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It feels like everything's gone topsy-turvy in the past two months. A lot of readers have reached out looking for assistance on earning extra cash, finding side hustles, or just scrimping more at the grocery store.
If you find yourself in this boat along with the rest of us, here's a full round-up of ideas to help ease the financial strain.
Side Income Streams To Work From Home
Got some extra time and lots of opinions? Who doesn't right now?!
This might be the perfect time to join a survey program or two -- obviously this won't be full-time pay, but a few surveys a month can cover a Domino's delivery or a few Starbucks treats. (Keep in mind Starbucks is primarily available through drive-through right now!)
And lots of research programs are currently looking for new members 18 and older willing to take surveys for your choice of cash or prizes.
Here are a few I recommend:
Pinecone Research -- pays $3 per survey! Your first payment will be sent via check, and after that you have the option of cashing out in assorted store gift cards. Pinecone also sometimes sends out free products for their members to test as well.
Inbox Dollars -- pays $5 bonus just to set up your site profile! Inbox Dollars is unique among research companies -- not only do they offer printable coupons on their site, but they will drop an extra $1 in your account for every 10 coupons you actually use at the register.
ProductReportCard -- pays in Amazon gift codes, which can easily be used to help subsidize your grocery or household supply shopping.
Branded Surveys -- create a profile and take market research surveys to earn cash or gift card rewards.
Kashkick -- earn cash back when you read emails, complete surveys, or take quizzes.
LifePoints -- Earn points that can be redeemed for rewards of your choice. The company says it's given out $20 million worth of rewards in just the last year!
Who's Hiring Right Now?
There are a TON of grocery, big-box, pharmacy, and mass retailers in need of part-time, full-time, or even temporary help.
Amazon -- looking for Warehouse/Shopper team members throughout Texas, with base pay starting at $15 per hour. No resume or previous experience needed.
DoorDash -- earn up to $25 per hour during peak delivery times!
HEB -- looking for temporary workers to help shop their Curbside service, work in the warehouses, and more. Many jobs start at $13.50 per hour.
Imperfect Produce -- hiring part-time delivery drivers in areas they currently service, with $18 per hour base pay.
Instacart -- offering up to $20 per hour depending on tips!
Shipt -- hiring for shoppers in the areas they currently service. Shoppers get paid weekly, and the company says experienced shoppers can earn up to $22 per hour -- not bad for a side hustle if you ask me.
Walmart -- is hiring a whopping 150,000 associates in a variety of job titles and pay grades between now and the end of summer. It looks like cashiers make an average of about $10 per hour in most areas.
What About In-Store Deals?
I've got a lot of freebie scenarios currently available, including free cat treats, free Bai Antioxidant drinks, free pork rinds, and free Red Baron pizza melts.
But the best news for local shoppers is that HEB is slowly rolling out their digital and yellow coupon programs again! Rumor has it the chain expects to be fully stocked with their usual amount of promotional offers by the end of June.
So if you haven't taken our free HEB couponing class, now is definitely the time! My co-teacher Brenda and I will be on Facebook Live in our teaching group on Thursday, May 7 @ 8PM CST with that class if you'd like to join in.