Inflation is real right now, and it feels like everyone is trying to stretch their dollars a little further. So the question is—how can we make a little extra money on the side… without adding more stress to our lives?
I’m all about simple, low-effort ways to put a bit of extra cash in my pocket—think treat yourself to a nice lunch kind of money. Nothing crazy, nothing time-consuming.
These are my 3 favorite methods that I actually use every single day.
Disclaimer: Yes, these include referral links—but I genuinely use and love all of them.
1. Wealthfront High Yield Savings Account
There are tons of high-yield savings accounts out there, but I personally use Wealthfront, which is currently offering around 3.30% APY.
No, it’s not going to make you rich overnight—but it is a lot better than letting your money sit in a traditional bank account earning basically nothing.
What I do is simple:
Every few months, I check my main account and move any extra money (that isn’t needed for bills) into my savings. Then… I forget about it.
That’s it.
Over time, that habit really adds up thanks to compounding interest. I actually used this method to help fund part of our home down payment.
If you want a low-risk, low-effort way to grow your money, this is honestly a no-brainer.
2. Fetch Rewards App
Okay, hear me out—this one is small money… but I still love it.
All you do is scan your receipts after shopping. That’s literally it. Just snap a photo and you’ll get points.
- 25 points ≈ $0.03
- Yes, it’s pennies. I KNOW 😂
BUT—those points add up faster than you think, especially with bonus offers for certain brands and stores. You can also connect your email and earn points from e-receipts (like online shopping on Amazon).
I’ve been using this for a few years now and have redeemed about $240 total.
That’s not nothing! That’s a random splurge, a gift, or yes… even a vacuum lol.
If you sign up with my referral code P4A4M2, you’ll get a little bonus to start.
Honestly, it takes 10 seconds—so why not?
3. Rakuten Browser Extension
If you shop online at all, you need this.
Just install the Rakuten browser extension, and it automatically gives you cash back when you shop at participating stores. No extra effort required.
I’ve been using Rakuten since 2013 (which is kind of wild to think about), and I’ve earned a pretty solid amount back over time.
You can even:
- Get cash back payments
- OR link your American Express card and earn points instead
Again—you’re already spending the money. You might as well get something back for it.
Final Thoughts
None of these are “quit your job” strategies—but that’s not the point.
These are easy, everyday habits that quietly put money back in your pocket over time. No major lifestyle changes, no extra hustle.
And in a world where everything feels more expensive… I’ll take every little win I can get.
So go ahead—stack your savings and treat yourself to that lunch 😊