The Penny Hoarder
type: channel
date: 2025-12-12T21:05:34Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: 13 Apps That Pay You Real Money: Earn Up to $100 a Day
items: 24 Legit Real Money Games to Play in 2025
items: Should You Save or Pay Off Debt to Prepare for a Recession?
items: How to Stop Impulse Buying: 12 Ways to Quit Mindless Shopping
items: 5 Strategies to Consolidate Your Credit Card Debt
items: Don’t Toss Your Receipts. These 3 Apps Will Pay You for Them
items: 10 Ridiculously Cheap Bottles of Champagne to Ring in the New Year
items: 8 Flavorful Holiday Mocktails That Skip the Alcohol
items: Turn Your Interests Into Cash: 25 Fun Money-Making Hobbies
items: Live on the Cheap With These 16 Jobs That Provide Housing

13 Apps That Pay You Real Money: Earn Up to $100 a Day
type: item
creator: The Penny Hoarder Staff
date: 2025-12-12T16:54:24Z
subject: Make Money
subject: Quick Money
subject: evergreen
subject: freelancers
subject: Has aff links
subject: Original
description: Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. Imagine finding extra money in your bank account every day. What would you do with it? Would it go straight to paying down your credit […] This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
encoded: Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. Imagine finding extra money in your bank account every day. What would you do with it? Would it go straight to paying down your credit card debt? Or find its way into your dream vacation savings account? (which we hope is a high-yield savings account). No judgment on how you spend it, but we have some advice on what you can use to turn that dream into reality right now: your phone. There are money-making apps that pay $100 a day for doing tasks like answering survey questions or playing your favorite games. That means you can make this extra cash from your home, during your commute on the bus, or while you sit in the waiting room at the dentist’s office. Just whenever you have some spare time. We list these money-making apps below and explain how you can get paid. How to Make $100 a Day with Apps Another great aspect about these money making apps is you’re not limited to just one. You can stack your earnings by downloading and using multiple apps. However, the money doesn’t just roll in without a little bit of effort. While some can offer a quick payout, the best way to maximize your cash flow with these apps is to organize your time on them and use them consistently. Set aside a certain amount of time each day that, let’s be honest, many of us would use to mindlessly scroll anyway. You might as well make money while you’re on your phone. Top Apps That Pay You Listed below are apps that can pay $100 a day, along with some of their features and how you get paid. 1. InboxDollars: <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="360" height="240" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/03092502/manage-subscriptions-final-360x240.jpg" alt="A man lays in the grass as he uses his cell phone." class="wp-image-164901" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/upload…

24 Legit Real Money Games to Play in 2025
type: item
creator: The Penny Hoarder Staff
date: 2025-12-12T16:54:23Z
subject: Make Money
subject: SEO
description: Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. In today’s digital age, gaming has become more than just a fun way to pass the time — it’s turned into a potential income source. […] This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
encoded: Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. In today’s digital age, gaming has become more than just a fun way to pass the time — it’s turned into a potential income source. Games that pay real money really do exist. Most offer small but legit earnings for playing bingo, puzzles, solitaire, arcade games and more. In this guide, we’ll talk about 24 real-money gaming apps so you know which ones are trustworthy, how payouts work and what to expect. You won’t earn enough to replace your full-time job, but these apps can offer fun, low-stakes ways to earn a little extra cash if you enjoy mobile games. TL;DR: Real money games pay through cash tournaments, reward points or token systems. You can often cash in through PayPal, bank transfers, Cash App or gift cards. Earnings are typically small, and how much you make will depend on the game, your skill level and location. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="360" height="240" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21120803/bingo-game-360x240.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-196236" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21120803/bingo-game-360x240.jpg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21120803/bingo-game-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21120803/bingo-game-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21120803/bingo-game-222x148.jpg 222w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21120803/bingo-game-314x209.jpg 314w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21120803/bingo-game-363x242.jpg 363w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21120803/bingo-game-467x311.jpg 467w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21120803/bingo-game-649x433.jpg 649w, https://cdn.th…

Should You Save or Pay Off Debt to Prepare for a Recession?
type: item
creator: Robin Hartill, CFP®
date: 2025-12-11T19:25:12Z
subject: Debt
subject: Save Money
subject: newsy
subject: repub
description: A recession can wreak havoc on your finances. So it’s understandable if you’re worried by recent headlines. Economists are increasingly pessimistic amid tariffs, which could lead to higher prices. Companies and the government are cutting jobs, which has led to higher unemployment. If you’re worried about a recession, there are steps you can take to […] This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
encoded: A recession can wreak havoc on your finances. So it’s understandable if you’re worried by recent headlines. Economists are increasingly pessimistic amid tariffs, which could lead to higher prices. Companies and the government are cutting jobs, which has led to higher unemployment. If you’re worried about a recession, there are steps you can take to safeguard your money. But you’re probably facing some tough choices because your paycheck will only stretch so far. One big decision to make: Should you save money or pay down debt to prepare for a recession? Saving vs. Paying Off Debt Before a Recession There’s no hard-and-fast rule that determines whether you should save or pay off debt when you’re worried a recession is imminent. Often, the best move is to split any extra money you have in your budget between boosting your savings and reducing your debt. Financial planners typically recommend a six-month emergency fund, but that’s just a general rule. The exact number you should aim for depends on your personal circumstances. You may be able to get away with three months’ worth, for example, if you’re young and healthy and you work in a field that’s relatively insulated from layoffs, like health care or education. A bigger emergency fund has some obvious advantages: It buys you more time to look for a job should you get laid off. You’re also less likely to need to raid your retirement funds early to meet your short-term needs. Doing so can be costly, not just because of the taxes and penalties, but also because you may be selling investments while they’re down. Of course, if you’re affected by a recession, you’ll want your bills to be as low as possible. Paying off debt will free up money in your monthly budget and save you money on interest. If you’re paying down credit cards, your savings will be especially significant, given that the average annual percentage rate (APR) was above 24% as of October 2025. But here are some situations when you may want to prioritize sa…

How to Stop Impulse Buying: 12 Ways to Quit Mindless Shopping
type: item
creator: Veronica Matthews
date: 2025-12-11T19:23:59Z
subject: Budgeting
subject: Save Money
subject: evergreen
subject: freelancers
subject: repub
description: Impulse buying can wreak havoc on your bank account. Here’s how to cut that mindless shopping habit out of your life. This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
encoded: Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. Are you prone to impulse buying? Have you given in and made random, unnecessary purchases that eat into your potential savings without forethought? That could be why you can’t seem to recall what happened to that $20 bill in your wallet or how your budget got so off balance. If you use a budgeting app like Cleo, you can see how quickly impulse buys add up — your morning $6 Starbucks pick-me-up, the stylish $30 bag you saw and just had to have during your Target grocery run, the $5 cookies you bought from the Girl Scouts — it’s a good cause, right? — and the $12 you spent at Chipotle when you decided to grab a burrito on the way home because you’re too tired to cook. Before you know it, you’ve spent more than $50 over the course of the day on impulse buys. It happens to the best of us. Retail marketers are trained in sneaky tactics that influence our urge to buy. Our personalities and moods can also lead to impulse shopping — retail therapy is real. In an article in Psychology Today1, public health specialist Elana Sandler wrote that retail therapy can be a beneficial way to feel renewed, especially in difficult times. No matter your trigger, it’s important to become more conscious of your spending habits. Imagine how much better off your finances would be if you saved every penny you mindlessly spent on stuff you don’t really need. How to Stop Impulse Buying Find yourself getting sucked into frivolous spending? Here is some practical advice you can put into action to keep more money in your wallet. 1. Get Serious About Your Budget Have a clear picture of your finances and review them monthly, if not weekly. Everyone can use a little help or motivation with budgeting, and there’s an app for that. Monarch and Cleo are two of our top picks. Or, use the cash envelope method to help stick to the …

5 Strategies to Consolidate Your Credit Card Debt
type: item
creator: Mike Brassfield
date: 2025-12-11T19:17:11Z
subject: Debt
subject: advertising
subject: donotsyndicate
subject: evergreen
subject: Has aff links
subject: repub
subject: SEO
description: Personal loan, balance transfer or HELOC? Credit card debt consolidation can save you some serious money, and we’ll help you decide which of these five ways is best for you. This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
encoded: Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. So, you’re falling behind on your credit card payments. Hey, it happens to the best of us. We’ve been there. What are you going to do about it? If you have a lot of credit card debt, you should seriously consider consolidating it. Credit card consolidation is when you borrow money at a lower interest rate and use that loan to pay off your higher-interest credit cards. It’s a twofer: You can save a ton of money on interest payments, and you free up cash to pay off debt faster. Here’s your guide to consolidating your credit card debt. Should I Consolidate My Credit Card Debt? You should consider consolidating your credit card debt if you can answer “Yes” to the following question: Would a lower-interest debt consolidation loan save you money each month and/or speed up the debt payment? There’s also a part 2, though. Don’t run up debt again, or you’ll soon be in the same predicament. Our Favorite Ways to Consolidate Your Credit Card Debt You have a few options to consider. Keep in mind what your ultimate goal is: to borrow money at a low interest rate that you then use to pay off your high-interest debt. Hopefully, it leaves you with one payment and much lower interest. Here are some of our favorite avenues to consider, with the full list below. 5 Ways to Consolidate Your Credit Card Debt Let’s take a look at five different ways you can consolidate debt. 1. Get a Debt Consolidation Loan Because they tend to have lower interest rates than credit cards, many people will take out a personal loan to pay off existing debts. Just make sure you’ll be able to repay the lender a fixed amount every month for the term of the loan. The pros: You can often apply for a personal loan without hurting your credit score, and you don’t usually need a high score to qualify. The cons: These loans also usually have …

Don’t Toss Your Receipts. These 3 Apps Will Pay You for Them
type: item
creator: Farrah Daniel
date: 2025-12-11T19:13:32Z
subject: Make Money
subject: Quick Money
subject: advertising
subject: evergreen
subject: Power
description: Throwing away your receipts and deleting your emails could be costing you money. Here are eight apps that will pay you money for receipts when you shop. This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
encoded: Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. We’ve got news: Your grocery receipts are a lot more valuable in your hand than in the trash. Now, I’ll be honest … I’ve crumpled more receipts than I could ever count. I used to save them all, but my wallet could only hold so much. Once it got out of hand (like having years-old receipts…), I resorted to tossing them. Here’s why that was a mistake: Cash-back apps make it extremely easy to earn rewards for making purchases you were already going to make — and all you need is a receipt. 3 Apps That Will Pay You for Your Grocery Receipts To give you an idea of how cash-back apps can make your life easier and your wallet a bit fuller, we tested a ton of them and narrowed it down to the best, top-rated apps that will pay you for your grocery receipts. 1. This Free App Helps You Earn $290/Year on Gas, Groceries, and Dining An app called Upside helps you earn cash back on everyday purchases without any mental math. The app shows you participating local gas stations where you can beat the pump price by as much as 25 cents per gallon. Plus, you can earn cash back at grocery stores and restaurants including local favorites and national chains like Domino’s, Taco Bell, Burger King and Pizza Hut. People who use the app regularly earn as much as $290 every year. That’s cash money deposited straight into your PayPal or bank account. Or redeem it for a gift card from popular brands like Amazon and Starbucks. Here’s how to start earning: Just download the Upside app, set up a free account and check the map to find participating stores near you. When you’re ready, claim an offer, tap “Check In” before you pay with your linked card — easy money for a few seconds of your time. You can cash out any time, and you’ll get your money within two days of initiating a transfer. Download the Upside app and start earnin…

10 Ridiculously Cheap Bottles of Champagne to Ring in the New Year
type: item
creator: JoEllen Schilke
date: 2025-12-09T18:22:00Z
subject: Save Money
subject: evergreen
subject: repub
description: The iconic New Year’s celebration includes a countdown, a kiss and a glass of bubbly. Two of those are free, and the third doesn’t have to cost a lot of money to be perfect. Understanding the different types of sparkling wines can help you understand more about what you might want to buy to ring […] This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
encoded: The iconic New Year’s celebration includes a countdown, a kiss and a glass of bubbly. Two of those are free, and the third doesn’t have to cost a lot of money to be perfect. Understanding the different types of sparkling wines can help you understand more about what you might want to buy to ring in 2026 — or celebrate any special occasion. For the best cheap champagne, check out this list, and ring in the new year without breaking the bank. The Best Cheap Champagne for $15 a Bottle or Less We compiled a list of 10 sparkling wines that will make toasting in the New Year an absolute, inexpensive pleasure. We’ve given you sources to buy them online but you might be able to find them — or request them — at your favorite spirits purveyor. But first, here’s some background knowledge. Champagne vs. Sparkling Wine Real Champagne comes from the Champagne region of France, which is why no one else can use the word “champagne” on labels. French Champagne is made from specific grapes including Pinot noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grapes, as well as a few others. All that other bubbly we drink is called sparkling wine. Technically speaking, all champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is champagne. However, both are made with prescribed ways to press the grapes and a second fermentation that creates bubbles Luckily, sparkling wine doesn’t have to be expensive to be holiday-worthy. 4 Types of Sparkling Wine to Try There is no actual, officially designated Champagne on this list—since it sells for $30 or more a bottle. But regular sparkling wine can taste delicious to both regular wine drinkers and occasional celebrators. Here are four types of sparkling wine to consider for the best cheap champagne alternatives. 1. Prosecco One of the best-known sparkling wines is prosecco. Prosecco originated in the northeastern part of Italy, named after a little town in Trieste. Prosecco is more affordable than Champagne because the second fermentation happens in a vat, and …

8 Flavorful Holiday Mocktails That Skip the Alcohol
type: item
creator: Nicole Dow
date: 2025-12-09T18:11:34Z
subject: General
subject: evergreen
subject: repub
description: New Year’s Eve is a major holiday for alcohol purchases, which can definitely add up. Bypass the booze and try these four mocktails instead. This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
encoded: The holidays are the perfect time to eat, drink and be merry. But all that boozing gets expensive. Save yourself some money — and maybe a headache in the morning — with these eight mocktail recipes that skip the pricey liquor but keep all the festive flavors of the season. 8 Holiday Mocktails to Serve Guests or Enjoy Yourself Serve one of these festive mocktails at your holiday get-together — or indulge in one after a day of shopping and tree-trimming. Pink “Champagne” Mocktail Orange Cranberry Mimosa Spiced Virgin Apple Martini Sparkling Turmeric Tonic Nonalcoholic Coquito Smoothie Candy Cane Christmas Mocktail White Hot Chocolate Virgin Mary <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/21144113/IMG_7825-1024x683.jpg" alt="a woman pouring pink champagne into a glass" class="wp-image-77956" srcset="https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/21144113/IMG_7825-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/21144113/IMG_7825-360x240.jpg 360w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/21144113/IMG_7825-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/21144113/IMG_7825-100x67.jpg 100w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/21144113/IMG_7825-793x529.jpg 793w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/21144113/IMG_7825-222x148.jpg 222w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/21144113/IMG_7825-363x242.jpg 363w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/21144113/IMG_7825-314x209.jpg 314w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/21144113/IMG_7825-467x311.jpg 467w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/21144113/IMG_7825-750x500.jpg 750w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/21144113/IMG_7825-649x433.jpg 649w, https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/211…

Turn Your Interests Into Cash: 25 Fun Money-Making Hobbies
type: item
creator: The Penny Hoarder Staff
date: 2025-12-08T20:26:17Z
subject: Make Money
subject: Side Gigs
subject: evergreen
subject: Original
subject: SEO
description: Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. Hobbies are an important part of many people’s lives. They bring fun and relaxation, but if you’re wondering about hobbies that make money, there’s a […] This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
encoded: Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners. Hobbies are an important part of many people’s lives. They bring fun and relaxation, but if you’re wondering about hobbies that make money, there’s a lot of potential. Just a few money-making hobbies include playing mobile games like Solitaire Smash, photography, fitness and much more. That means there’s something for everyone when it comes to fun hobbies that pay. We’ll talk about some of our favorite money-making hobbies and how you can turn them into a side hustle. Can You Really Profit From Hobbies That Pay? Yes — but it depends on the hobby, time invested and how you monetize it. For example, selling your art could take extra work in terms of marketing. Or, it could take some time for your fashion blog to take off. Some of these could one day lead you to a full-time career. However, in the short-term, these are more like side hustles that act as supplemental income. But it’s a way to make some money while you have fun. How to Choose Hobbies That Make Money and Fit You Not every hobby is the right match for earning extra cash, and that’s completely normal. With so many hobbies that make money, choosing the one that fits your lifestyle, personality and comfort level makes a big difference. When you align your goals and available time with the right activity, you’re more likely to stick with it and enjoy the process. Factor 1: Your Goal Before you explore money-making hobbies, think about what you want out of the experience. Some people want to earn $50–$200 a month, while others are looking for a long-term hobby business that could eventually grow. The best approach is to stay realistic about what each hobby can offer. Smaller money-making hobbies can stay fun and low-pressure, while higher-earning ones may require more time and structure. Factor 2: How Much Time You Have Your weekly sche…

Live on the Cheap With These 16 Jobs That Provide Housing
type: item
creator: Robert Bruce
date: 2025-12-05T16:36:42Z
subject: Career
subject: Make Money
subject: evergreen
subject: repub
description: There’s a whole category of job opportunities that often gets overlooked: jobs that provide free housing, for example. They include many entry-level and seasonal jobs, and they run the gamut of industries and careers. What they have in common is a significant way to save money by letting you live where you work. That might […] This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
encoded: There’s a whole category of job opportunities that often gets overlooked: jobs that provide free housing, for example. They include many entry-level and seasonal jobs, and they run the gamut of industries and careers. What they have in common is a significant way to save money by letting you live where you work. That might be private rooms in a home or employee housing in a park or on a cruise ship. You can find jobs that include housing throughout the U.S. and even internationally, helping you save money on other monthly bills and, in some cases, even get free meals. What are some examples of jobs that provide housing? We’re glad you asked. And just remember, you don’t have to factor in rent when you’re looking at those estimated salaries. Save Money Outside of Securing Free Housing Free housing would be like hitting the jackpot if you need to save money, as it’s often our largest expense. But until you land one of these jobs that provide housing, there are other ways to get your budget on track. Check out some of our favorite ways to save money. 16 Jobs That Include Free Housing Private chef Au pair Cruise ship employee Military member Park ranger Building superintendent Live-in caregiver Nanny Clergy Faculty in-residence Oil rig mechanic Seasonal hotel/resort worker International English teacher Ranch hand International civil engineer Travel nurse 1. Private Chef As a personal chef, you’ll perform job duties like preparing daily meals for family members and guests — possibly including some gourmet meals and fancy parties. Chef jobs that include free housing mean you’re never far from the kitchen. Think “Downton Abbey,” but just 100 years later. Estimated salary: $30.66 per hour (Indeed) 2. Au Pair A what? An au pair is a young person — typically a woman — between the ages of 18 and 30 who provides child care for a foreign host family in exchange for free housing, board and cultural exchange. As an au pair, you’ll be expected to do a variety of household tasks suc…