management accounts
- State Farm: Best perks
- Our pick for: Personalized rewards
- 21. Keep savings in a high-yield savings account
- You have a roommate
- 42. Dry cleaners
- 43. Hardware store
- 22. Create a 50/30/20 budget
- You’re on a tight budget
- 44. Self-storage business
- 19. Sign up for TaskRabbit
- 45. Freelance copywriting and content creation
- You would want new items if your belongings were destroyed
- 23. Shop consignment and thrift stores
- 46. Rideshare driver
- 20. Become a private tutor
- You own expensive jewelry or electronics
- 47. Website development and design
- You’re a first-time home buyer
- 48. Sell clothes online
- Our pick for: Best Buy purchases
- 24. Join initiatives to get free items
- Our pick for: A mix of credit-building features
- You have a dog
- 8. Taxes
- 49. SEO consultant
- 21. Drive for Uber, Lyft
- You live in a high-risk area
- 50. App development
- 25. Use car sharing services
- You have a dog
- 22. Make deliveries for Amazon, Uber Eats
- 9. Paying off debt
- 26. Stock up on household supplies when they’re cheap
- You own valuable items
- 23. Find work as a housesitter
- 27. Enjoy community events
- You own an older home
- Our pick for: Digital Microsoft Store purchases
- 24. Sign up to be a mystery shopper
- 28. Cash in on your birthday
- 25. Put your drone to work
- 10. Insurance
- 11. Investing
- 12. Starting or running a business
- 13. Travel
- The NerdWallet Smart Money podcast
The best money-making apps
1. Ibotta
How it works: Ibotta lets you earn cash back on in-store and online purchases at over 2,000 supported retailers. Originally for groceries, it has expanded to include clothing, entertainment and eating out, pet supplies and other categories. Offers can be product or retailer-specific. For others, you’ll need to complete an additional task such as watching a video or taking a poll.
There are three possible ways to earn cash back in stores: Add offers and submit your receipt in the app after your shopping trip (you have 7 days to send in your receipt through the app), link your retailer loyalty accounts or purchase a retailer gift card through the Ibotta app. For online purchases, you shop through the app or with the Ibotta browser extension on your computer.
Payment: PayPal, digital gift card or direct to a bank account.
Pros: You’ll receive cash back on in-store purchases quickly — typically within 24 hours. Ibotta also offers a welcome bonus to new users, referral bonuses and a variety of payment methods.
Cons: Making money can be a slow process. You must have at least $20 in cash back to redeem your earnings (some gift cards require at least $25 in earnings). For online shopping, the pending period for earning cash back varies by retailer. Ibotta also charges an account maintenance fee for inactive (no activity for 180 days) or deactivated accounts. The fee is deducted from your balance, not your bank account.
2. Rakuten
How it works: Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) rewards shoppers with cash back on purchases from well-known retailers, restaurants and food delivery services. Users can also earn cash back on travel, gift cards and more. It’s straightforward: Create an account, tap on the store where you want to shop in the app, then make the transaction through the portal. You can also link a credit or debit card to your Rakuten account to earn cash back in-store — as long as you activate the deal through the app first. Rakuten credits the cash back to your account after it confirms the purchase with the retailer.
Payment: PayPal or "Big Fat Check."
Pros: Thousands of stores and purchases are eligible for cash back, so you’ll likely find deals where you already shop. New users can earn a welcome bonus after their first qualified purchase. You can also earn sign-up and referral bonuses. You can make an impact with your cash back earnings by donating a portion to nonprofit partners.
Cons: As with most cash-back services, you have to spend money to make money. You won’t see your earnings right away, either; Rakuten sends out payments every three months on the company's payment schedule, and you need to hit the minimum cash-back balance to get paid. Unlike other apps like Ibotta, you have to remember to initiate your purchase in the app first. If you forget and make your purchase outside of the app, you can't get credit retroactively.
3. Swagbucks
How it works: Swagbucks is a cash-back and rewards app. You earn points, called "SB," by shopping online (there are over 1,500 participating retailers), taking surveys, watching videos, playing games or fulfilling other tasks through Swagbucks. You can redeem those points for gift cards or get cash back to your PayPal account. The total points awarded can vary by task. For example, surveys are typically worth about 40 to 200 SB points each. The minimum balance required to redeem depends on the payout option you choose, but some gift cards are available for as low as 110 SB.
Payment: E-gift card or PayPal. You can also redeem SB for Bitcoin through the new Cryptovoucher Gift Card options.
Pros: Swagbucks offers many easy ways to earn rewards, and there’s no waiting period to cash in. Payments usually arrive within 10 business days after redemption. You can also get a $10 bonus with a qualifying $25 purchase when you join.
Cons: It doesn’t pay much; one SB is worth about a cent. With many tasks valued at pennies, it can take a fair amount of time and effort to make substantial money. Additionally, you won’t qualify for every survey or task, although users can earn up to 5 SB per day if they disqualify. Users often report getting kicked out of surveys in the middle of taking them. This can be due to demographics or dishonest or inconsistent answers, according to Swagbucks.
4. Fiverr
How it works: Fiverr is a freelancing marketplace that features gigs in over 200 categories, such as programming and video and animation. Create an account first, then you can set your profile as a "seller" highlighting your expertise. Post the gig you’re offering, which will include pricing and a description of your services. Pricing ranges from $5 to $995. Clients, known as "buyers," can click through and place orders. You’ll get paid once you complete the job. Fiverr assigns seller levels based on performance. As you move up each tier, you’ll be able to sell more “extras,” such as a faster delivery time.
Payment: PayPal, direct to a bank account, Payoneer or credit to a Fiverr Revenue Card (a prepaid card). Minimum withdrawal amounts vary, and your payment processor may charge a withdrawal fee, depending on which option you choose.
Pros: You don’t have to worry about tracking down buyers because they come to you. You can also earn tips. Fiverr also boasts its flexibility, allowing sellers to complete gigs in their own time or around their 9-5 jobs.
Cons: Fiverr takes 20% of your earnings for every gig, including tips, and there’s a standard 14-day waiting period to withdraw money after completing an order (top-tier sellers wait seven days for funds to clear).
5. Upwork
How it works: Upwork connects freelancers to gigs in writing, design, marketing and other categories on the marketplace. First, you’ll create a profile. It should include information such as the field you’re interested in plus your qualifications, availability and desired rate. Then, you can submit proposals. Clients will review them and offer projects if you seem like a good fit.
You begin each month with a set number of “Connects,” which are like credits that allow you to contact prospective clients. You can earn or pay a small sum for more Connects, but you won’t be charged when clients contact you. You can get paid on an hourly or per-project basis.
Payment: Direct to U.S. Bank, direct to your bank account, wire transfer, Instant Pay, PayPal and Payoneer. Charges apply to some payment options, so be sure to check Upwork for details.
Pros: Upwork helps take the work out of seeking out clients, establishing relationships and getting paid. The service also gives you the flexibility to set your preferred rate and schedule.
Cons: The app is free to download, but initiating contact with lots of clients costs money. Users also get charged a service fee. Upwork takes a 10% cut of your earnings based on how much you’ve billed a client. The more you earn, the more you get to keep. However, you won’t get paid until 10 days after the billing period ends. Remember, too, that you’re competing with other freelancers on the platform. That means clients may choose those who’ve set lower rates.
6. OfferUp
How it works: OfferUp, which combined with competitor Letgo in 2020, functions as a local marketplace you can use to sell your stuff. If you want to reach a broader audience, OfferUp also allows shipping anywhere within the United States except for Alaska, Arkansas and Hawaii. Create an account and snap a picture of your smartphone, car, sofa or whatever it is you’re selling. Once you add a title, description and price, you can post your listing and chat with buyers directly through the app. Then, you'll ship to or arrange a meeting with the buyer.
Payment: When selling locally, OfferUp recommends sellers take cash from buyers and stay clear of accepting payments by check, cashier's check or using other apps. For shipments, sellers can set up deposits to a debit card or bank account.
Pros: Creating a listing is simple and fast, and you’ll get paid instantly when you make a cash sale. You can also view a prospective buyer’s reviews and ratings to get an idea of how trustworthy they are beforehand. If you ship your item, the buyer pays the cost, and OfferUp provides the label.
Cons: You’re responsible for meeting local buyers in person and handling transactions. Sellers must pay a 12.9% service fee, or a minimum of $1.99, for shipments. To be successful, you’ll likely need to invest in a printer so you can print the shipping labels and mail items to buyers.
7. Poshmark
How it works: The Poshmark app is tailor-made for selling clothes, accessories and even home decor. After signing up, you take or upload photos of your item, fill out a description, price it and share the listing. You can also feature items in the app’s "Posh Parties," which are virtual shopping events centered around particular brands, categories and themes. Poshmark emails you a prepaid and pre-addressed shipping label once a purchase is made. Then, you send the package via USPS.
Payment: Check, PayPal, Venmo, Instant Transfer or direct deposit to a bank account.
Pros: Poshmark facilitates the entire process, from selling to shipping. Plus, you don’t have to meet with strangers to make a sale. The company will cover lost packages and handle issues between you and the buyer. Getting paid is relatively quick, too; Poshmark issues the money within three days of the buyer receiving the order.
Cons: You’ll pay a fee for selling through Poshmark. The company takes a $2.95 commission for sales under $15 and a 20% commission for sales of $15 or above.