You know that I’m a frugal momma, right? That was one of the reasons that I started this site – to share some of the cool tips and tricks I had learned. Long story short – a month after becoming a new mom, I lost my job, including the other two months of paid maternity leave I was expecting. There was a glitch with unemployment, and it took months before they figured it out and accepted my claim. I was a full-time student, overwhelmed mom of an infant, in a really bad economy. First was panic – then I got resourceful! I started looking at all of the ways I could cut expenses, and took out things like restaurant meals, coffee shop drinks, and vacations. Little by little I learned to coupon, build a frugal pantry, and started to live by the phrase, “Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do, or Do Without.” But cutting expenses isn’t always enough, right?
I also needed to find ways to earn more income, while staying at home with Abby. I shared a lot of my tips here: 10 Ways to Earn Money from Home, which is my most popular post on this site, of all time, ever. And since that post has been so popular, I’m guessing that there are a lot of moms out there like me, trying to bring in extra money to boost a slim budget. Even now that I’ve built my business well, I still follow all of my frugal habits – there’s no reason to throw money away! So, today is the first in a series, showing you some new ways to earn more money right from your own home too.
How to Earn Free Cash from Shopping Online
I find that shopping online saves me tons of money – in lots of different ways. One, there are less impulse buys. Sure, I might find an extra item or two while browsing for what I really need, but it’s easier to remove things from my online shopping cart before check out than it is in a regular store. Two, I can price check across multiple sites and stores. Three, I save money on gas, since I get to shop from my desk. And four – my favorite! – I earn totally free cash-back from almost all of my purchases. How it works:
- When I need to make a purchase somewhere, I pull up a few windows on my computer, and go to some of my favorite cash back sites {I have a list below – keep reading!} to see who is offering the highest cash back for that purchase. Most of the sites also post any current coupon codes for that site as well – saving you even more.
- I then click through on the site that is offering the most cash back, and make my purchase at whatever store I’m shopping at that day.
- Soon, my cash back magically appears in my account!
- All of the sites are different – most pay by check, and there’s a certain threshold of earnings you have to reach before they send it out. But they’re never too high, usually around $30 bucks. Some send checks out at set times, automatically. Some sites you have to request your earnings manually.
And that’s it! A few extra minutes of work and you can find the best price, a matching coupon code, and get free cash back too. I’ve had SO many friends who don’t believe these sites are legit until they see my accounts or actual checks, and then try it for themselves and love it. And if you do a lot of online shopping like I do, this can add up quick. As an example, check out my Ebates account:
That’s all totally free money with very little effort. And, it’s just ONE of the sites that I use. There are lots of ways to build up your earnings too, depending on the sites – some pay you for filling out surveys or printing and redeeming coupons, some have double cash back days, and most offer you some type of incentive when you share the site with your friends. Ready to check some of them out? :) These are all sites that I’ve used and gotten payments from, so I can vouch for them that they’re legit. If you have any that work great for you that aren’t on the list, be sure to leave me a comment so I can check them out too.
Cash Back Sites I Use:
Hope this helps you ladies! I recommend signing up for at least 2 or 3, so that you’ll have more chances of finding your favorite stores listed – and more options to check out their cash back percentages. If you have any other online shopping tips to share, I’d love to hear them. Tweet me at @sunandsipcups, chat with me on Facebook, or leave me a comment below. And be sure to follow my Frugal Tips for Moms board on Pinterest, my Frugal Living column on Examiner.com, and sign up for my daily newsletter {box up in the top right} for fun tips each morning – delivered right to your inbox, easy peasy :) Thanks for reading!
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FAQs
That's not true. In fact, the top-selling financial author of all-time, Robert Kiyosaki, says, “A home is a liability, not an asset.” An asset puts money into your pocket every month. A home takes money out of your pocket every month. Some say, “Paying rent is like throwing money away.” That's not true either.
What does it mean to throw money away? ›
(idiomatic) To spend money foolishly or indiscriminately; to waste money without regard of the consequences. The young boy liked to throw money away at the video arcade and candy store.
Why is renting sometimes considered throwing money away? ›
When people say renting is throwing away money, they often have a specific calculation in mind, and it is based on certain assumptions. One is that the full balance of what they pay each month is going to waste and that if they were putting that towards a mortgage instead, that would be like money in the bank.
What happens if you throw away money? ›
Is It Illegal to Throw Away Money? In the United States, it is illegal to damage or destroy currency, and while the law may not say directly that it is illegal to throw money away, tossing any U.S. currency in the trash will likely be treated as destroying the money.
Is it a waste of money to rent? ›
3 Times When You Should Rent
I want to repeat that renting is not a waste of money. Sure, you're giving your money to the landlord. But you're paying to live somewhere. And as long as you're paying for a place to live, your money is well spent.
Why do people say renting is bad? ›
Renting a property is often referred to as throwing away money. That's because, unlike with a mortgage loan, renting doesn't help you build equity. Renting isn't necessarily the wrong move for everyone though.
What does wasted my money mean? ›
money spent for inadequate return. “the senator said that the project was a waste of money” type of: dissipation, waste, wastefulness. useless or profitless activity; using or expending or consuming thoughtlessly or carelessly.
What is it called when you waste money? ›
Answer. The word closest in meaning to what you want is spendthrift. Spendthrift is a noun that means "a person who spends money in a careless or wasteful way."
Why do landlords prefer cash? ›
Security: Cash payments are less likely to bounce or be subject to fraud than checks or other forms of payment, which can provide landlords with greater financial security. Convenience: Cash rent payments can be made quickly and easily, without the need for a bank account or other financial services.
Is renting better financially? ›
Owners come out ahead of In at least seven major cities in California, long-term renting is cheaper than owning a home. Renters save $900,540 on average in California over a 30-year period. in at least 51 U.S. cities. On average, owners saved $175,811 over a 30-year period.
Improved Tenant Selection: Access to bank statements allows landlords to make more informed decisions about potential tenants during the screening process. You can assess the tenant's income, spending habits, and financial management skills, which contributes to a more comprehensive evaluation of the applicant.
What can destroy money? ›
The most common causes are fire, water, chemicals, and explosives; animal, insect, or rodent damage; and petrification or deterioration by burying.
Is it illegal to rip or destroy money? ›
Section 331 of Title 18 of the United States code provides criminal penalties for anyone who fraudulently alters, defaces, mutilates impairs, diminishes, falsifies, scales, or lightens any of the coins coined at the Mints of the United States.
What does it mean when you throw money? ›
to spend a lot of money on trying to solve a problem: We won't solve this problem by throwing money at it.
Is it OK to lose money on rental property? ›
It is extremely common for landlords to have rental losses, especially in the first few years they own a property. Indeed, IRS statistics show that over half of the filed Schedule E forms reporting rental income and expenses each year show a loss. If you have a rental loss, you have plenty of company.
How much should you waste on rent? ›
So, how much should you spend on rent? Generally, experts recommend spending no more than 30% of monthly pre-tax income on housing.
Is renting ever a good idea? ›
However, for those who want to avoid the hassles associated with homeownership, the costs of upkeep, and property taxes, renting might be a better option. Of course, it depends on an individual's lifestyle, financial situation, what they can afford to pay in monthly rent, and whether they're working or in retirement.
Can you save money while renting? ›
While saving thousands of dollars for a down payment might seem overwhelming if you're also renting, it is possible. By creating a budget, applying for assistance programs, using the right savings vehicle and finding ways to supplement your income, you can slowly start to work toward saving for a down payment.
