Being frugal means not only knowing how to saving money but knowing how to make extra money as well.
There are multiple ways that frugal people can make extra money. Increasing your income is an important part of your overall financial health.
If you are not where you want to be financially, budgeting, saving, and making extra money should be top on your financial to-do list.
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How Frugal People Make Extra Money
#1 Using Cash Back Apps
Making use of Cashback apps are a quick and easy way to make extra money. This strategy is something you can implement that falls in line with your current spending habits.
Here are three of my favorite cash back programs. Each has a slightly different spin on how you earn cash back, but they all yield good results.
Dosh
Dosh is a cash back app that pays you cash back when you shop,
To use Dosh, you simply download the Dosh app to your smartphone (works on iPhone and Android devices) and linking your credit or debit card to the app.
The key to earning cash back is using the credit or debit card that you have linked inside of the app.
The Dosh app shows you the vendors that are offering cash back deals and the percentage of cash back you will receive if you shop with them. Dosh works for both online and in-store purchases.
Current Dosh vendors include Sams Club, Walmart, Exon, and many of the stores you shop at daily. Getting cash back for standard purchases is a perfect way to save money.
Dosh also has a referral program that helps you share Dosh with your friends an family. They will pay you $5 for every person that you get to download the app and add their first credit or debit card.
Download the Dosh App and start earning extra money auto-magically. (Note: Make sure you click on this link from your smartphone)
Related Post: How to Save Money with the Dosh App
Ebates
Ebates is a cash back program that allows you to earn cash back while shopping using the Ebates website or the Ebates App.
To use Ebates, you simply browse the Ebate site which shows the stores that are offering coupons and cash back offers. You can redeem an offer by clicking on the “Shop Now” button if you are shopping online.
If you would like to redeem and in-store offer, you click the “Link Offer” button which allows you to link the credit or debit card that you plan to shop
Ebates has partnered with stores such as Macy’s, Walmart, Groupon, Barnes & Nobel, Old Navy, Gymboree, and Bath and Body Works just to name a few.
Ebates keeps track of your cash back balance and sends you payments every three months. You can choose to be paid via check or PayPal.
Join Ebates and start earning cash back from some of your favorite stores.
Ibotta
Ibotta allows you to use a smartphone app to earn cash back on in-store and mobile purchases. It is my favorite app for saving money on groceries.
They offer you 3 ways to earn cash back which include:
- Sending in receipts by taking a picture
- Linking loyalty cards from participating stores
- In-app purchases
Ibotta works with stores such as Walmart, Kroger, Food Lion, Publix, Walgreen, CVS Pharmacy, Best Buy, iTunes, Groupon, Hotels.com, Booking.com, eBay and many more.
They also has a referral program that allows you to earn $10 for every person you refer to their service.
Note: Referral program details are subject to change. Refer to the official Ibotta website for current referral program details.
Ibotta allows you to transfer your cash back earnings into your PayPal or Venmo account as soon as you have earned at least $20. You can also choose to convert your earnings into a gift card.
Sign up and download the Ibotta to start making extra money on your everyday purchases.
#2 Completing Online Surveys
Making extra money by completing surveys
You won’t become rich from completing surveys, but if you have some time on your hands you can make a few extra dollars a month to supplement your income.
Inbox Dollars
Inbox Dollars is a site that pays you for taking surveys, watching tv, and even shopping. Advertisers pay Inbox Dollars to send them people who will do specific actions like taking surveys.
Inbox Dollars then pays its members for completing those actions. Advertisers pay Inbox Dollars then Inbox Dollars pays you part of what they have received for doing what an advertiser has requested.
Inbox Dollars also has a referral program where they will pay you 10% of the qualified earnings of anyone you refer to them. This allows you to make money on both the actions you complete and those of your referrals.
Visit Inbox Dollars to start earning extra money taking surveys.
#3 Turing a Hobby Into a Business
You may already be doing something that you enjoy that can be used to make extra money.
Turning your hobby into a business allows you to do something you like doing and potentially make more than a little extra money.
Here are some hobbies that can easily be turned into money-making opportunities:
- Baking
- Photography
- DIY Crafts
- Home Decorating
- Shopping (personal shopping services)
- Drawing or Painting
- Cooking
- Traveling
If you are the crafty type you can make money by selling the things that you make. You might enjoy making jewelry, blankets, custom clothing, or paintings as a hobby.
You can turn your hobby into a business by selling your one of a kind creations. Shopify makes it easy to open your own online store.
With just a little thought and the word of mouth, you can start making extra money doing some of your favorite things.
#4 Proofreading
Proofreading is a way to make money that I bet you have never thought of. There is a high demand for proofreading worldwide.
Proofreading is basically reviewing what someone else has written with a fine tooth comb and correcting errors.
Believe it or not, there are some proofreaders out there that make over $40K working for themselves.
If this sounds interesting to you, check out this free intro workshop by Proofread Anywhere. It’s a free course that will help you figure out if proofreading is something you might enjoy.
#5 Selling Unwanted Items
Selling items that you no longer want is a good way to make quick cash.
If your items are in good condition you can sell them on sites like the Facebook Marketplace, Poshmart, or Let Go.
Consignment shops are also a good place to get money for unwanted clothing items.
Start Increasing your Income
As you can see there are many smart and frugal ways to make extra cash. Using your money wisely and using these frugal ways to make extra income will go a long way to help your budget.
Leave a comment and share some of the frugal ways that you make extra money.
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These are basically all the same things penny hoarder says to do, but besides ebates is it worth it? I’ve had dosh for almost two years and just cashed out for $28 two weeks ago for the first time! Money is still money, though!!! It’s nice it hoes via PayPal, too, and I think it only took 6 hours after cashing out to hit my account.
Job spotter app is real good too. Found that one 3 years ago and they pay in amazon cards! Try that one!
Hi Kate! I’ll definitely check out the Job Spotter app. I shop on Amazon all the time so Amazon cards are just like cash. Lol
I think even a small amount of savings is worth it. When it comes to cash back apps I combine Dosh, Ibotta, and Ebates and get big savings. Sometimes I hit the sweet spot and get cash back from 2 apps with one purchase.
I’ve been with Dosh going on 2 years as well. I’ve made just over $300 since I joined. I’m sure I would have made more but I learned pretty late that if you attach a debit card you have to make your purchases as a credit card transaction and not use a pin for it to count for Dosh. I didn’t know this for about 8 months or so. I like to just forget about Dosh and be pleasantly surprised when I go in a look at my wallet every few months.
I love that they pay out via PayPal too! When I first joined Dosh they were having trouble getting payouts done quickly. But now like you I normally see my cash-outs really quick.
Thanks again for sharing the Job Spotter App. Every little bit helps. Happy Holidays!
I’ve never heard of Dosh before. I will definitely be looking into it!
Hi Katelyn,
This is a good time to check out Dosh. They are having a promotion where you can get $10 for each friend you refer. You can make some quick Christmas Cash for helping your friends and family save money. Each of the people you refer also gets $5 when they link their first card. It’s a limited time promotion so don’t delay. Happy Holidays!
There are so many ways to make money, I think it’s always good to have different streams of income.
Hey Melissa,
I truly agree that you need multiple income streams. It makes sure you have a safety net.
Haha This is quite handy to save some good bucks, I love the idea of proofreading (I do that for free already and should probably cash in on it) lol
Hi Amina! You should definitely make a little extra cash doing something you already do for free…lol
I’m definitely going to look into proofreading! I haven’t thought of that!
Hi Kayla! Proofreading is definitely a hidden gem. 🙂
I know alot of people started thrift shopping and reselling there one of a kind finds on the internet.
So true Tanya! And now there are so many ways to sell your items. You’ve got stores like Plato’s Closet and then you have the online services like Let Go and Posh Mart. So many options its definitely a way to go if you have stuff to sell.
I need to be better about using the cash back apps, I will admit I apply for them then I forget I have them….LOL I am the worst about that.
Hey Jen! Then it sounds like Dosh is the cash back app for you. You can completely forget about it and come back months later and see how much you’ve earned. I like to forget about mine too.
Saving more money is difinitely one of my goals for 2019 so I will be using all of this!
Thanks Erica! Saving more money is one of my goals for 2019 as well. Happy Holidays!