Best survey sites/rewards/side hustles to save for the holidays?

[rwking75]

Like many people, money is tight and I'm doing all I can to bank some extra $$$ for the holidays. Many rewards sites, like Disney Movie Insiders, are shutting down. I've used Swag Bucks in the past and recently signed up for Survey sites like Respondant and User Interviews but I've only completed 1 survey survey since I signed up like 3 months ago.

 

What are some other effective "side hustles" you are using?

[lucyismycat]

I just learned yesterday that my oldest son's hockey team is using FlipGive as a fundraiser this year.  I signed up but haven't used it yet. Apparently we get a percentage back on gift cards and other shopping items that are purchased through the app. Honestly it seems like a lot of work for not much return, but I'll give it a whirl and see how it goes.  

[tinkrbel]

Whatever you do stay AWAY from ThriftyPig  Such a painful experience, they send a gazillion emails a day. Nothing is saved to your profile so the email will say "You qualified" then IF the link successfully opens the qualifying questions can take 5 minutes or more of the same repetitive questions, age, sex, race before deciding if you qualify, IF you qualify, you get to start all over again with the same questions before moving on to whatever. I don't think I ever received full credits for any survey. I made it to $15 and unsubscribed to emails because it was too much.

[ytmomof4]

I use a few different apps to help especially this time of year. I can give referrals and they help both of us out. Let me know if you want me to share with you. 

[Kash]

I keep saying I will save all my Menards rebates to use on BF … but I never do

 

one that has been somewhat successful is Upside. You get cash back when you get gas and/or over $10 in the store purchases. I’ve cashed in my cash back twice this year for Amazon gift cards. 

[MariahA]

Not a lot of time to save for this year but I've earned over $100 in Walmart Cash clipping offers for things we use anyway. I saved most of it and started using it on Christmas presents last month. 

[lucyismycat]

I have more success with credit card rewards. I use a Citibank 2% card for everything our household purchases. There appears to be no limit on the reward amount (I have literally "made" thousands of dollars by using it). I tend to save up the reward dollars and then either put them back in our checking account or apply them towards a big purchase that's "just for me", usually something Apple related LOL 

 

I get 1% back when I charge something and the other 1% back when I pay the bill, which is set to auto-pay twice a month, splitting the balance between the two payments.  I know there are other cards that give more percentages back based on a category, but I had too much trouble trying to remember when I used that card for travel vs. groceries, so I just use the 2% card and call it good. I'd be interested in knowing if there's a card that offers more than 2% back on everything without category limitations.  

[tracy0504]

I got nothing... I remember using Shopkick a few years ago... you got points just for entering certain stores and walking around scanning certain items... those points would add up and be eligible for gift cards to stores... I haven't done a lot of in-store shopping since Covid so I haven't used the app since 2020 or so... but I enjoyed it when I did... how much you earned was based on you... I earned enough to select a $25 Walmart gift card and that would have been higher if I would have started earlier in the year...

[Rockfordmom]

On 9/26/2024 at 9:06 PM, Kash said:

I keep saying I will save all my Menards rebates to use on BF … but I never do

 

Same. Lol

 

[jesusluvu]

I use to use a few but then it became a hassle and I gave up. Swappa and another one. 

[mgreen]

I use a select few savings sites.

 

I use fetch to scan any and all receipts to earn points towards gift cards. They have bonuses, etc at different times. Points seem to add up really quick and you don't have to select items.

 

Then I use Ibotta for grocery and other items. They always heve different bonuses. Right now is free thanksgiving dinner where you get free or better dinner items. They are also having a select your bonus where you can get up to $40 for scanning items in Nov. $$ add up. I have made 100's of $$.

 

My newest addition is capital one shopping. They offer various %'s in rebates at various shopping sites. I've gotten up to 35% back on a purchase. They had a really good referral bonus last year. $75 per person. I made $300. $$ can add up really quick. Some offers take 30 days to post. Not a huge selection of gift cards for stores I personally shop at. I'm in the $3k club on this one.

 

The last one I use is king-size rewards program. It costs $16.95 per month, but I  make about $100 per month. You get 10% and shipping back on purchases from their brands (even if you use your gift card to get it for free) and 5% and up to $10 shipping back for purchases made at other stores. They have almost every store you can think of and some you wouldn't even expect on their list. There is a max of $1,000 in rewards from other stores, I  usually max out. You either scan and turn in receipt or forward email confirmation to claim. You receive gift cards for purchase of their brands. My husband is 6'6" so we like their clothes, but they can be expensive. I buy me and hubby matching pajamas (just order a smaller men's size for me, lol). I also love their cardigan sweaters and everday skirts (woman within). Gift cards work great. I combine them with a sale. Right now I'm sitting on $450 in gift cards. I think they have a very generous program.

 

My strategy is to make each purchase count towards 2 or more of these at one time. Plus there is the Sam's cash back on my Sam's credit card, which is the only card I  use. So actually at least 3 cash back credits for each purchase. I make about $60 per month on Sam's card.

[setlok73]

On 10/7/2024 at 10:29 AM, lucyismycat said:

I have more success with credit card rewards. I use a Citibank 2% card for everything our household purchases. There appears to be no limit on the reward amount (I have literally "made" thousands of dollars by using it). I tend to save up the reward dollars and then either put them back in our checking account or apply them towards a big purchase that's "just for me", usually something Apple related LOL 

 

I get 1% back when I charge something and the other 1% back when I pay the bill, which is set to auto-pay twice a month, splitting the balance between the two payments.  I know there are other cards that give more percentages back based on a category, but I had too much trouble trying to remember when I used that card for travel vs. groceries, so I just use the 2% card and call it good. I'd be interested in knowing if there's a card that offers more than 2% back on everything without category limitations.  

Agreed.  With my cap one card I get 2% and can use those for gift cards or to pay for purchases.  I think that has helped the most.  One year I bought my DD and SIL their plane tickets for their honeymoon (first class) and didn't even use all my points....that was precovid