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Step 1
Change banks or open a new account at another bank. Many banks give incentives to new customers. Sometimes these incentives include free money. Cash bonuses can still be found, and frequently you can get more free money by having your paycheck direct deposited into the new bank account.
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Step 2
Contribute to your employee-based retirement account. 401K accounts are usually matched by your employer up to 6% of the employees contribution. It's like getting a partial raise. This is a great way to get some free money.
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Step 3
Cut and use store coupons and manufacturer's coupons. These incentives to buy are just like getting some more free money. The key here is to purchase items you would normally use in your daily life. Often, you can get free money just by switching brands to whoever is offering the coupon. You may even find a brand you like better than your current brand. So why not use coupons to sample new products or stock up on the ones you already love?
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Step 4
Enroll in credit card rewards programs. In many cases you can get free money back for every purchase. Often, you can get cash equivalents like airline miles, which if you travel a lot is like getting free money. The trick is to pay off your credit card in full each month.
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Step 5
Check out community shopping sites. If you're searching online to buy a product, be sure to investigate community shopping sites, some of which offer cash rewards. This free money could be yours if you simply search and shop smarter online.
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Step 6
Apply for scholarships and grants. If you are attending school or thinking of attending, there is a lot of free money for education waiting to be claimed. Search for scholarships online, through your school, or through the library. Apply for every scholarship for which you might qualify. This could lead to tens of thousands of dollars in free money for education.
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Step 7
Check lost asset sites. Most states have lost asset sites that try to connect people with the money they are owed but may have forgotten about, or never even known about. Often this is money from a closed account. This sort of free money is already yours. Whether its only pennies or thousands of dollars, this free money belongs to you and should be claimed.
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Step 8
Look for money on the streets. There is a surprising amount of free money that gets dropped or discarded. Small coins may not seem like much, but they add up. You won't get rich picking up free money off the streets, but over time it can cover the cost of a few lattes or even a phone bill.
Comments
walker7 said
on 12/5/2009 Great ideas...thanks for sharing!
YourFutureBoss said
on 10/28/2009 Great ideas. Love it.. Also collecting pop cans on the side of the road are a fantastic idea for those who live in states that give bottle deposits. 5 stars and recommended.
tiffownsthis said
on 10/26/2009 Great tips! My boyfriend always picks up change off the streets. The few cents he finds over the week do add up.