Saving money is always an important thing to consider for those looking to manage a budget. But what if I told you that you could actually get paid to save?
Today, we have a wide variety of websites and applications that allow people to not only to find out about discounts but have cash back from their purchases as well.
Earning cash back on your purchases is a great way to make some extra money. It might not seem like too much at first, but itโs something that takes no effort and it adds up โ simply link your credit card to a website or app and start earning cash back.
Let's get into it.
How to Get Paid for Saving Money
If you want to save $500 in 30 days, it's possible. Or even save $1,000 fast, here are some ways to get paid for saving money.
1. Use all your companyโs matching funds
Employers will often match the amount of money that you contribute to your retirement plan. This means that every dollar you contribute results in two dollars being invested into your account.
Therefore, if you get paid to save, contributing as much as possible will get the biggest match. That's free money in your pocket. Make it a priority to check what your company does when it comes to giving money for retirement. You don't want to miss out on free money.
2. Get the biggest tax refund this year
Tax season is here, and many taxpayers are looking for ways to maximize their refunds. According to the IRS, the average direct deposit tax refund last year was around $3,167.
While pandemic-related tax breaks have expired, there are still key tax benefits you can take advantage of in 2025.
Here are six ways to maximize your tax refund this year:
โ Donโt take the standard deduction if you can itemize. If your deductions exceed the standard amount ($14,600 for single filers, $29,200 for married couples filing jointly), itemizing can increase your refund.
โ Claim dependents, even if they arenโt your child. If you've been financially supporting a friend or relative, you may qualify for the Other Dependent Credit (worth up to $500).
โ Take above-the-line deductions. These deductionsโlike student loan interest, HSA contributions, and educator expensesโreduce your taxable income even if you donโt itemize.
โ Donโt overlook refundable tax credits. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) could put thousands back in your pocket. Even if you donโt owe taxes, these credits can still give you a refund.
โ Contribute to retirement accounts before Tax Day. Making pre-tax contributions to your IRA or HSA before April 15, 2025, can lower your taxable income and possibly boost your refund.
โ Use tax software or a professional. The right tax software can help you uncover deductions and credits you might miss. Some services even offer free filing for simple tax returns.
By using these strategies, you can make sure youโre getting the biggest refund possible this tax season!
3. Open an investment account with a sign up bonus
If you sign up for an investment account like an investing app or online broker, you can usually find some solid sign up bonuses.
Many brokerages offer a sign on bonus for new customers who set up an investment account.
If you're looking to start investing, Acorns is offering a $20 sign-up bonus for new users. When you open an Acorns account and invest at least $5, you'll receive $20 in bonus funds to kickstart your investing journey.
Acorns is a micro-investing platform that rounds up your everyday purchases and automatically invests the spare change into a diversified portfolio. Itโs a great option for beginners who want to grow their wealth effortlessly over time.
But what happens if you go beyond just investing your spare change? Letโs say you invest $100 per month with Acorns. If your portfolio earns an average 9% annual return (compounded monthly), hereโs how much you could potentially have in 30 years:
๐ฐ Projected Balance: ~$186,000
This is the power of compounding interestโyour money grows exponentially as your earnings get reinvested.
Why Acorns?
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$20 free bonus just for getting started
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Automated investingโset it and forget it
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Diversified portfolio of ETFs curated by experts
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Round-ups turn spare change into long-term investments
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No investment experience needed
With Acorns, you can start small and watch your money grow. Sign up today, invest just $5, and claim your $20 bonus! ๐
- Effortless Investing โ Round up spare change from everyday purchases and invest automatically.
- Compounded Growth โ Even small investments can grow significantly over time with automated reinvesting.
- $20 Sign-Up Bonus โ Get a free $20 bonus investment when you invest just $5.
4. Take advantage of the Saverโs Credit
Did you know you can get free money just for saving for retirement? The Saverโs Credit is a little-known tax break that can put up to $1,000 (or $2,000 for married couples) back in your pocket when you contribute to a retirement account like an IRA, 401(k), or similar plan.
How It Works
If you contribute to a retirement account, the IRS rewards you with a tax credit worth 10% to 50% of your contribution, depending on your income. This is a dollar-for-dollar reduction on your taxes, meaning you pay less to the IRS!
Who Qualifies?
To claim the Saverโs Credit in 2025, you must:
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Be 18 or older
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Not be a full-time student
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Not be claimed as a dependent on someone elseโs tax return
Income Limits for 2025
Your eligibility depends on your adjusted gross income (AGI). Hereโs how much you can earn and still qualify:
Credit % | Married (Joint) | Head of Household | Single |
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50% (best credit) | Up to $47,500 | Up to $35,625 | Up to $23,750 |
20% | $47,501 โ $51,000 | $35,626 โ $38,250 | $23,751 โ $25,500 |
10% | $51,001 โ $79,000 | $38,251 โ $59,250 | $25,501 โ $39,500 |
0% (doesnโt qualify) | Over $79,000 | Over $59,250 | Over $39,500 |
The lower your income, the higher your credit!
How to Claim It
1๏ธโฃ Contribute to a retirement account by April 15, 2026 (for IRAs) or by December 31, 2025 (for 401(k)s).
2๏ธโฃ File Form 8880 when doing your taxes to claim the credit.
3๏ธโฃ Enjoy the tax savings!
The Saverโs Credit is basically free money for doing something you should be doing anywayโsaving for retirement. Donโt miss out!
For more details, check out the official IRS page.
Get Paid To Save with Cash Back Apps
What is a cash back, you might ask?
It is a financial refund that you receive after making a certain purchase. So right now, we will present you with the best grocery rebate apps to get your cash back.
5. Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards is a popular app that lets you earn cashback in the form of gift cards by simply scanning receipts from everyday purchases. Unlike traditional cashback apps that require linking a credit card, Fetch Rewards works with any receipt, whether from grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, or even online orders.
Hereโs how it works: After making a purchase, you just snap a photo of your receipt in the Fetch app, and youโll earn points based on what you bought. You can earn even more points by purchasing items from Fetchโs partner brands, which often include popular food, beverage, and household products. Once you accumulate enough points, you can redeem them for free gift cards to stores like Amazon, Target, and Starbucks. Fetch Rewards makes it easy to turn your everyday spending into real rewardsโno credit card linking or complicated cashback systems required.
- Snap receipts from any store to earn points.
- Redeem points for gift cards to Amazon, Starbucks, and more.
- Get a $2 bonus with promo code C1JAV after the first receipt scan.
- Trusted by millions โ 17M+ users with a 4.6 Trustpilot rating and $340 million in rewards given.
6. Acorns
We mentioned Acorns earlier as a great way to invest spare change, but did you know it also offers cashback rewards? With Acorns Earn Rewards, you can get cashback when you shop with hundreds of partner brands, including popular retailers, restaurants, and subscription services.
Instead of just getting cash back to spend, your rewards are automatically invested into your Acorns portfolio, helping you grow your savings effortlessly. Whether youโre booking travel, shopping for clothes, or using everyday services, Acorns makes it easy to earn extra money while building long-term wealth. Just use the Acorns app to find participating brands, make your purchase, and watch your cashback turn into investments.
- Effortless Investing โ Round up spare change from everyday purchases and invest automatically.
- Compounded Growth โ Even small investments can grow significantly over time with automated reinvesting.
- $20 Sign-Up Bonus โ Get a free $20 bonus investment when you invest just $5.
You can read our Acorns review for more details.
Other Ways to Save Money
There isnโt a person on this planet who hasnโt thought, โI need to get better at saving money.โ
While getting paid to save money by using money-saving apps can help โ there are still countless other ways to save money that you probably haven't even considered.
I'm a huge frugal person and came up with a list of creative ways to save money. Because let's face it, many times we unknowingly spend our money frivolously without knowing how much we can easily save.
Here is a list of unconventional ways to save your hard-earned money.
Ask your employer to divide your paycheck
It means you request the human resource department of your company to divide your monthly paycheck between your savings and checking account. Doing so, a portion of your salary will automatically get deposited into your online savings account. Moreover, the rate of interest is also more for savings accounts as some banks now offer 5% interest savings accounts.
Plan a budget to save more
Yes, this is the basic step in every financial planning. You need to plan a budget to track your spending and set savings goals. Without a budget, youโll never know where you need to cut down. It will take some time to plan a suitable one. But start planning one and soon youโll master the art of planning the most suitable one even if you're on a low income.
Opt for a rewards credit card
Using a credit card is not bad altogether. If managed properly, it can help you increase your credit score. However, you should swipe your card for an amount that you can repay comfortably within the billing cycle. Opting for one of the best rewards credit cards helps to earn rewards on your purchase.
For example, a rewards card can give you cash back of a certain percentage when you use it to pay at a grocery store. Here are some popular rewards credit cards:
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- Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
- Promotion: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewardsยฎpoints
Buy in bulk to save more
You can buy certain items in bulk to get lucrative discounts is a great way to learn how to live cheap. However, before doing so, make sure youโll be able to consume those stuff before the expiry date. You can also take a friend with you and split the things amongst yourselves.
Take advantage of corporate discounts
Check out whether or not your company offers corporate discounts on hotel fares, gym membership, etc. It is a great way to save a substantial amount. However, restrict yourself to spend extra due to such privilege.
Use your body weight to exercise
Figure out ways to cut out expenses like the gym. You can easily cut out the expensive gym membership and enjoy nature while working outside. You can do cardio workouts along with yoga and freehand exercises to stay healthy. It will be more enjoyable if you work out with your partner or family. Also, check how much youโre able to save by exercising this way. However, if you stay at a place where the weather is not suitable to work out throughout the year, then choose a cheaper gym membership for those months.
Plan your weekly meals ahead during the weekend
Sit down with your family and plan the meals for the entire week. Along with saving time, it will help to save money and have healthy food too. Doing so, you can also restrict your visit to the grocery store because you know exactly what you want instead of speculating what to get. You can just follow the list.
Try to stay closer to your workplace
This might not be possible every time but try to stay closer to your office. It will help you save a lot on fuel. It is best if you can walk to your job. By doing so, you can exercise and save fuel costs at the same time. You can save time too!
Ask for discounts and promo offers at the stores
There is no harm in asking for a discount when you visit a store. Believe me, you wonโt hear a โnoโ every time. You shouldnโt be ashamed of asking that; after all, itโs your hard-earned money. Also, ask the store to price match if the price of a thing has got reduced after you bought it. Usually, the stores offer price match within a week of purchase.
Unplug all electrical gadgets when not in use
You can stop draining power from your electrical gadgets at least during the night, when you sleep, by unplugging them. Also, when you go out, thereโs no use of keeping your television, computer, etc. plugged.
Keep your condiments in a jar
Always keep the extra condiments from the restaurants in a beautiful jar. You can use them when you cook food at home. By using condiments, you can enjoy the taste of restaurant food at home. Moreover, the jar of condiments will add to the decor of your dining room.
Give a portion of your house on rent
You may not need the entire house to live comfortably, do you? For example, if you have a garage space to keep 3 cars, rent one of them and earn a few dollars every month. Likewise, you can also rent another portion of your house if it can be accessed from outside.
Get carpet samples to cover your floor
Usually, you get these samples at free of cost when you visit the carpet stores. Accumulate them, place them, and glue them. You will get a beautiful unusual floor design. You can apply this technique in your basement, playroom, or to create a unique design in your living room. The same technique you can use with wallpapers.
Use less water to flush tank
Use this mechanism to reduce the amount of water in your flush tank. It is really simple. Just take a jug, fill it with sand, and keep it in the back of your toilet tank. Every time you flush, youโll save a significant amount of water. Over the year, it will help you save about $100.
Do not waste water when youโre waiting for hot water
This is a very unique and creative way to save money on your water bill. When you run the faucet and wait for the hot water, store the cold water in a pitcher. Later, you can use cold water to water plants or for other purposes. You can even use this water for cooking if stored properly.
Maintain a constant temperature in your thermostat
Always keep your thermostat temperature constant. Do not make it too cold during the summertime and too hot during the winter season. Instead, wear light woolen garments inside your house during the winters. This will help you save a great amount of energy, and in turn, money.
Shop and compare insurance policies before buying one
Do not buy any insurance policy, without comparing it, even if you think youโre getting the best price. Because you never know another company might offer similar coverage at a much lower price. However, make sure you compare apple with an apple and not orange. For example, compare the exact policy coverage along with the price offered. Also, check out the financial strength rating of the company to be sure that youโll get the coverage amount if you need it.
Plan a vacation during Christmas
Looking for a creative way to save money when Santa is around besides cheap Christmas gifts? Plan a vacation during Christmas time and save money on gifts. You can spread this news amongst your family and friends and tell them that youโll exchange gift once you come back. The gifts are usually offered at a much lower price after the holiday season. Moreover, you can also buy decorations for next year just after Christmas and New Year to take advantage of the lowest rate.
Give yourself some occasional treat and splurge a little
This may sound contradictory but occasionally splurging a bit can help you stay on track. However, make sure you donโt spend too much. Plan a budget or use budgeting apps to optimize where you keep a little allowance to enjoy every month with your family. Doing so, your family members will also motivate you to follow the other tips to save more.
Get married to a person who practices frugal living
This is one of the most unconventional ways youโll ever hear of. If your partner practices frugal living, itโll be easier for you to save money. Both of you can accomplish your mission if youโre not able to do it on your own. If youโre in debt, your partner can help you to consolidate your debt and repay the amount within a definite time. Both of you can discuss and find out a suitable strategy to solve your debt problems.
Always take care of yourself
It is of utmost necessity to look after your health along with your family members. Get a good amount of sleep, exercise regularly, follow healthy eating habits, avoid bad habits, etc. to stay healthy. It will help you save the cost of expensive medical bills. Even if you have medical insurance, which is a must, you have to make the co-payment and co-insurance before your insurance company pays the bills.
Use Google Voice instead of calling from your mobile
Bet you never heard of this creative way to save money. How can you do that? Get Google Voice and access your phone interface from your desktop computer. Then, you can make calls or even send a text to your friends.
Make your own creams and lotions
Apart from saving quite a hefty amount, your DIY creams and lotions are skin-friendly too. You can control the number of chemicals you use on your skin. So, it will reduce your trips to the parlors as well. In addition to this, do your own manicure at home. You will find a number of videos on Youtube that can help you prepare your DIY stuff. Along with it, also pamper yourself at home by preparing a home-made spa instead of paying a lot for a spa session.
Getting Paid to Save
We hope you enjoy this list of the best ways you can get paid to save. If you use these apps, you will be surprised, how much money you can actually save at the end of the day. So do not waste any more of your time and go buy some healthy foods and receive your cash back later.
You may wonder how much youโll save by following these creative ways to save money. But, think once again and calculate how much you can save per month if you follow all these tips. Wait! Now multiply that number by 12; it is a substantial amount, isnโt it?
So, start following these tips one by one and save a considerable amount which you can spend on things you like. Enjoy saving!