7. Digitize receipts

Don’t throw out your receipts — you might be able to earn cash or gift cards by scanning them on an app like CoinOut, Fetch, Ibotta or Receipt Hog. These apps partner with hundreds of stores, including big-box retailers like Walmart, grocery chains like Kroger, warehouse clubs like Costco and home improvement stores like The Home Depot. 

How much you can make: Earnings depend on how frequently you shop and scan receipts from participating retailers. Ibotta says its consistent users save an average of $261 per year; CoinOut’s founder says dedicated users can save up to $200 a year. Some receipt-scanning apps also offer small sign-up bonuses and bonuses for referring new users.

Tip: You’re not limited to scanning a receipt on only one app. Depending on the retailer, you may be able to scan a receipt on multiple apps to maximize your rewards.

8. Go mystery shopping

Retail and market research companies pay people to shop at stores, dine at restaurants, stay at hotels or frequent other businesses and report on things like customer service, cleanliness and product quality. Some also offer compensation for shopping online. You can find these “mystery shopping” opportunities through companies like BestMark, Confero, IntelliShop, Market Force and Second to None. You can also look for gigs through the Mystery Shopping Professionals Association (MSPA Americas), a trade group.

How much you can make: Mystery shoppers typically earn between $5 and $25 per gig. Most companies require mystery shoppers to pay for the product or service themselves and then reimburse them.

Tip: Watch out for mystery shopping job scams, the Federal Trade Commission warns. “For safety, stick to established companies, only communicate through official channels and avoid any ‘mystery shopping’ offers that ask you to cash checks or send money in advance,” says Spencer of FlexJobs.​

9. Get paid to play video games

Love playing games on your smartphone, computer or game console? Video-game-testing platforms such as Mistplay, InboxDollars, PlaytestCloud and Swagbucks let you earn cash or points that can be redeemed for gift cards, usually in exchange for feedback that developers use to improve gameplay and fix bugs.

How much you can make: Payouts are modest. According to PlaytestCloud, a 15-minute game test typically pays $9. Some companies also offer sign-up incentives, like InboxDollars’ $5 bonus for new testers, and cash rewards for referring new gamers. 

Tip: Play consistently. Mistplay, InboxDollars and Swagbucks allow game testers to unlock extra rewards for streaks, depending on the number of consecutive days played.

10. Transcribe audio and video clips

You can monetize your listening and typing skills by transcribing audio or video recordings of business and legal proceedings, such as phone calls, conference meetings and courtroom hearings. Companies like Rev, Speechpad, TranscribeMe, Quicktate, CastingWords, GoTranscript, Transcription HUB and SpeakWrite offer freelance transcription opportunities.

How much you can make: Most companies pay freelancers a flat rate for each minute of audio transcribed. Rates vary depending on the employer — for example, Speechpad transcriptionists get paid between $0.25 and $1 per audio minute, depending on their level of experience; Rev transcriptionists receive $0.30 to $1.10 per audio or video minute; and GoTranscript transcriptionists make up to $1.75 per minute, often depending on the language. Legal transcriptionists typically receive higher rates, earning $15 to $40 per audio hour from TranscribeMe.

Tip: “To increase your earnings, focus on improving your typing speed and accuracy, familiarize yourself with different audio formats, and take advantage of any practice tests or training materials the platform offers,” Spencer says. “As you start to gain experience, seek out specialized transcription in fields like legal or medical for higher pay.”

Source link