9 Smartphone Apps to Make Money: Turn Your Phone into a Cash Machine

These days no matter where you are most of the people around you are caught looking down at their cell phone. It’s literally a walking, talking, and practically breathing, live computer in your hand at all times. So why not put it to the most benefit possible and let it start making you money?

Believe it or not, making money while using your phone is actually possible! Don’t quit your day job for this but you can add a little extra cash in your spare time that might just help fill up your car all month long. It’s like, how many times are you just standing in line or waiting around for something? Those are some of the best times you can do some of the following opportunities and get paid for it. Just know that there are a lot of applications out there that are not worth your time so just be cautious. However, we’ve weeded out some of the bad and have listed several great opportunities that you may be able to benefit from.

Watch Videos

Do you enjoy watching videos? If so, you’ll like the first set of applications because you are really doing just that. As you watch the videos you will build up points. Build enough of them and you can redeem them in for gift cards and sometimes even cash.

Swagbucks

One of the most popular ways to make money using apps is Swagbucks. Simply earn your Swagbucks by watching videos and building points. But this app doesn’t just stop at videos, you can answer surveys, use coupons when shopping, play games, surfing the web (must use their toolbar search feature) and even while you shop. Once you have built up enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards or cash right into your PayPal account. Also, refer some of your friends and when they sign up, you can earn even more Swagbucks!

CashPirate

Watch videos in terms of advertising (you know, like the commercials you see on television). Beyond the ads, try your hand at games and surveys, all of which will allow you to earn coins. Once you reach a certain level, those coins can be traded in for actual “coin” into your PayPal account. Now that’s change you can count on.

Shopping Apps

Then there are the apps that allow you to make money by shopping in your favorite and/or regular stores. What that means for you is when you go to get your bread and milk or maybe a new pair of socks, you can earn money – it’s that easy! Here are some shopping apps you’d be crazy not to consider.

Ibotta

This app is one of the easiest ones to make money with because nearly everyone goes grocery shopping. Before you head out to the grocery store, you’ll need to complete a few tasks and want to see what offers Ibotta has so that you can make adjustments to your grocery list if needed. Because who doesn’t want to save and earn money? But in reality it’s often things you are already getting like milk, bread and bananas. When you have completed your trip you will use your phone to take a picture of your receipt and you will then be credited to your Ibotta account. These stores are not just limited to your grocery store but places like drugstores and big box stores too – anywhere you find groceries. Once you have earned $5 or more you can transfer it to your personal PayPal account.

Receipt Hog

Much like Ibotta, this app pays you to make purchases and taking surveys. Take pictures of your receipts from your regular shopping to enter them into the system. Stack up the points so you can redeem them for gift cards and/or PayPal deposit. You can enter up to 20 receipts a week and for every 1,000 coins you collect you can trade it in for $5.00.

Shopkick

So if you are into gift cards this app could be a lot of fun for you. You simply go into stores (most you are already going into) and scan specific barcodes of items throughout the store. Some stores allow you to get points for just literally walking in the door! Watch for how you can earn all kinds of kicks (which is their points system) throughout the app and by referring friends. While it’s not cash, you can use the cards to save you money on things you already buy. You can trade points for cards from stores like Macy’s, Starbucks, Target, etc.

CheckPoints

Yet here is another easy to use shopping app where you can earn gift cards (which are just about as good as cash). Earn points by scanning barcodes, searching the web, submitting offers, taking quizzes and watching videos. Some stores offered with this are Walmart, Target and Amazon.

Buying and Selling

If your house is starting to look like an episode on Hoarders (well maybe not quite that bad) and you need to get rid of some items, why not make some money off of them? By using some of these smartphone apps, you are able to take a picture of what you want to sell and post it all with one device. The time has moved on from fancy backdrops and expensive cameras so pull out your phone and start selling those items you no longer need or want.

LetGo

Similar to a Craigslist type of site, this app allows you to sell items locally within a range from your location. Simply list the item(s) for sell and meet up with buyer to exchange the item. Review similar items already for sale to gauge what your price point should be. Just remember to meet in high traffic areas, or even the police department, to ensure your safety at all times.

Poshmark

Have some name brand clothing items in your wardrobe that you no longer use? Download this app and make it easy to sell designer clothing, handbags, shoes and accessories in very little time. Take a picture of the item(s) you wish to sell and post in their marketplace. You get 80% of the sale price when payments are made either by check or direct deposit. Use their system to print out a pre-paid postage label and off it goes! While you are there, you may even do a little browsing yourself and find a deal you can’t live without.

eBay

This platform has been around for a while now but today is app friendly. Once you have an account setup you can start selling by posting your listing for either a specific price or go ahead and cause an all-out bidding war. Once your item has sold you just mail it off to the buyer. If handling all of this gives you hives, look into eBay’s valet service and have them take away the pain by doing all of the work. They will charge you and take a percentage of the sale but for some people it may be well worth it.

In Closing

So while it’s easy to make money by using apps on your smartphone, make sure you check any new ones out before actually trying them out on your phone. Make sure to read reviews and check to see if any of your friends are using the app too. None of it is going to make you rich but it certainly can help out your pocketbook every now and then.