8 Unusual Ways To Make Extra Money (Yes, They Actually Work)
Between rising costs of living, stagnant wages and the lingering effects of inflation, our money just doesn’t seem to go as far as it used to. Rent is skyrocketing, grocery runs nearly break the bank and going out for dinner is starting to feel like a distant memory…
We could all use some extra cash. But it’s not exactly easy to just go out and snag a higher-paying job — and who has time for a second job?
Luckily, there are some pretty clever ways you probably didn’t realize you can make extra money without getting a new job — and they actually work.
Go Passive: How To Turn $200,000 Into Monthly Income
Learn More: This One Low-Effort Money Move Could Change Your Finances in 2026
1. Start Earning Passive Real-Estate Income — With Just $100
Investing in real estate has always been a way the wealthy earn passive income. There’s just one problem. We can’t all afford to just go out and buy a rental property.
But with the Arrived Private Credit Fund, you can invest in a portfolio of real-estate loans that pay dividends monthly — with a historic yield of 8.10% annualized dividends. And you can get started with a minimum investment of just $100.
Arrived is a platform backed by Jeff Bezos, Marc Benioff and other top-tier investors, with more than 800,000 registered users and nearly $300 million invested.
Here’s how it works: You’ll invest in a diversified portfolio of loans across the U.S. that help fund renovations, rehabs and new home construction. As borrowers pay the loan back, the interest is distributed among investors like you on a monthly basis. Historically, this has yielded investors 8.10% annualized dividends.
2. Diversify Your Portfolio With Precious Metals
If the past few years have shown us anything, it’s that disruptions to the market can come out of nowhere. Between the pandemic, supply-chain issues and bear markets, a lot of people’s retirement savings felt the impact.
That’s why it can be a smart idea to look for ways to protect your retirement savings from the unpredictable. For a lot of people, investing in precious metals is a way to diversify and protect their investments.
One way to do this is with a precious metals IRA through a company like Thor Metals Group. Precious metals often outperform other investments in a volatile market and their value tends to rise with inflation, making them an effective hedge during uncertain economic times.
Opening a gold or silver IRA is easy and you can roll over funds from existing retirement accounts without any taxes or penalty fees. Or you can buy gold and silver directly from Thor Metals Group’s extensive collection.
Worried you may need to sell your precious metals in the future? Thor Metals Group offers a no-fee buy-back program. Plus, Thor Metals Group has an A rating with the Better Business Bureau.
3. Use a High-Yield Savings Account with a Competitive APY
Most people have a savings account. But too many people keep their money in a savings account that isn’t growing their money as fast as it could be. As of Jan. 20, 2026, the national average interest rate on a savings account was just 0.39%.
To make sure your money is working for you, look for a high-yield savings account with a competitive APY, like the Capital One 360 Performance Savings account, which pays 3.30% APY — more than eight times the national average.
Want to start growing your savings more than eight times faster? It’s simple to get started below and see how much you could earn.
4. Grow Your Money More Than 13x Faster
This one’s almost too easy. If you’re keeping your savings in a traditional savings account, it’s probably not doing much for you. In fact, the latest numbers from the FDIC show that the average savings account only pays 0.39% APY.*
If you want to grow your money faster — 13 times faster* — one option you might consider is the Gainbridge® FastBreak™ annuity. You’ll earn up to 5.15% APY** on this annuity, which comes with a self-managed platform and the ability to withdraw your money without a tax penalty before age 59 1/2.
An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company that promises you a future payout in regular installments, usually monthly and often for life. The Gainbridge® FastBreak™ annuity comes in three to 10 year terms, in premiums of $1,000 to $1 million and you’re able to withdraw up to 10% of the account value each year.**
The FastBreak™ annuity is self-directed, easy to set up and comes with 30 days to cancel your contract if you change your mind.
5. Pocket an Extra $325 When You Open This Checking Account
Keeping your cash in the right place is one of the easiest ways to boost your balance.
When you open a new Wells Fargo Everyday Checking account, you can earn a $325 bonus. All you have to do is make $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits within 90 days of opening the account. After the 90-day qualification period, Wells Fargo will deposit your bonus within 30 days, as long as you’ve met the requirements.
You’ll also get FDIC insurance, 24/7 fraud monitoring and access to an app with a 4.9-star rating.
6. Get Up to $250 — With No Interest
Life happens. Maybe it’s an unexpected bill, a car repair or you just need help making it to payday. Instead of stressing (or turning to expensive payday loans), there’s a smart option.
With Cleo, you can get up to $250 as soon as today — with no interest and no credit check.
Here’s how it works: Download Cleo and enter some basic information to show you’re a human. Then choose how much cash you need and when you need it — anywhere from $20 to $250.
You’re basically taking a cash advance from your next paycheck, which means no interest and no late fees. Repayments are automatically scheduled to line up with your next paycheck. Plus, unlike other options, Cleo even works for gig workers.
Your data stays secure. Cleo never shares your information with third parties and uses bank-level encryption to protect your money.
7. Stop Wasting $1,100 a Year on Car Insurance
Sometimes, the easiest way to put money in your pocket is to find out where you’re wasting it. And most people are seriously overpaying for car insurance — by as much as $1,100 a year.
Fortunately, Insurify lets you compare all your car insurance options at once — and it can put an extra $1,025 a year back in your wallet.
Just enter some basic details about your car and background, you’ll get customized quotes you can review on your own time and from the comfort of home.
8. Get Up to $1,000 in Free Stock Just For Investing
While your cash sits in a basic account doing absolutely nothing, smart investors are growing their wealth effortlessly – and getting up to $1,000 in free stock just for opening and funding a new SoFi Active Invest account.
Whether you’re new to investing or a seasoned pro, SoFi® makes it easy to start, manage and grow your portfolio by investing in stocks, ETFs and even fractional shares, meaning you can own a slice of your favorite company without having to buy a full share.
Traditional investing platforms charge fees that eat away at your gains. But with SoFi Active Invest, you keep more of what you earn: There are no commissions on stocks and ETFs, no account minimums and no hidden fees.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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