5 Ways You Could Make Real Money Without Quitting Your Job

Young woman on laptop at coffee shop
Last updated July 12, 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 3.80% APY2on savings (3.10% APY standard + 0.70% APY boost for six months) on top of that $50 or $400 bonus.3 That's way better than the measly 0.38% (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.

Virginia drivers, cancel your car insurance

Maybe you've let your car insurance auto-renew for years. Clean record, no claims, so you figured your rate was fine. But you might be wrong.

Compare your options using this free tool. Drivers could save an average of $1,000/year or more on car insurance.5You might be surprised how much you could save.

If you haven't compared recently, it could be worth checking:

  1. Click below and hit "get started."
  2. Answer a few questions about your current coverage and vehicle.
  3. See if you can get the same coverage for less.

It's free, quick, and there's no obligation.

See if you could be paying less for the same coverage

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®

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

Diversify your hard-earned retirement savings with gold

You’ve spent your whole life building up your retirement savings, but market volatility and inflation could be threatening everything you’ve worked so hard for.

Priority Gold is actively helping Americans like you find greater retirement security with precious metal investments. They offer everything from physical ownership to IRAs in gold and silver that have a proven track record during unstable markets.

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 actually increased by 25%.6

Take control of your legacy today in 3 easy steps:

  1. Request your FREE Gold and Silver Guide and receive up to $20,000 in free silver on qualifying orders.7
  2. Speak to a dedicated specialist about the best option for you.
  3. Transfer or invest to better diversify your portfolio.

You're in good hands — Priority Gold boasts an A+ rating with the BBB and 4.8/5 stars on TrustPilot. If you have at least $20,000 in savings, IRAs, or your 401K take control of your savings now and download your FREE Gold and Silver Guide.

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 tool8 (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 Virginia 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 Virginia, 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

Check the one monthly bill too many Virginia drivers never think to compare

You compare prices on groceries, electronics, flights, and streaming services. But how many times have you actually compared your car insurance? For most people, the answer is once — when they first signed up. After that, it just auto-renews.

The thing is, rates can change year to year, and what you were quoted when you first signed up may not reflect what's available to you now. A free comparison tool could show you options you didn't know were out there.

Here's how to check:

  1. Click below and enter your zip code and a few basic details.
  2. Get matched with providers based on your profile.
  3. See if there's a better rate for the same coverage you already have.

Compare your options and see what's available in Virginia

It could take a couple of minutes, and there's no obligation to switch. But if you find something better, you could put that difference back in your pocket every month. Just make sure to cancel your existing policy if you do switch.


Quick Tip

92% of drivers who switched car insurance reported saving money, according to LendingTree. Separately, a Consumer Reports survey of 40,000+ policyholders found median annual savings of $461 among drivers who switched insurers.  Drivers who stay with the same provider for several years could be leaving real money on the table.

Sources: Consumer Reports (2025); LendingTree auto insurance switching survey (2025)

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.9You fill out a quick 5-minute profile (no hard credit pull),10get matched with top-rated lenders, and see the comparison side by side.11

Thnk 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.12

Own Up customers save on average $28,000 over the life of their loan,13and it costs you absoloutely 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)

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

If you have a lot of debt, getting rid 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 rid of unsecured debt?

Freedom 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 resolve your debt for less than you owe — with one affordable monthly deposit.

Best of all? There are zero upfront settlement fees, and you could reduce debt in as little as 24-48 months14. To get started, just answer a few simple questions and get connected with a Certified Debt Consultant. It only takes a few minutes to see if you qualify, and the consultation is completely free!

See if your $30k+ in credit card debt is eligible for Freedom 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 reduce debt in as little as 24 to 48 months.

Sources: Association for Consumer Debt Relief (2023)

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

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

But you can safeguard your identity with Coveron (previously NordProtect) — an all-in-one protection service designed by cybersecurity experts. Coveron includes up to $1,000,000 in identity theft recovery coverage, helping reimburse you for eligible recovery expenses if needed.

Plans start as low as $7.49 per month (when charged annually) and include 24/7 dark web monitoring, credit score tracking, and real-time security alerts to notify you about potential threats, from compromised accounts to suspicious credit activity.

Before you make your next online purchase or open your next email, protect what you’ve built — for a fraction of what identity theft could cost you.

Get the 1-year plan now for 50% off

Get 70% off healthy dog food delivered right to your door

Kibble gets the job done. Ollie does something different.

Ollie's fresh, human-grade meals are formulated with vet nutritionists and built around your dog's actual needs.

You answer a few questions, and they put together a custom plan based on your dog's age, weight, breed, and activity level. No guessing. No preservatives. No harmful fillers. Just real food, portioned right, delivered to your door.

BONUS: Save 70% on your first box, plus score a free KONG Classic!

Get 70% off your dog's meal plan

Get $30,000-$500,000 from your home (no monthly payments)

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 Unison, and it lets you take money out of your home right now without making monthly payments. It's called an Equity Sharing Agreement (ESA), which is a partnership with you and Unison where you get money now in return for a portion of your home’s future appreciation in value.

Unison can give you access to $30,000-$500,000, but you can take what you need based on what you qualify for.15 You can also leave the partnership at any time by buying them out or selling your home. To get started, go to their website, enter your address, and instantly see how much you qualify for. It’s incredible.

Complete the form here and get your instant cash estimate

Earn up to a $5,000 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 $5,000. Don’t worry though … It's easy to fix.

Earn up to a $5,000 Cash Bonus when you open an HSBC Premier checking account by August 31, 2026. Add New Deposits to your Premier checking account, Premier Savings account and/or Premier Relationship Savings account by August 31, 2026, and maintain the New Deposits through September 30, 2026.16

  • Get a $1,500 Cash Bonus: Add and maintain New Deposits of $150,000 to $249,999
  • Get a $2,500 Cash Bonus: Add and maintain New Deposits of $250,000 to $499,999
  • Get a $3,500 Cash Bonus: Add and maintain New Deposits of $500,000 to $999,999
  • Get a $5,000 Cash Bonus: Add and maintain New Deposits of $1,000,000+

HSBC is a premium bank you’ll love. You’ll pay no foreign transaction fees on purchases when you use the HSBC Premier Debit World Mastercard® card. And you’ll get access to wealth solutions, insights and advice from an HSBC Wealth Relationship Manager.

This is a great way to supercharge your earnings. But hurry, this up to $5,000 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

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®

SmarterAuto - O&O Auto Insurance
  • They work with 90+ partners and are trusted by over 2 million drivers to shop for auto insurance
  • It takes less than two minutes and the tool is free to use
  • There is no catch and no hidden fees to get matched