The Express credit card, issued by Comenity Bank, is expressly mediocre.
It can help you pay for a new wardrobe at the clothing retailer, but its usefulness is limited beyond that, especially given its high interest rate and narrow redemption options.
There’s no annual fee, and the card earns an eye-catching 20 to 25 points per $1 spent. But those figures aren’t as rewarding as they sound, and the card’s drawbacks easily outweigh these benefits.
Here are five things to know about the Express credit card.
1. It can be used only at Express
The Express credit card is a “closed-loop” product, meaning it can be used only to make purchases at Express, Express.com or Express Factory Outlets. For a more versatile card that you can use (and earn rewards with) anywhere, check out our list of best cash-back credit cards.
2. The interest rate is dizzying
The interest rate, or purchase APR, on the Express credit card topped 32% as of December 2023. That’s almost 10 percentage points higher than the average interest rate on all interest-accruing credit cards in August 2023, per the Federal Reserve.
An APR that high will make carrying a balance from month to month an expensive proposition. If possible, pay off the balance in full, or you could end up owing far above the sticker price for those new clothes.
If you need to finance an expensive wardrobe over time, consider a credit card with a 0% intro APR offer. The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card, for example, offers 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% Variable APR.
3. The welcome offer is meager
If you’re approved for the Express credit card, you’ll get a 20% discount off the first Express purchase charged to the card. However, the discount must be used on the same day you apply and are approved for the card. This welcome offer may seem enticing when you’re at the cash register, moments away from taking home your Express haul, but it pales in comparison to bonuses on other credit cards, which can be worth a few hundred dollars.
For example, the $0-annual-fee Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express has this welcome offer: Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply. It also earns, among other things, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases up to $6,000 spent per year, then 1%. Terms apply; see rates and fees.
This card would be a superior pick to the Express credit card if you have the credit score to qualify and are willing to shop online.
4. Cardholders get perks within the Express loyalty program
Express’ loyalty program, Express Insider, has three tiers: Insider, Influencer and A-List. If you have the Express credit card, you’re automatically enrolled in the program and elevated to the Influencer level.
Influencers get 20 points for every dollar spent at Express and Express Factory Outlets, a $20 birthday gift, and free U.S. standard shipping and returns.
To make it to A-List status, you’ll need to earn 10,000 points, the equivalent of spending $500. A-Listers also get free shipping and returns, but they earn 25 points per $1 spent and get a $40 birthday gift.
Unredeemed points expire after 12 months from the date they were earned.
5. Reward redemption is automatic, but point values are poor
Redeeming rewards earned with the Express credit card is effortless, but that’s because there’s only one option: Points earned with the Express card are redeemable for Express Cash certificates, which can be used toward future Express purchases.
Cardholders will automatically receive $5 in Express Cash once they accumulate 1,250 points, sent to their Insider account. That means that 1 point is worth a measly 0.04 cent, far less than the standard 1 cent per point.
Express Cash certificates are valid for a minimum of 60 days after their issue date, but even still, “banking” them up for a big purchase might be difficult if you don’t visit the retailer that often.
When the Canada-based BMO bank acquired Bank of the West, headquartered in the U.S., in 2021, American consumers gained access to BMO’s credit card portfolio, which includes personal and business cards.
As of this writing, BMO offers two cash-back cards, a travel card, a 0% APR/balance transfer card and a secured card. However, a BMO representative confirmed that the card offerings and current card benefits may change in early 2024.
Here’s what you need to know about these cards before deciding whether to apply for one.
🤓Nerdy Tip
While BMO offers business credit cards, this article covers only its personal credit card offerings.
For a break on interest: BMO Platinum Credit Card
If you need an extra-long reprieve from interest, your best option among the BMO cards is the Platinum Credit Card. For a $0 annual fee, cardholders get 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (as of this writing). There are two important caveats to these offers, though: You may lose the 0% APR benefit if you make a late payment, and the balance transfer must be completed within 90 days of account opening in order to get the 0% APR offer.
The balance transfer fee for all of BMO’s personal credit cards is $10 or 4% of the amount of the balance transfer, whichever amount is greater. BMO only allows balance transfers of credit card debt. And as is standard with most issuers, it doesn’t permit transfers between BMO accounts.
As balance transfer offers go, this is a decent one, but it’s possible to find credit cards with longer interest-free promotions. The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card, for instance, offers 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% Variable APR .
🤓Nerdy Tip
All of BMO’s publicly available personal credit cards offer cell phone protection plans. Cardholders are eligible for up to $400 in coverage except for Premium Rewards cardholders, who get up to $600 worth of coverage. To qualify for cell phone insurance, you must pay your cell phone bill with a qualifying BMO credit card. A $50 deductible is required for each claim.
For building credit: BMO Boost Secured Credit Card
BMO’s lone secured card requires a $25 annual fee and a minimum $300 security deposit. Those numbers are on the higher end compared with other secured cards. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card, for example, has a $0 annual fee and a $200 minimum security deposit — and it earns rewards, which the Boost Secured card does not.
However, the Boost Secured does offer two benefits rarely found in other cards for people with bad or limited credit: cell phone insurance and rental car insurance.
For travelers: BMO Premium Rewards Credit Card
The only travel card in BMO’s credit card portfolio, the Premium Rewards card, offers some solid perks for a $79 annual fee, which is waived the first year. Some highlights:
15% bonus points on your account anniversary (15% of total purchases made in the previous year).
A sign-up bonus of 35,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 within 3 months of opening your account (as of this writing).
Access to over 850 airport VIP lounges worldwide with Priority Pass Select, plus two complimentary visits to participating lounges.
No foreign transaction fees.
Lost or damaged luggage insurance.
By comparison, the venerable Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card awards a 10% points bonus on each account anniversary and doesn’t come with lounge access, and its annual fee is slightly higher than the Premium Rewards card. However, unlike the BMO Premium Rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card features travel partners to which you can transfer your points, often for outsize value.
The Premium Rewards card also earns the following rewards in BMO’s proprietary currency, Flex Rewards:
3 Flex Rewards points per $1 spent on eligible dining, hotels and airfare (on up to $2,500 in combined spending each quarter), and 1x on all purchases after that.
1 Flex Rewards point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.
Flex Rewards points may be redeemed for flights, hotels, merchandise, gift cards and statement credits, among other options. Point values vary depending on the redemption; cardholders can check the redemption value at www.bmoflexrewards.com.
Flex Rewards points don’t expire, assuming your account remains in good standing with BMO.
For cash back: BMO Cash Back Credit Card and the BMO Platinum Rewards Credit Card
Two BMO cards would be good picks as cash-back cards. One earns direct cash back as a percentage of each purchase; the other earns BMO’s proprietary currency, Flex Rewards, which can be redeemed for cash back in the form of statement credit.
BMO Cash Back Credit Card
For straightforward cash-back rewards, the aptly named BMO Cash Back Credit Card is probably the better choice. It has the higher rewards rates, and the rewards categories represent a range of everyday spending. The $0-annual-fee Cash Back card earns:
5% cash back on eligible streaming, cable TV and satellite services.
3% cash back on eligible gas and grocery purchases, up to $2,500 in combined quarterly spending (1% after that).
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
The only redemption option is a statement credit. Rewards never expire as long as the account is open and in good standing.
As of this writing, the card also comes with the following sign-up bonus: Get a $200 cash-back bonus when you spend $2,000 within 3 months of opening your account.
BMO Platinum Rewards Credit Card
The Platinum Rewards card, like its Cash Back sibling, earns rewards on gas and groceries, but the rewards rates on the Platinum Rewards card are a hair lower. It earns:
2 Flex Rewards points per $1 spent on eligible gas and groceries, up to $2,500 in combined spending each calendar quarter (1x on all purchases after that).
1 Flex Rewards point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.
Redemption options for the Platinum Rewards card are the same as the Premium Rewards card because both cards earn Flex Rewards.
In favor of the Platinum Rewards card, its annual fee is also $0, and it has a good welcome offer: Get 25,000 bonus points when you spend $2,000 within 3 months of opening your account. It also gives cardholders a points bonus every account anniversary equal to 10% of the total points earned in the past year. The Cash Back card doesn’t award an annual bonus.
These are both decent options for cash back. But if you’d prefer a simple, high flat rate back on everything, without the need to keep track of bonus categories, you could consider a product like the Citi Double Cash® Card. It earns 2% cash back on every purchase: 1% back when you buy, 1% back when you pay it back.
The card has a $0 annual fee, and it also offers a 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months, and then the ongoing APR of 19.24%-29.24% Variable APR.
Who doesn’t want to be rewarded?
Create a NerdWallet account for personalized recommendations, and find the card that rewards you the most for your spending.
The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice.
To increase your credit score to 800, you’ll need a nearly flawless payment history, a credit utilization rate well below 30%, a healthy mix of credit types, and an extensive credit history.
The average American has a credit score of 716, well within the range of what is considered a good credit score. Many people may be content with that score, but there are benefits of working your way up to the exceptional range, which starts at 800 according to the FICO® scoring method. If you’re wondering how to increase your credit score to 800, focused and careful financial habits might help you get there.
Learn more about this prestigious credit score and how to work toward it so you can improve your financial situation.
What Is an 800 Credit Score?
A credit score between 800 and 850 is considered exceptional credit. Only 23.3% of consumers have reached this credit tier, which has significant perks, including better interest rates and access to better financial products.
Several different credit scores exist, but lenders most commonly use the FICO Score, which is a number ranging from 300 to 850. Credit scores fall into five categories using this scoring method:
Very Poor: 300 – 579
Fair: 580 – 669
Good: 670 – 739
Very Good: 740 – 799
Exceptional: 800 – 850
How to Get an 800 Credit Score
An 800 credit score is more attainable than it seems. The average number of people with this score has increased steadily since 2010.
Follow the steps below to start your journey to better credit.
1. Obtain Your Credit Report and Resolve Any Discrepancies
First, request a copy of your credit report. Look for any discrepancies. File a dispute for any issues so your credit report is accurate. Credit score companies, such as FICO, base your credit score on the information in your credit report, so accuracy is essential.
If you notice errors on your report, you aren’t alone—according to an FTC study, roughly 25% of people reported errors on their credit report. Fortunately, you can challenge mistakes under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Gather evidence to support your case and write a dispute letter to the reporting bureau. They have 30 days to investigate your claim and five days to notify you of their findings in writing.
2. Analyze Your Credit Report for Areas of Improvement
Once you’ve resolved any issues, analyze your report to determine why your score is lower than 800. Your FICO score looks at the following to determine your credit score:
Payment history: Whether you pay your bills on time and in full is the most important factor, accounting for 35% of your overall score.
Amounts owed: This refers to how much credit you’re using compared to your total credit limit, and it makes up 30% of your overall score. The less of a balance you carry from month to month, the better it is for your credit health.
Length of credit history: Credit history looks at the following and accounts for 15% of your credit score:
Age of oldest account
Age of newest account
Average age of accounts
How frequently you use revolving credit
Credit mix: FICO considers the types of credit accounts you have, such as revolving and installment credit. This factors into 10% of your score.
New credit: FICO bases 10% of your score on whether you’ve applied for several new lines of credit in a short time frame, indicating you may be overextending yourself.
Analyze your report with those factors in mind. Look for areas that need improvement:
Are you paying your bills on time?
Do you owe more than 30% of your available credit?
Is your credit history too short?
Do you only have one type of credit?
Have you opened too many lines of credit at once?
Based on the answers to those questions, you can determine what to focus on as you raise your credit score to 800.
3. Establish a Strong Payment History
The most significant factor in your credit score is a strong payment history, and Lending Tree found that 100% of people they surveyed with an 800 credit score pay all their bills on time and in full. If your credit report shows you have late payments, focus on improving your payment history.
Enroll in auto pay to ensure debts are paid promptly (but ensure you always have enough in your account to avoid overdraft fees). If you prefer to pay bills manually, add due dates to your calendar and set reminders to pay them.
4. Manage Your Credit Utilization
The second largest impact on your credit score is credit utilization, so you should prioritize lowering it. Total all your revolving credit debts (usually credit cards and home equity lines of credit) and divide that number by your total available credit. Then, multiply that number by 100 to get a percentage.
For example, if you have one credit card with a balance of $3,000 and a second one with a balance of $2,000, your total revolving credit debt is $5,000. If each card has a credit limit of $7,000, your total available credit would be $14,000. A balance of $5,000 in debt divided by available credit of $14,000 would be 0.357. Multiplied by 100, you’d get a credit utilization rate of 35.7%.
People with good credit scores tend to have a credit utilization rate below 30%. But if you’re working to earn an 800 credit score, you’ll want to keep that number even lower: The average credit utilization rate for people with 800 credit scores is 6.1%.
If your credit utilization rate is too high, start paying down your debt. Several strategies can help you tackle this effectively:
Debt snowball method: Use extra money in your monthly budget to pay off your smallest debt. Once you’ve paid that debt off, apply the minimum payment of that debt plus the extra money in your budget toward the next smallest debt. Over time, the money you put toward your debts becomes larger, like a snowball.
Debt avalanche method: Use extra money in your monthly budget to gradually pay off the debt with the highest interest rate. Then, apply that debt’s minimum monthly payment and extra money in your monthly budget to the debt with the next highest interest rate. With this strategy, you’ll save a significant amount of money on interest.
It’s also important to avoid taking on new debt while you pay down the balances of your existing debt. Establish a budget, stick to it, and avoid making large purchases unless absolutely necessary.
5. Maintain a Mix of Credit Types
Lenders want to see a mix of credit types on your credit report. These can include:
Mortgage loans
Installment loans
Credit cards
Retail accounts
Finance company accounts
You don’t need all of these account types on your credit report, but you should aim to have more than one since a person with an 800 credit score has an average of 8.3 open accounts.
But don’t take out an installment loan just to raise your credit score. Instead, consider a credit builder loan, which involves a lender depositing the loan amount into a savings account or a certificate of deposit (CD). You’ll receive the total amount once you repay the loan, which will appear as a personal loan on your credit report.
If you have loans but no credit card, consider opening one with a low credit limit and use it for one type of purchase, such as gas or groceries. Apply for a secured credit card if you can’t get approved for a traditional credit card. This type of credit card requires a cash deposit in the amount of the credit limit that operates as collateral.
6. Lengthen Your Credit History
Lenders want to see a long history of responsible credit, so lengthening your credit history can help you raise your credit score to 800. The average age of the oldest active account for those with an 800+ credit score is 21.7 years.
Improving this area of your credit often requires patience, but you can have someone with a long credit history, such as a parent or spouse, add you as an authorized user to their credit card. For example, if your parents have had the same credit card for 10 years and they add you as an authorized user, you’ll lengthen your credit history by 10 years.
Also, don’t stop using credit cards with a longer account history, or you risk decreasing your credit history. Instead, keep them active by making small monthly purchases and paying them off immediately.
7. Monitor Your Credit Report and Credit Score
As you work through the various strategies, monitor your credit report regularly. Report any errors, monitor your report for areas of improvement, and adjust your plan as needed.
You can check your credit report for free annually using sites like annualcreditreport.com. You can also prevent hard inquiries by placing a security freeze on your credit report. This helps prevent identity theft but can also help avoid unnecessary hard credit pulls that may harm your credit.
Some credit cards may allow you to see your credit score every month as part of your monthly billing statement. (Some issuers may offer this feature for free, while others may do it for a small fee.) Ask if your credit card issuer offers this benefit and use it to track your credit score regularly.
8. Be Patient and Persistent
Working to raise your credit score is a long-term commitment. Predicting how long it will take to improve your credit depends on several factors, such as:
Your current score
Your overall credit history
How much debt you owe
How quickly you can pay the debt down
Even if you don’t see gains right away, or they’re smaller than you’d like, stick with your responsible habits. Over time, your score should improve, and even if you don’t make it to the esteemed 800, you’ll still see the benefits of a higher credit score.
Benefits of an 800 Credit Score
Raising your credit score to 800 isn’t easy, but several benefits make it worthwhile.
Easier approval for credit applications. An applicant with an 800 credit score is a low-risk investment for lenders, so they’ll quickly approve you for credit as long as the debt fits your income level.
Lower interest rates on loans and credit cards. Lenders base the interest they charge partially on borrowers’ credit scores, so the higher your credit score, the lower your rate. Once you reach 800, you’ll be able to access the best interest rates on the market, often lower than the national average, saving you money over the life of the loan.
Higher credit limits on credit cards. Credit card issuers often reward people with good credit with higher credit limits—the average credit limit of someone with an 800 credit score is $69,346, much higher than the of $28,930. While this gives you more purchasing power, its biggest benefit is that it makes it easier to maintain a lower credit utilization rate.
Access to better credit card products. With a higher credit score, you’ll qualify for credit cards with better rewards. For example, you may get access to airport lounges or earn a higher rate of return on your cash back or airline miles.
Lower insurance premiums. Insurance companies often pull your credit before determining your rate. Increasing your credit score to 800 may result in a lower rate on your home or auto insurance when you apply for a new policy.
Improved rental prospects. If you want to rent, boosting your credit score to over 800 can give you access to more rental options. Landlords use credit scores to determine how reliable you’ll be at paying your rent, and with an 800 credit score, nearly every landlord will find you a favorable tenant.
Peace of mind. With an 800 credit score, you can access loans or utilize your higher credit limits on credit cards when hard times happen.
Improve Your Financial Habits With Credit.com
Improving your credit score comes with substantial benefits, especially when you reach the exceptional credit level. While raising your credit score to 800 can take a while, the financial peace of mind, lower interest rates, and other benefits are worth it.
Start your journey to an 800 credit score by addressing any discrepancies. Then, work toward improving financial behaviors that impact your credit, such as making on-time payments and minimizing your credit utilization rate.
Whether you’re dreaming of beaches in the Caribbean or roaming the streets of Paris, one thing’s for sure: Traveling is expensive. Factor in the cost of flights, food, and lodging, and it’s no wonder some people feel like traveling is reserved only for the rich and famous.
The good news? Traveling doesn’t have to break the bank. Saving enough money for your next holiday is totally doable, and it all starts with proper budgeting for travel. With a defined vacation budget and some planning, you could request time off for travel sooner than you think. Here’s how to do it.
How to build a travel fund
Before you start booking plane tickets and buying museum tickets, you’ll need to determine what’s realistic for your current financial state, according to Athena Valentine Lent, author and founder of Money Smart Latina. If this is your first time budgeting for travel, Lent says these three steps can help you get started:
1. Set a savings goal for your trip
Budgeting for travelstarts with identifying where you want to go and calculating the total amount of money you’ll need to cover that trip.
“Decide where you’d like to go, and start from there,” Lent says. “Research the best times to visit your travel destinations, so you can take advantage of any off-peak seasons. If you’re unable to visit during that time, consider another place.”
In addition to researching prices of big-ticket items like airplane tickets, Lent recommends researching all potential expenses to paint an accurate picture of your total cost. “Look into how much you’ll pay for lodging, food, transportation to get there—plus transportation while there—and any other exhibits or bucket items you want to check off while you’re there,” she says.
Vacations can and should include plenty of spontaneity, so Lent recommends giving yourself some extra wiggle room in your travel fund to cover other possible expenses (think: last-minute excursions and souvenirs). As you continue to plan, creating a financial vision board can help you visualize your dream vacation and keep you motivated during your savings journey.
2. Turn one big goal into multiple smaller goals
Once you’ve established how much your trip will cost, determine the amount you need to save on a monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly cadence until you can fully fund your goal, Lent says. For example, if you’ve figured out that you need $1,000 for a trip coming up in five months, you’d want to save $200 a month. Or if you wanted to break it up into even smaller chunks, you could have a savings goal of $50 a week.
Breaking your goal into smaller steps makes it appear more manageable, Lent says. Saving $200 a month feels much more attainable than trying to put away $1,000 all at once. Psychologically, splitting up a large goal into multiple smaller ones gives you a sense of accomplishment every time you cross one of your funding milestones.
3. Keep your travel fund in a separate savings account
There are ways to make your money work harder for you. With a high-yield savings account, you’ll earn a specific percentage of interest on your money, known as an annual percentage yield (APY). That interest is compounded, too, so you’ll grow your savings even faster.
Keeping your travel fund in a separate savings account is another helpful strategy. It can streamline your efforts, making it easier to track progress and know exactly when you’ve reached your goal.
“I love me a high-yield savings account,” Lent says. “The ability to put cash aside into a different account labeled with a goal motivates me to call it ‘my precious’ and protect it. I’m also a firm believer in making your money work for you.”
Tips for keeping your travel fund on track
Making a plan and budgeting for travel is a critical first step, but if you want to make your dream vacation a reality, you’ll need to stay on track. To keep your momentum going, consider these four tips for how to save money for travel:
1. Curb your spending habits
Looking for some low-hanging fruit? Lent says to try reducing nonessential spending first. While that might mean spending less money on things like dining out or new clothes, it doesn’t mean you need to live like a hermit to achieve your financial goal.
“Cutting back on your discretionary spending can seem brutal when all you want to do is live your current lifestyle,” says Lent. “My advice is to cut spending in small amounts at first and then look for cheaper ways to do the things you want to do. As you begin to cut back while still doing the things you love, you won’t be depriving yourself, which makes it easier to stick to your budget.”
2. Take advantage of freebies and discounts
Just because you’re budgeting for travel doesn’t mean you have to give up on fun entirely. These days you can find coupons or discount codes for almost any activity, from festivals and sporting events to restaurants and bars. “For example, if you want to go to a concert, look for it on a group coupon site,” says Lent. “Plan on drinking with friends? Ask your friends to check out a happy hour with you.”
There are also plenty of ways to have fun without spending money. Look no further than your local community for meetup groups, free museum or zoo days, or music nights hosted by your city or town. Depending on where you live, getting out into nature is often free, and many national parks even offer free entry on certain days. Entertaining yourself doesn’t have to be expensive – finding no-cost alternatives will enable you to put even more money away in your travel fund.
3. Hack your way to savings with a cashback credit or debit card
Another way to make your travel dreams come true is to use credit card rewards in a process known as “travel hacking,” Lent says. Some credit card providers will give you points or cash back on a percentage of the money you spend overall or in certain categories like food, travel, or gas. If you want to use these credit card rewards for travel, however, Lent recommends paying off your credit card debt each billing cycle.
Some banks also offer cash back when you spend with your debit card. For example, with Discover® Cashback Debit, you can earn 1% cash back on your debit card purchases1 and put that extra cash toward building up your travel fund.
Earn cash back with your debit card
Discover Bank, Member FDIC
4. Consider a side hustle
If you feel like you’re not making as much headway as you’d like on your travel fund, you might want to explore some side hustle ideas to earn extra income. Side hustles can range from freelance projects on the weekend to driving for a ride-sharing company.
Pursuing a side hustle isn’t for everyone, but if you have the time and ability to take on additional work, Lent says, you can use the extra cash to fund your travels without dipping too much into your primary source of income.
Your next vacation is one travel fund away
Planning a vacation can be intimidating, especially once you start calculating how much everything will cost. But just like any financial goal, saving money for travel is doable if you have a clearly defined budget and stick to your plan.
Take Lent’s advice: If you want to know how to save money for traveling, determine where you want to go, research how much it’ll cost, and break your savings goal into manageable chunks. You’ll be jet-setting off to your next adventure in no time.
If you’re ready to build your travel fund and make your vacation dreams a reality, check out the features of a Discover Online Savings Account to see how it can keep your travel savings safe and growing over time.
Articles may contain information from third parties. The inclusion of such information does not imply an affiliation with the bank or bank sponsorship, endorsement, or verification regarding the third party or information.
1 ATM transactions, the purchase of money orders or other cash equivalents, cash over portions of point-of-sale transactions, Peer-to-Peer (P2P) payments (such as Apple Pay Cash), online sports betting and internet gambling transactions, and loan payments or account funding made with your debit card are not eligible for cash back rewards. In addition, purchases made using third-party payment accounts (services such as Venmo® and PayPal®, who also provide P2P payments) may not be eligible for cash back rewards. Apple Pay® is a trademark of Apple Inc. Venmo and PayPal are registered trademarks of PayPal, Inc. Samsung Pay is a registered trademark of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Google, Google Pay, and Android are trademarks of Google LLC.
Sometime recently, Chase had apparently sent out an email which mistakenly indicated that these cardholders would get double rewards at 3x everywhere from that date (??) until December 9, 2023. Today, they sent out an email that they’ll honor the mistake:
In a recent email, we displayed an incorrect earn rate. As a result, we will honor an extra 1.5% Cash Back reward on all purchases through December 9, 2023. You will see the additional earn posted to your account within 8 weeks from 12/9/2023.
After 12/9/23 you will continue to earn the normal 1.5% Cash Back on purchases.*
We apologize for the confusion and thank you for choosing Chase Freedom Unlimited. Sincerely,
Chase Card Services
Nice few days now to capitalize on this for those targeted.
For the first time, the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, has released its entire lineup of special events and limited-time festivals for the coming year at once, allowing vacationers more time to build their budgets and plan their trips.
The top Disneyland events in 2024
For the first time, Disneyland Resort released the dates and details of limited-time and seasonal events throughout 2024. (Photo courtesy of Disneyland Resort)
Here are some of the highlights coming to Disneyland in 2024 (you can view the full list with event descriptions at the official Disney Parks Blog), sorted by date:
Jan. 23 through Feb. 18: Lunar New Year.
Jan. 30: Pixar Place Hotel opening.
Feb. 17 and 24: Celebrate Gospel.
Feb. 22 and 23: Anaheim Ducks Days.
March 1 through April 22: Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival.
April 5 through June 2: Seasons of the Force (a Star Wars-themed festival).
April 26 through Aug. 4: Pixar Fest.
May 24: Nighttime show Fantasmic will return.
Aug. 23 through Oct. 31: Halloween time.
Aug. 23 through Nov. 2: Plaza de la Familia (a celebration of Día de los Muertos).
Nov. 15 through early 2025: The holidays begin here.
The launch of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is also expected sometime in 2024. The log flume-style ride will be a remake of Splash Mountain, but this time centered around the 2009 movie “The Princess and the Frog.”
And at the Downtown Disney District, the outdoor shopping and entertainment center neighboring the theme parks that doesn’t require a ticket to enter, new restaurants are set to open in 2024. That includes Paseo and Céntrico, which serve Mexican cuisine, and Din Tai Fung, a Chinese restaurant famous for its soup dumplings and noodles.
Chicken Xiao Long Bao at world-famous dumpling house Din Tai Fung. (Photo courtesy of Din Tai Fung)
Disneyland has also committed to bringing back some of its most popular separately ticketed after-hours events in 2024, including the Disneyland After Dark series and the Halloween-themed Oogie Boogie Bash. Specific dates for those events haven’t been released.
Why getting the entire Disneyland 2024 calendar now is such a big deal
The news of Disney releasing its entire event lineup follows a similar change announced earlier in 2023 that visitors can now make theme park reservations as far out as 180 days in advance — an increase from the previous 120 days.
That change makes it easier for travelers to plan and pay for their next Disneyland vacation, particularly those who plan months in advance. (Planning early is generally considered a best practice in travel.)
The Incredicoaster is a roller coaster at Disney California Adventure themed around Pixar’s “The Incredibles” (Photo courtesy of Disney)
After all, the lack of notice in previous years was sometimes frustrating for planners. For example, when the inaugural Pixar Fest kicked off in April 2018, dates were only announced six months in advance. For international visitors with a penchant for Pixar, a good airfare deal may have already passed.
According to flight alerts website Going, the best airfare deals are usually found one to three months in advance for domestic flights and two to eight months in advance for international tickets. By knowing what events are happening throughout the year, Disneyland fans now have more time to subscribe to flight alerts so they can take advantage of deals within those critical booking windows.
The increased notice might also give travelers who tightly budget more time to save for a vacation — and perhaps even to apply for a travel credit card. For people who time credit card applications around vacations to take advantage of increased spending rewards or introductory offers, the previous announcement window may have been insufficient time to maximize credit card rewards.
Having a calendar for all of 2024 should make it easier to plan (and budget for) a Disneyland vacation.
Other ways to save on a Disneyland vacation
Disney is running a few ticket discount promotions, including:
Tickets for kids as low as $50: Disneyland Resort theme park tickets for children ages 3 to 9 are being offered for as low as $50 per child with a special 1-day, 1-park ticket for dates between Jan. 8 and March 10, 2024.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:
Are you looking for the best game apps to win money? Yes, you can actually play games to win real money on your phone and make extra money. There are lots of apps for both iPhones and Androids that let you do this. If you already spend a lot of time playing games on your…
Are you looking for the best game apps to win money?
Yes, you can actually play games to win real money on your phone and make extra money.
There are lots of apps for both iPhones and Androids that let you do this. If you already spend a lot of time playing games on your phone, then you might as well get paid for it, right?
In this article, I’m going to talk about some really good game apps that let you win actual money prizes. These games include ones like those you might find in a casino as well as easier puzzle games and even arcade style games. So, there’s something for everyone. When you play and collect points or coins, you can get your winnings through easy ways like PayPal and Apple Pay.
Key Takeaways
Playing game apps can be fun and you can even win real money.
The best game apps that pay real money include KashKick, Swagbucks, and InboxDollars.
Popular payout methods include PayPal, Apple Pay, and gift cards.
Game apps pay real money rewards because they make their money from ads and in-app purchases. They give you a portion of their earnings to encourage you to continue playing their games.
Do any game apps actually pay real money?
Yes, some game apps do pay real money or in gift cards. They most likely will never be a main source of income or a full-time job, though – simply just a way to make some extra money.
Why do game apps pay you real money?
Game apps that give out real money usually make money through ads, things you buy in the app, and paid gaming competitions/tournaments. They share a little of what they earn with you to get you to keep playing their games.
Sometimes, game apps have partnered with different game developers and companies so that people will try new games and earn rewards for them. Since the game app is being paid and they want more people to play the game, they then will share some of their earnings with you to get you to keep playing the games in their app.
It’s a win-win! You get to enjoy yourself and make some extra money, and businesses get to showcase their ads and games to a wider audience.
Recommended reading: 30 Best Money Making Apps
Best Game Apps To Win Real Money
Here’s a quick list of the top game apps that pay real cash:
KashKick
Swagbucks
InboxDollars
Below, I dive further into the best game apps to win real money.
1. KashKick
I think the best game app to win real money is KashKick.
KashKick allows you to earn $100 or more by playing popular mobile games like Yahtzee and Monopoly GO. You can also make money by trying new products and services, watching videos, answering surveys, and reading emails.
There are many different games you can play on KashKick such as:
Coin Master
Monopoly GO
Yahtzee
Family Island
Bingo Blitz
Scrabble Go
Solitaire Smash
MGM Slots
For example, here’s how you can make money playing Monopoly Go on KashKick: “Install (make sure to accept tracking requirements on your device!) and reach Board 27 within 8 days from the install date to get $30, reach Board 42 within 12 days for $40 more and reach Board 71 within 24 days for another $50 – for a total of $120!”
Please click here to sign up for KashKick for free.
Recommended reading: KashKick Review
2. Swagbucks
Another favorite game app to win real cash is Swagbucks.
Swagbucks is a very popular rewards site where you can earn money by playing games, taking surveys, watching videos, and shopping online, and you can cash out what you earn with PayPal cash or gift cards.
Swagbucks is a company that I started using years ago, and it has helped me easily earn some extra cash on the side, all from home or while traveling. I have personally earned over 100 free gift cards through Swagbucks, so I know that they are a legit game app that pays you real money!
To play games on Swagbucks, you simply head to the “Play” tab when you are logged in. When I logged in, I had over 20 available games that I could get paid to play, with a total rewards value of $2,264.02 or 226,402 SB points.
Some of the games you can play on Swagbucks include:
Match Masters
Farmville
Lucky Buddies
Dragonscapes Adventure
Wizard of Oz Slots
Solitaire Smash
POP! Slots
Dice Buddies
Swagbucks Live
If you join Swagbucks through my referral link, you can receive a $10 bonus.
Recommended reading: Swagbucks Review
3. InboxDollars
InboxDollars is another good rewards site that pays you cash for taking surveys, shopping online, playing games, and reading certain emails. In fact, InboxDollars has been around since 2000, and they have paid over $80 million in cash and gift cards.
They pay via PayPal cash as well as gift cards to places such as Amazon, Apple, Target, Dunkin’ Donuts, Lowe’s, Barnes & Noble, and Gap.
To play games on InboxDollars, simply head to the tab that says “Games.”
When I log in, I have 8 games available for me to currently play, such as Mahjong Dimensions, Solitaire, Word Wipe, Monkey Bubble Shooter, Pyramid Solitaire, Candy Jam, Pet Hop, and Giant Hamster Run.
Sign up for InboxDollars here and get a free $5 bonus.
4. PrizeRebel
PrizeRebel is a popular rewards site where you can play games (as well as take surveys that pay instantly and more). You can redeem your rewards points for PayPal cash, gift cards, and even cryptocurrency.
Some of the games on PrizeRebel include Bingo Blitz, Solitaire Grand Harvest, Age of Apes, Kingdom Guard, Yahtzee, Woody Sort, Viking Rise, and more.
You can sign up for PrizeRebel here.
5. MyPoints
MyPoints is a rewards platform where you can earn money by playing games, watching videos, and participating in surveys. Your earnings can be redeemed as gift cards or PayPal cash.
To get paid to play games on MyPoints, you log in and head to the “Games” tab, and there you will see games such as Bejeweled, Bingo, Catch 21, Puzzle Match, Wheel of Fortune, and more.
Sign up for MyPoints by clicking here.
6. Blackout Bingo
Blackout Bingo is a highly-rated bingo game app that allows you to win real cash. In fact, there are nearly 90,000 reviews on the App Store alone, with an average of 4.5 out of a 5 star rating.
Over 5,000,000 people have played this bingo app where you can win rewards and cash prizes too.
You play against other players in real time and can cash out your winnings via PayPal.
7. Bingo Cash
Bingo Cash is a fun game of Bingo that you can play for free, and you can play against other people no matter where you are in the world. You get to “travel” to different places in the game and practice your Bingo skills. Plus, you can win really big prizes!
Bingo Cash is a free game that you can play on the popular gaming platform called Papaya.
It’s easy and safe to get your prize money through PayPal. You can choose from lots of cool prizes like Airpods Pro, iPads, and coffee makers!
Note: If you live in AZ, AR, CT, DE, LA, MT, SC, SD, or TN, you can’t join prize tournaments. But don’t worry, you can still play for fun with the game app’s virtual currency.
8. Solitaire Cube
If you like to play solitaire, then this is the game app for you as you can get rewarded for playing just like how you normally do.
Solitaire Cube is a card game app that allows you to test your card skills and win real money. The game is available for free on iOS and Android and is perfect for solitaire fans who want to put their skills to the test.
With this game app, you play against other real players all from your phone. Your rewards can be cashed out for PayPal cash or Apple Pay.
9. Mistplay
Mistplay is one of the most popular game apps to win money, with over 400,000 reviews and an average rating of over 4.1 stars out of 5. There have been over 10,000,000 downloads of this app too!
Mistplay is an app where you can earn money by playing and testing new games on your smartphone. It’s a great option if you enjoy discovering new games and want to make some extra cash.
Mistplay has given away $60,000,000 in rewards for playing games since the site was created too.
You can redeem your points for PayPal cash or gift cards to Visa, Amazon, and more.
Note: This app is currently only available for Android phones on Google Play.
10. Fanduel Fantasy Sports
If you like football, soccer, hockey, baseball, basketball, golf, and other sports, then this is the app for you.
Fanduel Fantasy Sports is a sports betting site where you create your fantasy sports lineup and compete with other players for cash prizes.
With this app, you have a chance to win real money. You simply create your fantasy team, keep an eye on your scores, and compete every day for prizes in lots of different fantasy contests.
Note: Fanduel Fantasy Sports is only open to U.S. residents and users must be 18 or older (19 or older in AL, 21 or older in AZ, IA, LA, MA). Users physically located in DE, ID, HI, MT, NV, and WA are not eligible to participate in paid contests.
11. Cash’em All
If you’re a casual gamer and want to play games in your spare time for a chance to win real cash, give Cash’em All a try.
This app doesn’t bother you with in-app purchases or ad walls. Instead, you earn points, or “coins” as the app calls them, for each second you play their games.
There are many different games that you can play on Cash’em All, such as Candy Crush, Match Masters, Bingo Blitz, Coin Master, and more.
You earn points which then can be exchanged into PayPal cash or gift cards to places such as Netflix, Amazon, and more.
Note: This app is currently only available for Android phones on Google Play.
12. 21 Blitz
21 Blitz is a blackjack and solitaire hybrid card game where you can win real money, and it’s a fun choice for people who like card games. Also, it’s great for practicing blackjack, exercising your brain, or simply having fun.
You can play against real people for free. When you feel ready, you can switch to cash games and have a chance to win real money.
This game is a part of the Skillz platform, which is a popular game app platform where people can win real money through their collection of different games that they have (they have some of the best games to win real money).
13. Pool Payday
Pool Payday is the top pool game app where you can play 1-on-1 pool games and win real cash prizes.
This is a free game app where you can win real money taking pool shots and winning points.
The app is available on iOS devices through the App Store, and you can withdraw your winnings via PayPal cash or Apple Pay.
Note: You can join cash tournaments in most places around the world. However, if you live in AZ, AR, CT, DE, IL, IN, LA, ME, MT, SC, SD, or TN, cash tournaments are not available. But, you can still play for free if you live in these states.
14. Bubble Cash
If you like bubble shooter games, then this is the best bubble shooter game app.
Bubble Cash lets you play against other players in real-time bubble shooter games, with the chance to win cash prizes. Bubble Cash is a bubble shooter game where the more bubbles you pop, the higher your chances of winning.
I know people who spend hours playing these types of games, so this can be a fun way to get rewarded to play a favorite game.
Here’s how to play:
Match three bubbles of the same color to pop and clear the board.
Tap the screen to aim the laser, then lift your finger to shoot the ball.
You can download the app on iOS and Android devices.
15. Solitaire Cash
Solitaire Cash is a card game app where you can play solitaire games for real money.
Once you download the game for free, you can play regular or cash tournaments and have a chance to win real money.
You’ll play against players of similar skill levels, and everyone gets the same deck. So, the game is fair and based on your skills.
The app is available on iOS and Android devices.
16. Rewarded Play
Rewarded Play is an app that pays you for playing games on your phone. If you want to play a variety of games, then this is the app for you.
You can play games such as Scrabble, Yahtzee, Bingo Blitz, Wheel of Fortune, and more.
The way the app works is that they introduce you to new games. Then, the more time you spend playing their games, the more points you can earn. Your points can be redeemed for gift cards to places such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, Nordstrom, and more.
17. Dominoes Gold
Dominoes Gold is one of the best dominoes game apps where you can put your domino skills to the test and win cash prizes.
You play by challenging your opponent in the same games against the computer and see who can win with more points.
The app is available for iOS devices, and you can cash out your winnings via PayPal.
18. AppStation
AppStation is an app that pays you for playing new games on your phone. You can earn coins by trying different games and then redeem them for PayPal cash or gift cards. Games include Fishdom and Match Royal.
Note: Only available for Android users.
19. Jackpocket
Jackpocket is an app that lets you play lottery games and potentially win real cash prizes. You can buy lottery tickets through the app and even be notified if you win. This can be an easy way to play your local lottery games right from your phone.
You can have Powerball, Mega Millions, Cash4Life, and other lottery tickets from NY, NJ, and NH sent directly to your phone.
Just pick your game and numbers (or use Quick Pick), and the app will safely get your ticket from a licensed lottery seller.
If you win less than $600, the money goes directly to your Jackpocket account. For big wins, they make sure to safely deliver you your ticket so that you can redeem your winnings yourself.
20. Cookie Cash
Cookie Cash is a Match 3 puzzle skill game from Papaya Gaming that is for the iPad and iPhone.
With Cookie Cash, you can play as much as you want for free. Then, once you’re ready, you can compete against other players for prizes and real money, such as PayPal cash and Apple Pay.
Note: Cash tournaments are not available in the states of AZ, IA, LA, and SC.
21. Money Well
Money Well has many arcade-style games that you can play to win real money, and this is a very popular game app with over 10,000,000 downloads and an average rating of 4.3 stars out of 5 stars (with over 528,000 reviews!).
You can simply play the games, collect coins, and cash out your earnings for PayPal cash and gift cards to places such as Grubhub and Apple.
22. Bingo Clash
Bingo Clash is a bingo game app from AviaGames with high ratings, and they give real money payouts through PayPal, Apple Pay, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Venmo. You can play this game for free and enjoy the competitive nature of real-time bingo.
You’ll play against real players who have similar skills and compete in classic, fun, and fair cash games based on your skills. You can also take part in tournaments with different match styles, and the higher you place, the bigger your prize.
Note: Cash games are not available in the following states of AZ, AR, CT, DE, LA, MT, SC, SD, TN, and VT. But, if you live in one of these states you can still play the game for free.
23. Spades Blitz
Spades Blitz is a card game app where you can win cash earnings by playing and mastering the popular card game of spades.
With Spades Blitz, you compete against real people from around the world in tournaments, where you pay an entry fee to take part.
You can get paid via PayPal cash or check.
Note: The app is available on the App Store and the Galaxy Store. Currently, Spades Blitz is only available for iPhones and Samsung devices.
More Ways To Get Paid To Play Games
There are more ways to get paid to play, other than the game apps listed above. If you like to play games and want to make money, some other ideas to look into include:
Become a Twitch streamer
Twitch is a site where you can make money playing video games, talking, and more.
If you like playing video games, live streaming yourself playing can be a way to make money doing what you love. As you gain followers and subscribers on Twitch, you can earn income through ads shown on your stream, donations from viewers, and monthly subscription fees.
Most Twitch streamers don’t earn a full-time income, but there are some who make well over $100,000 annually. In fact, a few even bring in millions of dollars each year.
To see success on Twitch, I recommend finding ways to keep your audience interested, playing the games that you actually enjoy, and sticking to a regular streaming schedule (because your followers will want to see you consistently!).
You can learn more at How Much Do Twitch Streamers Make?
Play in game tournaments
Playing in gaming tournaments can be a way to make money if you’re really good at a certain game.
Many popular competitive games like Fortnite, League of Legends, and Call of Duty host large-scale tournaments with large prize money.
You’ll need to practice a lot, though, as there are many good players in all games – and you want to be the best in order to actually make some money.
Start a gaming blog
If you love games, then you may be interested in starting a gaming blog.
Starting a gaming blog gives you a platform to share what you know about games, your thoughts on games, and your experiences with other gamers. You can make money from your blog through ways such as affiliate marketing, sponsored content, display ads, or even by selling merchandise.
You can learn more about how to start a blog here.
Become a game creator
If you love gaming and have an interest in design or programming, think about making your own games. Independent game creators can build games for different platforms like PCs, consoles, or even phones.
While a college degree isn’t always required, it can be very helpful. You may want to get a degree in fields like game design, computer science, or graphic design, and also look for courses specific to game design.
First, try finding internships, co-op programs, or beginner-level jobs at companies that make video games. This will give you important experience in the field and let you learn from people who have been doing this for a while.
Sell game merchandise
If there’s a popular game out there, then you may be able to sell merchandise to earn some extra cash.
Some examples of merchandise include T-shirts, posters, or accessories based on popular games.
Of course, you will want to make sure that you can legally do this, as you don’t want to get in trouble for pretending to be a certain game app or anything like that.
My Tips For Playing Game Apps That Pay Real Money
Below are my tips for getting paid to play game apps from your phone.
Be smart about how much time you are spending.
When playing game apps, it can be really, really easy to let time get away from you and play too much (especially if you are a winner!). After all, you are probably having fun and it’s something that you can easily do from your phone.
But, you don’t want to forget about everything else in your life.
You don’t want your game app playing to turn into an obsession (such as with arcade games or trivia games) or into a gambling addiction (as many of the above are similar to casino games).
So, I recommend being careful with any games that require you to pay money (such as to join tournaments) and know your limit. You may want to set a timer for playing and a budget.
You may have to pay taxes.
If you’re winning money from these game apps, then you will need to pay taxes. This means that you will want to save money from any of your winnings for taxes so that you are not surprised at the end of the year with a huge tax bill.
Read real reviews and experience with game apps that pay money.
When you’re trying out different game apps where you win real money, it’s important to read real reviews and experiences. This helps you make a smart choice as reading honest thoughts from other players can give you a clear picture of the app’s pros and cons, how they pay out, how easy they are to play, and if people actually enjoy them.
Some things in game app reviews to look out for include:
If the customer service support is helpful (do they actually answer emails if you have an issue?)
If payments are actually being made and if they are on time (if many people are leaving reviews saying that they are not getting their payments, then you may want to do more research before you start playing games on that specific app)
If the game is fun (of course, this is just an opinion and everyone is different, though)
Keep in mind, while winning real money in gaming apps can be exciting, it’s important to remember that it’s not a full-time job with a full-time income. Always focus on having fun first.
Frequently Asked Questions About Playing Game Apps To Win Money
Below are answers to common questions about playing game apps to win real money.
Which games are best for earning real money? What are some popular real cash games?
There are many game apps that can help you earn real money and some of the top game apps are KashKick, Bingo Cash, Blackout Bingo, Solitaire Cash, and Mistplay. You may want to test a few and see which one is a game that you actually like.
How can I find legit cash games?
To find real cash games that you can trust, you should look for ones that are popular and have good reviews by looking at the Apple Store or Google Play Store to read user ratings and reviews. This can give you a good sense of the game’s legitimacy and whether or not they actually pay out the rewards you earn.
Do any game apps offer instant payouts?
Even if some game apps claim to have instant payouts, the actual time it takes can still vary. Usually, it might range from a few minutes to a couple of days for your rewards to show up in your account.
Are there money-making game apps for iPhones?
Yes, there are several money-making game apps available for iPhone users. Some of the popular ones include Solitaire Cube, 21 Blitz, and Blackout Bingo.
Can I earn money directly to my bank account with game apps?
Certain game apps let you transfer your earnings directly to your bank through direct deposits, while others pay through PayPal, Apple Pay, Amazon gift cards, or other cash rewards.
Game Apps To Win Money – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article on how to play game apps to win money. As you can see, you have many options!
To sum it up, there are game apps that give real money rewards, and they can be a fun way to spend your time. But remember, they shouldn’t be your main source of income. Think of them as a fun way to make a bit of extra money.
Do you play any game apps to win money? Which one is your favorite?
Check your email for an offer on the Bilt Rewards credit card: <Subject: Earn 5K bonus points this month>
Get up to 5,000 bonus points for using your Bilt Mastercard with any of these eligible merchants: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, Comcast, Xfinity, Spectrum, Spotify, Netflix, and Hulu.
You’ll earn 1,000 points for your first transaction with each eligible merchant. But hurry, this offer is only valid for the next 30 days so start earning today.
P.S. this is in addition to earning 1X Bilt Points when you use the card 5 times each statement period.
Our Verdict
I’m not sure if this is a targeted offer or if it was sent out to all cardholders. Most people should be able to get one or a few of these 1,000 points bonuses. Not clear if prepaid cellular plans will work.
In our latest real estate tech entrepreneur interview, we’re speaking with Rowland Hobbs from Stake.
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m a recovering Fortune 500 CEO consultant and 3x founder. I believe in building companies with purpose to make people’s lives better. My current company, Stake, invests in renters. We save landlords money—from overpaying for marketing, broker, and concession costs—when our renters move in, pay on-time, and renew. We share those savings with the renter by matching up to 10% of the rent payment every month. Renters can save the rent matches up and earn more, or transfer it to their bank and use it as they like. We call this Return on Rent and it’s the first loyalty network for rentals.
What problem does your product/service solve?
The rent is, as has been said “too damn high,” and renter’s can’t save for the things they love. It feels like throwing money away each month with each rent payment. With more people renting than at any other time in the last fifty years this is now a society wide challenge to build equity and savings. Meanwhile, property owners spend $13 billion annually on inefficient discounts and marketing that don’t reward the renter. The result today? Still $28 billion of lost revenue in vacancies every year. Stake is building the first loyalty network, powered by rewards, data and digital payments, to make this spend more efficient for the owner and impactful for the renter.
What are you most excited about right now?
We’ve built an incredibly simple and easy to use app that converts marketing, concession, and broker fees into a powerful Rent Match that rewards renters. However, this is just the beginning of how we build loyal, dedicated, renters who love where they live. We are introducing perks and member only benefits such as free and reduced cleaning services, and more. Renting is tough. First we’ve made renting easier on your wallet, and now we will make everyday by renting.
What’s next for you?
In our Brooklyn Beta Test we are listing 125 apartments a week, from over 30 property owners, and reach 4,000 renters who are moving into Stake apartments. That’s a lot of potential returns for renters, and savings for owners. We will be moving into new neighborhoods in New York, but even more exciting is our plans to reach a second city by year’s end. This means more renters saving, more owners spending to reward renters rather than marketers, and a bigger network of apartments with Return on Rent.
What’s a cause you’re passionate about and why?
Community is important to me. We should all flourish and feel safe and secure where we live. This month, it’s the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots which were a turning point in to create a more just, inclusive, society for the LGBTQ community. While we’ve made incredible progress in fifty years, we have much we need to do as a society to protect, and promote, everyone. That’s why I’m passionate about causes like the Anti Violence Project which is working to end hate-crimes and support survivors with advocacy and counseling.
Thanks to Rowland for sharing his story. If you’d like to connect, find him on LinkedIn here.
We’re constantly looking for great real estate tech entrepreneurs to feature. If that’s you, please read this post — then drop me a line (drew @ geekestatelabs dot com).
Looking to learn the best ways to make money while you sleep? Do you ever feel worn out from your regular routine and tired of struggling to manage your money? Just picture being able to earn money even when you’re sleeping, without having to work long hours. In this article, I will show you 19…
Looking to learn the best ways to make money while you sleep?
Do you ever feel worn out from your regular routine and tired of struggling to manage your money? Just picture being able to earn money even when you’re sleeping, without having to work long hours.
In this article, I will show you 19 ways to help you reach financial freedom by earning passive income, such as while you sleep.
Having different ways to make money might seem like something crazy, but with the right plan and some hard work, it can actually happen.
In fact, I earn income all the time while I am sleeping and I love it. Now, that doesn’t mean that it’s easy. Some of the ways below will be harder than others, and they may take up a lot of time still. But, you may be able to earn money throughout the day from the hard work that you put in.
Key Takeaways
There are many ways to make money while you sleep, such as by blogging, selling digital products on Etsy, renting out storage space or real estate, putting your money in a high yield savings account, earning dividends, and more.
Some are easier to start than others – so make sure to think about the pros and cons, such as how much time it may take you or how much money you will need to start (your minimum investment!).
19 Best Ways To Make Money While You Sleep
Below are 19 ways to make money while you’re asleep.
1. Blogging
My favorite way to make money while I’m sleeping is by blogging, and it is a great way to make passive income while you sleep. I have been blogging for many years now (since I started Making Sense of Cents, I’ve made more than $5,000,000 from my blog), and I am able to work and earn money while I am asleep, such as by selling digital products, display advertising, and through affiliate marketing.
This is because readers read my blog posts throughout the day and night, even when I am not working. I have blog posts and advertising on my site, for example, that earn me income throughout the day.
So, what is a blog? A blog is like the article you’re reading now, written and published on a website. It’s basically a collection of written content. You can start a blog about many different topics, such as finance (like my blog!), recipes, family, health, wellness, pets, sports, outdoors, travel, and more.
Other similar ways to make money in your sleep include starting a podcast or a social media account, such as on TikTok or Instagram.
Recommended reading: The 25 Most-Asked Blogging Questions To Get You Started Today
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Want to see how I built a $5,000,000 blog?
In this free course, I show you how to create a blog, from the technical side to earning your first income and attracting readers.
2. Affiliate marketing
If you want to learn how to make money overnight (such as when you’re sleeping), then my absolute favorite way is affiliate marketing.
This is one of the main ways I make money on my blog, but you don’t need a blog to do affiliate marketing either. You can do affiliate marketing on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, an email list, and more.
Affiliate marketing is when you share products or services from other companies with readers, subscribers, or people that you know. When someone buys through your referral link, you get a commission and earn some money from the company.
Here’s an example: Let’s say you write about a book on your blog and provide a link to it. If someone buys that book through your referral link, you get a commission.
You’ve probably bought things through affiliate marketing many, many times over the years. I definitely have!
Recommended reading: Affiliate Marketing Tips For Bloggers – Free eBook
3. Selling printables
Making and selling printables is another good way to make money without much active effort.
Printables are digital items that people can download and print at home. They can be things like games for a bridal shower, checklists for grocery shopping, planners for managing budgets, invitations, coloring pages, quotes designed to be printed and hung on walls, and more.
I buy printables all the time, and so do other people. In fact, I bought a printable the other day for my daughter – one that would help her learn the alphabet that I could print out at home for her.
Making printables can be a passive way to earn money. You only need to make one digital file for each product, and you can sell it as many times as you want. All you need is a laptop or computer and an internet connection, which makes it a low cost way to start a business.
Recommended reading: How I Make Money Selling Printables On Etsy
Do you want to make money selling printables online? This free training will give you great ideas on what you can sell, how to get started, the costs, and how to make sales.
4. Investing in real estate
Investing in real estate is a popular way to make passive cash flow while you sleep.
By purchasing rental properties, you can earn a steady flow of rental income from tenants and guests. Also, your property’s value will most likely appreciate over time, which can increase your net worth.
You can invest in residential properties, commercial real estate, short-term rentals (such as starting an Airbnb), REITs (real estate investment trusts), and more. There are pros and cons of each, so you will want to think about that before you get started.
Recommended reading:
5. Starting a YouTube channel
Starting a YouTube channel is another way to make money while you sleep. This is because you can add affiliate links to your videos, generate ad revenue, form brand sponsorships, and sell products within videos as well.
You’ll need to create videos that entertain, educate, or inform viewers, and get as many views to your videos as you can (for the most part, more page views usually does mean more income).
As your YouTube content becomes more popular, you will earn passive income from past videos while working on new content.
Recommended reading: How I Grew From 0 Subscribers To Over $100,000 On YouTube In Less Than One Year
6. Dropshipping
Dropshipping is a type of business where you sell items on an online store, but you don’t do the shipping. Instead, you have a supplier that does the shipping for you.
So, this means that you don’t need to keep any products in stock yourself.
That doesn’t mean that this is easy, though – you have to find trustworthy suppliers and make sure your customers get their orders on time. You will also need to create a website, find a way to differentiate yourself from other dropshippers, take pictures of the items you are selling, answer customer questions, and find ways to grow your store.
The types of items that you can sell in a dropshipping store include clothing, electronics, home decor, pet supplies, luggage, stationary, craft supplies, books, and more.
7. Online courses
I have made over $2,000,000 from selling courses over the years – courses that I have personally created.
Making and selling online courses is a great way to earn money at any time of the day – even while sleeping.
Some examples of courses that can be created include:
Parenting and family
Health and wellness
Woodworking
Dog training
Standardized tests preparation
Playing the guitar
Teaching a language
Traveling
Painting
Cooking
And so much more!
I have taken courses on all sorts of topics over the years, such as baby sleep classes, personal finance, credit card rewards, and so much more.
Creating an online course is one of the fastest ways to use your time, increase your earnings, and help more people.
Recommended reading: How I’ve Made Over $1,000,000 From My First Course Without a Big Launch
8. High yield savings accounts
A high yield bank account is a low-risk method to make extra cash while you sleep.
These types of savings accounts earn a higher interest rate than a regular savings account, so your money grows faster.
You will want to make sure that you pick a trustworthy bank and check the interest rates regularly because they can go up or down. Some people move their money into high yield savings accounts often so that they can get the highest interest rates.
Remember, these accounts usually over the long run have lower interest rates compared to stocks or real estate, but they give you a stable and secure way to earn money.
I personally use Marcus by Goldman Sachs as they have a very high rate. You can get up to 5.40% at the time of this writing through a referral link bonus. According to this high yield savings account calculator, if you have $10,000 saved, you could earn $540 with a high yield savings account in a year. Whereas with normal banks, your earnings would only be $46.
9. Dividends
Buying stocks that pay dividends is another way to earn money while sleeping.
When you invest in these stocks, you get a portion of the company’s earnings on a regular basis.
Here’s how dividends work: If you have shares of a company that gives you money because you own them, that’s called a dividend. So, if you own 10 shares of Company XYZ, and they give you $5 in dividends every year, you’ll get $50 in total for that year. Usually, companies give out dividends four times a year. In the example, the $5 they give you every year will likely be divided into $1.25 for each quarter (four times a year).
Recommended reading: What Are Dividends & How Do They Work? A Beginner’s Guide
10. Rent out your garage
If you have extra land or space in your home that you’re not using, you can make money by letting other people use it for storage.
You can rent storage space for things like cars, boats, boxes, and more. This could be your garage, driveway, closet, basement, attic, or even just a shelf.
A website where you can list your storage space is Neighbor. On this site, you can make between $100 and $400 or more every month. How much you earn depends on how much people in your area want to rent and what kind of space you’re renting out.
Recommended reading: Neighbor Review: Make Money Renting Your Storage Space
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You can use this website to list your unused space for rent and make up to $15,000 per year by doing so. With Neighbor, you can rent out your garage, driveway, basement, parking lot, shed, warehouse, carport, attic, street parking, or even a closet.
11. Hosting webinars
Webinars are like online classes or workshops about specific subjects (I’ve included a list below of some examples). If you’re an expert in something, you can record a webinar and charge people to attend or sell products and services related to the topic during the webinar.
You can also record your webinars and let people watch them whenever they want, which can bring in money while you are sleeping or on vacation.
For example, you could host a webinar about:
Starting an e-commerce store – Teach participants the ins and outs of setting up and running a successful online store.
Digital marketing strategies for small businesses – You could share online marketing techniques to help businesses grow their online presence, such as tips for TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, Google SEO, and more.
Stock market investing for beginners – You could share advice and tips for newbies in the world of stocks, mutual funds, index funds, bonds, S&P, and investment portfolios.
How to make money with affiliate marketing – You could teach the strategies behind successful affiliate marketing sites.
How to invest in fine wine – Or, any other type of investment! If there is something specialized that you invest in that is different from normal, you may be able to generate interest in your webinar.
And so much more.
12. Peer-to-peer lending
Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending is when you lend money to people or businesses who need loans, and they pay you back with interest.
Websites like LendingClub and Prosper let you spread out your money to lots of borrowers, which lowers the risk if someone can’t pay you back.
As borrowers make their payments, you get a part of the interest, which adds to your passive income streams that you can make without working.
With a peer-to-peer lending site, people can borrow money from a group of lenders like you and me, rather than from a traditional financial institution like a bank. People use peer-to-peer lending sites for all sorts of reasons such as debt consolidation, home improvement, small business financing, investment opportunities, and more.
13. Selling stock images and graphics
If you like taking pictures, you can make money in your sleep by selling stock images on websites like Shutterstock, Getty Images, or Adobe Stock.
People buy stock images for all sorts of reasons, such as to put on their website, within articles and blog posts, on social media, and more. I buy stock images all the time because they can help to make a blog post more enjoyable to read (you can find several stock images within this blog post, in fact).
A great thing about stock content websites is that they can bring in money even when you’re not actively working. You take pictures, put them on the site, and they can keep making money for a long time.
Some common types of pictures that you can sell include travel, business, people, food, animals, health, fashion, sports, and more.
Recommended reading: 18 Ways You Can Get Paid To Take Pictures
14. Start a membership site
Creating a membership site where people pay a regular fee (such as each month or each year) for special content, resources, or services is a way to make money.
Some examples of membership sites that you can start include:
Stock image library – You can sell a collection of pictures or videos that subscribers can use for their own projects (such as their own business). Subscribers pay for access to this media library. I personally have been paying for a stock photo membership for years, and I think they are amazingly helpful.
Newsletter – Send valuable and special content straight to your subscribers’ email inboxes regularly where you charge a subscription fee for access.
Mastermind groups – You can form small, focused groups of individuals who come together to support and challenge each other in achieving their goals, and you charge a membership fee for participation. I have seen mastermind groups go for anywhere from free to tens of thousands of dollars a year to participate.
Freelance job board – You can start a site where freelancers can find real job listings and opportunities. Members pay for access to these job listings because they want to find real jobs that pay (instead of having to weed through fake ads or low paying ones).
Consulting or coaching services – You can give personalized advice, coaching sessions, or access to a private community for members looking for guidance in a specific area, like life coaching or business consulting.
Fitness membership – You can create a platform with workout plans, meal plans, and wellness tips. Members pay a monthly fee for access to this content.
Digital downloads library – You can create a library of downloadable resources like ebooks, templates, or software. Subscribers gain access by becoming members.
Community forum – You could create a community around a shared interest or hobby where members can engage in discussions, ask questions, and share experiences, and you charge a fee for access.
Online courses membership – You can start a platform where you have courses on a specific subject, like photography, cooking, or digital marketing, where subscribers then pay a monthly fee to access the content.
Keep in mind, the secret to a successful membership site is giving real benefits to your subscribers. So, whether it’s great content, a helpful community, or useful resources, make sure your members feel like they’re getting what they paid for so that they keep their subscription for months and years to come.
15. Sleep studies and mattress testing
Taking part in sleep studies and mattress testing will most likely not be a long-term, reliable source of income, but it can earn you some extra money while you literally sleep.
You can find these by researching local sleep clinics or mattress companies that have paid studies or testing. Many universities also pay for sleep studies, such as the Harvard Division of Sleep Medicine.
The amount of money you can make depends on the specific study or testing, but it can be an interesting way to earn some extra money or get a free mattress for your time.
16. Vending machine business
Running a vending machine business can be a good way to make money, and you can sell different kinds of products. You may be able to earn over $1,000 a month with a well-run vending machine business.
Here are some ideas of what you can sell in a vending machine:
Snacks and drinks:
Chips
Candy
Nuts and seeds
Cookies
Soda
Bottled water
Energy drinks
Juices
Healthy and organic food:
Granola bars
Dried fruits
Nut mixes
Organic snacks
Low-calorie drinks
Hot drinks:
Coffee (regular, decaf, specialty)
Tea
Hot chocolate
Frozen treats:
Ice cream
Frozen yogurt
Popsicles
Fresh food:
Sandwiches (pre-packaged)
Salads (in sealed containers)
Fruit cups
Yogurt parfaits
Personal care and hygiene items:
Tampons and pads
Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Hand sanitizer
Makeup
Vitamins and supplements
First aid kits
Pain relievers
Electronics and accessories:
Phone chargers
Headphones
Power banks
Office and school supplies:
Notebooks
Pens and pencils
Sticky notes
USB drives
Specialized items:
Fishing bait and supplies
Beauty and skincare products
Baby items (diapers, wipes, toys, snacks)
Recommended reading: How I Make $7,000 Monthly With A Vending Machine Business
17. Amazon FBA
Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) is where sellers store products in Amazon’s fulfillment centers, and Amazon handles customer shipping, returns, and customer service on the seller’s behalf. By using FBA, you can sell a variety of products without worrying about storing inventory or handling shipping logistics.
You would be finding the products to sell, though. Even if you have no experience selling on Amazon, you can earn money selling household goods, toys, books, electronics, and so on.
If you want to learn more about starting an Amazon business, I recommend signing up for this free training that will teach you how to sell products on Amazon and make $100 to $500 per day.
Recommended reading: How To Work From Home Selling On Amazon FBA
18. Write a book
People can buy books at any time of the day, including while you are sleeping.
Self-publishing online platforms, such as Amazon KDP (Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing platform), allow you to reach a broad audience without the need for a traditional publisher.
Writing your own book is a great way to make money from home, and there is probably something helpful that you could write about (even if you think otherwise!). One very popular topic right now is romance novels, in fact.
Recommended reading: How Alyssa is making $200 a DAY in book sales passively
19. Develop and sell an app
If you have technical skills, developing and selling an app can be a way to make money overnight while you are sleeping.
Creating your own app, whether it’s a helpful tool, a fun game, or something else, can help you to make passive income.
Even though it will take some work and money up front, once your app is in the app stores, it can generate revenue no matter the time.
Some ideas for apps that you could create include a budgeting tracker, meal planner, fitness tracker, meditation app, travel itinerary planner, and more.
You will want to do some research, and make sure that there are people who want to use the app that you are thinking about creating, of course. You could start brainstorming ideas by thinking about what kind of app you think could be helpful in your life to have.
Frequently Asked Questions On How To Make Money While You Sleep
Below are answers to common questions on how to make money while you sleep.
What is passive income?
Passive income is money you earn without actively working, and instead, it comes from investments, businesses, or assets that require minimal effort on your part. Now, that doesn’t mean that making passive income is easy, as you will most likely have to put in a lot of work in the beginning to get started. But, it can be well worth it to make money at any time of the day. Passive income is personally my absolute favorite way to make money.
Which businesses make income overnight? What businesses make money while you sleep?
A few businesses that can generate income even when you’re not actively working are online stores, affiliate marketing websites, and selling printables. These businesses run online, making them accessible to customers 24/7 so people can use them.
What did Warren Buffett say about making money while you sleep?
Warren Buffett, a successful investor and businessman, is quoted as saying, “If you don’t find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die.” This goes to show how important it is to find ways to make money without constantly working a regular 9-to-5 job.
What is the best way to make money while you sleep? – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article on how to make money while sleeping. As you can see, there are many full-time jobs and side hustles to make money while you sleep such as:
Blogging
Affiliate marketing
Selling printables
Investing in real estate
Starting a YouTube channel
Dropshipping
Selling online courses
Putting your money in high yield savings accounts
Dividends
Rent out your garage
Hosting webinars
Peer-to-peer lending
Selling stock images
Start a membership site
Sleep studies and mattress testing
Vending machine business
Amazon FBA
Write a book
Develop and sell an app
Do you want to learn how to make money while you sleep?