Ibotta

You may have read my post a few weeks ago about making extra money at home. When I switched blog domains after life changing events, I didn't make it a huge focus to obtain an income from my blog. I will admit I used to sell ad spaces and made a decent amount of PayPal cash doing so. However, it became exhausting focusing on creating so many sponsor shout out posts a week, as I felt a lot of my content was related only to clothing and products that my sponsors were selling. I always make sure that when accepting a partnership with any sponsor, that their products and mission align with my blog style. No one wants to read a blog that is solely promoting other companies in a mess of advertisements and product plugs. 

This all being said, I miss the extra little money that was coming in with the hobby that I spend so much time investing in. So, I started looking for extra ways to make "chump change," which is what I use to buy things that I don't need but have had my eye on. Read my previous post to see how I make a decent amount of change using eBates, cashback, and Swagbucks. 

I was recently reading another blog friend's post and heard about Ibotta.  I promise, I am not getting any compensation for this post so it is my opinion only. 

You can download this app on both Android and Apple phones. It is so easy to use, the premise being earning money for things you need to buy anyways. Before going to the store to grocery shop, buy cosmetics, etc., you use the app to search for the store you are going to shop at, and then search through the deals and rebates they are offering. Select the deals on items you will be buying (like .50 cents back on milk, 50 cents back on bananas, or $1.00 back just for buying grocery items). They will be saved to your virtual "cart." When you return from shopping, take a photo of your receipt and the app will verify cashback on your purchases and credit your account within 24 hours. 

Seriously, I about flipped when within a day of having this app I earned $2.50 searching through old receipts on items I had to buy anyways to survive, like food. After earning $20 in cashback and rebates you can redeem your account balance for various gift cards, even if that means returning the money you saved and continue to use it to buy more groceries. 

Growing up, I always remember my mom using coupons. I am a single girl living in my own apartment, and I do not buy enough food to use the countless coupons that I clip and hide in my coupon sorter. I rarely replace toilet paper, and milk, bread and orange juice seem to be the items I purchase the most. Rather than wasting time clipping coupons I never end up using, it is so much easier for me just to use this app to quickly search for items that I will be purchasing immediately. 

Also worth mentioning...there are bonuses for every few rebates you redeem. Recommend this app to your friend, have them use your coupon code, and they will earn $10 and you have $5 credited to your account. Sweet!

I definitely think this is one of those apps that you need to recommend to your frugal friends. 

You're welcome, in advance. 

XOXO, 

How to Make Extra Money

Latey I have been thinking of lots of little ways to make extra money. I have a steady job and make it a point to put money in my savings every month. However, it is always great to have a way to have a little extra cash flow, especially doing things that you love. I am sharing a few of the ways that I have been making a little extra cash to do fun things that I love. I try to use this "fun money" as my funds for shopping and buying other knick-knacks or things I have been lusting over online.

1. Sell your old stuff online.

Ebay and Poshmark are my jam. I am always amazed at some of the old things that I no longer use that others still want to buy. I have sold everything from gently used scrub tops to bridesmaid jewelry I never wore, to old loved boots and doubles of anything I own. While this doesn't bring in a ton of money a month, it does provide an extra $20 - $30. The trick is to start your prices for items you are selling a little higher than you like, and slowly start to lower them over a period of time. You never know when someone might be looking for an item you are selling and want to buy it now, and you don't want to lose out on a higher profit because your prices were low to begin with. Patience is key to this method of extra cash.

Both of these sites also have apps, which makes managing your sales on the go much easier.

2. Monetize Your Blog

I have to admit, I have not been the best at this. I used to make a decent chunk of cash under my previous blog domain, but I was also in college and had a lot more time to commit to posting. I do enjoy writing reviews for sponsored posts; however, I am very keen on only writing honest reviews on items that are parallel to both my likes and lifestyle.

Blogger pairs with Google Ads, and there are plenty of sites that also allow you to host ads on your site for monetization per clicks.

I will continue to blog with or without cash flow, but it is nice to know there are options that reward you for your hobby and time.

3. Swagbucks

You may have heard me talk about my favorite trending websites a few weeks ago, and I have not wavered. I love that after putting an extra 15 minutes into this site a day I am able to make an extra few dollars a week. I plan on saving this up for the end of the year and then buying a gift card to a site like Amazon where I can buy a variety of items that I use on a daily basis.

I have also been considering listing high quality copies of some of my artwork for sale. I have received a lot of compliments on my original pieces which I have used to decorate my entire apartment. However, I am wishy washy on putting effort into building a site and then not having it be successful. I feel like investing in an Instagram site might be more successful.

4. Shop Smart

Check your credit card...I know Chase Freedom and Discover accounts allow you to earn cashback for many of your purchases. Use Ebates or Swagbucks to earn cash that be deposited directly into a Paypal account as well.

What are your favorite ways to make extra cash?

XOXO,

My Favorite Trending Websites

I can't wait to share with you some of my favorite new websites that are up and coming! 

Some of them I have mentioned before, but I wanted to go into depth about why I love them so much. Please note that I am not affiliates with any of these sites so you can trust my honest and excited opinion in this text heavy post. 

The Real Real 

1. This is one of my favorite new consignment shops. It offers luxury items at such affordable prices because they have been gently used. And when I say gently, I mean that many of these items are brand new with tags and have been in storage. When you sign up for the first time you will get $100 off your first purchase of $400 or more (so save this for when you have a splurge in mind). They also offer 20% off sales frequently, which is how I scooped up my new LV bag recently. 

I love that all luxury items sold on The Real Real have to go through a multi-step authentication process before they are shipped out to you. I would say the description of the item I received was spot on. My recommendation is to make sure you know a lot about the luxury item you would like to purchase before you do, because a lot of items for sale on TRR are not returnable; however, you can trust that the item you are buying is exactly what you think it is as well as what it looks like in photos. 

Tradesy 

2. This is my second runner up for used luxury items online. The only reason I say runner up is because many of the items are sold through other sellers through Tradesy rather than through Tradesy itself (which is what The Real Real does). However, Tradesy has a policy that all items can be returned at any time for a site credit. I ordered a wallet off Tradesy that I have not received yet so I cannot speak to it. However, I noticed that it was sold through another consignment store company that is using Tradesy as another listing opportunity so it looked legit. I could see the inside of the beautiful store in the background of the photos. 

Also, Tradesy will offer a discount on many items during sales as well as $25 off your first purchase. I must also mention that with both The Real Real and Tradesy you can consign with the company for future site credits! In with the old and out with the new. 

Swagbucks 

3. This is not a luxury consignment store, but rather a way to make money. You will not get rich quick with Swagbucks, but you can definitely make a few hundred dollars over the course of the year. I used this website in college and made $25 gift cards here and there which I used to go out to dinner. 

The premise of the website is being able to complete sponsored activities to earn virtual points that eventually equate to money. For example, every 150 "Swagbucks" is equivalent to $1 USD. You can earn them by watching videos, taking daily polls and surveys, playing games, downloading apps, entering coupon codes for free Swagbucks, etc. I like to take an extra fifteen minutes out of my day if I have time on the computer to earn as many as I can. 

You can cash in your swagbucks for gift cards to virtually any online store, restaurants, coupons, etc. It is also worth it to download the Swagbucks bar if you are interested because it will remind you if you are on a site that will allow you to earn Swagbucks like ebates just for shopping on the sites you are already going to purchase from. It is a great way to earn extra chump change for yourself. 

Poshmark 

4. I mentioned Poshmark before as well. It is a great way to earn and sell gently used clothes as well. For purchasing discounted and hard to find items from Lilly, Devon Baer, Elizabeth McKay and the like it is excellent; however, be wary if you are going to be purchasing expensive luxury items. Though Poshmark offers free authentication on purchases over a certain dollar amount, I would personally feel more comfortable knowing they have been shipped to an authenticator prior to me purchasing the item so I know my money is being well spent. I myself have a few items listed on Poshmark and you can view them by clicking on the link above. I will be honest, I think the items that sell best on this site are sought after brand names. 

Are there any websites that you have been loving a lot lately? Please share below! 

XOXO,