Let me just start this by saying, yes, it IS TOTALLY POSSIBLE to earn and save a good chunk of change online, from home, without wasting your day. I didn’t believe it at all at first. I was always skeptical. But after signing up for these sites on my mobile device or during other bloggers’ promotions and spending just a few minutes a day or week, I’ve found that it is actually worth it to keep these free memberships. You can find invite/join links here or in my sidebar for most sites.
Please, before joining any of these sites on my recommendation, check the Terms and Conditions for yourself. I have not spent any money on the membership of these sites (except Crafter’s Choice, which functions a little differently, see bottom of page).
Earning Sites
These are websites that reward you for spending time simply using their site to go about your regular internet business.
Swagbucks- easily my favorite of these sites. Earn points for searching using their Google-esque search bar, answering surveys (even being rejected from a survey still earns you a point), watching videos, playing games, completing offers (many of which are free) and more. Shopping through their site and referrals are the fastest way to make points here, but prizes are attainable even without it. Earn 30 points just for signing up, and earn an easy bare minimum of 4 points every day for the following in like 1 minute: answering the daily poll (1), opening a browser with the SB toolbar installed (1), and looking through all the NOSO offers (2).
InboxDollars- Like above, this site rewards you for completing surveys and offers. Like Superpoints, it also rewards you for confirming that you have read their emails (2 cents per email…but they send a few a day). There is a $5 automatic reward for signing up. You can request your first check when you reach $30.
Jingit- I loved Jingit when I found it and thought it had to be too good to be true. I was earning money just for watching ads for companies like Kicker Audio and Dairy Queen. Since I joined a few weeks ago, I have made over $20. The earning potential has slowed down as Jingit says they are “expanding” into the wider web and creating new ways to earn. I am willing to wait on this one. It couldn’t be easier to earn money on this site. Also available on most mobile devices.
Cash-back Shopping Sites
These are sites you should stop at before you make a purchase online. Chances are, one of them will give you cash back from the retailer.
Ebates- Ebates offers cash back at thousands of retailers, and usually credits your account within days of your purchase. If they don’t (this happened only once to me) you just copy and paste your order invoice and they will manually credit you. You can receive payment from a check or via Paypal. You can receive either a $10 gift card for a variety of stores of $5 cash back just for joining.
Zuuzs- Functions the same way as Ebates but with a more social aspect in their referral program. It is designed primarily for women.
BeeSavy- ” Taking the sting out of online shopping.” How cute is that? Earn cash back by shopping through BeeSavy and create a referral network of up to 7 levels to earn commission.
Daily Deal Sites
Use sites like these to find mega-discounts on all kinds of items in sales that last for a limited time.
NoMoreRack- deals go live every day at noon. Insanity deals appear for brief moments from time to time, where you can get hot products for close to nothing (ipads, kindles, designer clothes). It’s a program to drive more people to their site, and if you can time it right, you can score an amazing deal. Cheap shipping- $2 flat rate.
1 Sale a Day- Find deals in a variety of categories. I got a Rachel Ray knife here for less than $20 (down from almost $70). Allow some extra time for delivery compared to normal shopping sites.
SaveMore.com- Look for local and national deals here and receive a $10 credit for signing up. With this credit, I got a $30 teeth whitening pen for free including shipping, with $2 leftover. Worth a visit.
Shopping Notes- Set saving alerts for products you’d like to buy, but not necessarily right away- Shopping Notes will tell you when the products you’ve selected go on sale.
Groupon- Pick a nearby city for local deals that save you 50% or more. Restaurants, clubs, activities, spas and more. Also features national and online deals. I’ve scored a night in a Philadelphia hotel, vineyard tours with glasses and wine, ebay gift cards and more for next to nothing compared to their original prices. Also available on mobile devices.
Living Social- same program as Groupon, different deals. Always check both when planning a night on the town! Get an automatic 5 Deal Bucks when signing up. Also available on mobile devices.