Free money? Who says there's no such thing as a free lunch? Every year businesses (and the government) give away thousands of dollars in free money and free PayPal money as a way of promoting their websites or products.
It's true and I've put together a list of my favorites that will give you more than $3,700 in free cash right now. Some of them only require filling out a form or downloading a free money app. Some of them take a bit more effort, but you can easily knock out all of these in a weekend to get free money online.
How to Get Free Money
Is free money really free? I know you're probably skeptical but there are a ton of ways to get free money. Here are some ideas for you…
1. Join Sites that Give You Free Money to Invest in Stocks (up to $1,000)
There are several companies that offer free stocks online through their services and apps. You can then choose to hold for the long-term or sell for a quick profit. Some companies may even pay dividends.
If you are looking for ways to earn free money, you can try to see how you can get free stocks from the best investment apps:
Robinhood
Robinhood offers you a chance of earning a free stock valued between $5.00 and $200 by playing their pick-a-card game of chance. There are no minimum balance requirements to open an account and it's completely free (must submit the application to claim free stock). We are an affiliate partner of Robinhood and may receive compensation when you click on their links.
Moomoo
Moomoo offers zero-commission trading for stock, ETFs, and options on an advanced trading platform with robust research and analytical tools. New users can get up to 20 free stocks worth up to $30,000.
Acorns
Acorns is a financial app available via iOS and Android phones. This app rounds up your purchases on linked credit cards to the nearest dollar and invests that amount for your future. You will get $20 when you sign up for a new account with Acorns and set up recurring investments. Acorns also allows you to earn cash back on your everyday purchases at select stores. You can also set up your cash back earnings as recurring investments which adds up!
Start investing effortlessly with Acorns! Turn your spare change into investments, making it simple for anyone to build wealth over time. Set up automatic contributions, sit back, and watch your money grow. Plus, get a $20 bonus when you open a new account and start recurring investments.
2. Earn Credit Card Signup Bonuses
One of the best ways to make some serious extra cash is to take advantage of credit card signup bonuses.
My favorite card with the best credit card rewards is the Discover it® credit card which has no fees at all. Plus, you can earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
You can also get a 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, so if you have any credit card debt with high-interest rates, it's worth switching over so you save on interest. Then you can find ways to pay off the credit card debt while saving on interest.
Also, this card is beneficial if you wanted to claim a $100 bonus after you make any purchase with your new card in your first 3 months. You will receive the $100 back in the form of a statement credit.
Click here to apply and get a $100 bonus!
3. Get Free Money with the #1 Money Saving App
Finding hidden money is one of the best ways to make free money. There are several money saving apps like Rocket Money that can help you lower your bills automatically and find hidden ways to save money.
Rocket Money
Rocket Money helps 3.4+ million members save hundreds. Get the app and start saving today. Save more, spend less, and take back control of your financial life.
Rocket Money can help with saving money by canceling your unwanted subscriptions and lowering your bills. You can use it to cancel your unwanted subscriptions and get better rates on your bill. Their fee is only 40% of your savings.
Rocket Money helps 3.4+ million members save hundreds. Get the app and start saving today. Save more, spend less, and take back control of your financial life.
4. Shopping and Cash Back Apps Can Help
Did you know that you can get some of the money you already spent back? That is where cash back apps come in. There are several reputable cash back apps out there that will give you cash back when you're shopping online or make a purchase using one of these apps.
Here are some popular apps that will help you get paid to shop:
Rakuten
Rakuten is one of the most well-known apps that will let you earn cash back at more than 2,500 stores when you shop online or in-store. Simply make your planned purchases at your favorite stores using the Rakuten app to earn some money back. You will earn a $30 cash bonus when you sign up with them.
Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards is another money-making app that pays you to scan your receipts, no matter where you shop. Fetch Rewards works directly with hundreds of brands. When you shop with any of these brands through Fetch Rewards app, you will also earn points. You can redeem your points for rewards, including gift cards from the most popular stores and retailers.
Upside
This cash back gives you free money or cash back whenever you shop using your linked debit or credit cards to Upside app. It would not be wise to lose money at the pump since you get free money in the form of cash back. You can get a $5 bonus when you register your account.
5. Get a $20 Investment Bonus
Investing is a great way to make some extra money. If you’re not sure where to start, Acorns is one of the most popular investing apps. It literally lets you turn your spare change into investments just by rounding up your purchases.
How Acorns works:
- Sign-up here, it takes a few minutes
- With the app, you’ll start small and stack up change over time with the Acorns “round-up” feature
- Then potentially start earning money on your investments
Sounds like fun? Sign-up for Acorns, collect your $20 and double your money by investing. You can also get a registration bonus through here to get the bonus (you must complete the application).
Start investing effortlessly with Acorns! Turn your spare change into investments, making it simple for anyone to build wealth over time. Set up automatic contributions, sit back, and watch your money grow. Plus, get a $20 bonus when you open a new account and start recurring investments.
6. Earn Free Cash with Survey Apps
Taking online surveys to earn extra money in just a few minutes is a no-brainer. You can earn cash by participating in market research through many survey sites. This is an easy way to earn some extra cash.
While you will probably not make $100 fast overnight by completing surveys, it can help you reach your goal if you combine it with other money-making methods. There are just a few companies that make it worth it if you're in need of earning free money.
Here are some of the top-paying survey sites that will pay you to complete online surveys:
Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a popular rewards site that pays you to perform a variety of online activities, including participating in market research, or online surveys. Swagbucks is one of the best and highest-paying survey sites you can join to make money online by taking paid surveys. You can earn anywhere from $0.05 to $2.50 per survey with Swagbucks. Some surveys can pay as much as $25-$35.
Survey Junkie
Survey Junkies is one of the best legitimate survey sites out there. You can earn virtual points by completing surveys with them. You can then redeem your points for PayPal cash or gift cards.
InboxDollars
InboxDollars is a popular cash rewards and survey site that will pay you to perform various tasks online. One of the best ways to earn money from InboxDollars is to complete online surveys and watch videos. Once you accumulate $30 in your account, you can cash out your earnings with a check or gift card.
KashKick
This site pays you cash to play mobile games, save money, take surveys, and see offers — make $100 today. Over 2 million users agree that KashKick is a fresh and lucrative way to earn money and get paid directly to your PayPal!
This site pays you cash to play mobile games, save money, take surveys, and see offers — make $100 today. Over 2 million users agree that KashKick is a fresh and lucrative way to earn money and get paid directly to your PayPal!
7. Get Free Money from the Government
If you are in need of assistance then you can look to get free money from the federal government. Here's how with these legitimate sites to find unclaimed money:
Unclaimed.org
Your first stop should be checking out Unclaimed.org for finding unclaimed money that you may be owed. This site is endorsed by the NAUPA and would typically include old security deposits that you've paid in the past and those sorts of things. This would be a great way to get free money sent by mail that is owed to you.
MissingMoney.com
This is a similar site to unclaimed.org and is also endorsed by the NAUPA. MissingMoney.com featured collective records from all states of all resident's unclaimed property. You don't even have to sign up to get free money all you do is a free search to see if you're owed any unclaimed money.
Child Care and Development Fund
The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Plan serves as the application for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funds by providing a description of, and assurance about, the grantee’s child care program and all services available to eligible families that need free cash and funds as aid.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist families with energy costs. If you legitimately need money today for free then it is worth checking out.
Federal Pell Grant for Education
Federal Pell Grants are usually awarded to undergraduates that need payment assistance. The amount depends on financial need and the cost of attendance at the college. You can learn more at the Federal Student Aid website.
8. Get Paid to Get in Shape
Want a way to walk for money? There are a few apps that allow you to get paid for walking. I thought to myself, these apps that pay you to exercise must be a scam, right? I decided to download the apps that reward you for walking to see if you can actually make money by walking or working out. Yes, you heard that right.
If walking is something you enjoy every day, then there are apps that will pay you to walk:
Sweatcoin
Sweatcoin is an app that pays you to walk. They will pay you in cryptocurrency. Once you sign up for the app, you will be able to earn 5 Sweatcoins per day for 5,000 steps. But if you choose a higher membership level that is charged monthly in Sweatcoins, you can increase the number of Sweatcoins you can earn per month. You can use your Sweatcoins earned to buy goods and services from brands in the app's marketplace.
HealthyWage
HealthyWage will pay you to lose weight. Simply sign up with the app and make a bet on how much weight you want to lose, how long you will take to lose that weight, and how much you would like to bet. Then HealthyWage Prize Calculator will determine the amount of your winnings based on your own weight loss goals. If you lose weight, you will get paid to reach your weight loss goal. You can redeem your coins for PayPal cash, or merchandise like Apple devices, sports gear, etc.
HealthyWage is a program for people who want to start dieting in a way that is fun, competitive, and potentially rewarding. As a member, you and your friends, family, and coworkers can bet against yourselves and potentially walk away with hundreds or even thousands of dollars in your pocket.
9. Get Free Money Playing Games
Playing games on your smartphone is a fun way to make money in your spare time. You will not make a stable income with game apps to win real money, but if you enjoy playing games on your smartphone, this can be a nice way to earn real cash.
You can earn real money by playing games online via several game apps and sites:
InboxDollars
You can earn money online by playing games on InboxDollars. When you sign up for InboxDollars, you get a $5 welcome bonus. Some Arcade games available on InboxDollars are Mahjong, Solitaire, Sudoku, and Word Chess.
Swagbucks
One of the ways you can make more money on Swagbucks is to play games online. It is free to join Swagbucks. When you sign up and complete your profile, you get a $10 welcome bonus.
Mistplay
Mistplay is an app that pays you to play games online on your Android device. You earn points that can be redeemed for Amazon gift cards, iTunes, Nintendo, and Visa prepaid gift cards. You can earn anywhere from 20 to 200 points per game, depending on the amount of time spent playing and other factors. One thousand five hundred points are equivalent to around $5.
Blackout Bingo
This app lets you play bingo for money — make $100 today. Over 5 million players agree Bingo Cash is the fresh, social competitive twist to the classic game where you can win real-world rewards and cash prizes (where available).
In Bingo Cash, you're paired to play in head-to-head games against real people and whoever plays the fastest, wins real cash. You won't get rich, but earning up to $83 per win can add up quickly. Win cash for free or deposit $5 to multiply your winnings.
10. Get Free Money by Downloading an App
Do you have a laptop, tablet or mobile device? If so, follow me on a quick trip to some free money.
By downloading a free app to your mobile device, you can improve the products and services you use online today. Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel combines your unique internet usage and uses it for market research.
By using the internet as you do every day, they invite you to make a difference – and you can make a quick $60 per year just for installing this app that anonymously collects information from your favorite web-surfing device.
You don’t really have to do anything other than initially register your computer or phone. If you are at all interested, you can get more information here.
This company will pay you $60 a year to keep their app on your favorite internet browsing device and they also give away $10,000 each month. You don’t have to do anything other than initially registering your computer or phone.
11. Earn Free Money for Reading Emails
You could get free money for reading emails. It is one of the easiest ways to earn some extra money online while doing something that you already do online. Many sites will pay anywhere from 1 to 5 cents for opening the email and reading it. Here are some sites that allow you to get paid to read emails.
InboxDollars
If you sign up for an account with InboxDollars, they will pay you just to read the emails they will send to your inbox. InboxDollars sends special offers through these emails. All you have to do is open these emails and read them to earn some extra cash.
InboxPays
InboxPays is another site that will pay you to read emails. When you sign up for InboxPays, you can earn through reading emails. The maximum amount you can request per payout is $25. All earnings are deposited to your PayPal account.
Branded Surveys
Branded Surveys lets you earn a nice chunk of cash for answering simple surveys that they send to your email from Fortune 500 companies like Apple, Walmart, and more! You'll need to provide honest feedback so these companies can improve products and services. This company has paid over $17 million to date, and it's free to sign up.
Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a popular online rewards program that pays you cash and gift cards for doing a variety of tasks online, including reading emails. Swagbucks will send you promotional emails. If you simply click on those emails to read, you will earn SB points that can be redeemed for free gift cards to your favorite retailers like Amazon or Walmart, or PayPal cash.
Swagbucks offers a variety of ways to earn money online. You can take surveys, play games, surf the web, watch videos and more to earn points towards gift cards or cash.
12. Earn Passive Income with a High-Yield Savings Account
Yes, I wouldn't think of savings accounts as a good source of passive income but your cash should be getting something in return instead of just sitting in a checking account.
Online banks can offer over 20X more in interest — and consumers are missing out. The best high yield savings accounts offer a higher interest rate and there is absolutely no risk to your money (you'll actually earn 1% or more on your cash).
If you need to save money for short-term financial goals like travel or a home, then a high-yield savings account can pay off. With some analysts saying there is a looming U.S. recession coming this year, risk-averse individuals may benefit from stashing cash in a savings account.
Don't know which bank accounts to start with? Check out the following high-yield savings accounts that offer bonuses for new customers.
- APY: 4.00%
- Minimum to Earn APY: $1
- Up to $325 welcome bonus for new accounts
13. Safe and Fast Way To Get Money Now
If you actually need money now, then you can opt for a personal loan. When you need money in a hurry ZippyLoan is where to go.
You apply for a loan through the ZippyLoan site, if approved they send your loan application to one of many loan providers.
You review the loan details and e-sign if you like what you see. No risk in checking what offers you'll get. You can borrow between $100 and $15,000 as soon as tomorrow right into your bank account.
Loans service up to 60 months.
ZippyLoan connects borrowers to lenders through their network of lenders. They'll find you the lowest interest rate and is one of the best no credit check loan. You can visit ZippyLoan here.
- Quick Approvals: Get matched with lenders in minutes.
- Flexible Loan Amounts: Borrow $100 to $15,000 to meet your needs.
- Fast Funding: Receive funds as soon as the next business day.
- All Credit Types Welcome: Options available even with less-than-perfect credit.
Earn Free Cash and Free Money FAQs
Free money is a benefit that has no costs. Here, it will mostly be sites that will not be asking for anything directly in return for the money.
Here are common questions people ask about how to get absolutely free money:
Finding free money is simple if you know where to look. If you wanted to get some free money right now you can earn money with online surveys, bank bonuses, use game apps to win real money, claim free stock promotions, and signing up for credit card bonuses. Or you can use the ideas below.
There are so many apps that give you free cash and free stuff. They are called ‘money-making apps‘ and you should start with InboxDollars, Drop, Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, Slidejoy, AppTrailers, and Rakuten.
Getting free PayPal money isn't any different than earning regular free money. The ideas and apps are the same and I've researched the different ways in this article on how to earn free PayPal money.
You can find unclaimed funds, find unclaimed pension funds, apply for educational and government grants, get assistance with childcare expenses, get help with utility bills, and accept healthcare credits.
Beware of Free Money Scams
You're likely ready to earn free money and get started soon. However, don’t assume that all free money opportunities you receive are from legitimate companies or even people. Some free money offers online are scams.
Spurious agents may happen to pick up your phone number and call you to offer a free vacation or even free money. Therefore, be vigilant about anything you find that someone claims to be free.
A detailed guide on the subject elaborates on the several steps consumers can take to protect themselves against such scam collection calls claiming to offer anything for “free”.
You should start by asking questions. For example, ask the caller about the company he or she represents, or ask for a number to call them “right back.” Legitimate companies would readily provide this information. Even asking seemingly trivial questions like “what’s my full name,” can help keep the fraudulent callers away.
With that being said, good luck earning free money and staying vigilant.
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