5 Ways You Could Make Real Money Without Quitting Your Job

Young woman on laptop at coffee shop
Last updated Sept. 8, 2026 | By FinanceBuzz Editors

If your paycheck covers the basics but never quite gets you ahead, you're not alone. Whether you have a few hours a week or a full weekend to spare, a side hustle could help you build a cushion.

According to a recent survey, the average side hustler brings in around $885 a month on top of their regular income.1That's enough to cover a car payment, chip away at debt, or build savings.

If you're looking for legit ways to add to your monthly income, skip the noise and check out these offers from our partners below:

Set up direct deposit - pocket $400

Set up an eligible direct deposit with SoFi Checking and Savings and you could pocket a bonus of up to $400. Make the switch, set up direct deposit, earn the bonus. It basically takes no extra work at all other than following these steps. 

Why people are switching: This account earns up to an insane 4.00% APY2on savings for up to six months (3.10% APY standard + 0.90% APY boost) on top of that $50 or $400 bonus.3 That's way better than the measly 0.38% APY (as of 06/15/26)4 national average savings accounts offer. 

No monthly fees and no surprises. Open your account and earn up to a $400 bonus

Try a simple side hustle in your free time

If you have a few free hours on evenings or weekends, you could drive for Uber or Lyft, deliver for DoorDash or Instacart, sell handmade or digital products on Etsy, rent out a spare room on Airbnb, or freelance your existing skills on Fiverr or Upwork — all low-commitment options that can fit around a full-time job and start generating extra income quickly.

Pay no interest into 2027 with this no annual fee card

If you're struggling to pay down high interest debt (or you're planning a major purchase this year), this might be the exact thing you need. There's a card that allows you to pause credit card interest into 2027 ... and the best part is that it could be easier than you think.  

Discover it® Cash Back (Rates and fees) is an extremely powerful card that gives you 0% intro APR for an astounding 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. (Then APR is 17.49% - 26.49% (Variable); Balance transfer fee applies.) That's right — you can now finance large purchases you've been sitting on without paying massive interest. Or, transfer crippling high interest debt to this card and let your payments go directly to paying down your balance, without piling on additional interest charges — all with no annual fee.

But it doesn't end there. The Discover it® Cash Back card also lets you earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. 

Apply now for the Discover it® Cash Back card

Earn a $200 bonus with this incredible cash back card

The Chase Freedom Unlimited®(Rates and fees) lets you earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening

In addition to this welcome offer, this card lets you earn cash back on everything you buy. Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

And it gets better (really): This card also gives you 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. That means you could finance large purchases or pay down high-interest debt for over a year. After the intro period, the APR is 18.24% - 27.74% Variable. Oh, and the annual fee is $0

It's almost a no-brainer to apply. 

Good or excellent credit (typically 670 or higher) is recommended.

Click here to Apply Now to the Chase Freedom Unlimited®

How Ohio homeowners are preventing roof rot, mold, and foundation damage for good

Most homeowners think of gutters as just a cleaning chore. The bigger risk is what happens when they clog. Overflowing gutters can lead to water damage, roof rot, mold, even foundation problems, the kind of repairs that run into the thousands.

If you own a home in Ohio, HomeBuddy offers a powerful, one-of-a-kind gutter guard built to prevent exactly that. Their micromesh filter keeps common debris out, so your gutters stay clear and your home stays protected. And because it actually works, you may be able to stop hiring gutter cleaners altogether. The company will even clean out and realign your gutters before they install.

Don't waste money on cheap, ineffective guards that claim to be clog-free. This one's built to last.

See if you qualify today: Click the link below, enter your ZIP code and home info, and a representative will reach out to schedule a free estimate.

See if you qualify

See if AI can fix your budget (and answer the money questions you've been avoiding)

Ever look at your bank account and wonder where your paycheck went? *Poof,* it's gone... and you have NO idea how you spent it all so quickly.

A budgeting app like SuperMoney could end this problem for you. Trusted by 2 million members since 2013, SuperMoney is designed to help real people achieve financial calm.

Now, some insider info: They *do* have a free 7-day trial... but the real money-saving power kicks in once you connect your accounts and let the Sense AI go to work. (Monthly plans start at just $19.99, but you can save $90/year with the annual plan!).5

Start your free trial when you sign up, and you'll unlock features that actually help you save the most money possible. Like a budget that builds itself from your real spending, plus Sense AI you can ask personalized money questions like "Why was last month so expensive?" or "Can I afford this trip?"

You'll also be able to track your net worth, monitor your credit, and see every account in one place, so you can stop guessing about your money and start actually getting ahead.

Download SuperMoney

Shut the ads off across your devices for as low as $1.59/month your first year

Advertisers spent more than $740 billion putting ads in front of you last year. Those ads cost you data, battery, and time. Not to mention many of them creepily tracking you across the internet.

These ads are engineered to move money out of your pocket. But you could shut them off for as little as $1.59/month your first year …

This tool called Total Adblock blocks pop-ups, banner ads, and autoplay videos before they ever load. It also blocks the third-party trackers and cookies advertisers use to follow you from site to site. And it even flags deceptive ads and dangerous links that lead to fraudulent sites.

Independent testing scored it 100 out of 100 for ad blocking. It works on your computer, phone, and tablet, and annual plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Don't keep paying to be advertised to. Block the ads across your devices for as low as $1.59/month your first year today.

Excellent 4.4/5

Diversify your hard-earned retirement savings with gold

GoldTrustGuide is actively helping Americans find greater retirement security with precious metal investments like gold. In fact, from 2005 to 2020, the price of gold increased by 330%. And during the stock market crash of 2008, the value of gold increased by 25%.6They match you with top-rated providers offering physical gold and silver IRAs with a proven track record during unstable markets.7

Protect your savings today in 3 easy steps:

  1. Answer 4 quick questions on your goals and timeline.
  2. Get matched instantly with a top-rated provider suited to your goals.
  3. Speak to a specialist for a free, no-obligation consultation.

They hold a Top Rated designation from the Business Consumer Alliance and earn a 4.7-star rating on Trustpilot and 4.8 stars on Google. Get your free Gold IRA match today.

Earn 75,000 bonus points — worth up to $1,125 towards travel

If you're planning a trip, apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates and fees) here and you can earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months — that's worth up to $1,125 toward travel through Chase Travel!

Plus, earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, vacation homes, gas & EV charging, top streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs); 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases — with an extremely low annual fee of $95 and no foreign transaction fee.

The card could pay for itself quickly: you'll earn up to $100 Chase Travel hotel credit each anniversary year, get a complimentary year of Apple TV (a $156 value, must activate by 12/31/26), and up to $120 toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS every four years.

If you travel even once a year, this card could net you $100s in rewards to use toward travel. Don't delay. Apply today!

Click here to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card now

Recommended Credit Score info
Good
670-739
Excellent
740-850

Get up to $600,000 from your home (no monthly payments ever)

This is really cool. If you own a home and want to take equity out (to pay down debt or fund home renovations, for example) you can — but usually, you have to make payments each month. This company gets rid of that.

It sounds crazy, but it’s called Point, and it lets you take money out of your home right now without making monthly payments.8It's called a home equity investment (HEI), and it’s a partnership with you and Point where you get money now in return for a portion of your home’s future appreciation in value.

Point can give you access to up to $600,000, but you can take what you need based on what you qualify for. You can also leave the partnership at any time by buying back your equity. To get started, go to their website, enter your address, and put in the amount you need. It’s incredible.

Enter your address here to get started

Set up direct deposit and complete qualifying activities - pocket $500

If you aren't banking with Truist, you're missing out on a boost of extra cash just by following a few simple steps.

Earn a bonus of $500 after you open a new Truist One Checking account online, in a branch, or by phone between July 14, 2026 and February 2, 2027 using a valid promo code.9To earn the $500 bonus, your account needs to receive at least 2 qualifying direct deposits totaling $2,000 or more and complete 20 qualifying debit card purchase transactions within 120 days of account opening. The reward will be deposited to the new checking account within 10 business days after the qualification requirements have been met and verified. Terms apply.

This is a great way to supercharge your earnings. It basically takes no extra work at all other than following the steps above. Plus, your new account offers benefits like no overdraft fee and options to avoid a monthly maintenance fee on top of the bonus.

Open your account and earn a $500 bonus

Ohio residents, save big on new windows

Old windows drive up your home's electric bill. But if you live in Ohio and your windows are 5+ years old, you could save big.

Renewal by Andersen is actively helping homeowners score huge savings. Their certified master professionals install high-quality, energy-efficient windows that could help reduce energy bills and improve comfort.

They make it extremely easy to upgrade your windows with financing options available and special limited-time offers. The entire process is hassle free.

Get started now if you check these 3 boxes:

  1. You own your home.
  2. Your windows are 5+ years old.
  3. You live in an available ZIP code.

Complete this short questionnaire to get started

BONUS: For a limited time, buy one get one 40% OFF.10 Plus, get $200 off your purchase!10

Turn your home’s value into extra cash

If you want to pay a large expense now, like a home improvement project or credit card debt, you may have considered using your home equity as leverage to borrow a large sum of money.

But with interest rates rising in recent years, a cash-out refinance or home equity loan may not make financial sense.

Here’s a potential solution: Get a home equity line of credit (HELOC) instead.

Using LendingTree’s simple HELOC matching tool11 (yes, the company from the commercials), you can compare rates and see what works for you.

How a home equity line of credit is different: Your line of credit acts similar to a credit card, where you can withdraw funds when you need them, and you’re only responsible for minimum monthly payments for what’s called the “draw period,” which is usually 10 years. After this borrowing period ends, you pay off the rest of your balance during an extended repayment period, which is usually 20 years.

Plus, as a revolving line of credit, rates are usually variable, so you won’t be locked into a fixed rate if they ever go lower.

To get started:

  1. Check out LendingTree’s HELOC matching tool.
  2. Answer a few questions.
  3. Be matched with personalized offers for you.

Visit LendingTree

Access up to $150 per day of your paycheck

If you need a few dollars in between paychecks, a little daily cushion can go a long way.

With the EarnIn app you can access up to $150 per day of your paycheck and with a max of $1,000 per pay period.12

Yes, you read that correctly. You have the option to access your pay as you work and not have EarnIn charge you at all.

You even have the option to access the money within minutes for a small fee.13

The best news? There is no credit check, no interest, no late fees – ever.

How to get started:

  1. Visit EarnIn and create an account.
  2. Link your bank and employment info.
  3. EarnIn will verify your paycheck and you’re all set!

Get started with EarnIn here

If you're booking a trip to Disney, get a $100 gift card to use today upon approval (no strings attached!) 

If you're booking a trip to Disney, apply for the Disney®Visa® Card (Rates and fees) credit card here and you can get a $100 gift card eGift to use today upon approval! 

There is no extra work beyond being approved for the card to receive the gift card, and no annual fee! 

Plus, you can earn an additional $50 statement credit after spending $500 in the first 3 months and earn 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars on all purchases. And you can pay 0% intro APR on select Disney vacation packages for 6 months from the date of purchase (then 18.24% - 27.74% Variable). That means you can book your next Disney trip now, and pay it off over time. 

If you're planning a Disney trip or visit the parks regularly, this card is a no-brainer. Don't delay — apply today! 

Good or excellent credit (typically 670 or higher) is recommended.

Click here to apply for the Disney®Visa® Card and get a $100 gift card to use today upon approval

Not retired? You can still join AARP for massive discounts and your first year is just $15

Think AARP is only for retirees? It isn't. Anyone 18 or older can join, and for a limited time, your first five years cost just $11/year (less than $1/month)! An AARP membership gets you massive discounts on:

  • Restaurants (save up to $450 per year!)
  • Airfare, hotels, cruises and rental cars
  • Meal deliveries
  • UPS shipping
  • Eyeglasses and even prescriptions that aren't covered by insurance

Plus you'll also get insider info on health and wellness and you can add a partner for free. That’s twice the perks and potentially hundreds saved for just $15. It basically pays for itself.

Joining takes about two minutes:

  1. Click the link below, choose your free welcome gift, and select "Join Today"
  2. Create your account by answering a few quick questions
  3. Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

For a limited time, get 45% off of a 5-year AARP membership, making it just $11/year. Start saving today!

Save an average of $28,000 over the life of your mortgage

If you have a high mortgage rate in Ohio, you have to check this out. This free service from Own Up compares mortgage offers from a network of top-rated lenders so you can review your options and pick the deal that works for you.14

Think about it this way: On a $400,000 mortgage at 7.00%, you'd pay over $558,000 in interest over 30 years. Drop that rate just half a percent to 6.50% and you'd pay around $510,000. That's $48,000 back in your pocket, just from shopping around for a better rate.15

Own Up customers save on average $28,000 over the life of their loan,16and it costs you absolutely nothing to find out what you'd save.

You fill out a quick 5-minute profile with no hard credit pull, get matched with top-rated lenders, and see real offers side by side.1718Trustpilot Rating: "Excellent" 4.7/5.

Own Up might be a good fit if you check these 3 boxes:

  1. You own your home in Ohio.
  2. You want to compare real offers from multiple lenders.
  3. You want to check your options without a hard credit pull.

See how much cash you could save (no hard credit pull)

See if your credit card debt is eligible for this debt relief program

If you have a lot of debt, getting out of it can feel stressful (and nearly impossible). Here’s the problem: the longer you put off tackling it, the harder it may get to fix. If you don’t take control of it early on, it can add undue stress to your life for years. But what if there was a way to get out of debt once and for all?

National Debt Relief could help. If you have more than $30,000 in debt from credit cards, medical bills, collections, or personal loans, their certified debt specialists may be able to help you settle your debt for less than you owe — with one low monthly program payment.

Best of all? There are zero upfront fees, and you could be debt-free in 24-48 months. To get started, just answer a few simple questions and get connected with a caring debt specialist. The consultation is completely free and only takes 30 seconds to see if you qualify!19

See if your $30k+ in credit card debt is eligible for National Debt Relief


Did You Know?
On average, debt settlement saves clients around 32% of their enrolled debt after fees, according to a 2023 study by the Association for Consumer Debt Relief. The consultation costs nothing. People who enroll and complete the program could be debt-free in 24 to 48 months.
Sources: Association for Consumer Debt Relief (2023)

Alert: People lost over $3 billion to scams that started online in 2025

That’s right. If you thought the internet was safer than ever before, you should know that people still lost over $3 billion to scams that started online in 2025 alone.

But you can safeguard your digital world and identity with this powerful browser extension + mobile app from Guardio. Fake sites that mimic trusted ones are more common than you think, especially when making online purchases. Guardio predicts, detects, and blocks them.

Plans start at $9.99 per month. Sign up, install the extension and mobile app, and Guardio will monitor the dark web 24/7 for exposed data. It sends clear and actionable insights in real time to safeguard your accounts, protect your sensitive data, and secure your SSN. And it works across all your devices.

Before you make your next online purchase, join over 2 million users on any device and protect what you’ve built for a fraction of what it could cost you if your data were compromised.

Get a free trial + 30% off when you install Guardio today!

Earn up to a $3,000 bonus with this checking account

We hate to tell you this, really. But if you aren't banking with HSBC, you're missing out on extra cash — as much as up to $3,000. Don't worry though … It's easy to fix.

Earn up to a $3,000 Cash Bonus20 when you open an HSBC Premier checking account21 by December 31, 2026. Add your preferred amount of deposits and/or eligible investments within 30 days, maintain your balances for 3 full consecutive months, and remain opted-in to receive HSBC marketing emails.

  • Get $1,000: Deposit or invest $50,000 to $99,999
  • Get $1,500: Deposit or invest $100,000 to $249,999
  • Get $2,000: Deposit or invest $250,000 to $499,999
  • Get $3,000: Deposit or invest $500,000+

HSBC is a premium bank you'll love. You'll manage your finances around the world, with Premier privileges in select countries, perfect for global lifestyles. And you'll get access to a personal Wealth Relationship Manager to help you reach your goals.

This is a great way to supercharge your earnings. But hurry, this up to $3,000 Cash Bonus won't last forever. Open an account today and add qualifying new deposits to take advantage of this significant bonus while it lasts!

Open your new HSBC Premier checking account here

Set up direct deposit - pocket $400

I moved the money for the rate. Then I found out about the cash bonus during signup. SoFi is running a limited-time offer for new and existing Checking and Savings members who haven't previously enrolled in direct deposit. That's up to $400 in your pocket.

  1. 1Today

    Open a SoFi Checking and Savings account

    It's fully online with no minimum opening balance.

  2. 2By 12/31/26

    Set up your first eligible direct deposit

    That means recurring income via ACH — payroll, pension, or government benefits.

  3. 3The next 25 days

    Claim Your $400 Bonus

    SoFi adds up every eligible direct deposit received in the 25 calendar days after your first one. $1,000 to $4,999.99 earns $50. $5,000 or more earns the full $400, paid into your account within 7 business days.

The Things I Didn't Know to Look For

The bonus was eye-catching but these are what actually made me stay:

  • Getting paid up to two days early. Direct deposit hits before the scheduled payday, automatically. A small thing that could matter a lot at the end of the month.
  • No fee structure to manage around. No monthly fee, no minimum balance fee, no overdraft fees. Plus 55,000+ fee-free ATMs in the Allpoint® network.
  • FDIC insurance well past $250,000. Through the SoFi Insured Deposit Program, deposits may be insured up to $3 million across a network of participating banks. If your balance is heading toward six figures, this is the box to check.
  • Checking earns, too. Not just savings. The checking balances earn 0.50% APY, which is more than my old bank paid on savings.
You could earn an estimated
$1,933
per year on $50,000 in savings at 3.80% APY
$
$5K$10K$25K$50K$100K$250K$500K
Comparison is for illustrative purposes. Results will vary.Example assumes a $50,000 average daily balance over 12 months. 3.80% APY is variable and may change after account opening. Interest earnings are based on current rates and compounding.

Open and fund a SoFi® account to earn your $400 bonus »

Pay no interest on balance transfers into 2027

Imagine getting 15 months with 0% intro APR on balance transfers (APR then 18.24% - 27.74% Variable). Sounds great — right? You could dramatically change your financial picture with this industry-leading low-interest card - the Chase Freedom Unlimited®(Rates and fees).

If you want to kick high-interest credit card debt to the curb, this is one of the leading get-out-of-debt cards available. Transfer your high interest debt to this card with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months. Your payments can go directly to paying down your balance without incurring a pile of additional charges. That could save you hundreds of dollars in interest! After the intro period, the APR is 18.24% - 27.74% Variable. 

The best part? The annual fee is $0.

Click here to Apply Now to the Chase Freedom Unlimited®