Make Money Side Hustles

15 Legit Ways to Make Extra Cash

Mobile games, surveys, and content creation are just a few ways to make some extra dough.

By Allison Weston
and Melinda Sineriz, ABFP™

Edited by Becca Borawski Jenkins

Updated May 15, 2025

Let's face it — it can be a challenge to make ends meet with just one job these days. Prices have gone up on pretty much everything, so every dollar counts.

Whether you're looking for a side hustle, a way to make money while taking care of your kiddos, or some ideas for work while you're a student, there's something for everyone on our list of easy money-making ideas.

They range from part-time jobs to passive income, but most are side gigs you could easily do in your spare time.

How to make extra money online

1. Play games on your phone

I love to unwind with a game. And if I can win a few dollars — even better! Here are a few of my favorite legit games that earn real money:

Solitaire Cash: Solitaire Cash is also a free mobile game available on Android and iOS devices. I've always liked playing Solitaire, and with this app, I can play Solitaire games with free gems or by depositing cash. The app offers multiplayer games against users of similar skill levels with varying prize pools. As you play, the app will regularly reward you with more gems and cash. Real cash winnings can be withdrawn via PayPal and Apple Pay.
Bubble Cash: Bubble Cash is an easy mobile game to play while you're hanging out on the couch. It simply involves shooting and matching bubbles to reach the highest score. And while it sounds easy, it definitely can be challenging, but in a fun way. You can play free games or test your skills in multiplayer real cash tournaments. Once you've won, you can easily cash out via PayPal.
Bingo Cash: Bingo Cash is a free mobile bingo game available for both Apple and Samsung devices. It’s even faster-paced than other paid bingo games, and you can earn real money with free and paid tournament-style games. I like that Bingo Cash has relatively low minimum entry fees for its cash tournaments, and its varied ways to score and boost points make the game feel more rewarding.

2. Take surveys online

You can ask pretty much anyone who knows me — I'm opinionated. And surveys are a fun way to make money from that trait. Here are two of my favorite options:

Survey Junkie: Survey Junkie allows you to sign up for free, complete a profile questionnaire, and begin making money by taking market research surveys. The survey site has paid consumers over $76 million to date, so it's definitely legit. I do have days where I have a harder time finding a survey that I qualify for. When that happens, I just try another survey site. Which is why it's good to sign up with more than one.
Kashkick: Kashkick is another option I like. In particular, I like that it has games, surveys, and offers rather than just surveys, so there's a better chance of finding something I want to do. I also like that I get 25% of the earnings of anyone I refer. There's nothing like passive income, right?

3. Become a freelance virtual assistant

I've freelanced on and off for years in various capacities, including transcription, writing, and editing. Jobs like these are a great way to bring in additional income and potentially build it into your main income (if that's something you're interested in).

I'd start with sites like Fiverr and Upwork since they make it easy for you to showcase your side job skills and accept paying gigs. Simply create a profile, select your areas of expertise, and start promoting yourself to businesses with relevant professional links.

4. Earn cash back on your regular purchases

It's always nice when you can bring in extra income from things you already do. Shopping apps like Ibotta do just that.

Ibotta is an app that allows you to earn cash back for your purchases at hundreds of supported retailers. The app is available on the Apple and Google Play stores.

There are a few ways to earn cash back with Ibotta. You can link a loyalty card, complete in-app purchases, or add offers on the app before you shop and then upload a photo of your receipt afterward. There are also bonus offers on the app, and you can even earn extra money for referring your friends.

As soon as you earn $20 with Ibotta, you can cash out via PayPal. You can also convert your cash back into gift cards for popular stores. The more you shop, the more you'll earn!

5. Become an influencer

Is there something you're particularly passionate about? Social media has made it possible for anyone to connect with a worldwide audience. The key to becoming an influencer is presenting yourself as an authentic, relatable (and entertaining!) persona in a specific niche. And honestly, that niche can really be anything. From home improvement to owning an entertaining pet to astrology to book reviews, the sky's really the limit in terms of topics.

You do need to commit to a platform or two, and you need to establish a regular posting schedule, even if it takes a while for people to find you. Once they do, they'll be able to enjoy all the content you've posted, and you could make money from a post you made months ago.

And you'll also need to engage with your audience by responding to comments and fostering community.

Once you've garnered a following on Instagram or TikTok, brands may reach out to have you promote their products to your audience through affiliate marketing. It's a super easy way to receive free products, make affiliate dollars, or get paid flat money working with relevant brands.

6. Become a content creator

Similar to becoming a social media influencer, you can also get paid for creating content as a blogger or on online platforms like YouTube and Twitch. You'll need to focus on an area in which you have extra knowledge to share and make your content engaging and entertaining.

The main difference between content creation and being an influencer is your focus. Is the content about you primarily, or is it about a specific topic, like true crime or Fortnite? If the focus is on the topic, you're a content creator. But honestly, the line is blurry between content creation and being an influencer.

Once you meet a certain threshold of followers, these platforms will pay you based on ad views within your content. They handle the advertising for you, so it's a fairly passive way to make extra cash.

How to make extra money from home

7. Open a new bank account

Opening a new bank account from home is a super easy way to make passive income on your money. And while moving all your automatic payments is mildly annoying, it's well worth it for the right bonus offer.

In order to maximize your earnings, look for a high-yield savings account or a checking account that offers a cash bonus when you complete qualifying activities. Just double-check to make sure you'll actually meet the requirements before you make the move.

U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking

4.3

2025 award winner Best for Bonuses

Earn up to $450 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and complete qualifying activities
Subject to certain terms and limitations
Offer valid through June 26, 2025
Member FDIC
Offer may not be available if you are an existing U.S. Bank customer or live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint

4.3

Open Account

8. Take advantage of automated savings

One of the best ways to make extra cash is to prioritize saving. If that sounds counterintuitive, here’s why it’s not: When you pay yourself first and keep a steady trickle of money going into a rainy day or emergency fund earning a high yield, you can take advantage of compound interest and resist the temptation of immediately spending it. In other words, the more you save, the more you keep.

As you’re implementing all of the strategies for earning money on this list, make sure you’re sending at least a little into a high-yield savings account. For its automated saving features and solid interest rate, we recommend Chime Savings.¹ Chime Checking Account is required to be eligible for a Savings Account. This account earns 2.00% (as of Apr. 28, 2025) APY² The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is accurate as of September 20, 2023. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest.  on any balance, with no fees³ There’s no fee for the Chime Savings Account. Cash withdrawal and Third-party fees may apply to Chime Checking Accounts. You must have a Chime Checking Account to open a Chime Savings Account. or minimums to get in your way. It also includes two automated savings features we suggest activating: Debit card Round Ups⁴ Round Ups automatically round up debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and transfer the round up from your Chime Checking Account to your savings account.  and Save When I Get Paid,⁵ Save When I Get Paid automatically transfers 10% of your direct deposits of $500 or more from your Checking Account into your savings account. both of which can help you maximize your savings to bring your money goals closer.

Earn Over 3x the National Average

Chime® Benefits

2.00% (as of Apr. 28, 2025) variable Annual Percentage Yield (APY)² The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is accurate as of September 20, 2023. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest.
No minimum or maximum balance requirements
No monthly fees³ There’s no fee for the Chime Savings Account. Cash withdrawal and Third-party fees may apply to Chime Checking Accounts. You must have a Chime Checking Account to open a Chime Savings Account.
Grow your savings automatically
Secured and FDIC Insured⁶ Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC.

Visit Chime®

9. Sign up for a new credit card

Many credit cards offer customers a lucrative welcome offer when they get approved for a new card and meet a spending threshold. Make sure to apply for a card that fits your individual needs and spending profile.

For example, if you're someone who wants to be rewarded for everyday purchases, like gas and groceries, look into a cash back card. If you're a wanderlust and constantly searching for your next adventure, or happen to travel often for work, look into a travel credit card.

When I was accepted for the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card, I was able to use the welcome offer I earned to pay for first-class tickets to Florida to see my Dad. But I wouldn't apply for a card just for the welcome offer — I'd look at the overall benefits so the card is useful after the first few months.

10. Use a budgeting app

Although this won't exactly make extra money, using a budgeting app is one of the surest ways to stabilize your financial future. And you may be able to find extra money in your budget, which in some ways is even better than making extra money since you didn't have to do anything.

Setting a budget to track your spending and saving may seem like a daunting task to many, but luckily there are many mobile apps, so you're not starting from scratch.

One of the top budgeting apps available is Rocket Money because, aside from the budgeting basics, it also finds unused subscriptions, and the concierge offers to cancel them on your behalf. Plus, it can help negotiate your recurring bills and request refunds for certain fees.

Lower Your Monthly Bills

Rocket Money Benefits

Helps to find and cancel subscriptions
Slash your monthly phone, cable, and internet bills
Save an average of up to $720 a year

Lower your bills

11. Start your own store

If you enjoy crafting, it's time to turn your hobbies into hustles. And no, we're not talking about setting up a tent at your local craft fair. Online retailers like Etsy, Poshmark, and Amazon provide straightforward platforms to create your own worldwide marketplace and connect with your target audience. You can start simple with printed clothing, jewelry, or even digital templates, and grow from there.

Maybe you're not crafty, but your house seems to be a bit overrun with "stuff." Skip the garage sale! eBay and Facebook Marketplace are easy-to-use options to resell your goods to the world. It's time to clean out the basement and start earning money on your clutter.

12. Host a yard sale

If starting your own online store seems a bit daunting, that's okay too. Declutter your home — and make money — by hosting a good, old-fashioned yard sale. A yard sale requires a little bit of prep to gather the goods, price them fairly, and promote the date to the public. If you live in a neighborhood, talk to the neighbors to see if you can all join forces and host sales on the same date to lure even more buyers.

13. Start investing with as little as $5

Stash* is an investment app where users can buy and sell stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with no trading fees. Stash offers fractional shares, so you can invest in the stocks you want with as little as $5.⁷ For a complete list of fees please see the <a href="https://cdn.stash.com/disclosures/stride-deposit-account-agreement.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Deposit Account Agreement</a> for details.

Stash also has a checking account that's FDIC-insured, has no fees, and offers some neat features. Account holders can get paid up to two days early, round up purchases and invest the change, and earn stock rewards when they spend with the Stash debit card.⁸ Early access to direct deposit funds depends on when the payor sends the payment file. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date. ⁹ This Program is subject to <a href="https://lp.stash.com/stride-stash-stock-back-card-round-up-program/" target="_blank">terms and conditions</a>. In order to participate, a user must comply with all eligibility requirements and make a qualifying purchase with their Stock-Back® Card. All funds used for this Program will be taken from your Stash Banking account. ¹⁰ All rewards earned through use of the Stash Stock-Back® Debit Mastercard® will be fulfilled by Stash Investments LLC and are subject to <a href="https://lp.stash.com/stride-stash-stock-back-rewards-terms-and-conditions/" target="_blank">Terms and Conditions</a>. You will bear the standard fees and expenses reflected in the pricing of the investments that you earn, plus fees for various ancillary services charged by Stash. In order to earn stock in the program, the Stash Stock-Back® Debit Mastercard must be used to make a qualifying purchase. Stock rewards that are paid to participating customers via the Stash Stock Back program, are Not FDIC Insured, Not Bank Guaranteed, and May Lose Value.

Get $25 to make your first investment¹¹ Investment advisory services offered by Stash Investments LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser. Investing involves risk and investments may lose value. Holdings and performance are hypothetical. Offer is subject to T&Cs

4.6

Stash Benefits

Get $25 to make your first investment ($5 minimum deposit)
Invest in 1,000's of stocks and ETFs with full or fractional shares, no add-on commission fees¹² Ancillary fees charged by Stash and/or its custodian are not included in the subscription fee
Registered Financial Advisor - get access to a professionally managed, diversified portfolio
Join 1.2M Stashers who have already grown their investments over $500
Start investing with just $5

4.6

Visit Stash

Paid Non-Client Promotion

How to make extra money offline

14. Deliver food and groceries

I'll admit it — I rely heavily on food delivery and grocery apps. I really appreciate the work they do, and I know other people do as well. I know it's not always the easiest job, but you can set your own hours, which is really important if you have set commitments like school, a primary job, or taking care of family.

With the explosion of delivery apps, it is so simple to join as a driver and start making money by running other people's errands. Here are some of the most popular delivery apps you can join now:

Earn Money Making Deliveries

Earn money with your car, bike, or even a scooter in some cities!
Make your own schedule and be your own boss
You can access your earnings up to 6X per day with Instant Pay
(Additional terms and conditions apply)

15. Walk dogs or be a pet sitter

I found the most amazing cat-sitter on Rover, so if you're a pet lover, that could be a great way to bring in extra income. Websites like Rover and Care.com are money-making services for you to connect with pet owners in need. With these platforms, you make money by dog walking for owners who aren't able to provide enough daily exercise.

You can also offer cat- or dog-sitting services in your own home or drop-in visits at their house. It's the perfect way to get your animal fix and make some extra cash.

Even more ways to make money

General guides	By amount	By lifestyle	By activity	By platform
Make money quickly	How to make $100 a day	Best night side hustles	Make money with a pickup truck	Make money with TikTok
Earn passive income	How to make $2,000 a month	Best weekend side hustles	Make money with real estate	Make money with Rover
Make money from home	How to make $10,000 a month	Best side hustles for Gen Z	Make money playing video games	Make money with Instacart
		Best side hustles for seniors	Make money with 3D printing	Make money with Uber Eats
		Best side hustles for couples	Make money delivering groceries	Make money with Taskrabbit
		Best hustles for working moms	Make money reselling	Make money with Patreon
		Best side hustles for introverts	Make money taking surveys	Make money with ChatGPT

Author Details

Allison Weston

Allie is a writer and editor who's spent her career working in finance and publishing. She lives in St. Louis with her husband and their merry band of dogs and cats.