Need An Extra $500? You Already Have It! - #moneyhungry (2024)

I’ve begun Spring Cleaning my life. Not just my home-but every single thing that is in my life. I feel like I’m making room for all of the amazing things to come. Every time I begin Spring Cleaning I’m amazed by all of the extra stuff that has made its way into my life:

• Receipts
• Extra shoes
• T-shirts
• Products
• Food

And the list goes on. This time as I begin the process I find myself amazed by how much money I find during the process. Not just actual cash, but other items that equate to cash. So, I thought that I would help you find at least $500 dollars during your Spring Cleaning process. But, I’m approaching this process a little differently. I am looking for money as well as ways not to spend money. Here are the places where you can find that $500!

Groupon/Living Social Deals

I used to purchase a ton of these and I DID use them. But sometimes I just don’t get a chance to use them as fast as I would like. Don’t leave the amount you paid on the table. Log into your accounts and look at your deals. Typically, you can still use the purchase amount for the deal for several years after the initial purchase. The promotional amount will be gone-but that’s ok! That’s still your money. Obviously you planned on purchasing the item or have used the item that you purchased the Groupon for-just think of this as a discount that you’ve already paid for your purchase. I found around $150 worth of Groupons. Total: $150

Gift Cards

I received a gift card that I never used for Starbucks. There is a reason why I didn’t use it (because of who gave it to me). But, now I’m like-that’s $25 of coffee! Look in your holiday cards, “safe places” where you put things-especially those decorative boxes that everyone seems to have in their home. I actually found 2 cards! So, I had $30 of coffee cards that I hadn’t used. Total: $30

Inside Decorative Boxes

Ok, I briefly mentioned this before but I found a number of beautiful gift bags in a couple of them. I also found sheets of stamps, and cards. The stamps were $5.88 each, the 5 or 6 bags were around $10, and the cards were around $4.50 each. Total: $26.26

Cash Out Your App Earnings

I use Ibotta which is a grocery app that I love! Check out my review here. Once you hit the $20 earnings threshold you can cash that out. If you have a Digit account you can also cash out money from that account. Currently I have $40 in Digit (new account) and $3 in Ibotta. Total: $43

Closet Cleanout-ThredUp

I am obsessed with ThredUp. It is an online consignment shop and you can request a shipping bag from ThredUp and send in clothes for either cash or credit. I have a bag that I’m shipping next week and I think I’ll get around $20 and that’s fine. Check out my ThredUp Review HERE. Total: $20

Your Pantry

If you’re like most people in the U.S. you probably have a lot of food in the your pantry and refrigerator. Do a grocery challenge and eat through the food that’s in your house. Google the ingredient in your pantry and see what recipes you can make with the items in your home. If you have bags of frozen broccoli, frozen spinach, and have garlic and bullion cubes you can make a nice soup. You get the picture. I am working through my pantry now and I think I will save around $100 this month on groceries. I’ve done this challenge several times before and I COMMIT LOL! Total: $100

Old Sports Gear

I have decided to sell my snowboard. I was given it and I would like it to get a new one for next season. I think I can sell it for around $75 (it’s nice but old) I will keep my boots though! I also have some golf clubs from an ex-boyfriend and a mini-stair stepper that I never use so it’s time for it to go: Total: $115

Product Drawer and Samples

USE THEM before buying new product. It takes forever to go through them. Use up at least half of the product that you have in your house. Soap, toothpaste, perfume, etc. You won’t believe how long it takes to use your product. So for this section I’m putting the amount that I’m saving by not going to the store to pick up new product for the next 3 months (at least). Total: $85-I have a ton of product from when I prepped to quit my job LOL! I am methodically working my way through everything right now.

If You Are an Affiliate

Bloggers, podcasters, or other savvy users of affiliate programs work through all of the programs that you’re signed up for and see if you have met the payout thresholds for the programs that you’re participating in.

I.O.U.s

Does someone owe you money? I was never paid for a gig that I did in DECEMBER. I had let it go but the business contacted everyone and requested that we invoice them-so I did and I received my money! Total: $70

Mileage Points

These programs change all the time but if you’re able to cash out your miles that might be something to consider. I actually have enough miles for 2 roundtrip tickets to Hawaii. I won’t be cashing out those miles: Total $880

Cancel Subscriptions/Memberships

That you don’t use. Last year I cancelled a subscription that I spent $400 dollars on and I hadn’t used it! This year I will be canceling my gym membership as I do every summer because I go hiking and biking instead of going to the gym. Total: $150

Total Found: More than $500!

In fact, I found around $1669 in my accounts, around my home, and from leveraged opportunities.I’m finishing the list for now but you now are equipped with a list of 12 places where you can look for your money. Let me know how much you find.