Stupid Simple Ways to Make Extra Cash Before Summer Vacay

Brunette lounging on hammock with hat over her eyes in the afternoon
Disclosure: We’re letting you know that this post contains sponsored links which The Smart Wallet receives compensation for, which may impact their order of appearance. This site doesn’t include all available offers.

Nothing can ruin a summer vacation quicker than not having enough cash to do all the fun things you’d like to do. And no one wants to spend the summer sitting at home, while all of your friends are posting pictures of themselves at the beach or the lake having a great time.

Getting a second job defeats the purpose of having a relaxing summer. And besides, why go to all of that trouble when you can make extra money from the comfort of your own home? It’s easier than you think.

We put together a list of stupid simple ways you can make extra cash before your summer vacay — and some of them are even fun.

1. Pop Bubbles and Win Money With Bubble Cash

An Android using the Bubblecash app

What’s better than earning money while having fun? Earning money while having fun playing one of everyone’s favorite classic games with a modern twist, of course. Bubble Cash allows you to enter tournaments and play against other players by popping as many bubbles as you can within a certain period of time.

All you have to do is aim your laser with your finger and attempt to match three bubbles of the same color to one another to pop them. There are no ads, you can earn daily bonuses and you can play anywhere there’s an Internet connection. Oh, and we have to warn you: It’s pretty addictive. There are also thrilling raffles every day to win BONUS cash on top of your regular winnings.

Just be aware that if you live in AZ, AR, IA, LA, MD, or SC, you can’t enter the cash tournaments but you can still earn prizes. Download Bubble Cash and start popping bubbles to earn real cash.

2. Earn Cash Taking Surveys With SurveyTime

Blonde woman holding cash in 5 and 10 dollar bills fanned out

If you want to earn cash taking surveys, SurveyTime is the site for you. You literally earn a dollar for every survey you qualify for. It’s quick and easy to get started — just sign up and complete a profile so the company can know what surveys you might be interested in — and you’re ready to start earning. Find surveys by checking the website or signing up for email and text notifications. It’s that simple.

The cool thing is that you can also earn gift cards. While you can have your money deposited into your PayPal account, you can also earn gift cards for Amazon, Target, Walmart, PayPal cash, or Bitcoin via Coinbase. Start earning $1 per survey by downloading the SurveyTime app now.

3. A Legit Way to Get $750 Deposited to Your Cash App

You can get free money direct deposited into your Cash App account and all you have to do is try out some deals. The catch? You can only do this once every 2 years!

Seriously, anyone 18+ can join Flash Rewards is a rewards program that’s been around since 2016 and has rewarded $11 million dollars to members over time. Also, 4.3 TrustPilot rating!

So how do you get money for free? Answer: You just have to follow the instructions carefully!

Flash Rewards work by showing you “deals” they think you would like. This includes mobile apps and games, subscriptions, financial services, etc. Each type of deal you choose has its own mini task to complete.

  1. Head over to Flash Rewards and fill out basic info (Email, Name, etc.)
  2. Take a quick Survey (it helps them figure out what offers & deals to recommend you)
  3. See if any Offers interest you (optional)
  4. Important: Complete 1 Silver, 1 Gold, and 8 Platinum deals to qualify/claim the reward!

You won’t get your reward if you don’t complete the required amount of deals. Sure, it takes a little more effort but it’s legit. Get your $750 this week.

4. Make Money While You Shop With Drop

Brunette in a gray cozy sweater relaxing on hammock looking at the phone

If you love to shop until you drop, you’ll love to shop with Drop. This rewards program app allows you to earn points while you shop, whether you’re ordering takeout for dinner on GrubHub, stocking up on your favorite foundation at Sephora, booking your summer vacay flight on Expedia, or taking an Uber ride home from your favorite restaurant.

Every time you make a purchase with the Drop app, you earn points, and those points add up pretty quickly. As your points add up, you can redeem them to use on everything from your next Amazon purchase to a cup of coffee at Starbucks. You can even deposit cash right into your PayPal account. You’re essentially being paid to shop for items you were already going to buy anyway.

It’s free to use, though you do have to link at least one debit or credit card. And it’s easy to use too. Best of all, there are some extras you can earn on top of the basic everyday rewards. Look for in-app offers, power boosts, a refer-a-friend program, and in-app games. Earn rewards while you shop!

BONUS OFFER: Use promo code SMARTWALLET to unlock 10,000 points ($10!!) automatically when you earn your first 1,000 points.

5. Make More Money Through Your Side Gigs Than Your Regular Job

One of the easiest ways to find these side gigs and WFH opps is via the free Steady app. Their community of over 2.7 million people agrees that it’s one of the best free ways to find flexible jobs to earn extra money!

Not only can you find thousands of new part-time opportunities every day, but you can also earn cash rewards through their Income Boosters perk. Basically, they pay you to try out useful brands to help manage your money even more.

And once you link your bank account (it’s secure!), the app’s Income Tools feature will give you personal insights into the extra income you’re making.

“I’ve made more money from my part-time gigs through Steady last month than my actual salary and I enjoy these jobs much more than my regular work!” – one of many positive reviews.

On average, Steady Members earn over $5,500 in extra income per year. It only takes a few minutes to sign up for free and answer some work history questions and what type of job you’re looking to see opportunities immediately!