5 Ways You Could Make Real Money Without Quitting Your Job

Young woman on laptop at coffee shop
Last updated Sept. 28, 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 eligible direct deposit - pocket up to $400

Set up an eligible direct deposit with SoFi Checking and Savings and you could pocket a bonus of $50 or $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 4.20% APY2on savings for up to six months (3.30% 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®

Card Highlights
$200 Bonus
after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
5%
cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
$0
Annual Fee
Intro APR
0% Intro APR for 15 months, 18.24% - 27.74% Variable APR after

If you're booking a trip to Disney, get a $100 gift card to use today upon approval! 

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 your first year costs just $15 (about $1.25 a 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!

Join AARP for only $15 your first year (renews at $20/yr). Start saving today.

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%.5They match you with top-rated providers offering physical gold and silver IRAs with a proven track record during unstable markets.6

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.

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 tool7 (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

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

Tap the equity in your home without adding another monthly payment (home must be worth at least $200,000)

If you own the home you live in but don't want to go for a traditional HELOC, Splitero could be perfect.

How it works: Splitero is a Home Equity Investment product that bets on your home's future value going up. They give you cash now, and when you sell, refinance, or pay Splitero back in cash, you give them a small portion based on how much your home is worth then.

(By the way, if your home value decreases, the value of the percentage Splitero is entitled to also decreases. That could be a lot safer for you.)

Splitero is rated "A" by the BBB and works with single family homes, condos, townhomes, and 2 to 4 unit properties. No mobile or manufactured homes. Use the money however you like. Pay off debt, renovate, invest … all without worrying about additional monthly payments.

You may qualify if you:

  1. Have 30% or more equity in your home. (Not sure how much equity you have? Click below and Splitero can help show you.)
  2. Have a home worth at least $200,000.
  3. Have a credit score of 500+.

Enter your home address here to see if you pre-qualify in less than 2 minutes

Alert: American adults lost $47 billion to scams and fraud in 2025

That's right. According to a new report, American adults lost $47 billion to scams and identity fraud in 2025.

But you can safeguard your data with all-in-one scam and fraud protection services from OmniWatch, which comes with up to $2,000,000.00 in identity theft insurance,8to cover eligible losses and fees should you experience them.

Plans start at $11.99 per month and can include comprehensive protection like 24/7 monitoring and alerts, dark web scanning to identify breached personal data (like your SSN and banking info), antivirus and VPN apps for device security, and expert restoration services at no extra cost.

Right now Omniwatch is offering a free dark web scan to check for vulnerabilities. Before you make your next online purchase, protect what you’ve built for a fraction of what it could cost you if your data were compromised. 

Start your free dark web scan here here

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

We hate to tell you this, really. But if you've never banked 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.

New clients can earn up to a $3,000 Cash Bonus9 when you open an HSBC Premier checking account10 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

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!11

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)

Save $28,000 over the life of your mortgage

Too many buyers overpay on their mortgage without even knowing it. Rates and fees vary wildly from lender to lender, but nobody has time to call around and compare, so they might just accept the first offer and hope for the best. Now there's a free service that does the hard part for you.

It's called Own Up, and it compares mortgage offers from a network of top-rated lenders so they compete for your business and you can pick a great deal.12You fill out a quick 5-minute profile (no hard credit pull),13get matched with top-rated lenders, and see the comparison side by side.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.

Own Up is 100% free — there’s no direct consumer fee for Own Up’s service. Own Up is compensated by lenders, not consumers. See what you could qualify for at the link below before you lock in a rate you might regret.

Check your rate in 5 minutes (free)

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 »