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
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- How to maximize your rewards
- Key takeaways
- Simplifying tax time with accounting software
- 1. Decide why you’re budgeting
- 1. Start saving early
- What is 100% credit utilization?
- 1. Your credit report and credit score
- 1. 'Unclaimed refund' scam
- 1. Earn with ads as a YouTube Partner Program member
- You get cell phone insurance through your card
- 1. Getting started: The 50/30/20 budget
- 1. Delay your application
- Do you have good to excellent credit?
- How they work
- 1. ThredUP
- Your personal credit
- 1. Buy REITs (real estate investment trusts)
- What mortgage terms are best for me?
- Be flexible about the vehicle you buy
- How does it work?
- 1. Create educational content or activities
- How does my credit score impact personal loan offers?
- Merchants’ costs of doing business (and maybe your shopping bill)
- 1. Morningstar
- 1. Pick up freelance work online
- 1. Ibotta
- 1. Figure out if you are eligible
- Regular and exclusive use
- 2. Use empowering language
- 1. Conforming conventional loans
- AtoB
- Eligible for an employer-run account?
- Pre-installation evaluation: $250 for a 2,000 square foot home
- 1. Restaurants
- 2. Decide how much home you can afford
- 1. Food trucks
- 5 advantages of sole proprietorship
- Avis Preferred
- 1. Keep your charges on each card to a minimum
- Understand the budgeting process
- Credit card free nights
- 2. Offer virtual team-building
- 1. A jet-setting welcome offer
- How do I see my credit score for free?
- Nonprofit and corporate grants
- NVIDIA Corp (NVDA)
- Hyatt points value over time
- 2. The annual fee
- 2. Employee retention credit scam
- Example savings APYs at select institutions
- Construction-to-permanent loans
- Fundamental analysis of stocks
- You can earn credit card rewards
- 2. Curb your spending: The envelope system, or 'cash stuffing'
- Monthly after-tax income
- Check how long the initial HELOC rate lasts
- What you'll get with the Marriott and United status match
- From a broker or a bank
- Home equity loan
- Axos Basic Business Checking
- Debt funding
- Who needs life insurance?
- 2. Nonconforming conventional loans
- Discover it® Cash Back and Citi Double Cash® Card
- Earned wage access example
- Ally Bank Wire Transfer Fees
- Looking to set up an individual account?
- Your business experience
- 1. Know what you owe and how much you can pay
- If any of these situations apply to you
- Milestone awards
- 3. Start a meal-prep business
- Step 1: Enter your personal information
- 2. Work longer
- How you choose to pay
- Popular airline loyalty programs
- How we found the best cheap auto insurance
- Principal place of business
- What to know about secured loans
- 2. Finviz
- Phase 1: Deductible
- Cheap auto insurance from large companies
- Ductwork and design: $500 to $7,500
- Construction-only loans
- 2. Hybrid bar/coffee shop
- 3. Check and polish your credit
- SBA loans
- You qualify for an autopay discount
- 50% of your income: needs
- Understand your offered rate
- 1. Decide what services you want to offer and whether you want to rent or buy equipment
- Do you pay off your balance each month?
- LendingClub Tailored Business Checking
- SoundHound AI Inc. (SOUN)
- NY state income tax: Single and married filing separately
- 3. Your eligibility for the welcome bonus
- Tuesday and Friday flights can help you avoid the rush earlier in the week
- Bank of America Wire Transfer Fees
- Income taxes for single-member LLCs
- Large-cap companies: $10 billion or more
- 2. Use an online real estate investing platform
- 2. Car wash services
- Find and apply for credit cards
- Know what incentives you qualify for
- Estimate parent PLUS refinance payments
- 4. Create a food waste solution
- 2. Big travel rewards
- Pros
- 2. Decide what type of investor you are
- 3. Test out different budgeting methods
- 1. Inspect the check
- 3. Fixed-rate conventional loans
- Coast
- 1. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Online personal loan
- In-flight food
- 3. Fake W-2 scam
- Self-employed or a small-business owner?
- Technical analysis of stocks
- Avis Preferred Plus
- Free vs. paid plans
- 2. Ask for higher credit limits
- Step 2: Account for multiple jobs
- Home equity line of credit (HELOC)
- Chase Business Complete Banking
- Lower commitment, traditionally lower rates
- Upstart Holdings Inc. (UPST)
- NY state income tax: Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er)
- 2. Poshmark
- 3. Yahoo Finance
- 4. How much you'll spend on the card
- Chase Wire Transfer Fees
- Renovation loans
- 3. Liquor store
- 2. Rakuten
- 1. Less paperwork
- If you qualify for a hardship withdrawal
- 3. Build up your savings: Pay yourself first
- Consider a fixed rate vs. a variable rate
- 5. Capitalize on plant-based foods
- 3. Earn more
- Will pre-qualifying affect my credit score?
- 1. Flight access
- Cons
- Why you can trust NerdWallet
- Free checked bag
- Wednesdays and Saturdays are the cheapest day to fly internationally
- EITC 2023
- Phase 2: Initial coverage
- The business you want to buy
- 2. Test websites and apps
- 4. Explore mortgage options
- Traditional bank loans
- Formation
- Flexible work from home jobs
- It’s not what you can borrow, it’s what you can afford
- Fidelity life insurance riders
- 30% of your income: wants
- Do the rewards justify any annual fee?
- Credit card access and rewards
- NY state income tax: Head of household
- EveryDollar
- 4. Adjustable-rate conventional loans
- Welcome offer
- Verizon Fios Business
- Wells Fargo Wire Transfer Fees
- 4. Donation and charity scams
- Cheap car insurance from midsize companies
- The type of central air unit: $600 to $24,000
- Income taxes for multi-member LLCs
- 4. Handyman or contractor
- Reduce the monthly payment
- 3. Think about investing in rental properties
- 3. Auto repair
- Compare insurance rates for 20-year-olds
- There’s no autopay discount if you pay with a credit card
- 1. The home must be your principal residence
- 4. Make the most of every dollar: The zero-based budget
- How to qualify for the necessary Marriott and United elite tiers
- 6. Start a dropshipping business
- GET MORE MILES, MORE BENEFITS WITH A DELTA CARD
- 3. AmEx Offers
- What do I need to pre-qualify for a personal loan?
- Paying or charging interest
- Step 1: Fund your cleaning business
- Bank of America Business Advantage Fundamentals
- VA and USDA loans: 0% down payment
- WEX
- 2. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- 4. TradingView
- Average seats
- At a glance
- Access multiple credit lines
- 2. Understand your options
- Trip 1: $5,000, two-week trip to Italy by a 40-year-old from Hawaii
- The 'good' in Goodbudget
- Look for the lowest HELOC rate cap
- Step 3: Claim dependents, including children
- 1. Get sponsored
- Top 5 Treasury ETFs by AUM
- Cash-out refinance
- Home equity loans pros and cons
- 4. Prioritize expenses and goals
- 2. Ask yourself why you received the check
- 5. Low-down-payment conventional loans
- Annual fee
- Pay off the loan faster
- Mid-cap companies: $2 billion to $10 billion
- 2. Easier tax setup
- Online lenders
- Operations and management
- Sell stuff online
- Avis President's Club
- 20% of your income: savings and debt
- Brand explorer award
- Only certain types of transfers are allowed
- Spacing out credit card applications
- The Credit Card Competition Act
- An example of buying a call option
- 3. Choose how much you want to invest
- Credit Karma
- 5. Your World of Hyatt elite status level
- Rewards
- Fly on the holidays (or as far from it as possible)
- 5. Recalculated refund scam
- Phase 3: Donut hole (coverage gap)
- Owner-builder loan
- 5. Automotive repairs
- What car can you afford?
- 1. Multiply your income by 10
- Pay down and redraw balances
- To avoid mortgage insurance
- Trip 2: $3,000, one-week trip to Mexico by a 60-year-old from Nebraska
- 3. Set up balance alerts to stay on top of spending
- 7. Curate subscription boxes
- Best insurance company overall: Travelers
- Step 4: Refine your withholdings
- 4. Consider your spouse
- Do the rewards come with caveats?
- 2. Pricing and fees
- Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Conventional mortgages: As low as 3% down payment
- 5. StockFetcher
- Summary of earned wage access apps
- 3. Learn to use AI tools
- Best insurance company overall: Travelers
- Lengthen the repayment term
- 2. Take a cut with affiliate marketing
- 2. You must have owned the home for at least two years
- Figure out where you are and what you value
- 1. States with no income tax
- Managing multiple billing cycles
- Directly from the U.S. government through the TreasuryDirect website
- Step 2: Choose your market
- Uses for secured loans
- 3. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
- Credit union personal loan
- Travel bonus reward rates
- 6. IRS account sign-up scam
- Estate tax exemptions by state
- EITC 2024
- Personal documents
- Choosing corporate tax status for your LLC
- 3. Swagbucks
- Small-cap companies: $250 million to $2 billion
- HELOC on your primary residence
- 4. Personal trainers
- Reasons for unfreezing your credit
- The not-so-good
- Allow up to 50% of your income for needs
- If you are converting your 401(k) to an IRA
- There is a pro-rata rule for backdoor Roths
- Step 5: Sign and date your W-4
- How long will it take to pre-qualify?
- Pros
- How much is Netflix a month?
- Traditionally better rates, more discipline required
- 3. Don’t use the money
- Goodbudget
- 1. Making money
- 3. The RealReal
- FHA loans: As low as 3.5% down payment
- Other fuel cards to consider
- Do tipped workers earn the minimum wage?
- Example interest checking APYs at select institutions
- Size of the AC system
- 6. Home cleaning
- 2. Buy 10 times your income, plus $100,000 per child for college expenses
- Tap into equity
- 3. You must have lived in the house for at least two years in the five-year period before you sold it
- What factors affect the amount you can borrow
- Undeposited Funds account alternative
- 4. Up to $200 in annual credit for airline incidental fees
- Timing credit applications with big future purchases
- Investing in prohibited industries
- 2. Get the required business insurance, licenses and EIN
- 4. Select a provider to open your Roth IRA
- 5. Leave room for surprises
- 6. Where you'll use the annual free night
- 7. Casualty loss scams
- Cheap car insurance after a speeding ticket
- 1. Cash dividends
- 5. Research first-time home buyer assistance programs
- Taxes
- Chairman's Club (invite only)
- 4. Pay your bill before your issuer reports to the credit bureaus
- Decide how much effort you’re willing to devote
- 8. Create an airport-centric app
- Delta premium economy luxury amenity kit
- Cons
- Jumbo loans: As low as 5%-10% down payment (varies)
- Pros
- Spectrum Business
- Phase 4: Catastrophic coverage
- Business documents
- Installation and labor: $75 to $250 per hour
- 7. IT and computer services
- 3. Use the DIME formula
- Seller concessions
- 3. Fewer business fees
- Pros
- Tips for unfreezing your credit
- The verdict
- 2. States with flat income tax rates
- Dun & Bradstreet business credit scores
- 5. Up to $200 in Uber cash for rides
- 5. Investigate divorced spouse benefits
- 3. Airline alliance membership
- How much is YouTube TV?
- The actual expense method
- FLAT-RATE CREDIT CARDS TO CONSIDER
- What to know about unsecured loans
- Credit card
- Fees
- 8. Identity theft scam
- Get rid of FHA mortgage insurance
- 2. Stock dividends
- Home equity loan
- 4. Consider flipping investment properties
- 1. Find a dividend-paying stock
- 4. You cannot have claimed the home sale capital gains exclusion recently
- To get a primary mortgage smaller than a jumbo
- Term life insurance rates for nonsmokers
- 9. Become a destination wedding planner
- Giving to charity
- Home equity lines of credit pros and cons
- Step 3: Find a specialty — and stick to it
- 6. Automate responsibly
- 4. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- 6. Fidelity
- Cons
- About the Miles & More frequent flyer program
- 1. The savings could be negligible
- Construction loans to build a house
- What car fits your life?
- 5. Newborn and post-pregnancy services
- Cons
- 3. Call your lender
- How can I qualify to borrow more?
- Worldwide Trip Protector Lite benefits
- Health care FSA
- Leave 30% of your income for wants
- Compare manual and digital budgeting options
- 3. States with progressive tax structures
- Other perks of Delta premium economy
- 6. Up to $200 in annual hotel credit
- Price
- 6. Conventional renovation loans
- 4. Grailed
- Should you invest in retail stocks in 2023?
- Restaurant rewards
- 7. How to protect your purchases and travel
- 9. Ghost tax preparer scams
- 8. Pet store, grooming and boarding
- 4. Fiverr
- Switch from an adjustable- to a fixed-rate loan
- 3. Land a brand deal and make sponsored content
- 3. Dividend reinvestment programs (DRIPs)
- 5. You cannot have bought the house through a like-kind exchange
- Term life insurance rates for smokers
- 10. Make local guides
- Your credit utilization
- How much is Hulu?
- 4. Take surveys for money
- Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) Rating
- 4. Replace your income, plus add a cushion
- Micro- and mega-cap companies
- 6. Compare mortgage rates and fees
- Native cryptocurrencies
- 4. Straightforward banking
- Other tools to help you budget
- 5. Monitor your total credit utilization
- Equifax business credit scores
- 7. Up to $300 Equinox credit
- 6. Add your minor child
- Step 4: Plan the business budget
- 4. Alert authorities to fraud
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express and Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- 2. You might be able to book in advance and rebook later
- Cheap auto insurance after an accident
- 4. Special dividends
- 2. Evaluate the stock
- 6. You cannot be subject to expatriate tax
- Become a social media influencer
- Worldwide Trip Protector benefits
- Dependent care FSA
- How Marriott elites get access to United Silver status
- Best insurance company for affordability: NJM
- 2. Promote your business
- 3. Get employment law liability insurance before you scale
- Which is better when?
- Cruising further from the U.S.
- 4. Available credit card offers
- An example of buying a call option vs. buying the underlying stock
- The simplified version
- Traditionally best rates, more commitment required
- 7. Revisit your budget monthly
- Your money management style
- 8. There's a small-business version of the card now
- Comcast Business
- Bank loans
- Best insurance company for affordability: NJM
- Renovation loans to buy and repair fixer-uppers
- 9. Salon or barbershop
- Cash-out refinance
- 6. Enrichment activities for children
- Business lines of credit
- 11. Create a local grocery delivery service
- 8. $300 SoulCycle credit
- Your payment history
- Taking on excessive risk, speculation and debt
- Pros
- 5. Gather your paperwork
- CareCredit
- Similarities
- How to get the best deal for a Lufthansa economy award flight
- Redemption value
- What is the Global Entry interview like?
- Book one to three months in advance
- 5. Preferred dividends
- Compare car insurance rates for 35-year-olds
- Legal protection
- Whole life insurance rates for nonsmokers
- FSA balances will expire
- Commit 20% of your income to savings and debt paydown
- Certain repositioning cruises
- Additional standard deduction 2023 (taxes due 2024)
- Make Money
- How much is Disney+?
- Bonus features
- 5. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
- 1. Examine your cooling needs
- 4. Sell some merch
- 5. Rent out a room
- Tokens
- 5. Simplified business ownership
- 3. Decide how much stock you want to buy
- Pros of piggyback loans
- 12. Start a virtual event planning company
- Experian business credit scores
- 9. Up to $240 in digital entertainment credit
- Your credit age
- 7. Suspend your benefit
- What do I need for my loan application?
- Cons
- Equity funding
- Citi Premier® Card and Citi Custom Cash® Card
- 5. Vestiaire Collective
- Sign-up bonuses
- SBA loans
- 10. Gas station
- 6. Dividend funds
- 7. Gather your loan paperwork
- Online term loans
- Whole life insurance rates for smokers
- 2023 tax rates by state
- Additional standard deduction 2024 (taxes due 2025)
- Methodology
- Account linking
- Uses for unsecured loans
- After you're approved for Global Entry
- 5. Make money from your blog with affiliate links
- Example CD APYs at select institutions
- 2. Time it right
- 5. Upwork
- Unsecured personal loan
- 7. Mobile apps and entertainment for children
- Cons of piggyback loans
- Methodology
- How United elites get access to Marriott status
- 10. $189 Clear credit
- Eureka
- How much is Max?
- 2. Managing money
- Frontier
- Online business loans
- Get your finances in order
- 11. Grocery store
- How much student loan refinancing could save you
- Reading candlestick charts
- Paperwork and compliance
- Travel Medical Protector benefits
- Methodology
- 13. Sell zero-waste products
- Government bonds
- 4. Develop a marketing plan and decide on prices
- 6. Pick your investments
- Home equity line of credit
- Differences
- How to maximize your rewards
- Cheapest car insurance after a DUI
- 3. Look for equipment rebates and tax credits
- 5. Offer memberships
- Appraisal fee
- Invoice financing
- 11. Reimbursement of application fees for TSA Precheck or Global Entry
- 8. Use a do-over
- 1. Stocks
- In case of medical emergencies
- Security
- Fleet expense management tools
- 6. United℠ Explorer Card
- Travel credits
- Set a price alert
- 1. Automate transfers
- Shop around for lenders
- 8. Get a preapproval letter
- Stablecoins
- 8. Shared accessories and attire
- How do I make a budget template?
- 14. Make products for pets
- InboxDollars Surveys
- How much is Apple TV+?
- What happens if you are declined?
- Dividend per share (DPS)
- Discount points
- 3. Sell your castoffs
- 12. Up to $100 in statement credits annually at Saks Fifth Avenue
- 5. Other ways to earn miles
- Government grants
- Rebook if you find a cheaper price
- 6. Sell your wares on Etsy
- 12. Drugstore
- CDFI loans
- No-exam life insurance rates for nonsmokers
- What is included in a small-business budget?
- 15. Create custom clothing
- How to have more taxes taken out of your paycheck
- Customer support
- Example money market account APYs at select institutions
- Home equity loan
- Get prequalified
- Dividend yield
- Best insurance company for accident forgiveness: Geico
- 13. Walmart+ Monthly Membership Credit
- 2. Funds
- Google Opinion Rewards
- Step 5: Register the business
- Hosted online shopping carts
- Family loan
- AT&T Business
- 2. Count your coins and bills
- Best insurance company for accident forgiveness: Geico
- 6. OfferUp
- Escrow account funds
- No-exam life insurance rates for smokers
- How much should a small-business budget be?
- 5. Get your business financials in order
- 6. Ease of redeeming miles
- How much is Peacock?
- Resident status rules
- 7. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
- Popular cash advance apps
- Hire a builder
- 13. Antique or thrift store
- 9. Choose a real estate agent carefully
- Forks
- 3 disadvantages of sole proprietorship
- Equity financing
- 16. Sell vintage clothing online
- How to have less taxes taken out of your paycheck
- 4. Earn badges through Live videos
- An example of selling a call option
- User experience
- Benefits
- Be flexible with destination, airport and dates
- Cheapest auto insurance for poor credit
- Travelers vs. Allstate home insurance
- 9. Shared home improvement equipment
- How to transfer Marriott points to United miles
- Swagbucks
- Licensed online shopping carts
- How much is Prime Video?
- 3. Prep for grocery shopping
- 7. Self-publish an e-book
- Home equity line of credit
- Get preapproved
- 14. Fitness studio or gym
- Flood determination and monitoring fees
- 1. No liability protection
- Past years' state tax rates
- 17. Begin niche blogging
- Corporate bonds
- 14. Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection at airports
- 3. Sukuks
- Reviews
- Drawbacks
- Dividend payout ratio
- 10. Narrow down your ideal type of house and neighborhood
- 1. Live in the house for at least two years
- How to use a W-4 to owe nothing on a tax return
- Surgery grants
- Government recording fees
- 15. Centurion Lounge Complimentary Guest Access
- How much is Sling TV?
- Freshen up your merchandise
- Airport lounge access
- Get final approval
- 15. Tutoring business
- Travelers vs. Geico home insurance
- 7. Poshmark
- 2. See whether you qualify for an exception
- Determine if your quotes are a good deal
- 18. Become an e-book writer
- 5. Build a community
- Free business capital
- Part-year resident status rules
- Flexible spending accounts
- Cash-out refinance
- Loan-origination charges
- 10. Vacation rentals
- 2. Harder to get financing and business credit
- 8. Get advertising revenue from your blog or YouTube channel
- 16. Ice cream shop
- 3. Keep the receipts for your home improvements
- 16. Upgrade to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
- 4. Gold and other precious metals
- How much is Fubo TV?
- Take clear photos
- 8. The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Payment plan
- 4. Minimize restaurant spending
- Mortgage insurance or fees for government-backed loans
- 19. Start ghostwriting
- Best insurance company for having few customer complaints: American Family
- How much does it cost?
- Help For Felons
- 3. Building a budget
- Hotel status
- Best insurance company for having few customer complaints: American Family
- 17. Dry cleaner
- Gifting large sums of money to family
- 11. Electronics repair
- Compare car insurance rates for drivers with a DUI
- 17. Upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status
- Step 6: Find and maintain clients
- Nonresident status rules
- 2020-2022 earned income credit amounts
- Personal loan
- 11. Stick to your budget
- Be careful when booking Hyatt free nights
- 20. Become a resume writer
- 5. Real estate
- Inmates to Entrepreneurs
- Bootstrapping
- Write an honest description
- 18. Bookstore
- Pest inspection
- 3. It’s harder to sell your business
- How to transfer United miles to Marriott points
- 18. Money-saving perks for stays booked through The Hotel Collection
- How will you take payments?
- Transfer partners
- 5. Get discounts on entertainment
- Cheapest car insurance for young drivers
- Paying for vacations, cars or other stuff
- 21. Open a coworking space
- Defy Ventures
- Don’t always choose the cheapest option
- 9. Become an Instagram influencer
- 19. Bed and breakfast
- Prepaid expenses
- 19. Complimentary benefits through Fine Hotels & Resorts
- 6. Cryptocurrency
- Is it as customizable as you need?
- How to compare life insurance quotes
- Price clothes to sell
- 9. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Giving a laid-back loan
- 1. Has the W-4 form changed?
- Project ReMADE
- 4. Saving money
- 6. Map out major purchases
- 20. Floral shop
- 12. Make the most of walk-throughs and open houses
- 12. Academics courses
- 22. Become an online coach
- Life insurance quotes vs. rates
- Compare options
- Tax monitoring and research fees
- Setting up joint bank accounts
- Card ecosystem
- 21. Gardening and landscaping
- 1. What does "sole proprietor" mean?
- 23. Flip failing websites
- 2. What does it mean to be exempt from taxes?
- 20. Free shipping with ShopRunner
- 10. Monetize your Twitch channel
- Title-related costs
- Best insurance company for financial strength: Auto-Owners
- Halal investing resources
- Step 7: Invest in advertising and expanding
- Entre Capital
- 7. Restrict online shopping
- Cheapest auto insurance for senior drivers
- Best insurance company for financial strength: Auto-Owners
- 13. Language courses
- 2. Can a sole proprietor have employees?
- 24. Become a web developer
- Why a journal entry won’t work
- 21. Concierge service
- NYC tax rate schedule
- 10. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- Budget and plan
- 22. Nail salon and spa
- 13. Don’t skip the home inspections
- 3. Does a sole proprietor need an EIN?
- 25. Start a podcast
- 22. Low fares through the International Airline Program
- Pros
- 23. Photography
- 3. When should I review my W-4?
- Refoundry
- 8. Delay purchases with the 30-day rule
- 4. How do you change from sole proprietor to LLC?
- 26. Be a social media influencer
- 23. Savings with the Cruise Privileges Program
- 11. Sell your photography
- 24. Clothing boutique
- 14. Negotiate with the seller
- 14. Business or marketing courses
- Compare auto insurance rates for drivers with poor credit
- Small Business Development Centers
- Credit required
- Real estate agent commissions
- 4. Can I adjust my W-4 multiple times throughout the year?
- 24. Car Rental Privileges
- Cons
- 9. Get creative with gifts
- 25. Daycare
- 27. Create online courses
- Property and transfer taxes
- 25. Deals through the Amex Auto Purchasing Program
- 26. Brewery or winery
- 15. Buy adequate home insurance
- 15. Personal wellness
- 28. Become a marketing consultant
- Best insurance company for discounts: Amica
- Overseas acceptance
- Best insurance company for discounts: Amica
- Title insurance
- 26. An extra point when booking Platinum Destinations Vacations
- 10. Lower your car costs
- 27. Hardware store
- 29. Develop an app
- 27. Additional value through the InCircle rewards program
- Apple Cash: digital card
- 12. Become a dog walker with Rover or Wag
- 28. Catering company
- 5. Maximizing your credit cards
- 11. Reduce your gas usage
- 16. Courses in hobbies or interests
- 28. AmEx Carbon Emissions Tracker
- 29. Real estate agency
- 30. Make a smart appliance
- Cash App debit card
- 30. Event venue and planner
- 31. Tap into virtual reality experiences
- 12. Bundle cable and internet
- 13. Sell unused gift cards
- 17. Bookkeeping and accounting
- 29. The Global Dining Access by Resy
- 31. Tattoo and piercing shop
- 32. Make a niche dating site
- Individual stocks
- 30. Exclusive events
- 13. Switch your cell phone plan
- 32. Veterinary office
- 33. Develop a chatbot
- Best insurance company for customer satisfaction: State Farm
- Best insurance company for customer satisfaction: State Farm
- 18. Consulting
- 31. An open invitation to events with Membership Experiences
- 6. Borrowing money
- 14. List your spare bedroom on Airbnb
- 33. Food truck
- Compare insurance rates for drivers with an accident
- 34. Offer matchmaking skills
- Dividend stocks
- 32. A better view with American Express Preferred Access
- 14. Reduce your electric bill
- 34. Health clinic
- 35. Be a virtual assistant
- 35. Bakery
- 15. Lower your student loan payments
- 19. IT support
- 36. Reinvent exercising
- 33. No foreign transaction fees
- 37. Create eco-friendly, health-friendly makeup and beauty products
- Best insurance company for military members: USAA
- 16. Cancel unnecessary subscriptions
- 15. Sell your gently used clothes
- Best insurance company for military members: USAA
- 34. Upgrade with points
- Meet a local demand
- 20. Graphic design
- 38. Open a food truck or restaurant pop-up
- What is a prepaid debit card?
- 35. No preset spending limit
- 17. Refinance your mortgage
- 39. Start an organization business
- 36. A lower annual fee on additional cards
- What is a prepaid credit card?
- Scout locations
- 40. Do interior design for young professionals
- 18. Set savings goals
- 16. Trade in old phones, electronics for cash
- 21. Social media management
- 37. CreditSecure
- Where can you get a prepaid card?
- Calculate the costs of starting a business
- How do you add money to a prepaid card?
- Which prepaid card is best?
- 19. Track spending
- 17. Get a babysitting gig
- 22. Marketing copywriter
- 38. Cell phone protection
- 39. Purchase protection
- 7. Your credit score
- 20. Pay off high-interest debt
- 23. Virtual assistant services
- 1. Gather your information
- 40. Return protection
- 18. Rent out your car
- 21. Keep savings in a high-yield savings account
- 41. Extended warranty
- 42. Baggage insurance plan
- 22. Create a 50/30/20 budget
- 2. Choose the right liability car insurance coverage levels
- 1. Do your research
- 43. Car rental loss and damage insurance
- 19. Sign up for TaskRabbit
- 2. Get organized and make it official
- 44. Premium Car Rental Protection
- 23. Shop consignment and thrift stores
- 45. Trip delay insurance
- 20. Become a private tutor
- 3. Find the right financing
- 46. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- 47. Premium Global Assist Hotline
- 24. Join initiatives to get free items
- 3. Decide if you need full coverage car insurance
- 21. Drive for Uber, Lyft
- 8. Taxes
- 25. Use car sharing services
- Cell phone protection
- 22. Make deliveries for Amazon, Uber Eats
- Purchase protection
- 26. Stock up on household supplies when they’re cheap
- 9. Paying off debt
- 4. Collect and compare car insurance quotes
- Return protection
- 23. Find work as a housesitter
- Extended warranty
- 27. Enjoy community events
- Baggage insurance plan
- Car rental loss and damage insurance
- 28. Cash in on your birthday
- 24. Sign up to be a mystery shopper
- Trip delay insurance
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- 25. Put your drone to work
- Compare car insurance companies
- 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.