Real estate is a popular investment for several reasons, including the ability to generate online cash flow through rental income and the possibility for appreciation to increase the value of the investment over the long run.
When you think about investing in real estate, you probably think about owning rental properties and becoming a landlord.
Unfortunately, managing rental properties can require a lot of work and headaches, so many people choose not to go down this path.
Thankfully there are other ways to invest in real estate and get the perks without requiring you to become a landlord.
These hands-off real estate investments can be perfect for adding some diversification to your portfolio, or for serving as an introduction to the world of real estate investing.
If you’re interested in real estate as an investment but you don’t have the time or desire to manage properties and deal with tenants, here are 4 options that you can consider.
1. REITs
Through a real estate investment trust (REIT), investors can buy shares in real estate portfolios. REITs may own office buildings, retail properties, apartment complexes, hotels, and any other type of property. Most REITs specialize in a particular type of property, so there is a great deal of variety that is available to investors.
The REIT collects rent from tenants and then distributes the income to shareholders in the form of dividends.
REITs can be:
Publicly traded – listed on a national securities exchange where shares can be bought or sold, and regulated by the SEC.
Public but non-traded – not traded on a national securities exchange, but registered with the SEC.
Private – not traded on a national securities exchange and not registered with the SEC.
There are some significant differences between these types of REITs. One of the most important issues to consider is liquidity. Publicly traded REITs can be bought or sold easily, so liquidity is not an issue. However, non-traded REITs lack liquidity and you may need to hold the investment for at least few years. The specifics will vary from one REIT to another, but liquidity is something that should be considered when you are researching your options.
Although non-traded REITs may lack liquidity, they can make up for the lack of flexibility with higher returns. Of course, the performance will vary from one REIT to another, but the main reason to consider a non-traded REIT over a publicly traded REIT would be for the possibility of higher returns.
If you decide that a REIT may be the right type of investment for you, you’ll have plenty of options. See this list of the best REITs for 2019.
2. Real Estate Crowdfunding
Real estate crowdfunding was made possible by the passing of the JOBS Act in 2012. Like investing in a REIT, investing through a crowdfunding platform allows you to get many of the perks of real estate investing without the responsibilities of owning or managing property.
There are many different types and varieties of crowdfunding platforms, but they all allow investors to have an ownership interest with much smaller investments as compared to buying properties on your own.
Many crowdfunding platforms are open only to accredited investors, but there are several that are open to all investors.
To qualify as an accredited investor, you will need an annual income of at least $200,000 ($300,000 for joint filers) or a net worth of at least $1 million, excluding your primary residence.
It’s important to know if you qualify as an accredited investor because it will determine which crowdfunding platforms are available to you. But don’t worry if you’re not an accredited investor, there are still several good options, and we’ll look at them in just a minute.
Like REITs, crowdfunding platforms also tend to specialize, and there are platforms for all different types of real estate.
Some crowdfunding platforms allow you to invest in individual properties, where you can choose the specific investments, and others involve investing in a portfolio of properties.
Here are some of the leading real estate crowdfunding platforms.
Fundrise
Fundrise is one of the most popular crowdfunding platforms and it is open to all investors, regardless of whether you are accredited or non-accredited.
There is a minimum investment of $500, and it’s very quick and easy to get started. With the $500 investment, you can invest in their Starter Portfolio, which includes investment in apartment complexes, single-family rental homes, and commercial properties. Some of their projects are renovations and others are new construction.
Aside from the Starter Portfolio, Fundrise also offers 3 different Core Plans: Supplemental Income, Balanced Investing, and Long-Term Growth.
Fundrise lists historical annual returns of 8.7% – 12.4%.
Learn more in our Fundrise review.
Groundfloor
Groundfloor is a very unique platform. It is one of the only options for non-accredited investors to invest in individual projects, as opposed to the portfolio approach used by others, like Fundrise.
Groundfloor allows house flippers to get loans in a peer-to-peer lending style. As an investor, you can choose the exact projects that you want to invest in.
The investments through Groundfloor are short-term, typically 6-12 months, and they claim to produce 10% returns on average.
The minimum investment is just $10, which makes it accessible to anyone. All you need to do is pick the projects that you want to invest in, and get started.
You can view the details of each project, like the grade, interest rate, projected term, and loan to value.
To learn more, see our Groundfloor review.
DiversyFund
DiversyFund provides investors with the opportunity to diversify their holdings into a sector that has traditionally done very well, commercial real estate.
The minimum investment is only $500, and the fact that non-accredited investors can invest with them is a definite bonus.
DiversyFund is different from most other real estate crowdfunding platforms in that their REIT actually owns the multi-family apartment properties held in the trust. They buy, manage – and when necessary – sell properties in the trust.
You can expect a 7% preferred return before DiversyFund receives any profit split. Then investors earn 65% of the cash flow profits above the 7%. Once investors have made 12% per year, any remaining profits are split 50/50 between investors and DiversyFund.
To learn more, read our full DiversyFund review here.
RealtyMogul
RealtyMogul offers a few different types of investments, including individual properties and public non-traded REITs.
You’ll need to be an accredited investor in order to invest in the individual properties. These investments typically range from 3-7 years and require minimum investments from $15,000 – $50,000.
However, the REITs are open to all investors, but they do require a minimum investment of $5,000.
To learn more, see our RealtyMogul review.
Rich Uncles
Rich Uncles may be a great option for getting started with real estate because it is open to all investors, and because they have an incredibly-low minimum investment of just $5.
Like Fundrise, Rich Uncles takes a portfolio approach. You can invest in Rich Uncles through one of their REITs. They currently have two different REITs available, the BRIX REIT (student and multi-family housing, restaurants, convenience stores, and fitness centers) and the NNN REIT (single-tenant office, industrial and retail properties).
The BRIX REIT has an estimated annualized dividend of 6% and the NNN REIT has an estimated annualized dividend of 7%.
PeerStreet
Unlike the other platforms we’ve covered so far, PeerStreet is available only to accredited investors.
PeerStreet allows you to invest in private real estate loans with historical returns at 6-9%, with 6-36 month terms.
You’ll be able to pick the specific loans that you want to invest in, and you can invest a minimum of $1,000 per note.
To learn more, see our PeerStreet Review.
EquityMultiple
Like PeerStreet, EquityMultiple is an option only for accredited investors. Through EquityMultiple, you will be able to invest in commercial properties, and you’ll choose the specific projects that you want to invest in.
The investments will be in commercial real estate, with a minimum investment of $5,000. You can invest in syndicated debt, preferred equity, or equity.
Read our full review of EquityMultiple.
FarmTogether
FarmTogether is also only for accredited investors. It’s a bit different from the others in that it allows you to invest specifically in farmland properties.
Based in San Francisco, California, the company is relatively new but already has over $1 billion invested in farmland through their platform.
Farmland is a true alternative investment, one that is an actual physical commodity and that is an uncorrelated asset. It often maintains it’s value while stocks, bonds and real estate show sharp drops. Since 1972 it has outperformed every other major asset class!
FarmTogether aims to have annual returns of between 8%-15%, including yearly cash payouts of between 3%-9%.
The investments in farmland have a minimum investment of anywhere from $10,000-$25,000.
Read our full FarmTogether review here.
For a more in-depth look at the subject of real estate crowdfunding, please read Kevin’s Ultimate Guide to Real Estate Crowdfunding.
Crowdfunding Site
Fees
Account Minimum
Accredited Investor
Review
* Groundfloor
None
$10
No
Review
* DiversyFund
None
$500
No
Review
* Fundrise
1%/year
$500
No
Review
* RealtyMogul
0.30% – 0.50%/year
$5,000
No
Review
* stREITwise
3% up front fee, 2% annual management fee.
$1,000
No
Review
* FarmTogether
Intake fee of between 0.5% and 1.0%. 1% annual management fee.
$10,000
Yes
Review
CrowdStreet
None
$10,000
Yes
Review
Yieldstreet
1-4%/year
$2500
No
Equity Multiple
0.5% service charge + 10% of all profits
$5,000
Yes
Review
PeerStreet
0.25% – 1.0% setup fee
$1,000
Yes
Review
Sharestates
0-2% setup fee
$1,000
Yes
Patch of Land
0-3% of loan total
$1,000
Yes
Modiv
None
$1000
Yes
Review
RealCrowd
None
$5,000
Yes
Cadre
Intake fee of between 1-3%. 1.5-2% annual management fee.
$25,000
Yes
Review
3. Mutual Funds And ETFs
While REITs invest in real estate, there are mutual funds and ETFs that invest in REITs, which essentially allows you to spread your investment across several different REITs.
Likewise, there are also ETFs that invest in REITs.
Because mutual funds and ETFs are quick and easy to buy and sell, this presents a very easy option for getting started quickly. If you already have account somewhere like Vanguard or Fidelity, you can easily find a number of options.
This article covers a number of the best real estate mutual funds, and this article covers the best real estate ETFs.
4. Invest In The Industry
The last option that we’ll look at is to invest in the industry. This may be considered an indirect way to invest in real estate, but it could be a good option, depending on your situation.
You can buy stock of business in construction and other real estate types of industries. It’s a different approach than investing in rental properties or commercial properties, but your investment will be influenced by the real estate market as a whole.
There Are Lots Of Real Estate Investing Opportunities
Real estate presents plenty of different investment opportunities.
If you’ve never really considered investing in real estate because you don’t want to own rental properties or be a landlord, you may want to look at these options discussed in this article.
The options listed can provide an excellent introduction to real estate without putting any extra burden or commitments on yourself.
2021 VA Home Loan Limit: $0 down up to $5,000,000* (Subject to lender limits) /2 open VA loans at one time $550,850* (Call 888-573-4496 for details).
How to Apply for a VA Home Loan?
This is a quick look at how to apply for a VA home loan in Solano County. For a more detailed overview of the VA home loan process, check out our complete guide on how to apply for a VA home loan. Here, we’ll go over the general steps to getting a VA home loan and point out some things to pay attention to in Solano County. If you have any questions, you can call us at VA HLC and we’ll help you get started.
Get your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Give us a call at (877) 432-5626 and we’ll get your COE for you.
Are you applying for a refinance loan? Check out our complete guide to VA Refinancing.
Get pre-approved, to get pre-approved for a loan, you’ll need:
Previous two years of W2s
Most recent 30 days paystubs or LES (active duty)
Most recent 60 days bank statements
Landlord and HR/Payroll Department contact info
Find a home
We can help you check whether the home is in one of the Solano County flood zones
Get the necessary inspections
Termite inspection: required
Well or septic inspections needed, if applicable
Get the home appraised
We can help you find a VA-Certified appraiser in Solano County and schedule the process
Construction loan note: Construction permit/appraisal info
Building permit
Elevation certificate
Lock in your interest rates
Wait until the appraisal lock in your loan rates. If it turns out you need to make repairs, it can push your closing back. Then you can get stuck paying rate extension fees.
Close the deal and get packing!
You’re ready to go.
What is the Median Home Price?
As of March 31st, 2021, the median home value for Solano County is $510,353. In addition, the median household income for residents of the county is $81,472.
How much are the VA Appraisal Fees?
Single-Family: $600.
Individual Condo: $600.
Manufactured Homes: $600.
2-4 Unit Multi-Family: $850.
Appraisal Turnaround Times: 7 days.
Do I need Flood Insurance?
The VA requires properties are required to have flood insurance if they are in a Special Flood Hazard Area.
In Solano County, there are several flood hazard areas, especially around the county’s many wetlands. One such flood hazard area is south of Suisun City which has considerable flood-prone areas south of Rio Vista Highway. In addition, low elevation areas around Carquinez Strait are also considered flood hazards.
How do I learn about Property Taxes?
Marc Tonnesen is the Solano county tax assessor. His office can be reached at 675 Texas Street, Suite 2700 Fairfield, CA 94533. In addition, his office can also be reached by calling (707) 784-6200.
The state of California offers various incentive programs that expand statewide for new, growing, and relocating businesses. Two of these programs are California Competes Tax Credit which offers qualifying businesses tax credit and the New employment Credit program which offers a tax credit for taxpayers who hire full-time employees. These and many other programs help in further diversifying the state’s economy.
What is the Population?
As of 2019, Solano County’s population is 447,643 which has seen an 8% increase in the last decade. Moreover, demographically speaking, 37% of the population is White, with 26% Hispanic, and 16% Asian.
Most county residents are between 18 and 65 years old, with 22% under 18 years old and 16% older than 65.
In total, the county has about 149,067 households, with an average of two people per household.
What are the major cities?
The county has seven cities, including the city of Fairfield which serves as the county seat. There are six other cities in the county which include Benicia, Dixon, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville, and Vallejo.
About Solano County
Solano County, California is home to strong healthcare, retail trade, and construction employment industries. Hence, the most common types of employment in the county are in the office administrative, sales, management occupations.
When it comes to education, the county is home to eight school districts that offer education ranging from pre-K to senior year in high school. In addition, the county is also home to Solano Community College, Touro University California, and California State University Maritime Academy which provide higher education opportunities. Moreover, the most common concentrations for students in the county are in the Liberal Arts, Biological Sciences, and Business Administration.
In addition to its workforce and education, the county is also home to rich art and culture institutions like the A gallery, Arts Benicia, Fairfield Center of Creative Arts, and Vacaville Art gallery. Moreover, the county is also home to several museums like the Western Railway Museum and the Solano History Exploration Center.
Finally, outside of the city, there are also several recreational areas within the county like Lake Solano Park, Lynch Canyon Open Space Park, and Sandy Beach Park. All of which provides an escape from city life by providing opportunities for water activities, camping, and many other outdoor activities.
Veteran Information
The county is currently home to 32,811 veterans.
Bases Nearby:
Travis Air Force Base
Solano County is home to five VFW post:
Post-2333 Simmons-Sheldon – 427 Main Street, Suisun City, CA 94585.
Post 7244 Lt. Michael Libonati Jr. – 549 Merchant St. Vacaville, CA 95688.
Post 8151 Dixon – 231 N. First St. Dixon, CA 95620.
Post-1123 Carl H. Kreh – 420 Admiral Callaghan Ln. Vallejo, CA 94591.
Post 3928 Benicia – 1150 1st St. Benicia, CA 94510.
VA Medical Centers in the county:
Fairfield VA Clinic – 103 Bodin Circle, Building 778, Travis AFB, CA 94535.
RCS Pacific District Office – 420 Executive Court North Suite A, Fairfield, CA 94534.
Mare Island VA Clinic – 201 Walnut Avenue, Building 201, Mare Island, CA 94592.
County Veteran Assistance Information
Solano County Veteran Services Office – 675 Texas Street, Suite 4700, Fairfield, CA 94533.
Apply for a VA Home Loan
For more information about VA Home Loans and how to apply, click here.
If you meet the VA’s eligibility requirements, you will be able to enjoy some of the best government-guaranteed home loans available.
VA loans can finance the construction of a property. However, the property must be owned and prepared for construction as the VA cannot ensure vacant land loans.
VA Approved Condos
Name (ID): ALAMO CREEK (C00837) Address: AKA EDGEWATER
VACAVILLE CA 95688-0000 SOLANO Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 01/01/1983 Review Completion Date: 01/02/1983
Name (ID): BELVEDERE AT NORTHGATE (008331) Address: PHASE 1, 2, & 3
VALLEJO CA 94591 SOLANO Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 08/06/2009 Review Completion Date: 08/06/2009
Name (ID): COSTA DEL ORO III (000138) Address: SEAPORT DRIVE
VALLEJO CA 94590 SOLANO Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 11/09/1993 Review Completion Date: 11/09/1993
Name (ID): ELDORADO 1 & 2 (000058) Address:
VACAVILLE CA 94945 SOLANO Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 04/14/2004 Review Completion Date: 04/15/2006
Name (ID): FAIRFIELD’S CREEKSIDE MANOR (000326) Address: 1810 E. TABOR AVE
FAIRFIELD CA 94533 SOLANO Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 04/02/2018 Review Completion Date: 04/16/2018
For architect and designer Elliott Barnes, a minimalist approach to design can contain multitudes. Take, for instance, the Paris home he designed for veteran art collector and tech innovator Hélène Nguyen-Ban. “There was only one constraint,” Barnes says. “She wanted to use one single material throughout the whole home.” That material was the gray-hued, porous, hard-wearing Vals quartzite that’s been used in some of the world’s most luxurious buildings, including Peter Zumthor’s thermal baths in Vals, Switzerland. It covers two of the three floors in Nguyen-Ban’s 8,000-square-foot home.
A large-scale artwork by Pierre Soulages anchors the entrance. The jars are 18th-century Chinese, the photograph is by Robert Mapplethorpe, and the artwork (at left) is by Zao Wou-Ki.
Billal Taright
Here, the stone serves as the protagonist in a space designed to disappear. “My whole job was to provide Hélène the absence of presence,” says Barnes, an ELLE DECOR A-List designer. “When a friend walks into a client’s house, it’s important to me that they feel it’s a representation of that person. If they say, ‘This is an Elliott Barnes space,’ then I didn’t get it right.” Barnes’s use of the stone served an overarching requirement: to afford the best environment for Nguyen-Ban’s art collection, which includes contemporary pieces by Danh Vo, Thao Phan Nguyen, and Thu-Van Tran. “My art is part of my family,” she says. “I wanted a space that would not only showcase my collection but enhance it. I needed a designer who would respect that.”
See More of This Showcase for a Homeowner’s Art Collection
Nguyen-Ban and Barnes met nearly 20 years ago while he was under the tutelage of Andrée Putman. When Nguyen-Ban approached Barnes about this project in 2009, their rapport was already well established. “I was working at Louis Vuitton on the launch of Marc Jacobs’s first ready-to-wear collection for the brand and needed a place close to my office in the 7th arrondissement,” she says. “I was lucky to find such an industrial space in this classical, conservative area of Paris.” The apartment had started life as horse stables in the 1870s, servicing a much larger bourgeois house adjacent to it. Eventually the stables became a printing house, and then in the 1990s a studio for the Spanish painter Miquel Barceló; Nguyen-Ban moved in in 2011.
“I wanted a space that would not only showcase my collection but enhance it.” –Hélène Nguyen-Ban
Now the apartment doubles as an office for Nguyen-Ban’s latest venture, the newly launched collecting app Docent, which combines algorithmic data with art-world expertise to make personalized recommendations. It’s also a home for the pieces that first drew Nguyen-Ban into the fine-art world. Inherited antiquities from her parents hold pride of place in both public and private spaces, supplemented by the African and Asian ritual figures that Nguyen-Ban collects. The French collector spent her childhood in Ivory Coast, where her Alsatian mother met her Vietnamese father. From there, the family moved to Togo and then Cameroon. Now Nguyen-Ban lives most of her life in London, where she keeps a Victorian townhouse with her husband and three daughters.
In the dining room, a 1930s table with a molave wood top is surrounded by Pierre Jeanneret’s Chandigarh dining chairs. The sculptures are by Camille Claudel (left) and Auguste Rodin.
Billal Taright
Her Paris home is a place to recharge and recalibrate; Barnes even managed to squeeze a subterranean swimming pool into the space. “The unique industrial qualities of the apartment have allowed me to incorporate architectural elements that are typically challenging to integrate in private, classical homes here,” says Nguyen-Ban. “We created a very Zen room with Asian artifacts and antiquities, where I practice a shiatsu ritual every morning at sunrise. In London my days begin in a room with Andres Serrano’s Last Supper, which is of course an entirely different experience.”
“My job was to provide the absence of presence.” —Elliott Barnes
Serrano’s work also appears in this apartment, with his Red Popes I-III triptych gracing a rooftop gallery that is more glass than wall. Windows on this floor open completely—another request of Nguyen-Ban’s, with art installation and movement at the forefront of her mind. A Richard Serra–esque spiral staircase descends into the main suite, with several other bedrooms nearby for family and friends. (Illustrious overnight guests have included the artist Henry Taylor and Serrano himself.)
In the spa, a skylight overlooks the minimal pool.
Billal Taright
A full circle in a spiritual sense, the home gives Nguyen-Ban a feeling of permanence in response to a childhood spent romantically, though a bit traumatically, in movement. The house’s actual shape is closer to that of a cul-de-sac, offering transportive formal qualities for which Barnes and Nguyen-Ban had not initially planned. Standing at one end of the home, Nguyen-Ban can throw open a window and call across the courtyard to a friend or family member on the other side. In Barnes’s eyes, “it makes for a very interesting living experience right in the center of Paris.”
This story originally appeared in the Summer 2023 issue of ELLE DECOR. SUBSCRIBE
Free money sounds too good to be true, but there are actually a number of different ways to get your hands on money with no cost and very low effort on your part.
Here, we’ll take a look at more than 20 free money apps that will put some extra money in your pocket with minimal time or effort.
While you’re not going to get rich or generate a full-time income from these apps, you will be able to get a little bit of extra money that you can spend, save, or invest. And best of all, anyone can do it.
Best Free Money Apps
1. Swagbucks
Best for: Earning easy money in lots of different ways during your spare time.
If you’re looking to make some extra money in your down time, you’ll definitely want to check out Swagbucks. This popular website and app gives you several different ways to make money including:
Taking short surveys
Watching videos
Playing games
Downloading and installing apps
Taking advantage of special offers
Cashback for your online purchases
Using the Swagbucks search engine
Most people know Swagbucks as a survey app, and while that’s true, you can make more money with Swagbucks than most other survey apps because there are so many different ways to earn.
Each task or activity will earn you a specified number of points (referred to as “Swagbucks” or SB). After you’ve accumulated some SB, they can be redeemed for your choice of rewards, including cash via PayPal or a wide variety of gift cards.
The best way to earn significant amounts of money with Swagbucks is to take advantage of special offers. When you’re logged in to the dashboard, click on “Discover” to see the offers that are currently available. You might be able to earn Swagbucks by creating an account at a website, opening a bank account, starting a free trial, or any number of other things. The offers change frequently and if you take advantage of the highest-paying offers while they’re available, you can do pretty well with Swagbucks.
One of the many reasons to love Swagbucks is that you can redeem your rewards very quickly. While some sites/apps don’t allow you to cash out until you’ve earned $20 – $30 in rewards, Swagbucks allows you to redeem your rewards for as little as $3. They also run a lot of sales, which allows you to get a higher value gift card for your points.
Get Swagbucks here|Read our Swagbucks review
2. InboxDollars
Best for: Supplementing Swagbucks as another way to make money with easy tasks.
InboxDollars is very similar to Swagbucks. As an InboxDollars user, you’ll be able to make money by:
Taking surveys
Watching videos
Playing games
Printing coupons
Shopping online
Claiming special offers
Like Swagbucks, the best way to earn money quickly with InboxDollars is through the special offers. The available offers will change periodically, but as an example of what you’ll find, right now here are a few of the offers that I see in my dashboard:
$10 to get a free insurance quote
$2 to enter a competition/giveaway
$1.50 to download an app and create a free account
$2 to get a free credit score and credit report analysis
Those are just a few examples of what’s available. If you take advantage of these easy offers, you can earn a decent amount of money with very little effort.
Unlike Swagbucks and many other similar sites, InboxDollars doesn’t work on a point system. Instead of earning points that will be redeemed for prizes, you’ll earn real cash. Each task or offer has an assigned dollar amount that you’ll earn.
InboxDollars requires you to have a balance of at least $10 in order to redeem your cash.
Get InboxDollars here| Read our InboxDollars review
3. Survey Junkie
Best for: Making money with simple online surveys.
While you can make money by taking surveys with both Swagbucks and InboxDollars, Survey Junkie is a bit different. Instead of offering surveys plus several other ways to make money, Survey Junkie focuses exclusively on surveys.
If you want to earn cash through online surveys, the best approach is to use a few different websites and apps. If you’re really active, you may run out of available surveys from a particular app, until new surveys are added. Using a few different sites or apps gives you more possibilities. Plus, you can pick and choose the surveys you take since you’ll have more selection. You can opt to take only the surveys that allow you to earn the most money for your time.
Since Survey Junkie focuses exclusively on surveys, most people are able to make more at other sites like Swagbucks that have more options. However, if you’re looking specifically for surveys, there’s no better place to find them than Survey Junkie.
When you create an account and login to the dashboard, you’ll need to take a brief profile survey with some details about yourself so you can be matched up to the right surveys (you’ll also earn a little money for completing this intro survey).
Then you’ll see a list of the available surveys. Each one will list the amount that you’ll earn for completing it, as well as the estimated amount of time it will take to complete the survey.
Get Survey Junkie here.
4. Vindale Research
Best for: Supplementing Survey Junkie as a source of paid surveys.
Vindale Research is another survey website/app that allows you to earn money by:
Completing short surveys
Watching videos
Opening promotional emails
Referring your friends
Although Vindale offers a few different ways to make money, taking surveys is the primary offer here. You’ll earn real cash that can be redeemed by PayPal.
Vindale Research is a good option for anyone who wants to make money with online surveys. The income potential is not as high as Swagbucks or InboxDollars, but Vindale is worth including in your collection of sites/apps that you use for surveys.
Get Vindale Research here
5. Rakuten
Best for: Easy cashback for online purchases at thousands of websites.
Rakuten (formerly Ebates) is the most popular cashback website/app and you can save money on many of the purchases that you would be making anyway.
With a free Rakuten account, you’ll earn cash back at thousands of their partner stores and websites. While there are some options for cashback on in-store purchases, the majority of the offers are for online purchases.
Thankfully, using Rakuten is extremely simple. They offer a convenient browser extension you can install, and then whenever you visit a website that offers cashback through Rakuten, you’ll see a notice in your browser. All you need to do is click on that notification and Rakuten will track any purchases that you make and credit your count with the appropriate amount of cashback.
If you do any shopping online, using Rakuten is a no-brainer. It takes no extra effort and you can save money on a lot of the things you need to buy. The browser extension is awesome because you don’t even have to remember, it will notify you of opportunities. The browser extension will also automatically search for and apply coupon codes when you’re checking out, which will also save you a lot of money.
The amount of cashback you’ll earn will vary depending on the store and the specific purchase. It can range from 1% up to 50%.
One of my favorite things about Rakuten is the fact that you can stack these rewards on top of credit card rewards and other loyalty rewards to save even more.
Get Rakuten here | Read our Rakuten review
6. Ibotta
Best for: Cash back on grocery shopping.
Ibotta is another must-have cashback app. Unlike Rakuten, Ibotta is great for in-store purchase, as well as online shopping.
There are a few different ways you can use Ibotta:
Claim offers in the app and then scan your receipt after purchasing.
Link your store loyalty accounts from your favorite retailers to earn cashback faster.
Buy gift cards for your favorite stores and restaurants to earn cash back on the entire amount.
Earn cash back for online purchases that originate through the app or website.
With the help of Ibotta, you can save money on groceries, clothing, home goods, and more. Ibotta is easily one of the best ways to save money on groceries since they are partnered with many leading grocery stores and there are always a lot of offers available.
Before you go shopping, you’ll simply browse the current offers in the Ibotta app and claim the items that you want to purchase. After the purchase, you’ll scan the receipt using the Ibotta app and you’ll be credited for the offered items that you purchased. Alternatively, you can link your store loyalty account to Ibotta so you won’t need to scan receipts.
And just like Rakuten, Ibotta is great for stacking rewards on multiple levels. If you’re shopping for groceries, you can earn cashback through Ibotta, earn cashback or rewards through your credit card, and rack up loyalty points through the store’s program.
Get Ibotta here | Read our Ibotta review
7. Fetch Rewards
Best for: Supplementing Ibotta to save more money on groceries.
Fetch Rewards is another cashback app, but it was created specifically for grocery shopping. It works a little bit differently than Ibotta. You don’t need to claim offers ahead of time. You’ll simply do your shopping and then scan the receipt with your phone or submit the digital receipt for your online grocery shopping.
The best thing about Fetch Rewards is that it’s very easy to use since you don’t need to browse and claim offers before you go shopping. You’ll simply open the app and scan your receipts. At any time, you can browse the app to see the available offers and see what purchases will earn you money, but you don’t need to claim anything. The cashback will be automatically added when your receipt is scanned.
In general, most people earn more cashback with Ibotta, but Fetch Rewards is great to use in addition.
Once you’ve accumulated some rewards, you’ll be able redeem them for your choice of gift cards.
Get Fetch Rewards here | Read our Fetch Rewards review
8. MyPoints
Best for: Alternative to Rakuten, plus surveys and other ways to make money.
MyPoints has a cashback component that is similar to Rakuten. You’ll earn cashback for your purchases at all of their partner websites. MyPoints also has a browser extension you can install that will notify you of money-saving opportunities while you’re browsing.
In addition, you can also earn money in a few other ways like taking surveys, watching videos, playing games, and printing coupons. Like Swagbucks and InboxDollars, there are also special offers available through the dashboard that allow you to earn points quickly.
MyPoints uses a points system and then those points can be redeemed for gift cards or your choice of rewards. However, the conversion of points to dollars is not as straightforward as Swagbucks, so MyPoints can be a little confusing. For example, a $10 gift card might cost you 1,590 points. The fact that it’s not a round number makes it a little more challenging to know how much your points are worth.
If you’re looking to make money with surveys, special offers, or cashback, MyPoints is definitely and app that you should be using.
Get MyPoints here
9. TopCashback
Best for: Maximizing your cashback for online purchases (offers are sometimes better than Rakuten).
TopCashback is very similar to Rakuten and it’s one of the best ways to get easy cash back for your online purchases. They have a huge collection of more than 4,000 partner retailers offering cash back through their platform.
Rakuten is the most-well-known cashback program and probably the easiest to use, but TopCashback actually offers higher amounts of cashback in many cases. Of course, the details vary from one retailer to the next, but TopCashback has done a really great job of providing users with the best offers possible.
If you’re looking to maximize the cashback you earn, you should be using TopCashback in addition to Rakuten. Like Rakuten, TopCashback also offers a browser extension and mobile app that provide easy and convenient ways to save on many of the purchases you need to make anyway.
Get TopCashback here
10. Dosh
Best for: Automated cashback from participating merchants, including local retailers and restuarants.
Dosh is a cashback app that provides automatic cashback. When you download and install the app, you’ll link it to your credit cards or debit cards and then whenever you make a purchase at a participating retailer, you’ll automatically earn the cashback for your purchase.
When you’re in the Dosh app, you can view the offers from retailers and restaurants that are near you. You can also shop online through the app and earn cashback.
One of the nice things about Dosh is that you’ll find cashback offers from many smaller businesses and local restaurants, not just the major retailers and chains.
After you’ve earned some cashback, you can redeem it by having it transferred directly to your bank account.
Get Dosh here | Read our Dosh review
11. Pei
Best for: Automated cashback, plus savings through the app/website.
Pei is another cashback app that allows you to link a credit or debit card to earn automatic cashback. You’ll earn cashback automatically from purchases made in-store at participating retailers, and you can also browse the app or website to find offers for shopping online.
You can even use Pei as a search engine to search for merchants or products and see if there are any current offers.
Pei is a great app for earning cashback on in-store purchases because it’s so simple to use and there’s really nothing you need to do after linking your cards.
One of the most interesting things about Pei is that you can claim your rewards in Bitcoin instead of cash, if you prefer.
12. Lucktastic
Best for: A chance at winning large prizes by playing games.
Lucktastic is a free app that allows you to earn money and rewards by playing games. You can win expensive trips and huge cash prizes (up to $1 million) with Lucktastic.
If you’re not lucky enough to win one of the big prizes, you can still earn tokens as you play and redeem those tokens for your choice of gift cards.
While hitting it big with Lucktastic certainly isn’t something that everyone is going to do, it can still be a fun way to try and make some money while playing games in your spare time. If you’re looking for something that gives you a more predictable way to earn money, the options covered earlier in the article would be more appropriate for you.
Get Lucktastic here
13. Mistplay
Best for: Earning smaller rewards, like gift cards, for playing games.
Mistplay is another app (available only for Android) that pays users for playing games. You can find and discover new games, earn units based on how long you play, and redeem those units for your choice of rewards.
As you use the app, you’ll be able to unlock different achievement badges and earn more units.
To date, Mistplay has paid out more than $13 million in rewards. Try another app that pays you to game here: Gamehag
Get Mistplay here
14. Zap Surveys
Best for: A good source for surveys that actually pay out.
Zap Surveys is the #1 survey app, and by using the app you can get paid to share your opinion on a variety of topics. To date they’ve paid out over $30 million dollars in rewards to Zap Surveys members, and when you sign up with our link you’ll earn $6.25 on your first survey.
Types of surveys they have include:
High paying surveys where you will not only be rewarded, but we will also donate to child starvation every completed survey!
Logo polling – get paid to tell companies what design they should use for their next logo!
Surveys that appear based on your location!
There is no limit to the number of times you can cash out, but the minimum cash out is $25.00. Cash out with PayPal, Amazon gift cards or Visa gift cards!
Get Zap Surveys here
15. Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel
Best for: A chance at monthly prizes, in exchange for your browsing data.
Nielsen is a data research company that’s willing to pay for your browsing data. Nielsen can be used on laptops in addition to mobile devices.
You’ll simply download it to your computer or device and let it run in the background. In exchange, you’ll be rewarded for leaving it active and have a chance to win the $10,000 that Nielsen gives away each month.
Get Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel here
16. Embee Meter CX
Best for: Passive rewards for your mobile browsing data.
Embee Meter CX is another mobile data research app (Android only) that rewards you for providing access to your device. Simply install the app on your device and you’ll earn “meter points” for leaving it active.
You can redeem the meter points for cash through PayPal or your choice of gift cards. Like Nielsen and MobileXpression, Embee Meter CX is an easy way to earn a little something extra.
Get Embee Meter CX here
17. UpVoice
Best for: Passive rewards for visiting websites you probably already visit.
UpVoice is another easy way to earn something for the things you’re already doing. You probably already visit websites like Amazon, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter on a daily basis, so why not get some rewards for it?
All you need to do is download UpVoice to your computer and let it run in the background. You’ll earn tokens whenever you visit these sites. After you’ve earned enough tokens, they can be redeemed for your choice of gift cards.
UpVoice obviously monitors your browsing, however, it’s anonymous and no personal data is tracked.
Get UpVoice here
18. Honeygain
Best for: Payment for sharing your internet access.
Honeygain is another option for earning money passively, but you don’t have to provide access to your data in order to do it. Instead, you’ll install Honeygain and it will allow users to access the internet from your location. There are a number of reasons why a business would want to do this, including testing to see what ads are being shown to a user at your location.
Other users don’t get any access to your data through Honeygain, and you’ll earn money for providing the internet access.
Like the other passive apps, you’re not going to get rich with Honeygain, but it does present an easy way to make a little bit of extra money.
Get Honeygain here
19. Rocket Money
Best for: Bill negotiation services to lower your monthly payments.
Rocket Money helps you to manage your finances in a few different ways, but the most significant is by reducing your monthly bills through negotiation. You can allow Rocket Money’s professional negotiators to work on your behalf to get you the best deal cable TV, internet access, mobile phone service, and more.
If Rocket Money isn’t able to save you any money, you’ll be charged nothing. If they are able to lower your bills, they’ll keep 40% of the savings.
Get Rocket Money here
20. Trim
Best for: Bill negotiation services to lower your monthly payments.
Trim is another bill negotiation service that’s similar to Rocket Money. Both companies offer some additional features and services as well, but the bill negotiation is the easiest way to save money.
Trim’s rates for bill negotiation are actually a little lower than Rocket Money. Just like Rocket Money, they won’t charge anything if they can’t save you any money, but they’ll take 33% of any savings.
Get Trim here
21. Paribus
Best for: Monitoring price changes for low-price guarantees and monitoring shipments from Amazon.
*Capital One Shopping compensates us when you sign up for Capital One Shopping using the links below.
Paribus from Capital One helps you to get easy money that is owed to you. You’ll sign up for free and link it to the email account you use for online shopping. Whenever Paribus sees a receipt it will automatically go to work.
After you’ve made a purchase, Paribus will monitor price changes and notifies you if the price has dropped on a purchase from a retailer with a price-match guarantee. They’ll tell you exactly what to do in order to get the refund that is owed to you.
Paribus also monitors shipments from retailers like Amazon and helps you to get compensation when a shipment is late.
Get Capital One’s other shopping tool, Capital One Shopping, to save money when you’re shopping online. The browser extenstion will tell you if you’re getting a good price, help you comparison shop and more. Read a full Capital One Shopping review here.
Get Paribus here | Get Capital One Shopping
22. Upside
Best for: Saving money on your gas.
Upside is a savings app that helps you to find the best prices on gas, and also get additional cash back savings once you find the best price.
Not only can you get cash back on gas, but many local restaurants, grocery stores and convenience stores have cash back offers available as well.
Upside works with major gas stations like Shell, BP, Exxon, Speedway, Holiday Stations and more. See gas prices near you at 9000+ stations and earn fuel rewards with real cash back every time you fuel up.
I’ve found that the stations near me typically advertise around $0.25 cents/gallon savings on their gas prices. You can also save additional money on the price by referring other users to the app.
We’ve been using the app quite a bit for Burger King and Wendy’s restaurants in our area as they give anywhere from 25-40% cash back on your order. That’s pretty awesome, and it usually stacks with cash back from other services like Dosh or Pei!
In checking our cash back history just now I realized we’ve earned over $1210 in cash back using Upside. I’ll take that!
You can cash out whenever you want in the app, and they pay cash back via PayPal, check, or gift card.
Sign up for the app through our link below, and use promo code: AFF25 to get an extra 0.25 cents/gal cash back on gas on your first fill-up.
Get Upside here
23. ReceiptPal
Best for: Making money on all of your receipts, no matter where they come from.
ReceiptPal is a receipt scanning app, similar to Fetch Rewards mentioned above. Often you can use multiple apps like this to earn rewards at more than one service. I personally use ReceiptPal and Fetch Rewards for most of my grocery receipts.
With ReceiptPal you earn rewards points simply for scanning all of your paper receipts, along with getting points for linked Amazon or email accounts where additional receipts can be counted.
For every 4 receipts you can you’ll get 100 points that you can use towards a reward. You can redeem your points with as little as 2200 points for a $5 Amazon gift card, or a Target, Lowe’s Best Buy or Visa gift card, among a few others. You can also refer other users and earn 250 points per user.
While it takes a while to earn rewards with ReceiptPal, I like it because it’s easy, and you’re taking something that wouldn’t otherwise earn rewards, scanning receipts, and monetizing it.
I just started using it a few months ago and so far I’ve been able to cash in my points for several $5 and $10 Amazon gift cards.
Get ReceiptPal here
Make Money With Apps In Your Free Time
While these apps may not make you rich, even a small amount of extra money is a good thing.
These free money apps work in various ways, but they all help you to make or save money with little-to-no effort needed.
Have your own favorite apps that you’ve used to make money? Tell us what they are in the comments!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there apps that pay you cash?
Yes, there are countless apps that will pay you in cash, bitcoin and gift cards. I’ve earned thousands of dollars myself by using many of these apps, and you can too. Check out our full list of apps at Bible Money Matters for more information.
What apps pay you instantly?
Most apps allow you to earn points until you reach a certain payout threshold. Some secret shopper and gig apps like Field Agent, Gigwalk or Mobee will give you an instant payout. Uber and lyft will also allow you to do a same day cashout, although there are some limitations. Other services like DoorDash will offer an immediate payout once you’ve been with them for a while, but not before.
What cash back apps are the best?
My favorite cash back apps are Upside, Drop, Ibotta, Fetch Rewards and Dosh. Apps like Dosh, Drop, and Upside even work automatically with no receipt scanning or anything else, once you link a credit card. I use them the most becaause they’re the easiest to use.
What apps pay you money to play games?
There are a lot of apps and websites that pay you to play games. Some of the more popular ones include Swagbucks, Mistplay, Gamehag, Inbox Dollars, Lucktastic, MyPoints, and Bananatic.
Can you make money from apps?
Yes, you can make money from apps. Some apps will pay you for doing your online shopping using their app. Others will pay you to fill out surveys, or to scan your receipts from your in-store purchases. Others will pay you to perform small tasks, or to partake in the gig economy (dog walking, ridesharing, etc). Others you can use to sell your stuff, and then get a payout when it sells. It just comes down to deciding how much time you have to invest, and how much you want to make.
Which apps pay the most?
The highest paying apps are probably going to be the ones where you’re actually engaging in a side hustle to earn income. Apps like Uber, Lyft, Rover and other gig economy apps can help you to earn close to a full time income. Other apps will have good sign up bonuses that it pays to take advantage of. Empower has a $20 Amazon gift card to sign up, Ibotta has a $10 sign-up bonus. Otherwise, other apps may take a while to earn as much as you want.
A couple weeks ago, J.D. had a conversation with some friends about starting a small business. I liked a lot of what was said, but I’ve had some different experiences, and would like to offer my perspective. Here are some things I’ve learned from my entrepreneurial endeavors.
Starting a business with friends can be fantastic Both of the companies I’ve co-founded have been with long-time friends, and while of course there were hard parts about it, in many ways it was a huge help. We knew each other well enough to figure out how the other would react in a lot of situations, and had a base level of trust that is always helpful. Of course there are plenty of counterexamples, but it can work.
What matters is that you have a partner with whom you can communicate — if that person is a friend, great.
Write someone and ask them for help every day It’s amazing how well this works. Just make a habit of coming up with one person each day that might be able to help you in some way — with an introduction, an idea, a conversation, anything. If you think of someone you already know, then it’s easy to ask for help, but don’t be bashful about asking people you don’t know for help.
When you tell people you’re working on starting your own business, many of them will get excited or interested, and be willing to offer a hand. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear back — just try someone else the next day. When you’re starting a new business no one knows what you’re up to, so reaching out and asking for help very often can do an enormous amount to get things rolling.
People matter more than anything When you’re looking for partners, employees, attorneys, accountants, or anyone else to be a part of your business, find someone you really get excited about working with, or just keep waiting and looking. Don’t get caught up thinking you need someone, just anyone, to support you. It’s far better to wait for a star.
The early people in any company shape everything about it — its enthusiasm, public face, ethics, and quality. You can’t afford to have any of those aspects be anything less than stellar when you’re starting your own business. (If you’re not sure about a person, try using them as a contractor first, and bring them on full-time when you’ve had more time to evaluate them.)
Don’t worry about the idea Entrepreneurs often get all worked up — or hung up — on The Idea; that is, what business exactly they’re going to pursue. Don’t worry so much about The Idea. Choose something you know a lot about and see a need for, and go for it.
The people you work with matter more than The Idea; hardworking, talented people working on the wrong idea will figure that out and adjust, while the wrong people on the right idea are likely doomed anyways.
The only thing that really matters about The Idea is how you (and your partners) feel about it. If you can’t stop thinking about it for weeks on end, get up out of bed to write down brainstorms about it, and don’t get tired of working on it, that’s the right idea. If you have to convince yourself to keep going on The Idea, that’s the wrong one.
Take money from other people as an absolute last resort Many entrepreneurs get an idea, write up a presentation about it, and hit the road looking for angel or venture capital investors. Don’t do that.
First, investors will always prefer to invest in running, growing businesses, not ideas; and second, you will immediately give up control of your business to people you likely don’t know very well. Supportive, patient investors definitely do exist, but they are the rare exceptions.
Take investment only to accomplish a specific goal for your existing business that you know you can’t achieve any other way.
Know your customers Do everything you can to put yourself in direct, frequent contact with the people who will be giving you money — your market. When selling to consumers, make sure you’re talking to someone who would actually have a pressing need for whatever you’re selling; when selling to companies, make sure you’re talking to the person who could actually authorize a purchase of whatever you’re selling.
Anyone in your company shaping its products or services should be in direct, frequent contact with your market, too. Listen to your market. Talk to them all the time. Ask them if what you sell is working for them, and take everything they say seriously.
Most importantly: ignore every other source of “feedback” — competitors, reviewers, two-bit commentators, whatever. If what these other sources have to say matters, you’ll hear it from your market directly. If you don’t, what the other sources say is irrelevant.
Have confidence in yourself Things are going to suck for a while, pretty often. You’ll win sometimes and lose sometimes, often on the same day. Take care of your home life, make sure you have great support from your family and friends, and listen to your gut. These simple, basic steps will get you through the dark times that inevitably come, and lead you to the rewards that can follow.
Treat people well Most entrepreneurs fail several times before they have a success. If you can fail with your integrity intact, you’ll build a network of people ready to help you when you’re ready to try again.
The D.C. area is infamous for its commuting and traffic gridlock. To avoid a stressful daily commute, you should choose an apartment that’s close to your workplace and has good access to public transportation. Weekday rush hour traffic is heaviest in D.C. between 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Estimated driving times are unpredictable, as a minor accident can back up the highways for miles in either direction. Here are some tips for commuting in the D.C. area.
Driving
While all of the highways surrounding D.C. get congested during the morning and evening rush hours, driving is usually the most convenient option when traveling within the suburbs.
Check traffic alerts. Use a GPS to map the best route and stay flexible, taking detours and finding new ways to get around heavy traffic.
If you don’t mind the extra cost, use the HOT lanes in Virginia. These lanes use your EZ pass transponder to charge a toll and allow you to drive in the faster lanes.
Form a carpool. By sharing the ride, you will save money on fuel and car maintenance. Carpooling can also reduce time spent on the road, because you can use HOV lanes which usually move faster than the other lanes.
If you live in Virginia, you can use slugging, an organized system where commuters stop to pick up other passengers.
Subway and Bus
The Metrorail subway system includes six lines and serves 91 stations in D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia. Metrobus operates 1,500 buses. Both transit systems connect to bus lines in the suburbs. The Yellow/Blue lines connect with Reagan National Airport and the Silver line is under construction and will eventually provide service to Dulles International Airport. The DC Circulator is a local bus system with 5 routes around the most popular areas of the city.
Purchase and register a SmarTrip card. You may add value to the card from the convenience of your computer by visiting www.wmata.com/fares/smartrip. Metro will also replace the cared if it is lost or stolen for a $5 fee and you won’t lose the value on the card. The same card can be used to pay for Metrobus fare.
If you have a flexible work schedule, avoid traveling at the most crowded times, Monday through Friday, 7:45 to 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 to 5:45 p.m.
Don’t transfer lines if you can walk the distance between stations. Many stations are near each other and within an easy walk.
Commuter Rail
There are two major commuter rail systems serving the D.C. area: Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) and Virginia Railway Express (VRE). Both systems operate Monday through Friday and have cross honor agreements with Amtrak to offer reduced fares for commuters.
Operational times are limited. Be sure to know the schedules and plan accordingly.
Commuting by Bike
D.C. is a bike-friendly city with more than 40 miles of bike lanes and Capital Bikeshare, the largest bike sharing program in the nation. There are approximately 440 stations and 3,700 bikes throughout Washington, DC; Arlington, VA; Alexandria, VA; Montgomery County, MD; and Fairfax, VA.
Sign up for a membership and use the bikes for an environmental-friendly commute.
SEE ALSO: Insider Tips if you’re Moving to D.C.
SEE ALSO: 12 great cities for cycling
Commuter Connections is a great resource for learning about ridesharing and other commuting programs around the capital region. For more information, visit www.commuterconnections.org