{"id":10028,"date":"2009-11-27T23:27:58","date_gmt":"2009-11-27T17:57:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=10028"},"modified":"2026-11-04T16:56:32","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T11:26:32","slug":"earn-money-while-saving-money","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/11\/earn-money-while-saving-money\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Earn Money While Saving Money: 5 Ways That Work in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Can you <strong>earn money while saving money<\/strong>? In 2009, guest author Ann Smarty showed three fun ways: answering shopping questions, sharing deals and writing product reviews for small cash rewards. Those sites have since closed, but the idea is alive and much easier in 2026: cashback portals, receipt apps and rewards programmes pay you back for shopping you were going to do anyway. Our list of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/11\/cash-back-apps\/\">best cash back apps in the US<\/a> shows how each one pays out. Here are the ways that still work, and the traps to avoid.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-65565\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/earn-money-while-saving-money.webp\" alt=\"How to earn money while saving money\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/earn-money-while-saving-money.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/earn-money-while-saving-money-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/earn-money-while-saving-money-1024x538.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/earn-money-while-saving-money-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/earn-money-while-saving-money-768x403.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> The easiest ways to earn money while saving money in 2026 are cashback sites like Rakuten (US) or CashKaro (India), receipt-scanning apps like Fetch and Ibotta, rewards credit cards you pay off in full every month, and paid surveys or reviews on established sites like Swagbucks. None will make you rich; expect tens of dollars a month, not a salary.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aec061743097\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aec061743097\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/11\/earn-money-while-saving-money\/#5_ways_to_earn_money_while_saving_money\" >5 ways to earn money while saving money<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/11\/earn-money-while-saving-money\/#1_Use_a_cashback_site_before_you_shop_online\" >1. Use a cashback site before you shop online<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/11\/earn-money-while-saving-money\/#2_Scan_your_receipts\" >2. Scan your receipts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/11\/earn-money-while-saving-money\/#3_Stack_coupons_and_deals\" >3. Stack coupons and deals<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/11\/earn-money-while-saving-money\/#4_Use_a_rewards_credit_card_wisely\" >4. Use a rewards credit card wisely<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/11\/earn-money-while-saving-money\/#5_Share_your_opinion_for_rewards\" >5. Share your opinion for rewards<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/11\/earn-money-while-saving-money\/#What_happened_to_the_2009_sites\" >What happened to the 2009 sites<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/11\/earn-money-while-saving-money\/#How_to_avoid_money-making_scams\" >How to avoid money-making scams<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/11\/earn-money-while-saving-money\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/11\/earn-money-while-saving-money\/#Are_cashback_sites_legit\" >Are cashback sites legit?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/11\/earn-money-while-saving-money\/#How_much_can_I_earn_with_cashback_and_receipt_apps\" >How much can I earn with cashback and receipt apps?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/11\/earn-money-while-saving-money\/#Do_I_pay_tax_on_cashback\" >Do I pay tax on cashback?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_ways_to_earn_money_while_saving_money\"><\/span>5 ways to earn money while saving money<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Use_a_cashback_site_before_you_shop_online\"><\/span>1. Use a cashback site before you shop online<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Cashback portals earn a commission when you click through to a store and share part of it with you. Start every online purchase at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rakuten.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rakuten<\/a> in the US or <a href=\"https:\/\/cashkaro.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CashKaro<\/a> in India, then check out as normal. Cashback usually confirms after the return window and is paid by PayPal, bank transfer or gift card.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Scan_your_receipts\"><\/span>2. Scan your receipts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Apps such as <a href=\"https:\/\/fetch.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fetch<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/ibotta.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ibotta<\/a> reward you for scanning grocery and store receipts or for buying featured products. It takes seconds per receipt and the points add up into gift cards.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Stack_coupons_and_deals\"><\/span>3. Stack coupons and deals<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Combine store coupons, cashback and card offers on the same purchase. Our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/07\/find-coupons-for-anything-online\/\">how to find coupons for anything online<\/a> shows where to look, and our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/03\/save-money-buying-online\/\">tips to save money shopping online<\/a> cover the rest.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Use_a_rewards_credit_card_wisely\"><\/span>4. Use a rewards credit card wisely<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Cashback or points cards return 1 to 5% on spending, but only if you pay the full balance every month; interest wipes out the rewards instantly.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Share_your_opinion_for_rewards\"><\/span>5. Share your opinion for rewards<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Survey and rewards sites like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swagbucks.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Swagbucks<\/a> pay small amounts for surveys, videos and shopping. Product review programmes such as Amazon Vine are invitation-only, so be wary of any site that asks you to pay to &#8220;become a reviewer&#8221;.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happened_to_the_2009_sites\"><\/span>What happened to the 2009 sites<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>IMshopping<\/strong> paid cash for the best answers to shoppers&#8217; questions, with a $40 PayPal minimum. It closed years ago.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Buxr<\/strong> paid $10 for the best deal of the day and $100 to $200 a month to its top deal voters. It has also shut down.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Paid product review sites<\/strong> like CashCrate came and went, and Ann&#8217;s warning still holds: this niche is full of scams.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_avoid_money-making_scams\"><\/span>How to avoid money-making scams<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Never pay a fee to join a rewards, review or survey site.<\/li>\n<li>Check reviews on independent sites before signing up, and search the name plus &#8220;scam&#8221;.<\/li>\n<li>Be careful with apps that want full access to your email or bank account.<\/li>\n<li>Cash out regularly; small sites sometimes close with balances unpaid.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Prefer apps? See the best <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/best-android-apps-to-save-money\/\">Android apps to save money and earn cashback<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Looking for an even easier option? These <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/10\/apps-that-pay-you-to-walk\/\">apps that pay you to walk<\/a> give small rewards for your daily steps.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_cashback_sites_legit\"><\/span>Are cashback sites legit?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The established ones are. They are paid by stores as affiliates and share that commission with you.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_much_can_I_earn_with_cashback_and_receipt_apps\"><\/span>How much can I earn with cashback and receipt apps?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Most people earn a few dollars to a few tens of dollars a month, more during big sales or large purchases.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_I_pay_tax_on_cashback\"><\/span>Do I pay tax on cashback?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In the US, cashback on purchases is generally treated as a rebate, not income, but sign-up bonuses and survey earnings can be taxable. Check local rules.<\/p>\n<p><em>Originally written by guest author Ann Smarty, who founded the guest blogging community MyBlogGuest. Updated for 2026 by QuickOnlineTips.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Can you earn money while saving money? In 2009, guest author Ann Smarty showed three fun ways: answering shopping questions,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":65565,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[44,49],"class_list":["post-10028","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blogging","tag-guest-posts","tag-tutorials"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10028","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10028"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10028\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":69481,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10028\/revisions\/69481"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/65565"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10028"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10028"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10028"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}