6 Legitimate Ways To Make Money From What You Already Spend

RgStudio / Getty Images
RgStudio / Getty Images

“You have to spend money to make money” is a wise saying. But we have a better one for you: “Whenever you spend money, you can make money.”

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Learn: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases

From traditional options to apps you might never have heard of, there are plenty of ways to earn a percentage of your money back when you shop. GOBankingRates rounded up six of the best options to earn cash back without spending anything extra.

Earn Cash Back With Upside

Upside’s mobile app partners with grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations to offer cash back on purchases at participating businesses. After claiming an offer and confirming your purchase, you receive a percentage of the money spent or a certain amount of cents per gallon back. You can cash out directly to your bank account, PayPal or a gift card. Upside’s frequent users make an average of $340 annually — that makes Upside the highest-earning method of making money from what you already buy.

If you don’t go buying things you wouldn’t normally just to earn more cash back, it’s impossible to lose with Upside. Just remember to claim your offers and you’ll get paid for buying your everyday essentials.

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Use a Cash-Back Credit Card

While anyone can download and use Upside, getting a good cash-back card is easier said than done. You might not know what cash-back card options are out there, or maybe you’re struggling to raise your credit score so you can get the card you want.

You should aim for a card with unlimited cash back on all purchases, or at least one that lets you earn in the categories you spend the most money on. That way you earn cash back on all of the money you spend with your card, unlimited by which businesses participate.

Earn on Online Purchases With a Browser Extension

Upside offers the best cash-back earnings at brick-and-mortar stores, but you probably buy plenty of things online, too. To earn on your online purchases, you can add a cash-back browser extension to your money-saving toolset. With an extension installed, you can activate cash-back offers when you shop at select websites. Accumulate rewards and accept your money as cash back, PayPal shopping credit or gift cards.

Join a Loyalty Rewards Program

Many stores have loyalty programs you can join for perks such as member discounts, free shipping or points redeemable for store credit. If your shopping habits keep taking you back to the same stores, you should investigate whether they have loyalty programs. But don’t go crazy signing up for them. Take a close look at how much you currently spend at a particular business, how much of that you would save with member discounts, and whether the amount you’d save in a year is more than the cost of joining the loyalty program.