3 Ways To Earn Extra Spending Money
Having a few avenues to earn spending money, whether in the form of cash or gift cards, can make you feel better about treating yourself to a desired item or to not worry as much about the expense of buying gifts. There are several options for building-up spending money throughout the year, such as:
Survey Companies
There are many reputable survey companies online, if you do your research and find companies with a proven track record of paying participants. Some survey companies mostly have short surveys where you can earn a few dollars for your opinion on different topics or product tests. Generally, companies with focus groups or other in-depth participation, such as doing phone or online interviews, offer a higher incentive, but the screening process is more challenging and fewer people are able to participate. Survey companies are ideal to bankroll your money and cash out to buy a big-ticket purchase or help offset the costs of an expensive trip or event.
Mystery Shopping
Mystery shopping can entail numerous activities, such as visiting a store and reporting back on their displays or your experience. You must be able to take good notes and verbalize your experience. Mystery shopping can be a good way to earn a few dollars or be reimbursed for your expenses if you happen to find "shops" available nearby that work with your routine. For example, if you were planning to go out of town for a business or personal trip, you might happen to find a shop for a hotel in the area. You might choose to participate in the shop and book a night at that hotel instead of the one you originally planned to book. This way you could potentially be reimbursed for your hotel night and continue with your plans. Similarly, smaller, local shops might work well if you were planning to run errands in that area or do not mind slight modifications to your plans, such as changing where you have lunch for the day.
Rebate Apps
Rebate apps are a popular way to save money on your grocery bill and possibly earn a few extra dollars in spending money. The way to gain the most out of rebate apps is to find rebates that align with the shopping you normally do. Otherwise, you might spend more money. For example, if you are willing to change brands on a specific item that may cost you less after the rebate, you can stay within your budget. If the rebate app you choose offers you a percentage back for online purchases, try bargain-hunting for the same item over multiple retailers. If your rebate app has several online retailers, you might choose to buy the same item for a comparable price from one store over the other because you receive a higher percentage back, do not pay sales tax if you live in certain states, or avoid shipping fees. Making these comparisons between retailers will give you the most money back for your efforts.
Participating in different ways to earn money online can take some of the stress out of purchasing day-to-day items or investing in a single, big-ticket item. No matter the method you choose, being diligent about your participation will give you the best outcome. Contact a mystery shopping agency for more information and assistance.