Looking for opportunities to earn money that requires little effort and can actually be fun? It may seem too good to be true, but it’s all possible with the help of a little device you probably have in your pocket…or might even be in your hand right now. That’s right— you can be earning easy money with your cell phone.
Whether you’re looking to supplement your income by using the best money making apps to earn more or just want a few extra bucks so you don’t feel so guilty about buying coffee, check out these six easy ways to make money with just your smartphone.
Download shopping apps for cash back
Some apps allow you to earn gift cards or cash by taking pictures of receipts of goods that you purchase at various stores. With Ibotta, complete a few tasks before going shopping and find offers on products you normally buy. After purchasing the items that you selected, take a picture of the receipt to be credited with cash back. Other apps like Shopkick and Receipt Hog allow you to earn points that you can redeem for gift cards.
EasyShift and Jobs2Shop are two mystery shopper apps that allow you to earn money by visiting selected stores and evaluating the business. How much you make with these types of apps depends on the city you live in and what tasks you’re asked to complete at the store. For example, taking a picture of product placement will likely earn less than an assignment that asks you to make a purchase.
Take opinion surveys and test mobile apps
Do you like leaving reviews of products or taking surveys? You’ll find many legitimate companies out there that will pay participants for simply answering questions. While these generally don’t pay a lot of money, they are a good way to make a few extra dollars while you doing other things like watch TV.
Similarly, you can earn money by testing out apps. Tech companies build great customer experiences using feedback that it receives from users. Companies like UserTesting pay people to complete a set of tasks on a website or app while reviewing the product out loud as they use it. For every 20-minute video that you complete, UserTesting will pay $10 via PayPal.
Join referral programs or become a brand ambassador
Earn money and perks by becoming a brand ambassador or joining a referral program. Many companies are looking for existing users to refer their friends and family and will reward those who successfully bring in new customers. Typically, the process is as simple as sharing a code.
Many apps make it easy by allowing you to send texts with the necessary links through the app to your contacts. Popular companies like Uber, Lyft, and Postmates offer credit when your referrals use the apps, while others like Aceable offer a $10 VISA gift card for each referral that leads to a purchase.
Clear out clutter and sell items online
Is it time for your annual spring cleaning? Make some money as you clean out your closet by selling your items on apps like Poshmark. Poshmark allows you to create your own boutique or closet, much like a virtual consignment store.
Selling doesn’t have to be limited to your clothes either; Decluttr is an app that specializes in electronics and other similar items. And there’s truly an app out there for everything. Marketplaces like Depop allow you to sell unique, quirky items that might have trouble selling elsewhere. Other apps cater to specific markets, like BookScouter, which will buy old books that are just gathering dust.
Sell pictures you take with your smartphone
For those who love photography, you’re in luck! Foap is a mobile app that allows users to sell photos that they take with their phone. The app is free and is available on both Android and iOS devices and acts as a marketplace for images. A lot of small businesses, marketing agencies, and even large corporations are in constant need of stock images.
They turn to Foap for photos that they then use on their blogs, websites, and social media. Every time you sell a photo, you get 50% commission and can earn extra by completing special photo “missions”. It’s a win-win! Make the most out of Foap by researching images that sell, using relevant tags, and uploading often.
These are just a few of the many ways that you can earn cash and other rewards with your phone. They may not pay the bills, but they’ll give you some extra spending money each month, and who knows, you may have fun doing it!