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Most 'earn cash from home' ads are cons. Yet if you've a computer or smartphone, there's a host of small ways to boost your coffers. Dedicated MoneySavers can earn £1,000s a year from their sofa, often with no special skill required.
This guide lists 30 (legit) ways to make money online. You can get paid just to watch videos, write, search on Google, make your own YouTube clips and much more.
In this guide
| Tweet | mse.me/earnonline |
How to make money online - quick tips
Before you become a online earner, there are a few things worth knowing. The key is while some of these sites pay small amounts, add them all together and it can turn into an annual bonanza of £1,000s.
Don't store cash in online-earning accounts
These companies aren't banks. There's no protection if one closes, taking your cash with it. So withdraw your cash as soon as you reach the payment threshold.
Set up a dedicated email address
Don't use your normal email address - it'll be immediately flooded. Instead, set up a dedicated email account for online earning. As a powerful free option, Gmail is among the best.
This can also be a quick way to check when new paid tasks become available.
Don't expect to be instantly rolling in it
With some sites, it can take a while to earn enough to be able to withdraw your money. If you give up, it means the tasks were done for nowt.
For this reason, it's important to understand it's not quick cash. Yet it's nice extra income, provided you're consistent and have a little patience.
Don't forget the taxman'll want his share
Before you start counting the dosh, don't forget some of it belongs to the taxman. For most people, it'll be around a third. That said, most of these earnings are unlikely to push non-taxpayers over the threshold.
As any sources of extra income need to be declared, ensure you're upfront with HM Revenue and Customs. Survey earnings are self-employed income, which means registering with the HMRC Helpline for the Newly Self-Employed on 08459 15 45 15. Register late and you can face an automatic £100 penalty.
For full information, read HMRC's self-employment leaflet.
What counts as income?
We asked HMRC and it said income earned through websites and apps may be taxable if the income's in return for performing a service or providing a facility.
So completing online surveys or allowing an application to analyse your activities is taxable. If you're unsure, give HMRC a call.
Spend gift vouchers ASAP
If you have a choice, opt to get paid in cash. If you get paid in gift vouchers, spend them ASAP. That way the retailer can't go bust on you, invalidating them. Plus you can't lose them or forget them until they go out of date. Full info on this in Gift Voucher Warning.
Get paid to click
01SwagbucksWatch videos, play games and earn
Quick stats
- Who's it good for? People who want to grab quick cash for fun tasks
- Typical earnings: £25/month
- Payment method: Cash/Amazon vch
- Amount you need to earn before it pays: 1 point (depends on reward)
- Feed back: Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a fun survey site that pays you for completing short online tasks in virtual cash - you can then exchange this for real money, Paypal credits or gift cards to spend at Amazon, M&S and more. The site's huge in America, and here in the UK many MSE forumites are dedicated users.
Tasks include filling in polls, watching videos and searching using its page instead of Google - you can even play free online games. Advertisers pay Swagbucks to publicise their wares or do market research, and the site passes a cut to you. The more dedicated you are, the more you earn, though every task pays a different amount.
Last chance: MSE Blagged - £15 Amazon/M&S gift card when you earn £5 in points: For newbies only, we’ve blagged this special Swagbucks* link - if you use it to register by Sun 21 Sept and then earn £5 in bucks, Swagbucks will triple it to £15 of gift cards for Amazon, M&S, New Look, Starbucks, PizzaExpress and more.
How it works
After registering, you have 60 days to earn 849 Swagbucks (worth £5). Each person then gets a further 1,698 points within 10 days - enough to redeem a total of £15 in gift cards for M&S, Amazon and more (just go to the Rewards section to redeem).
You could opt for PayPal credit instead, but you'll get less bang for your (Swag)buck - a tenner'll cost you 1,998 points.
For motivation, join other points-chasers in the forum's popular Swagbucks Challenge 2014 thread. One committed 'swagger' from the forum, cally6008, says:
Swagbucks is one of several online earning sites I use, but it's one of my favourites. I know for a fact that you can earn £25 a month using the site, because I do so nearly every month.cally6008
See a full list of ways to earn swag points
There's a host of ways to ways to rack up points on Swagbucks:
- Search the web. It pays points for searching the web via its site instead of Google. Note you only earn points periodically as you search – searching for things over and over won't boost your total.
- Install the Swagbucks toolbar. The toolbar's a browser plug-in that lets you search without visiting its site. Toolbar users earn one extra point every day.
- Swag codes. Another way to boost your total is to enter codes for bonus points. Watch the Swagbucks Challenge thread, where forumites post the latest.
- Play games. You earn 1-5 points each time just for playing games on its site.
- Watch videos. Watch videos and you get the chance to win extra points. You're not guaranteed to win every time you watch.
02Online survey sitesEarn up to £800/year to give your opinion
Willing to give views on One Direction, washing-up liquid or whether we should quit the EU? If so, it's possible to earn £100s a year, without any special skill or talent.
It's all about stashing cash by filling in online surveys. All you have to do is sign up, wait for survey alerts to land in your inbox, then zip through the questions.
Polls are often fun. You get to vent about everything from video games to your sex life. For a full rundown of the top 20 free sites, plus tips to max your income, see the Online Survey Sites guide.
Committed survey-doers can get £200ish a year, but if you max it like MoneySaver funnyguy:
It takes a few years to build up enough to cash out, but I earned £800 last year in cash and vouchers. Comes in very useful.funnyguy
Don't miss out on more ways to up your incomeGet MoneySavingExpert's free, spam-free weekly email full of guides & loopholes
03QmeeGet paid to Google
Quick stats
- Who's it good for? Folks with the patience to click ads for a few pence a go
- Typical earnings: £5/month
- Payment method: Cash via PayPal
- How much you need to earn before it pays: No minimum
- Feed back: Qmee
It's possible to get paid hard cash just for searching the web with Qmee*. It just involves downloading an add-on that sits on your internet browser. You then search online as you normally would on Google, Amazon, eBay, Yahoo! or Bing.
Forumite The_Jakal says:
I've been using Qmee for three weeks and I'm on £14 now.The_Jakal
Quick questions
What exactly do I have to do?
1. Sign up. Click this Qmee* link to sign up. Follow the instructions to download an add-on for your browser (it works with Google Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer).
2. Search as normal. Search on Google, Amazon, eBay, Yahoo! or Bing. You should see the same results as usual, with extra (clearly labelled) Qmee results on the left-hand side.
Each link shows how much you'll earn for clicking. It only shows relevant results, so you won't see extra ones all the time.
3. Cash in. Sign into your Qmee account to see how much cash you've stashed. You can withdraw it using PayPal, and you don't need to earn a minimum amount to do so.
Can I boost earnings by repeating searches?
No, just search for stuff as you would normally. Qmee says it only rewards genuine searches. You can’t beat the system by repeatedly clicking on the same advert or clicking from one to another quickly.
What does Qmee do with my data?
Only install the add-on if you are happy for the company to access to the data, including your browsing history. The exact data it can access varies by browser, but a list should pop up when you install the add-on.
Qmee says it won't share your data with anyone else without permission, and it doesn't store data on general browsing habits, only search terms. Read its full privacy policy to ensure you're happy before signing up.
Why does Qmee sometimes pay for clicks to MoneySavingExpert.com?
Qmee shows a mixture of results. They include sites that pay it to drive traffic, as well as others that don't pay it. It says this is to keep results fair, so it can track what users are interested in.
This means Qmee sometimes includes MoneySavingExpert.com in results when people are searching for money topics, even though we have no arrangement with it.
04Gift Hunter ClubEarn hard cash for fun tasks
Quick stats
- Who's it good for? Folks who already use Swagbucks and want to join a similar site
- Typical earnings: £7/week
- Payment method: PayPal, Amazon vouchers and more
- How much you need to earn before it pays: £1.20ish
- Feed back: Gift Hunter Club
Online earning site Gift Hunter Club doles out points for watching videos, doing polls, entering competitions and completing other easy tasks.
You can convert these into cash through PayPal, Amazon vouchers and more. Just sign up and check the 'earn points' section. It shows the tasks available and what they pay.
MoneySavers reckon the site's fun, payment is quick and they earn a decent amount each week. Forumite mizzame says:
I made £10 in PayPal cash very easily last week, £8 the week before. Mainly from videos and easy tasks. My best earning site at the moment!mizzame
Aim to redeem your points on rewards giving better value
A £10 Amazon gift card costs 1,700 points. But 10 US dollars in cash (£7ish) via PayPal is 1,000 points, which can be better value, depending on the exchange rate. While Gift Hunter Club lists cash payments in US dollars, PayPal converts the cash into pounds.
05MaximilesGet paid to watch videos
Quick stats
- Who's it good for? Folks who like watching quick ads on their PC
- Typical earnings: £10 every two months
- Payment method: Vouchers, incl Waitrose and Debenhams
- How much you need to earn before it pays: Varies by reward
- Feed back: Maximiles
It's possible to earn high street vouchers just for watching videos though Maximiles. Clips are short adverts, for example, Andrex promos or Cheryl Cole videos.
New vids come up every day, so visit often, plus forumites post the latest ones in the Maximiles thread. One thing to watch out for: make sure you're logged in when you rate the videos, or you won't get points.
You can cash in points for gift vouchers. For example, 6,300 Maximiles can get you a £25 Argos voucher.
Stick to free points offers
As well as paying you to watch videos and other tasks, Maximiles works like a cashback site. When you click through it to buy something, Maximiles gets paid for sending traffic and gives some of this cash to you in the form of points.
Sounds great, yet the best cashback sites usually beat it. Full info's in our Top Cashback Sites guide.
06Gift HulkGet paid to watch videos, search & more
Quick stats
- Who's it good for? Fans of fun web tasks who don't mind a cheap 'n' cheerful site
- Typical earnings: £5/month
- Payment method: PayPal cash, Amazon vouchers and more
- How much you need to earn before it pays: Varies by reward
- Feed back: Gift Hulk
Similar to Swagbucks above, Gift Hulk pays for a host of web activities, including watching videos, answering polls and searching via its site instead of Google.
While the site looks a little basic, many MoneySavers are fans. You get paid in Hulk Coins, which you then convert into rewards including Amazon vouchers (make sure you select vouchers in GBP, rather than US dollars).
Special codes give extra points - forumites post them in the Gift Hulk thread.
07GetJamBag cash for watching vids on your mobile
Quick stats
- Who's it good for? Smartphone owners who can watch vids while making cuppas
- Typical earnings: £5 every two months
- Payment method: Cash via PayPal
- How much you need to earn before it pays: 420 berries (£2.50)
- Feed back: GetJam
If you've got a smartphone, mobile app GetJam pays you cash to watch adverts, movie trailers and games previews. Advertisers pay it to spread the word, and it passes a cut of this on to you.
You bag berries (berries, jam – geddit?) each time you watch a video. Then you can exchange these for PayPal cash - 800 berries equals a fiver via PayPal. The app works on Android, iPhone and Blackberry. Always log in before watching to ensure berries get credited.
It's easy to fit in around normal life. Forumite star2007 says:
It's no hassle, I watch in odd moments like waiting for the kettle to boil. You can earn £5 per month.star2007
MoneySavers have reported that recently videos are not as plentiful as they once were, so this is probably just one to add to your list for belt 'n' braces.
Quick questions
How do you sign up?
Here's how to get started:
- 1. Download the iPhone or Android app and sign up. If you've got a Blackberry, Windows or other phone, go to www.getjam.mobi on your mobile's browser.
- 2. Log in, pick a video, watch it until it finishes, close your video player and return to GetJam, where your berries will be banked.
- 3. When you've earned 420 berries (£2.50) or 800 (£5), withdraw your money.
What's the best way to access the web on my mobile?
If you want to access the web on your mobile, there are two choices. The first is 3G (or 4G), where you browse via a mobile connection. Or you can use wi-fi, where you wirelessly hitch up to a local broadband connection.
GetJam says a video will use about 0.5MB to 5MB of data, depending upon length. So consider doing this through wi-fi to avoid using your 3G/4G data. See Free Wireless Internet for more.
0840+ insider comping tipsEnter contests as a cash-boosting hobby
From cars to £20,000 cash, five-star USA holidays to £10,000 of Tesco gift cards, MoneySavers have won it all. It's all about 'comping', a potentially profitable online hobby for the lucky.
Comping's about systematically sourcing and entering hundreds of the right contests. Committed forumites use web gadgets to fill in forms at speed, answer questions and come up with tie-breakers. There are also tricks to enter TV premium phone comps free via the web. For full help, see our 40+ Insider Comping Tips guide.
Check out the forum's Competitions Time board, a reciprocal community of devoted compers. The idea is you post contests and cheer others when they win.
'I won a Vegas trip & £26,000 of gadgets'
While big success isn't certain, it does happen. MoneySaver mrsrobertson is one of the lucky ones. She says:
I started comping in May 2011 and I've won a £3,000 Las Vegas trip and gadgets worth over £26,000. I'm hooked.mrsrobertson
09FREE cashbackGet cash for clicks - no need to buy
Cashback sites work by giving you a cut of the cash they earn for channelling web traffic. Yet you don't have to buy anything to earn cash via these sites - they often pay you just for clicking links on the internet.
For example, Topcashback* pays £2ish when you click through to get a Gocompare car insurance quote or 5p when you search for flights on Fly.com. Its free cashback section lists the top offers. For a full explanation, see Top Cashback Sites.
10QustodianGet paid to read adverts on your mobile
Quick stats
- Who's it good for? Patient people with a smartphone
- Typical earnings: £10 every six months
- Payment method: Cash via PayPal or BACS
- How much you need to earn before it pays: £10
- Feed back: Qustodian
Free smartphone app Qustodian pays you to read adverts. Simply download the app, and plug your likes and dislikes into your profile. It then sends adverts matching your interests to your Qustodian inbox. You get paid cash when you view messages, respond to questions or watch videos.
It pays cash via PayPal or via BACS into your bank account when you earn £10. Forumites report the slow trickle of messages means it takes a while to hit this, so this app's just one for committed online earners.
Quick questions
What's the best way to access the web on my mobile?
If you want to access the web on your mobile, there are two choices. The first is 3G or 4G, where you use a mobile connection, or wi-fi, where you wirelessly hitch up to a local broadband connection.
Consider watching videos through wifi to avoid using your 3G/4G data. See Free Wireless Internet for more.
What does Qustodian do with my personal data?
Qustodian says it treats data protection seriously and never sells members' personal details. It only shares data if you give it specific permission. For example, if you signed up for a free sample product, it would need to share your address with the brand.
Get paid to write and create content
11TextbrokerGet paid to write
Quick stats
- Who's it good for? People who enjoy writing and have high grammatical standards
- Typical earnings: £50/month (if you're committed)
- Payment method: Cash via PayPal
- How much you need to earn before it pays out: £8ish (pays in euros)
- Feed back: Textbroker
Always wanted to have a crack at the old writing game? Now's your chance. Textbroker pays for content for adverts, websites and newsletters. The company acts as a middleman between clients and writers, taking a cut from each piece sold.
Typical payments are £5 to £30 per article, and forumites have written about everything from sport and wildlife to finance and casinos.
We're not talking Stephenie Meyer's Twilight sums. But some forumites, such as Sinkorswim, are turning over a grand a year:
I've been with Textbroker for nine months, and have made over £1,000. It's a godsend, as I had to give up my part-time job due to a back problem. I got another job, but am reluctant to stop writing, as I really enjoy it.Sinkorswim
Forumite Farmers-wife says:
I have recently started with Textbroker as a writer. Six articles down and I'm hooked. As a stay-at-home mum and farmer's wife it's lovely to be doing something for myself. Getting praise for writing is doing wonders for my confidence.Farmers-wife
Quick questions
How do I get accepted as an author?
You pen a short test piece. Textbroker assesses it, grading you from one to five stars.
You don't need to be James Joyce, but you do need to construct sentences properly and use correct grammar. Fluency in other languages is a bonus – one MoneySaver writes in German.
How can I earn maximum cash?
Here are some tips to boost your Textbroker earnings:
- Ensure your initial test is up to scratch. If your writing's graded three stars or under, there are fewer assignments on offer, and you earn less per piece. The only way to boost your score is for happy clients to rate you well, which takes time.
- Check the site several times a day. Once accepted, you log on to check for assignments. Jobs gets snapped up quickly.
- Always proof-read carefully. The editors are sticklers for correct use of capitals and commas.
- Fill out your online profile. Even just interests and hobbies. Sometimes clients approach writers directly, profiles help them find people with specialist knowledge.
Is it worth pitching to papers and mags too?
If you're a talented writer, consider pitching your work to papers and magazines too. The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook has a list of contacts, and you'll find most online too.
Keep your pitch email brief, including a few lines summing up the feature idea, plus a few short bullet points on what you'll cover. If you can peg your idea on something currently in the news, even better.
12ClickworkerGet paid to write, enter data & more
Quick stats
- Who's this good for? People who can write winning adverts
- Typical earnings: £20/month
- Payment method: PayPal
- How much you need to earn before it pays: No minimum
- Feed back: Clickworker
As well as paying for written content, Clickworker offers other jobs, including data entry, web research, product reviews and data tagging.
MoneySavers report there's heaps of work on offer. They've penned Groupon adverts, travel destination descriptions, flight adverts and fashion articles, to name a few.
You must complete a test before you can work, and most jobs require a score of at least 90%. You can earn between £2 for shorter jobs and £5 for longer ones.
Tips to earn maximum cash
- Log on often. So you're first to grab work when available.
- Read instructions carefully. Be sure to include any keywords you're asked for. Don't worry if your piece isn't a thing of majesty - it's often more about getting in those all-important search words.
- Don't settle for low scores: All work is scored. It's worth noting a few MoneySavers have had unfairly low marks adjusted after emailing to complain.
13DooYooGet paid to write product reviews
Quick stats
- Who's this good for? Speedy writers with lots of products to review
- Typical earnings: £20 every two months
- Payment method: Cash via bank transfer or Amazon vouchers
- How much you need to earn before it pays: £20 Amazon vch, £50 cash
- Feed back: Dooyoo
Consumer opinions site Dooyoo pays up to 60p for each product review you write. The amount you get depends on the product's category. For popular products it's 60p and many electronic items 30p, but for others, such as books, it's only 10p.
Reviews need to be at least 150 words long, though try to stick to your personal experiences rather than padding with lists of technical specs.
Once you rack up £20, you can convert it into a £20 Amazon voucher. Alternatively, wait till you hit £50 for cash. Beware: Dooyoo points ("miles") expire after one year, and a few MoneySavers have been caught out.
Committed reviewers, such as MoneySaver jenniewb, have made bundles of cash.
In two months, I have reviewed literally everything I have used bar one or two uninteresting items, and have earned myself £70.jenniewb
14YouTubeEarn cash from homemade videos
Quick stats
- Who's this good for? People who enjoy making funny or specialist clips, and are a whizz with video cameras
- Typical earnings: £60 every two months (though it varies dramatically)
- Payment method: Cheque from Google Adsense
- How much you need to earn before it pays: £60
- Feed back: YouTube
We can't promise you'll earn £100,000 like the dad who uploaded “Charlie bit my finger – again!”, the clip of two cheeky brothers that racked up 650m views. Yet even if your YouTube videos don't become global phenomena, it's possible to earn a little extra each month through the clip-sharing site.
Before we get started, here's forumite sophie.christie's story for inspiration:
About two years ago I started a YouTube account. One of my videos started to do quite well and the site asked me to become a partner.
I started to receive a very low income from this. However, over the last year I've been posting new videos on birthday party tips. I have now have 80, and a daily income of more than £20. It's rising by about 10% each month.sophie.christie
How YouTube's partner programme works
YouTube's Partner Programme lets users take a cut of the cash from the adverts that run alongside their videos. You must apply to become a partner, but YouTube says anyone who regularly uploads original clips which get a fair amount of views should be eligible.
Earnings vary dramatically, depending on how many views you rack up and how much revenue the ads generate.
Quick questions
How can I max my YouTube earnings?
Here are some top tips to help your vids go viral:
- Make content you'd like to watch. Giggling toddlers, funny animals and crazy dancing are often winners. Start with your passions and hobbies – could you film hula hoop tutorials, hairdo how-tos or video game reviews?
- You must own the content (or have permission to use it). This means all audio and video content featured. So if your cat dances to a song you don't have permission to use, you won't get paid. See YouTube's copyright rules.
- Write a memorable title. This helps people search for your content quickly. For example, "Evolution of Dance" beats "Dance sequence with dances from lots of different eras".
- Use popular keywords. Include top search terms in your title. Check out YouTube's keyword tool and Trends Dashboard to see what's hot.
- Promote on social networks. To boost your chances of going viral, share links to your content with contacts on Facebook and Twitter.
- Post on similar topics each time. If you specialise in maths explanations or nail art tutorials, people will click to see your other clips.
- Don't 'like' your own videos. This will get your account cancelled. Same goes for clicking ads on your videos to try to boost your earnings.
- Hook viewers from the start. Most users decide whether they are going to keep watching a video in the first few seconds. Use those to spark their curiosity and make it clear what the clip's about.
- Like other users' clips. Like other people's channels and videos on YouTube. They may like you back, helping to build your userbase.
How can I become a partner and earn money?
Here's how to start earning, step-by-step:
- 1. Build your history. To be able to join the partnership scheme, you need a history of posting videos. So set up a YouTube account and get uploading.
- 2. Become a partner. Once you've uploaded a few videos, go to 'Settings' in your YouTube account and click the 'Monetization' tab.
You should see an 'Enable My Account' button if you're eligible to become a partner.
Unfortunately, YouTube won't tell us exactly how many videos people need to post to become eligible. It just says accounts need to be in "good standing" and you need to "upload original, quality content".
See YouTube's Monetization guide for more.
- Step 3. Sign up to Google AdSense. YouTube pays via Google AdSense accounts. Sign up, then link it to your YouTube account. See full AdSense details.
How much can will I earn?
YouTube says there's no formula to work out how much you'll get, but thousands of people earn cash through it. While it shares the majority of ad revenue with partners, it said it was unable to tell us the exact percentage.
Finally, ITV still pays £250 for funny videos selected to appear on You've Been Framed. No need to post a VHS tape – you can upload clips to its site.
15Amazon AssociatesEarn cash from your blog or website
Quick stats
- Who's this good for? Those with a blog or site that they'd like to earn cash from.
- Typical earnings: £25/month (depending on your site's popularity).
- Payment method: Amazon credit and cash.
- Amount you need to earn before it pays out: £25 for Amazon credit, £50 for cash payouts.
- Feed back: Amazon Associates
If you've a blog or website, set up a free account with Amazon Associates, a scheme where you earn Amazon vouchers for linking to the site.
Just follow the steps to add links and banners to your website. When someone clicks on Amazon from your site and makes a transaction, it's recorded and you're paid 5% commission, which you get in the form of cash or an Amazon discount.
This rises to 10%, depending on how much you sell and what category it's in. (See a full list of payments.)
Though don't just fill your site to the brim with Amazon links. What works best is ensuring you've quality editorial content, then adding the links after.
Products bought by you personally won't count towards your commission, nor will anything ordered for delivery to your home address or paid for on your credit card.
16Write a Kindle e-bookEarn up to 70% of the LIST price when you self-publish
Quick stats
- Who's this good for? Folks who want a bash at a bestseller, though money's not guaranteed
- Payment method: Electronic bank transfer (see full payment details)
- How much you need to earn before it pays: No min
- Feed back: Kindle Direct
EL James's Fifty Shades of Grey started as a self-published e-book – now's your chance to emulate her success. Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing tool lets you upload your own e-books instantly, for free. Every time the book sells, Amazon gives you up to 70% of the list price (excludes VAT).
While not a guaranteed money-spinner, e-books don't have to be Booker Prize contenders. If you're a specialist in a niche subject, from worm composting to rollercoaster riding, you could pocket a little extra each month.
If you need inspiration, why not try the NaNoWriMo campaign to write a novel in a month, which runs every November.
Quick questions
What's my cut?
Amazon pays two percentages for royalties: 35% for books with a minimum list price of 75p, and 70% for books £1.49 or more. Many folks choose to price at less, because selling more books makes up for the smaller percentage. See full details on Amazon royalty options.
How do you publish a Kindle e-book?
Here's how to publish your own Kindle (hopefully) bestseller:
- Step 1. Write your book in Word, putting page breaks between each chapter and avoiding any bullet points.
- Step 2. Run it through Amazon's Kindle e-book Previewer to check it looks alright as a Kindle e-book.
- Step 3. Upload your book to Amazon. It should be online in 24 hours.
For a more detailed guide, Amazon has a host of tutorials and instructions.
Is it worth paying for a professional editing service?
You'll see paid-for editing services on the web. While you're starting out, it's probably best just to get a literate friend to proof-read it instead, to ensure you don't end up out of pocket.
17Slicethepie Get paid to write music reviews
Quick stats
- Who's it good for? You'll need a pretty open mind, as you can't choose specific music genres. MoneySavers have reported earnings slowing recently
- Typical earnings: £7/month
- Payment method: Cash via PayPal
- How much you need to earn before it pays: £7ish
- Feed back: Slicethepie
Unsigned music review site Slicethepie pays you for each song you rate. As you build up a reputation, you can earn more. Read the site's tutorials before you start.
Previously, a dedicated fan putting in a couple of hours a night could expect around £30/month, but forumites report this has dropped recently. You won't earn much, but some MoneySavers who enjoy listening to music like it.
Get paid for easy tasks
18Field Agent iPhone appGet paid to check prices, snap photos & more
Quick stats
- Who's it good for? If you've got an iPhone, and can nip out to do quick tasks
- Typical earnings: £10/month
- Payment method: Cash via PayPal
- How much you need to earn before it pays: No minimum
- Feed back: Field Agent
Ever fancied being a secret agent? If you’ve got an iPhone, a free app called Field Agent could be your chance. When companies need a small market research task done, it's sent out via the app.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to check prices in stores, take photos of products and pen reviews. It typically pays £4.50 per task, but sometimes as much as £10.
Quick questions
How do I get started?
Install the Field Agent iPhone app (sadly, it's not available for Android). Just search for jobs in your area – it’s worth checking regularly, because tasks go like hot cakes.
How can I earn maximum cash?
Here are some tips to max your earnings:
- Check jobs daily, even on Sundays. The best times to check the app are before 9am and after 1pm.
- ‘Like’ its Facebook page. FieldAgent often posts upcoming jobs there.
- Ensure your phone's GPS is switched on. Some tasks are based on geographic location. Check your phone battery's charged too.
- Do tasks efficiently. You're scored on each task you complete, and 'agents' with higher scores get first dibs on jobs.
19Roamler smartphone appGet paid to snap photos, count stock & more
Quick stats
- Who's it good for? Smartphone users
- Typical earnings: £10/month
- Payment method: Cash via PayPal
- How much you need to earn before it pays: No minimum
- Feed back: Roamler
Fancy getting paid to buy beer? Free app Roamler pays for tasks such as counting stock in shops, snapping menu cards in restaurants and even buying a beer to photograph how it's served.
As with Field Agent, when firms need an easy market research job done, it's sent out via the app. Roamler typically pays £4 per task, but it can vary between £2 and £10.
The catch is the app is invite only. Roamler's press office says it's pretty easy to get one if you monitor its Facebook page for hints on how (or you might get lucky if you request one).
20LionbridgeA serious remote-working job
Quick stats
- Who's it good for? Those with a degree and a high boredom threshold, who want to earn cash from home
- Typical earnings: £140-£200/month (depending on hours)
- Feed back: Lionbridge
“Legitimate work from home job. Earn £££s!” Adverts in the back of mags pulse with promises, yet often the reality's disappointing or even dodgy. Yet one work-from-home job that MoneySavers have had more luck with is Lionbridge.
You usually need a degree to apply, but heaps of MoneySavers have been accepted. It says it usually has 150 jobs on offer at any one time.
What's the work like?
The web firm offers several part-time posts, most aimed at helping companies improve their search engine results. Tasks can include checking search results, gathering data and testing mobile apps.
You choose your hours and don't have to travel from A to B, perfect if you want to earn cash while staying at home with the kids. You must work a minimum of 10 and maximum of 20 hours per week.
Forumite Ghost_2005 says:
It's a genuine work-from-home opportunity that pays real money. There are precious few of them, so if that's what you're looking for, it's a good opportunity. In the grand scheme of employment, there are better and more fulfilling jobs. In the grand scheme of home-working opportunities, it's a decent job.Ghost_2005
On the downside, others say it's about as exciting as a hangover on a rainy Sunday. As daz501 says:
I can honestly say when I had the job I had never felt so bored. An hour's work felt like three hours. Be aware of what you're actually applying for – it demands concentration!daz501
Stay motivated with other forumites in the Lionbridge forum thread.
Quick questions
What qualifications do you need?
Lionbridge usually asks for a degree-level qualification, an interest in the internet and a PC with Windows. It usually has jobs available, and heaps of forumites have applied successfully.
How do you apply?
The company offers a few different positions, and recruits for different jobs at different times. Check its jobs page to see what's on offer.
It's currently looking for ad assessors, social media assessors and internet crowd workers – see the full job descriptions.
Apply on its site. If selected, you complete a quick test. Pass this, and it sends revision material to help you prepare for a longer exam.
Lionbridge asks you to
sign a confidentiality agreement, so be careful not to post sensitive info on forums.
On the downside, people in the UK can only work for Lionbridge for a maximum of 11 months, because of UK employment law on temporary contracts.
How can I max my earnings?
If you're hired (congrats!), MoneySavers recommend using this task control tool to help time and track your tasks.
Got a top way to earn cash online that we haven't listed?
Feed back in the Earn cash online discussion.
21Bzz AgentGrab free products for telling friends about them
Quick stats
- Who's it good for? Social media fans who love freebies and aren't embarrassed to tell friends about new products.
- Feed back: Bzz Agent
While it doesn't pay cash, you can earn loads of free products through marketing company Bzz Agent. Forumites have grabbed everything from Vanish stain remover to E45 lotion and even electric toothbrushes.
The catch? As an 'agent', once you receive products, you must start "meaningful and authentic conversations" about them with online buddies and real life friends.
Many MoneySavers are fans. Forumite Mummybaker says:
I have had steam generator irons, wet ladyshaves, free cookies and all sorts. It's worth it - not much effort involved and they like you to be genuine about your thoughts.Mummybaker
Quick questions
What exactly does this involve?
You sign up to Bzz Agent, fill in details about your lifestyle, and wait to be selected for freebies. It then expects you to post about the products on sites such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as chat to real life friends.
Is this just about spamming my friends?
Bzz Agent says you should never spam about the products, and you can share both positive and negative experiences - what you say is up to you. The more "active and influential" you are, the more Bzz campaigns you'll get. See how it measures this.
Of course, there's an ethical consideration to all this. Always make sure the people you talk to understand you're trialling the product through Bzz Agent. Though remember, posting about Bzz Agent products on this site's forum breaks our rules.
22Shop and ScanGet paid to scan shopping receipts (invite only)
Quick stats
- Who's this good for? It's easy money, but you must wait to be selected.
- Typical earnings: £10/month.
- Payment method: Vouchers, incl Next and Debenhams.
- How much you need to earn before it pays: £10.
- Feed back: Shop and Scan
Market research site Shop and Scan is a great way to give your finances a boost. Each time you buy something, you log on and scan the receipt with the specialist barcode scanner it sends you.
Forumites report Shop and Scan pays about £10 a month. You can then cash it in for high street vouchers, including Next, Debenhams and Argos.
Shop and Scan's press office wouldn't confirm any details with us, as market research is a secretive area. So many of the tips here come from our forum users.
Forumite hedgesparrow says:
I would totally recommend Shop and Scan. I get £1.60 a week for scanning my barcodes. After six months, I still find it fun blipping the barcodes. Once your total's £10, you get a £10 voucher, which takes about six weeks, but is only an hour and half of my time.hedgesparrow
Quick questions
How do you sign up?
It's invite-only, but don't let that put you off. There's a way to get on the waiting list - just sign up at Volunteer4Panels.com. While you won't get accepted straight away, tons of MoneySavers have eventually been selected.
How can I max my earnings?
Shop and Scan often invites users to take part in other tasks for even more cash. These include filling in a food diary or Screenwise, where it installs some equipment on your TV to track the shows you watch.
This is when money really starts to mount up. Forumite Merlin139 says: "In six years we have had £3,800 of vouchers from these panels. Have not paid for an electrical appliance for five years."
23Clicks ResearchGrab freebies in exchange for your views
It's possible to earn masses of freebies from Clicks Research. The site doles out free products in exchange for feedback on whether they work. MoneySavers have blagged everything from anti-ageing creams to chocolate bars.
Respond at speed, as places fill up fast. It also sometimes pays cash for surveys. Clicks Research says products are all safe. It just wants to know how to improve them. Once you've signed up, Clicks Research emails invites. For more tips, see the full Clicks Research forum discussion.
This is something we thought hard about before including. Yet as many who know exactly what they're doing make serious risk-free cash, we wanted to include it.
It's all about taking advantage of the offers betting sites run to encourage new players, usually involving free bets (eg, "bet £30 and we give you a free £30 bet"), and the fact different bookmakers offer different odds.
Thus, in some circumstances, by betting on all outcomes you guarantee a profit, whatever the outcome. However, this is complex and dangerous, and most people should run a million miles.
Don't ever contemplate attempting it unless you've done detailed research.
Here are the key points:
- Warning! This is NOT about gambling. Gambling is not MoneySaving; the bookies always win in the long run (see Gamblers Anonymous). This is only about manipulating gambling introductory loopholes.
- How much? With time and care, it's possible to make £1,000 over the year. Please don't go for it if you're desperate for cash. This is only for those with patience and who aren't under money pressure. Otherwise, you'll end up drawn into real gambling - and losing.
- How do I do it? Read the Matched Betting Introduction and FAQs discussion in the Matched Betting board and the other sticky threads at the top. Remember it's an open forum, anyone can post. Just because someone sounds like they know what they're doing, it doesn't mean they do.
2563336 Earn money online from internet research
Internet companies such as 63336 (formerly AQA) are occasionally on the lookout for researchers. It works like this: a customer sends a text to researchers to ask the answer to a random question. The researcher - you - replies with an answer.
The beauty of this work is that you can generally choose the type of questions you answer, and the hours you work. Check for vacancies on the 63336 site or on its Facebook and Twitter pages. You'll have to pass a test before you get an interview.
There aren't vacancies all the time, but we've included this here so you'll know to check back later.
The site pays roughly 40p per question. Some can take just a few moments to answer, meaning that experienced researchers could rake in up to £100s - though of course, it depends how much time you're prepared to put in. Join the 63336 discussion.
Got a top way to earn cash online that we haven't listed?
Feed back in the Earn cash online discussion.
26 Reclaim lost assets and inheritencePotential payback of £1,000s
There's BILLIONS of pounds worth of unclaimed money out there. Whether it's yours or an unknown inheritance from a deceased relative, it can usually be reclaimed free.
Try the My Lost Account website for bank accounts, savings and premium bonds. An estimated £1 billion's unclaimed in total.
If you've ever changed jobs, it's possible you've built up pension pots which now languish forgotten. The Pensions Service can help you trace and reclaim these. Full info in the Reclaim Lost Assets guide.
27Flog what you've got
Do you have unused assets worth £100s or £1,000s? Stop hoarding, and declutter for cash. Here's some inspiration:
- Get max cash for old mobiles. An easy way to start is our Mobile Phone Selling Comparison tool for old handsets, iPods, cameras, etc. Examples include HTC Desire - best £52, worst £6. Or iPhone 4 16GB, best £108, worst £60.
- 30+ eBay tricks 'n' tools. Our 30+ eBay Selling Tricks guide is a crash course, from cutting eBay fees by tweaking start prices and using no-charge listing weekends, to adding extra pics with special tools. Plus there are tools to create multiple listings in advance and bulk-upload them.
- Safely sell old gold for max cash. TV ads yell "sell old gold for cash". Yet many are kicked in the crown jewels as they get a fraction of the promised price. Amid the scrap, though, are shining examples. Our Top Gold Selling Sites takes you through it.
2860 more ways to boost your income
If you're looking to rake in a little more, our 60 Tricks To Boost Your Income guide can add to the coffers. Here's a taster:
- Become a mystery shopper. High street retailers are desperate to check their customer service is up to scratch, so mystery shopping agencies pay you to visit specific shops or restaurants to rate quality.
- Send pics to mags. For example, Love It! magazine pays £50 for a shameful shot of yourself on holiday or even £50 for readers' shirtless fellas (Mrs MSE's been banned from sending 'em in).
- Earn cash as an Avon lady (or man). We've been surprised by the popularity of the dedicated Avon Rep Hints & Tips forum thread.
30Rent it - spare rooms, storage, parking spaces
The Rent It Out For Cash section of our Boost Your Income guide lists easy ways to earn extra from your property. Here's a taster:
- Rent your driveway for up to £200/mth. Live near a city centre, airport, train station or football ground? It's possible to earn up to £200/mth or more renting out your drive. See Rent Your Parking Space for a full how-to and the top free-to-list online marketplaces.
- Get cash for spare storage space. If you've unused space in a loft, garage or spare room, website Storemates lets you rent out it to others looking for cheap storage. See Rent Your Storage.
- Rent your spare room. The 'rent a room' scheme means you can take in a lodger to live in a furnished room in your home. It has a special exemption meaning you won't have to pay tax on the first £4,250 each year (this is halved if you share the income with your partner or someone else). See Take A Lodger.
29Give yourself a money makeoverPut thousands back in your pocket
While most people earn a max £200 a day, taking a day to sort your finances leaves many a grand a year better off.
Always think in terms of annual savings - £15 a month doesn’t sound much but it’s £180 a year. Here’s some OOMPH! to get you going.
- Owed £10,000s in PPI? If you've had a loan or credit card, check if you were mis-sold PPI. Don't worry if you don't have the paperwork, see the FAQs in Reclaim PPI for Free.
Proof from Steverandall1965:
- Slash car insurance costs. Prices are falling, so it's a good time to get a new quote. Some can halve costs by combining the results of comparison sites. See Cheap Car Insurance for a full step-by-step guide.
- Can you cut your mortgage cost? If you’ve decent equity in your house and aren’t locked into a deal, speak to a mortgage broker. See the MSE Remortgage Booklet: Instant PDF | Printed
- Credit card interest costs. Those with decent credit histories can now ‘balance transfer’ debts to new cards at 0%. Full info in Best Balance Transfers.
- Save £100s with a water meter. If your home has more or the same number of bedrooms as people, check our Water Meter guide. Helen Bevington tweeted: "Thanks to MSE, we've water-metered. Monthly DD down from £80 to £25." That's £660/year less.
You inspired me to claim. Put it off for ages, then downloaded the template, sent it off and got £12,225, no fuss or bother.Steverandall1965
Those are just the start. For a detailed checklist of over 30 quick ways to cut bills, see the Money Makeover guide.
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