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The Ultimate Guide to Earning Gift Cards and Easy Cash

Who doesn’t love free stuff, right? Whether you’re treating yourself to something special, saving for a rainy day, or looking for a way to make extra cash without a lot of effort, earning gift cards and easy cash is a fantastic way to get a little financial boost. 

And the best part? You don’t have to be a financial wizard to start earning! With just a bit of time and effort, you can tap into a variety of ways to earn rewards that can be spent on all kinds of things—whether it’s a gift for a friend, a treat for yourself, or even cold, hard cash.

In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk you through several different methods of earning gift cards and easy cash. From apps to websites to small tasks that add up, we’ve got all the tips and tricks to help you make money in ways that are fun, simple, and often flexible enough to fit around your lifestyle.

Let’s dive in!

1. Earning Gift Cards Through Reward Apps

Why Use Reward Apps?

Reward apps are an easy and fun way to make money or earn gift cards. These apps typically work by rewarding you for performing tasks like taking surveys, watching videos, testing apps, or shopping at certain stores. 

Most of these tasks require very little time and can be done while you’re sitting on the couch, waiting for a bus, or enjoying your lunch break.

Best Reward Apps to Try

Here are some of the top reward apps that let you earn gift cards or cash, so you can start racking up points right away:

  1. Swagbucks: One of the most popular and trusted platforms, Swagbucks lets you earn points (called Swagbucks or SB) by taking surveys, shopping online, watching videos, playing games, and more. You can redeem your points for gift cards to stores like Amazon, Walmart, and Starbucks or transfer them to PayPal for cash.
  2. InboxDollars: With InboxDollars, you earn money (rather than points) for doing simple tasks such as reading emails, watching videos, taking surveys, and shopping. When you reach $30, you can cash out via PayPal or request a check.
  3. MyPoints: MyPoints works similarly to Swagbucks and lets you earn points for taking surveys, shopping, and reading emails. The best part? You can redeem those points for gift cards to your favorite stores, including Amazon, Target, and more.
  4. PrizeRebel: PrizeRebel is another well-established app that allows you to earn gift cards by completing surveys, watching videos, and participating in various tasks. The site also offers cash rewards through PayPal if you prefer cash instead of gift cards.
  5. FeaturePoints: FeaturePoints rewards you for testing out new apps, taking surveys, shopping, and referring friends. It’s an easy way to rack up points that you can redeem for gift cards, PayPal cash, or even cryptocurrency.

How to Maximize Your Earnings

  • Set aside time: While these apps won’t make you rich, they can definitely provide extra cash or gift cards if you set aside a little time each day to complete tasks.
  • Complete daily challenges: Many apps like Swagbucks and InboxDollars offer daily bonuses for completing specific tasks. Make sure to check in regularly for these extra opportunities to boost your earnings.
  • Refer friends: Most of these platforms have referral programs that allow you to earn bonus points or cash when you refer new users. Share your referral link on social media or with friends to increase your earning potential.

2. Participate in Online Surveys

Why Surveys Are an Easy Option

Participating in online surveys is one of the most common ways to earn gift cards and easy cash. Companies and market research firms pay for consumer feedback on products, services, and brands. By taking surveys, you can provide valuable input and, in exchange, earn rewards like gift cards or cash.

Best Survey Sites to Check Out

  1. Survey Junkie: Survey Junkie is one of the most reputable survey sites out there. After signing up, you can complete surveys on a variety of topics and earn points that can be redeemed for PayPal cash or gift cards to popular stores like Amazon.
  2. Toluna: Toluna offers paid surveys on a wide range of topics. Once you’ve accumulated enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards or cash through PayPal.
  3. Pinecone Research: Pinecone Research is known for offering high-paying surveys and exclusive opportunities. As a member, you’ll receive survey invitations and be compensated in points, which can be redeemed for cash or prizes.
  4. LifePoints: LifePoints rewards you for completing surveys, watching videos, and trying out products. Points can be exchanged for gift cards to major retailers or PayPal cash.
  5. Valued Opinions: Valued Opinions is another solid choice for online survey participation. The surveys are easy to complete, and you can earn gift cards to popular retailers.

How to Maximize Survey Earnings

  • Sign up for multiple platforms: The more survey sites you join, the more opportunities you’ll have to earn money. Just make sure to stay organized and not overwhelm yourself with too many surveys at once.
  • Check your eligibility: Some surveys have specific eligibility requirements based on your demographics. Be honest when completing your profile so you can receive relevant surveys.
  • Complete surveys quickly: Most survey sites reward you for completing surveys quickly and accurately. The faster you complete them, the more you can finish in a given time.

3. Cash Back Apps for Everyday Purchases

Why Cash Back Apps Are a Smart Option

Who doesn’t love saving money on the things they already buy? Cash back apps allow you to earn money back when you make purchases at select stores. Whether you’re buying groceries, clothes, or tech gadgets, cash back apps offer a way to earn rewards just for doing your normal shopping.

Top Cash Back Apps to Use

  1. Rakuten (formerly Ebates): Rakuten is one of the most well-known cash back platforms. You can earn cash back on purchases from thousands of online retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, Target, and more. Rakuten offers both cash back and gift card options.
  2. Ibotta: Ibotta gives you cash back on groceries and other shopping categories. All you have to do is scan your receipts after shopping or link your store loyalty accounts, and you’ll earn cash back that can be redeemed for PayPal or gift cards.
  3. Dosh: Dosh is a cash back app that gives you cash for making purchases at participating stores and restaurants. The app links directly to your debit or credit card, making it incredibly easy to earn cash back without needing to scan receipts.
  4. TopCashback: Similar to Rakuten, TopCashback offers cash back on a wide variety of online purchases. What sets it apart is its higher-than-usual cash back rates, meaning you could earn more money on certain transactions.

How to Maximize Cash Back Earnings

  • Stack offers: Use cash back apps in conjunction with store promotions, sales, and coupon codes to maximize your savings.
  • Activate cash back before shopping: Make sure you activate cash back offers before making purchases. Many apps offer higher rates for specific deals, so keep an eye on special promotions.
  • Be mindful of minimum payouts: Some cash back apps have a minimum payout threshold. To avoid leaving money on the table, try to meet these thresholds before requesting cash back.

4. Sell Unused Items for Quick Cash or Gift Cards

Why Selling Items Is an Easy Way to Earn

If you have a closet full of unused clothes, old tech gadgets, or random stuff you don’t use anymore, why not turn them into cash? Selling unused items is a great way to declutter your home while earning money or gift cards.

Platforms to Sell Your Stuff

  1. eBay: eBay is a classic platform for selling items and earning cash. Whether you’re selling electronics, fashion, or collectibles, eBay allows you to list your items and reach buyers around the world.
  2. Facebook Marketplace: If you’re looking for a more local way to sell, Facebook Marketplace is a great option. You can sell everything from furniture to gadgets to clothing to your local community, often without shipping fees.
  3. Decluttr: Decluttr is perfect for selling old tech, like phones, DVDs, games, and even textbooks. They offer free shipping, and you can receive either cash or an instant payment via PayPal.
  4. Poshmark: Poshmark is a great platform for selling gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories. You can list your items for free, and once they sell, you’ll get a portion of the earnings.

How to Maximize Your Earnings

  • Take great photos: High-quality photos can make a huge difference in whether someone decides to buy your item. Make sure the lighting is good and show multiple angles of the item.
  • Price competitively: Do some research on similar items to determine a competitive price.
  • Be responsive: Respond quickly to potential buyers to keep the sale moving smoothly and avoid missing out on a transaction.

5. Complete Microtasks for Easy Cash

Why Microtasks Are a Simple Way to Earn

Microtasks are small tasks you can complete online for a small payment. These tasks can include anything from categorizing data, testing websites, transcribing audio, or labeling images. While they don’t pay a lot per task, they’re an easy way to make money in your spare time.

Top Platforms for Microtasks

  1. Amazon Mechanical Turk: Known as MTurk, this platform offers a variety of microtasks you can complete for small payments. You can earn money doing everything from transcribing data to completing surveys.
  2. Clickworker: Clickworker offers short tasks that pay you for writing, translating, categorizing, proofreading, and testing. It’s a flexible way to earn easy cash, and you can choose the tasks that fit your skills.
  3. Microworkers: This site offers tasks in categories such as surveys, data entry, and testing. Payment for tasks varies, but it’s an easy way to earn some extra cash on the side.

How to Maximize Microtask Earnings

  • Focus on higher-paying tasks: Some tasks pay more than others, so choose carefully to maximize your earnings.
  • Work consistently: The more tasks you complete, the more money you can make. Set aside time each day or week to knock out a few tasks.

Conclusion

Earning gift cards and easy cash doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right tools and a little time, you can start racking up rewards that can be used to treat yourself, pay for essentials, or even save for something bigger. Whether you’re using reward apps, taking surveys, earning cash back, selling unused items, or completing microtasks, there are plenty of ways to start earning today.

So, why not take charge of your financial situation and start earning free gift cards or cash with the methods outlined in this guide? You’ve got this!

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Kingsley Ubah
Kingsley Ubah

Kingsley is a technical writer with a knack for simplifying complex technical concepts and crafting clear, engaging articles.

When he isn't writing, he dabbles into his other hobbies such as painting, gaming, and cycling. He is also an avid traveler and a lover of art.

You can reach him using the links (social media profiles) below.

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