5 Ways You Could Make Real Money Without Quitting Your Job

Young woman on laptop at coffee shop
Last updated June 3, 2026 | By FinanceBuzz Editors

Set up direct deposit - pocket $400

Set up an eligible direct deposit with SoFi Checking and Savings and you could pocket a bonus of up to $400. Make the switch, set up direct deposit, earn the bonus. It basically takes no extra work at all other than following these steps. 

Why people are switching: This account earns up to an insane 3.80% APY1on savings (3.10% APY standard + 0.70% APY boost for six months) on top of that $50 or $400 bonus.2 That's way better than the measly 0.38% (as of 4/20/26)3 national average savings accounts offer. 

No monthly fees and no surprises. Open your account and earn up to a $400 bonus

Try a simple side hustle in your free time

If you have a few free hours on evenings or weekends, you could drive for Uber or Lyft, deliver for DoorDash or Instacart, sell handmade or digital products on Etsy, rent out a spare room on Airbnb, or freelance your existing skills on Fiverr or Upwork — all low-commitment options that can fit around a full-time job and start generating extra income quickly.

Pay no interest into 2027 with this no annual fee card

If you're struggling to pay down high interest debt (or you're planning a major purchase this year), this might be the exact thing you need. There's a card that allows you to completely pause credit card interest into 2027 ... and the best part is that it could be easier than you think.  

Discover it® Cash Back (Rates and fees) is an extremely powerful card that gives you 0% intro APR for an astounding 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. (Then APR is 17.49% - 26.49% Variable.) That's right — you can now finance large purchases you've been sitting on without paying massive interest. Or, transfer crippling high interest debt to this card and let your payments go directly to paying down your balance, without piling on additional interest charges — all with no annual fee.

But it doesn't end there. The Discover it® Cash Back card also lets you earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. This practically doubles its value at the end of your first year.

Apply now for the Discover it® Cash Back card

Alert: American adults lost $47 billion to scams and fraud in 2025

That's right. According to a new report, American adults lost $47 billion to scams and identity fraud in 2025.

But you can safeguard your data with all-in-one scam and fraud protection services from OmniWatch, which comes with up to $2,000,000.00 in identity theft insurance,4to cover eligible losses and fees should you experience them.

Plans start at $11.99 per month and can include comprehensive protection like 24/7 monitoring and alerts, dark web scanning to identify breached personal data (like your SSN and banking info), antivirus and VPN apps for device security, and expert restoration services at no extra cost.

Right now Omniwatch is offering a free dark web scan to check for vulnerabilities. Before you make your next online purchase, protect what you’ve built for a fraction of what it could cost you if your data were compromised. 

Start your free dark web scan here here

See if your credit card debt is eligible for this debt relief program

If you have a lot of credit card debt, getting out of it can feel stressful (and nearly impossible). Here’s the problem: the longer you put off tackling it, the harder it gets to fix. If you don’t take control of it early on, it can add undue stress to your life for years. But what if there was a way to resolve your debt once and for all?

ClearOne Advantage can help.5 If you have more than $30,000 in debt from credit cards, medical bills, collections, or personal loans, their representatives may be able to help you resolve your debt for less than you owe — with one low monthly program payment.

Best of all? There are zero upfront fees, and you could be debt-free in 24-48 months. To get started, just answer a few simple questions and get connected with a caring representative. The consultation is completely free and only takes a few minutes to see if you qualify!

See if your $30k+ in credit card debt is eligible for ClearOne Advantage

Earn a $200 bonus with this incredible cash back card

The Chase Freedom Unlimited®(Rates and fees) lets you earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening

In addition to this welcome offer, this card lets you earn cash back on everything you buy. Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

And it gets better (really): This card also gives you 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. That means you could finance large purchases or pay down high-interest debt for over a year. After the intro period, the APR is 18.24% - 27.74% Variable. Oh, and the annual fee is $0

It's almost a no-brainer to apply. 

Good or excellent credit (typically 670 or higher) is recommended.

Click here to Apply Now to the Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Diversify your hard-earned retirement savings with gold

You’ve spent your whole life building up your retirement savings, but market volatility and inflation could be threatening everything you’ve worked so hard for.

U.S. Gold Bureau is actively helping Americans like you find greater retirement security with precious metal investments. They offer everything from physical ownership to IRAs in gold and silver that have a proven track record during unstable markets.

In fact, from 2005 to 2020, the price of gold increased by 330%. And during the stock market crash of 2008, the value of gold actually increased by 25%.6

Take control of your legacy today in 3 easy steps:

  1. Request your FREE IRA investor's guide and receive up to $20,000 in free gold.7
  2. Speak to a dedicated specialist about the best option for you.
  3. Transfer or invest to better diversify your portfolio.

You're in good hands, as they boast an A+ rating with the BBB, are the U.S. Mint’s largest bulk purchaser, and share a facility with the nation's only state-administered precious metals depository. If you have at least $30,000 to invest,take control of your savings now.

If you're booking a trip to Disney, get a $100 gift card to use today upon approval (no strings attached!) 

If you're booking a trip to Disney, apply for the Disney®Visa® Card (Rates and fees) credit card here and you can get a $100 gift card eGift to use today upon approval! 

There is no extra work beyond being approved for the card to receive the gift card, and no annual fee! 

Plus, you can earn an additional $50 statement credit after spending $500 in the first 3 months and earn 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars on all purchases. And you can pay 0% intro APR on select Disney vacation packages for 6 months from the date of purchase (then 18.24% - 27.74% Variable). That means you can book your next Disney trip now, and pay it off over time. 

If you're planning a Disney trip or visit the parks regularly, this card is a no-brainer. Don't delay — apply today! 

Good or excellent credit (typically 670 or higher) is recommended.

Click here to apply for the Disney®Visa® Card and get a $100 gift card to use today upon approval

Stop getting ripped off by high interest debt payments

If you have credit card debt, you know that paying your bill each month is anxiety-inducing … and sometimes close to impossible with what you have in the bank.

If that’s you, a company called LendingTree8wants to help. They can match you with loan providers that could help you pay off your debt quickly.

Think about it this way: For example, $30,000 in credit card debt at 25% APR will cost you $622.60 every single month in interest alone. But, with a rate as low as 6.50% APR (possible through LendingTree’s lenders), you’d only pay $160.69 interest.

That’s over $460 a month you’d get to keep for yourself in this scenario! Even better, you don’t need a perfect credit score, and checking for loans won’t affect your credit.

Truthfully, this company exists to help you get ahead in life. They have a 4.5/5 rating on TrustPilot with more than 15,000 verified reviews, and you can see your options in a matter of minutes. It’s certainly worth a shot if you’re feeling suffocated by debt.

See if your $30K+ credit card debt is eligible for options with LendingTree

Set up direct deposit and complete qualifying activities - pocket $400

If you aren't banking with Truist, you're missing out on a boost of extra cash just by following a few simple steps.

Earn a bonus of $400 after you open a new Truist One Checking account online between March 26, 2026 and July 9, 2026 using promo code AFL400TR1Q226.9To earn the $400 bonus, your account needs to receive at least 2 qualifying direct deposits totaling $2,000 or more and complete 20 qualifying debit card purchase transactions within 120 days of account opening. The reward will be deposited to the new checking account within 4 weeks after the qualification requirements have been met and verified. Terms apply.

This is a great way to supercharge your earnings. It basically takes no extra work at all other than following the steps above. Plus, your new account offers benefits like no overdraft fee and options to avoid a monthly maintenance fee on top of the bonus.

Open your account and earn a $400 bonus

Get financial guidance without the cost with this 100% free plan

Financial plans don’t need to cost hundreds or require meeting with an advisor. Studies show that simply having a plan significantly improves confidence and outcomes.10

Our tool creates a 100% free personalized financial plan — no advisor fees, no sales pitches, no pressure. Just clear guidance based on your financial situation.

Here’s how to get started:

  1. Click the link below.
  2. Answer a few quick questions: your goals, income, and spending habits.
  3. Securely link your accounts through Plaid (checking, savings, cards, etc.).
  4. Receive your personalized money plan instantly, including recommended spending ranges, savings targets, and simple steps to feel more in control.

The tool analyzes your real spending patterns and gives you a clear breakdown of where your money should go each month, without guilt or guesswork. It’s 100% free, and you’ll finally know exactly what to do next with your money.

Click here to get your free financial plan and see the advice that an advisor might charge you hundreds for.

Ohio homeowners could access up to $400,000 thanks to this

If you want to renovate your home or consolidate debt before you retire, you could get a loan. But if you own a home in Ohio and have decent equity, you need to see this instead. This popular program lets you tap into up to $400,000 fast, without affecting your mortgage rate or getting into more high interest debt.

Rocket Mortgage is actively helping homeowners use their home’s equity to wipe out toxic high interest debt or finally tackle big home upgrades. Their tool finds your lowest eligible fixed rate and gets you the money you need so you can use it immediately. No hidden fees. No long waits. No hassle.

Slash your interest burden and fix what’s broken without giving up your current mortgage rate.

You might be eligible if you check these 3 boxes:

  1. You’ve owned your home for 2+ years.
  2. You’ve built some equity.
  3. Your credit score is 680 or higher.

See how much cash you can access (no impact to your credit)