5 Ways Your Cell Phone Can Help You Earn Cash
The money you earn from your job might be just enough to cover monthly expenses, leaving little disposable cash for fun. If you’re looking to make a few extra dollars for entertainment or recreation, a side hustle is the way to go! And if you have a cell phone, putting extra cash in your pocket might be easier than you think.
From apps to mobile reminders, here’s a look at five different ways your cell phone could help you earn a little more cash.
1. Take pictures
If you have a high-quality cell phone camera and you enjoy photography, consider taking photos with your camera and selling these for cash. Download a photo editing app directly to your phone – like Adobe Photoshop Express or Snapseed – to enhance your images, and then create an Etsy store selling your best shots, or market your photos to stock photography companies. For example, if your photos are accepted by Shutterstock, you can earn 20 to 30 percent of the purchase price of your photos, and up to 60 percent of the purchase price through Dreamstime. Familiarize yourself with each company’s guidelines before submitting your work.
2. Ibotta
You’re going to shop anyway, so it only makes sense to get cash back for the things you buy. Ibotta is a free cash back app – just download the app and then browse the list of retailers that will give you cash back on your purchases. After shopping at these stores, sign into your account, take a photo of your receipt and get cash back on certain items. The amount you’re eligible to receive varies, but could be as little as $0.25 or as much as a few dollars. Cash back is credited to your account, which you can redeem for gift cards or a PayPal deposit.
3. Gigwalk
Gigwalk is perfect if you like to connect with people and shops in your community. You essentially become a field agent for different companies, visiting retail stores to collect information. Some of your assignments, or gigs, may include going to a retail store and taking a photo of an item or a display, or visiting a store and answering a few questions about your experience. Most gigs can be completed in just a few minutes and depending on the assignment, you can earn anywhere between $3-$100 per gig. Money is deposited directly into your PayPal account.
4. Walmart Savings Catcher
If you shop at Walmart, this is likely one of the easiest ways to earn extra money with your cell phone. Download Walmart’s Savings Catcher app, and then keep your receipt each time you shop at the store. Use your phone to scan the barcode on your receipt. Once you’ve provided this information, the Walmart app will look to see if any local retailers sell your purchased items for less. If the apps finds these items cheaper elsewhere, Walmart refunds you the difference. The more receipts you scan, the more cash you earn. Once you accumulate money in your account, redeem cash for a Walmart eGift card.
5. Letgo
Chances are, there are a ton of items in your home that you no longer use. Rather than let these items take up space, download the Letgo app and start earning cash.
Getting started is simple. Take a picture of your items, write a description and post your item for sale in the local marketplace. The app works similar to selling on eBay or Facebook Marketplace. Interested parties will contact you for information and then you can meet and exchange items directly for cash. Of course, as a word of caution, never invite strangers to your home and do everything you can to stay safe. Always conduct transactions in a well-lit public place, preferably in the parking lot of a police station.
Getting creative can put extra cash in your pocket, so the next time you’re cranky about being broke, pull out your cell phone and download a few money-making apps. Once you put your phone to good use, the money you earn can add up quickly and provide some wiggle room in your budget.