25+ Weird (but Totally Legal) Ways To Pay Rent in 2025

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by Mike Thomas Updated on December 16, 2024

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Note: These suggestions are meant to help supplement your finances. If you’re in a more dire situation, we suggest speaking with your landlord immediately, calling 211 for organizational assistance, applying for industry grants, and asking friends/family for help.

Every time that chunk of rent payment leaves your bank account and into someone else’s, it hurts a little bit. But it’s the price to pay for having your own living space and, basically, a non-negotiable.

So keep making those rent payments, and we’re making it a little bit easier by suggesting some things you can do to earn some side cash and manage your money more efficiently in the new year. It’s even better when you can get paid for doing stuff you already do!

1. This Company Pays You to Test Games, Products, & More

Here’s a side gig that lets you earn money as an online tester. You can earn up to $120+ per test, from surveys to a broad range of games (such as match 3, merge, and many others!)

When you download TesterUp for free, you’ll see plenty of tasks collectively worth over $800.

Choose the ones you’re most interested in, and remember to agree to tracking so your progress can be checked and you can be paid properly when you complete each task. Don’t worry—if you face any tracking issues, contact Support, and they’ll promptly help you out!

Members have made hundreds of dollars through Testerup, and they direct deposit to your PayPal within 24 hours. You’ll get access to even higher-paying tasks when you become a premium tester!

“I’ve made and withdrawn probably between $600-$800 and never had anything even remotely shady happen.” – Sunny B.

Make money from home or anywhere you want with Testerup, so click here to get started on your new side gig.

2. Get Up to $55 Per Win Popping Bubbles

Make consistent extra money playing Bubble Cash, where you match 3 bubbles of the same color until you clear the board. It’s popular, too, since the game is frequently ranked within the Top 10 in the App Store with a 4.6/5 star rating with over 120K+ reviews!

Win free cash when you collect enough gems to enter practice tournaments, and then win MORE when you enter the higher stakes tournaments (there’s a small entry fee for the bigger tournaments).

“Finally, a game that isn’t a scam! I won $71 yesterday on Sunday, and today on Monday, it was already in my Paypal” – Mzmari

Play for free now, and then switch to cash games to increase your winnings whenever you want. Obviously, this won’t make you rich, but 100% worth it compared to other games that don’t pay.

3. Earn Up to $1,000/Month Testing Apps, Games, & Surveys (+$5 Bonus)

There are plenty of ways to make money online, but what’s really worth your time? That’s what we’re constantly researching.

The millions of people who have already joined Freecash made their opinions clear. It’s definitely worth it. Like them, you can earn up to $1,000 extra cash a month just by testing apps and games and joining surveys. Increase your chances to earn even MORE if you make purchases within your offer (even small amounts!)

With over 14,500 offers available, you have plenty of options to make money from. It’s simple:

  1. After signing up for free on Freecash, you’ll get an exclusive $5 bonus
  2. Choose your offers on the Earn page
  3. Complete the offer (some take 5-10 minutes, but games could take longer, so making a purchase, even a small one, can speed up your earnings!)
  4. Get paid! Each completed task gives coins that you can redeem for real gift cards, PayPal, cryptocurrency, and more

With daily bonuses and instant cashouts, no wonder it’s rated 4.6 on TrustPilot with over 64,000 reviews. Users have earned over $50M on Freecash since 2020, so sign up to see how much you can make and get your free $5 welcome bonus!

4. A Legit Way to Earn $750 This Week

You can get $750 direct deposited into your bank account and all you have to do is try out some deals. The catch? You can only do this once a year!

Seriously, anyone 18+ can participate in Flash Rewards, a rewards program that’s been around since 2016 and has rewarded $12 million to participants over time.

So how do you get the money? 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 figure out the optional offers & required deals to recommend)
  3. Complete deals by shopping Flash Rewards’ great brand name partners.
  4. Important: Follow the instructions on completing the specific number of deals for each level and get to Level 5 to get the maximum reward! (there are plenty of deals to try – some are free trials or app downloads, others require a purchase!)
  5. Claim the reward and get it in about a week!

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!

5. Ask This Company To Pay Off Your Outstanding Credit Card Debt

It’s 2024, and you want to body slam that debt down and keep it down. You just need a little help doing it.

MyLendingWallet can help if you have under $35,000 in debt. They’ll offer a personal loan that pays off all your balances and consolidate them into one balance to make it easier on yourself.

Regardless of credit status, you can quickly determine if you qualify for a loan with APRs ranging from 5.99% to 36% max. Since their network has over 100 vetted lenders, you’ll be able to compare with no obligation either.

You can get funds as fast as 24 hours, and they have flexible repayment periods (61 days to 72 months!). Even better? There’s no credit score impact to check, so see how LoansUnder36 can help now! It only takes 2 minutes.

6. Flip $15 into $200 with this Solitaire Game

Play during your breaks, and you could be winning cash. It’s called Solitaire Smash (rated 4.8/5 ⭐) and pays real money every time you win!.

“This game is great! Payouts are real, and the game keeps you thinking, which helps your cognitive skills.” – Fam24

As you play, you’ll collect free in-game currency (gems) that you can use to play real money games to win free cash. When you’re ready to hit the bigger cash tournaments, deposit just $5 to access huge prize pools!

Thousands of dollars are being cashed out daily, so download Solitaire Smash for free . If you love quick competition and potentially winning money based on your skills, this is it.

7. Get Paid Up to $225/Month While Watching Viral Videos and Taking Fun Surveys

Founded in 2000, Inbox Dollars has been paying customers for their opinions for over 24 years and counting! They are one of the most trusted survey sites with fun, multiple ways to earn extra cash that set them apart.

“Fast and easy. Love that I can cash out to my PayPal and easily transfer money to my bank account.” – Tefanie P

Take surveys, watch videos, play games, and even read emails for extra cash. Who wouldn’t want to watch viral videos for money and get paid up to $225/month?

Inbox Dollars is a great platform to make a little side money. It’s free to sign up, so give it a try today!

8. Take Surveys & Play New Games to Earn Extra Cash

Join over 15 million other members already completing surveys, playing games, and shopping from Swagbucks, a free rewards program where you’ll earn cash for your time. With consistent use, members can earn about $50 a day having fun! Plus, they’ve already paid over $600 million in gift cards and PayPal cash to their members.

Taking surveys is the best way to make money on Swagbucks. They can take 10 minutes or more and topics can revolve around food, beverages, household products, cars, and more. The next best way is to play new-to-you games! As you collect Swagbucks Points (SB) from completing tasks, redeem them for gift cards and cash!

New members can get a free $5 just for signing up, so join Swagbucks and start earning free rewards!

9. Earn Up to $1,000/Month Testing Apps, Games, & Surveys

We were surprised when we saw how fast this rewards program paid out!

Check out Scrambly, the free platform that lets you earn cash rewards just for trying out new games and apps. You can immediately withdraw to your PayPal starting at $1, and signing up for the program gives you $0.50, so you’re already halfway there.

Millions of users are earning on Scrambly, plus it’s rated an impressive 4.7 on Trustpilot. You can earn up to $100 with each offer, so your rewards can actually add up fast. Who wouldn’t want to earn hundreds of dollars each month?

Also, be sure to fill out that profile survey! You’ll get rewarded, and Scrambly will know what offers to handpick for you. Ready to start making cash?

10. Players are Winning $5K in Weekly Cash Tournaments!

Puzzle game lovers will enjoy Match to Win, a free-to-play game with over 300+ exciting levels. Compete for real cash rewards through tournaments and daily challenges. Plus, enter the VIP tournaments, where only the best competitors win even more cash prizes!

Yes, it’s legit – there are already over 265K reviews with a 4.5-star average rating!

“I love that you don’t have to purchase anything to win! Each level is different, so it never gets monotonous! – Noelle Belmore

Play anytime, no purchases necessary, and start earning cash!

11. Hustle like a Mother and Earn Up To $1,000!

Easy, effortless options on the go for those who hustle. Join the over 3M hustlers earning extra on KashKick while doing things they love! It’s free to join, and signing up is easy.

Like to cook? Earn while trying new recipes! Waiting to pick up kids in the car line? Play a mobile game and start earning! Some games pay over $180 to play and complete!

Paying for gas? Get cash back! So many different ways to earn a little extra cash without much effort. You can also shop now and pay later, complete surveys, play mobile games, or try new services and get a cash back reward.

“Kashkick saved my life! I lost my job, and thanks to KashKick, I get a little side income to pay a couple of bills.” – Shanice, New Orleans

12. Get Free Money Back on All Your Shopping Hauls

Check your pockets; check your purse. And keep receipts for your iPhone.

Just grab all your recent receipts from your coffee runs, grocery trips, restaurants, and gas station fill-ups, scan them into Fetch Rewards on iOS, and earn points for free money! Connect your email account, as well, to count DIGITAL receipts from Amazon, Instacart, and more.

Basically, snap a pic of your receipt from anywhere, and that’s it; you’ve got points for money. There’s no minimum spend, no need to select items manually, scan in any receipt from any store or gas station, and it’ll automatically reward you.

It’s free and easy to use and is a must-have iOS app for anyone who buys stuff!

13. Get Free Cash Back Every Time You Get Groceries, Gas, or Meals

Why not get free money back any chance you can get? That’s why we like Upside, a free cash back app that partners with 100,000+ businesses to bring you great offers you can’t get anywhere else.

On average, frequent users earn an extra $340 a year for just getting things they already buy!

“Easy money back without a catch. I’m getting cash back on stuff I would’ve had to buy anyway. Upside gives you easy savings that you actually see!” – alicejpark90

Wherever you are, just use the app to see where you can get cash back! You can get up to 25¢ per gallon, up to 30% back on groceries, and up to 45% back at restaurants.

Easily cash out via bank transfer, Paypal, or gift card; there’s no limit to how much you can earn. Download Upside for free to earn cash back, and new members can use a welcome code: TSW25 to get an additional 25¢ a gallon on their first gas purchase!

Gas offers are not currently available in NJ, WI, or UT.

14. Win Money Playing This Blackjack x Solitaire Game

Sharpen your brain and earn real cash with 21 Cash, a fast-paced mobile card game that only takes 3 minutes or less per round.

The gameplay is a fun mix of blackjack and solitaire. Make as many 21s as possible before you run out of moves or the time is up. Log in for daily gifts, collect gems to enter the Freeroll tournaments, and win real cash based on your skills.

Enter the bigger real-money tournaments when you’re ready to compete for better prizes. With plenty of mini-games to keep you entertained, you won’t get bored with 21 Cash!

15. A New Way to Earn Up to $250 Cash

What can $250 get you nowadays? How about 16 months of Netflix or maybe 50 Starbucks drinks? Or you can beef up your savings and pay some bills. Regardless, $250 can do a lot, and YOU can get that cash with MyCashQuest, a new way to earn some fun money.

Simply put, just complete challenges to earn cash and they all revolve around playing games. You’ll install the games and reach specific levels depending on the challenge.

It’s simple:

  1. Sign up at MyCashQuest
  2. Answer some brief questions (it’ll help them pick what you might like!)
  3. Start picking challenges to do on your phone
  4. Claim your money and get it in about a week!

If you opt for the $250 challenge every 30 days, you can technically earn $3,000 for the year!

16. Earn Up to $750 Trying Out Offers

Try out offers and get rewarded. That’s the gist of Earn Big Rewards, a fun program where you can earn up to $750 (or even $1,000 if you’re ambitious) just by checking out sponsored offers from their partners.

Over 1 million members have gone through and got their rewards, and you can too! It’s simple.

Offers and deals vary, but the most important thing to know is that different levels have different rewards. Lower levels yield smaller rewards, while Level 5 will get you $500, $750, or $1,000.

You’ll be able to choose from mobile games, free trials, subscriptions, streaming services, and more after answering some quick questions.

Once you complete the levels you want, you can cash out and get the reward in a week!

17. Under $100K+ in Debt? Ask This Company for Help

Ease that debt weight off your shoulders and see if you qualify for debt settlement with AmONE. If you have under $100,000 in debt, you can take the first step in checking your options, which is free to get started without impacting your credit.

Debt settlement can substantially reduce your monthly payment and provide a more flexible 2-4 years repayment plan. This type of debt relief will have you settling your debt for less than you originally owe.

Learn more about it at AmONE to see if you can ease that burden!

18. When It’s 2024, and You Still Have Credit Card Debt Under $100,000

Stop the anxiety attacks by getting rid of your debt. If you owe $100,000 or less, AmONE can help by matching you with a low-interest loan to pay off all your balances. Problem solved.

Their interest rates start at just 6.40% compared to credit cards, which can go as high as 36%! Plus, it’s only one monthly bill, making it way easier to manage.

There’s also no credit score impact to check, and repayment periods are flexible. Take 2 minutes to check, and you can get funds as quickly as 48 hours to wipe that credit card debt!

19. The Money App Backed by Celebrities That Saves AND Invests for You

Acorns has caught the attention (and their investments) of Blackrock, Paypal, and major names like Dwayne Johnson and more. Plus, they have about 10 million all-time customers!

That’s because Acorns automatically saves and invests your spare change from every purchase with the Round-Ups® feature. You’ll get a diversified portfolio picked by experts based on your investment profile.

You only need $5 to start investing, and when you set up recurring investments, you’ll get a $20 bonus!

Get started in under 5 minutes with no financial experience or expertise needed. You’ll also get access to retirement, investing for families, rewards, and more based on your subscription plan.

With no hidden fees, Acorns makes it easy to invest in your future with your spare change!

20. This Company Will Help You Get Out of Debt

Debt happens, but don’t let it overwhelm you by not addressing it immediately. Ease that stress and resolve it with National Debt Relief.

They’re rated #1 for debt settlement on top consumer review sites and A+ with the BBB, so if you have over $10,000 in debt, you can get a free, no-obligation debt relief consultation. Whether the debt is from credit cards, medical bills, collections, etc., they’ll create an affordable plan that works with your budget.

Get out of debt faster than you think, and there are no fees until your debt is resolved, which can be as soon as 24-48 months. Check now since it only takes minutes to see if you qualify.

21. Here’s How to Legally Bet On Games

If you can read this, it means you can legally bet on your favorite team and players.

Do it with FanDuel Sportsbook, America’s #1 online sportsbook, where you can safely, legally, and securely bet on sports.

It’s simple to get started:

  1. Create an account with FanDuel Sportsbook & deposit at least $10
  2. Find your game and the outcome you want to bet on
  3. New users get an amazing promo: bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets guaranteed

Don’t be a sideline sitter; dive into the games with some bets. Just bet $5, and you’ll get $200 in bonus bets guaranteed, WIN OR LOSE.

21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. $10 Deposit req. Refund issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. FanDuel is offering online sports wagering in Kansas under an agreement with Kansas Star Casino, LLC. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MI, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV).