10 Legit Apps That Pay You to Shop and Pay You Back!

There are FREE mobile apps for that! With various rewards and cash back apps available, you can easily earn money, free gift cards, and other rewards just by purchasing products that you’re planning to buy anyway (and possibly even with coupons!). We’re sharing 10 completely FREE and highly rated mobile cash back and rewards apps that will save you time and help you make money!

1. Fetch Rewards – FREE!


Fetch Rewards makes it easy to save on your everyday grocery purchases – there are NO store limitations, NO having to clip special offers, and NO worrying about missing out on savings. All you do is snap a picture of your receipt and points will be put into your account. It’s that easy!

The best part, Fetch Rewards works with ANY grocery receipt. Take a picture of your receipt each time you purchase groceries and you’ll earn points for every item you purchase from the 250+ popular brands in the app. Accumulate points and redeem them for free rewards to hundreds of popular retailers.

Earn Fetch rewards with these simple steps:

Scan your grocery receipt from ANY store. You can use receipts from grocery stores, convenience stores, drugstores, liquor stores, and more.
Every time you purchase a product from one of Fetch’s participating brands, you’ll earn points.
As your points accumulate, you can redeem them for gift cards to popular retailers like Amazon, CVS, Target, Build-A-Bear, or even virtual MasterCard/Visa Rewards gift cards!

⭐️ Fetch Rewards is offering new users 2,000 bonus points ($2 reward) when you register and enter promo code FETCH2K on the Fetch Rewards app.


2. Ibotta – FREE!
ibotta app on phone

With the free Ibotta App, you earn money by purchasing items at participating stores. Just unlock offers by completing various tasks (such as learning a fact or watching a short video). You can also search for offers while shopping in-store by scanning the barcode of the products you’re buying.

After making a purchase, easily submit a rebate by tapping on “Redeem” for eligible items purchased. Then scan the product barcode (if necessary for that store) and submit a picture of your receipt.

The awesome part is that in addition to getting cash back on your purchases, you can also use manufacturer’s coupons to lower your costs even further!

Here’s how to earn money with Ibotta:

Before you shop, add offers for qualifying products by completing simple tasks.
Buy the products you selected at any participating store (don’t forget your receipt!).
Redeem your offers by taking a photo of your receipt. They’ll match the items you bought to the offers you selected and give you the cash.
Your cash back will be deposited into your Ibotta account within 48 hours.
Redeem for gift cards to popular stores like Amazon, Starbucks, Kohl’s, and other stores – OR request a cash option via PayPal or Venmo.

3. Checkout 51 – FREE!
shop and earn rewards with these free mobile apps — checkout 51 and ibotta for cashback
Checkout 51 is an easy-to-use cash back app that saves you tons of money on your favorite brands. It’s free to sign up, and you can start saving right away with coupons and money back deals on everyday items from all your favorite stores, and even gas purchases! It’s updated every Thursday so you can browse through hundreds of local offers to save money on grocery and household products.

Save money with Checkout 51 by following these simple steps:

Browse the offers updated every Thursday.
Buy the products from ANY store – you choose!
Take a photo of your receipt to redeem your offer.
Earn cash back.
When your account reaches $20, request a check!
The Checkout 51 app can be downloaded for free in the App Store and Play Store. And the best part is that in addition to getting cash back on your purchases, you may be able to use manufacturer’s coupons to lower your out-of-pocket expense even further (some offers can’t be combined with coupons).

4. Receipt Hog – FREE!


Receipt Hog is a fun, free, and EASY way to turn your receipts into cash and rewards. Unlike similar rewards apps, Receipt Hog pays cash regardless of where you shop or what you buy! Watch your Hog grow fatter as you feed him more receipts – a fatter Hog means a fatter payout for you!

Retailers where you can earn “Coins” based on total purchase amount:

Grocery / Supermarket
Supercenter
Club (Cash and Carry)
Health (Chemist)
Bargain (Dollar / Pound Shops)
Drug & Pharmacy
Liquor (Off-License)
Convenience & Corner Stores
Beauty Supply
Pet Supply
Toy Stores
Mom-and-Pops, Bodegas, & Newsagents
Retailer types where you can earn “spins” for the Hog Slots:

Apparel
Auto Part Retailers
Department
Discount
Home Improvement
Home Furnishings
Office Supply
Electronics
Arts & Crafts
Sports & Outdoors
Retailer types where you can earn sweepstakes entries:

All Coin-Receipts and Spin-Receipts
Gas / Petrol-only Receipts
Receipts from Restaurants & Bars
Receipts from Bakeries, Delis, and Cafes
Plus, Receipt Hog allows you to access a digital copy of your receipts in one secure place. Play the Hog Slot machine where you can win extra coins, an instant $100, or even have your last shopping trip paid for. Earn more when you level up, win sweepstakes prizes, and complete short surveys!

Earn Receipt Hog cash with these simple steps:

Take pictures of your receipts from ANY store, restaurant, or cafe – ALL receipts earn rewards.
Earn Receipt Hog rewards like coins, spins at the virtual slot machine, or sweepstakes prizes.
Cash out your coins for PayPal or Amazon gift cards! It’s that simple!

5. SavingStar – FREE!


SavingStar is a free app that helps you easily save money on your groceries. Earn cash back when you shop at your local grocery store without clipping or printing coupons! You can redeem grocery offers by linking them to your supermarket and drugstore loyalty cards OR by submitting a picture of your receipt (but you can’t do both).

SavingStar automatically adds the value of each offer you redeem into your SavingStar account, which you can cash out to your bank or PayPal account, or donate to a charity if you prefer.

Here’s how to earn SavingStar cash:

Add the stores you shop at so you can redeem rebates there. Each store is either an “Automatic Store” (rewards earned via your store card) or a “Receipt Store”, but not both.
Activate rewards before you shop from the following offers:
Always On Programs are the easiest way to save. Sign up once and save every time you purchase.
One or Many Offers gives you huge savings when you meet a spending goal over one or many shopping trips, purchased all at one store or across many stores.
Use the SavingStar iPhone or Android app to scan UPCs, take pictures of your receipt, and submit the receipt before you’ve even left the grocery store.
Every time you redeem a rebate or make an “Always On” purchase, you’ll earn a SavingStar reward. Your cash rewards will be automatically sent to your SavingStar account.
Once your SavingStar account balance reaches $20, you can cash out!

6. Shopkick – FREE!


Shopkick is free location-based shopping app for iTunes or Android devices that gives you reward points that can be redeemed for amazing retail gift cards. Simply walk into stores, scan items, and buy everyday products to earn points!

Once you’re a Shopkick user, you can collect kicks and bonuses at millions of stores and restaurants in America including Macy’s, Target, Best Buy, JCPenney, and more. Then redeem your kicks for rewards for various gift cards, such as Amazon, Target, Starbucks, Best Buy, and others.

Most Shopkickers can even earn their first gift card in a week!

How to earn gift cards with Shopkick:

Walk into stores and earn kicks right at the entrance of select partner stores.
Scan barcodes of select products. Hunt for select products in-store and earn kicks when you scan barcodes using their in-app scanner.
Purchase with a linked credit card to earn kicks for every dollar you spend at select partner stores.
Purchase select items and submit your receipt through the app to earn kicks.
Earn and redeem kicks for digital gift cards to stores like Amazon, Best Buy, Sephora, Walmart, Target, and others!


7. Mobee – FREE!


With Mobee, you get to complete fun and simple “secret shopper” Missions at popular stores & retailers. You will earn points for your hard work and can redeem them for gift cards or rewards. The Mobee map is always being updated with new stores & Missions so you can earn more points. Some Missions may require you to make a purchase and the reimbursement amount will be listed in the details.

How to earn rewards with Mobee:

Find a Mission Near You – Search the map to locate Missions nearby, and select one to complete.
Complete the Mission – Answer questions once you arrive at the location and submit your Mission for review.
Redeem Rewards – Earn points for every successful Mission you complete and use those points for popular gift cards and prizes.
Once you’ve completed a Mission and it has been approved, points will be credited into your account. You can use these points for a range of gift cards and prizes, such as MasterCard prepaid gift cards, or to stores like Dunkin’, Starbucks, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and so many more!

8. CoinOut – FREE!



With CoinOut, you get paid to shop… at ANY RETAILER! You don’t have to find specific deals or take time to see if a certain retailer is on the program. Just snap and earn! Receipts need to be uploaded within two weeks of original purchase and include the date, retail name, items purchased, and bill amount. Plus, CoinOut gives out weekly surprise bonuses to users that upload receipts!

ATM or bank slips, lotto tickets, credit card slips (with no product items), money orders, pictures of barcodes or QR codes, coupons, and handwritten receipts are not eligible for cash back.

How to earn rewards with CoinOut:

You can earn online or in-store!
For in-store, take your receipt from a recent purchase and place it flat on an even surface. Press “SCAN” on the app and align the receipt within the rectangular box. Press the button to capture the receipt.
For online transactions, make sure to visit CoinOut each time before you make a purchase at one of our merchants.
For e-receipts, forward them to receipts@coinout.com. To receive cash back, the receipts need to be forwarded the same day of the purchase. They are currently accepting up to 8 e-receipts per day. Make sure to register your email through the survey link you receive via email after sending an e-receipt.
You’ll receive an automatic amount of cash back. Make sure to take a clear picture of your receipt – it should show the name of the store, date of purchase and all items purchased. The better quality receipt and picture, the more you’ll earn!
CoinOut sets a range each day of a minimum and maximum amount that you can earn from a receipt. The amount you receive is randomized and is not based on the type of receipt or amount spent
Cash out your balance via gift card, PayPal, or to your bank. That’s it!

9. Receipt Pal – FREE!

Receipt Pal lets you earn rewards (like valuable gift cards and cash prizes!) just for submitting receipts of your purchases – including e-receipts! You can connect your email or Amazon account, and you’ll earn points for every e-receipt. Plus, all of your receipts are stored in one handy place, so you can keep track of your spending in a secure location.

You can redeem your points for gift cards from great retailers like Amazon, VISA, Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and many others just for submitting everyday receipts for market research.

Every receipt will also earn you chances to win cash prizes in our weekly sweepstakes. Three winners will be announced every week. As long as you keep submitting receipts, you’ll be entered automatically!

How to earn rewards with Receipt Pal:

Snap photos of your receipts from grocery stores, restaurants, and local retailers.
Connect your email and Amazon accounts to submit e-receipts automatically and earn points faster!
Earn points for every valid receipt.
Redeem your points for great rewards.
Automatically enter weekly sweepstakes for cash prizes! Plus, earn bonus points and sweepstakes entries with fun new mini-games
The more receipts you submit, the more points you earn!

10. Makeena – FREE!


Makeena rewards you for buying items that are good for you and the planet — like organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, plant-based, eco-friendly, BPA-free, cruelty-free items.

Plus, Makeena works at ANY retail store, in-store, or online! You can earn cash back and rewards just for buying healthy and eco-friendly products from the places that you like to shop. You can also turn your grocery-related receipts into cash and points, and then get rewarded for being loyal to your favorite brands or by simply sharing those brands with your friends.

How to earn rewards with Makeena:

Browse offers, brands, and products before shopping.
Save them to your shopping list.
Scan barcodes of purchased products to begin redeeming.
Take a photo of your receipt, and then submit it through the app.
Cash out through PayPal or Venmo after you accumulate $20 in your account!
Found your perfect beauty product, supplement, or granola? After every time you buy, you can earn points for extra cash back, samples, T-shirts, and more!


Didn’t find anything you like yet? No worries – any grocery-related receipt turns into bonus points that can be converted into cash when you’ve earned enough points.

11. Upside: Cash back on gas & food!

This is a fairly new app that is getting good reviews on the Dave Ramsey groups.   Upside is a free app that gives you real cash back on gas, groceries, and at restaurants.

The Upside app is a legitimate way to earn cash back at participating gas stations, restaurants, grocery and convenience stores. My area does not have grocery offers yet, but there are tons of gas and restaurant deals available and a few convenience store offers in the app, too. Here are a few tips and perks I enjoyed while using the Upside app:

Easy claim and upload process: Upside provides clear instructions to help you along the way.

No credit card or bank information necessary: I like that I did not need to link a credit card to participate and that I didn’t need to link a bank account to get the money out of my Upside account.

One of the best things about Upside is that you don’t need to enter your credit card or banking information to get cash back. Instead, you just upload the receipt from your claimed deal.

To upload your receipt and complete the deal, go to an offer you’ve claimed and click “Upload Receipt.”

I’ve been using this app almost daily since February. I drive almost 200 miles a day so I buy a lot of gas and always use this app when I do so. For the most part it works great. I get gas and usually within a day I’ve got my reward.

KellyConnect Work from Home Chat Reps

 KellyConnect has  currently is hiring  from home Chat Reps., These jobs always fill quickly so if you see an opening grab it.  

Our support representatives provide customer service to resolve technology challenges through a series of troubleshooting activities and knowledge-based research in a virtual call center environment. 

Go apply for current positions here 

 

What Your Virtual Work Environment Looks Like

A private workspace with locked door in your permanent residence

Quiet environment free of background noise and interruptions

A secure workspace free from cell phones/video devices

Arrangements for dependent care and other obligations

 

Non phone work at home option

What You’ll Love About Us

Paid training at $13.50

Increase to $15.00/hour after successful graduation of Nesting – (roughly 5 weeks of employment)

You may be eligible for benefits after 90 days of employment

You may be eligible for Paid Holidays after 90 days of employment

99% of promotions from within with explosive growth opportunities into departments such as Leadership, Quality Assurance, and Training

9 companies offering great work-from-home jobs

 

What You’ll Do Every Day 

You’ll interact with up to 3 customers at a time using various media channels; those channels may include inbound calls, inbound chats, or outbound calls, as dictated by business need.

 

Locating music, apps, and movies on various devices

Billing issues

Fraud management

Product feature inquiries

Resolving username and password difficulties

Troubleshooting email issues

Navigating customers through various apps

Data sharing & synchronization troubleshooting

Verifying proper hardware and software configuration and set up

Diagnosing and resolving issues including: internet connectivity, email, application downloads, and more

 

What We’ll Love About You

Regular, consistent and punctual attendance. Must be able to work a full-time schedule, 38 hours a week at minimum, including nights and weekends, holidays, variable schedule(s) and overtime as necessary.

Must be able to work a 2nd shift between 1pm – 1am EST

Must be able to work in a fast paced, structured, dynamic environment and high transaction environment, with the ability to maintain composure in stressful situations and manage and diffuse angry or upset customers

Possess a strong work ethic with a stable work history

Great communication skills

Desire a long-term career with growth

Openness to feedback and willingness to improve

Familiarity with iOS and/or MacOS, or comparable technology

 

What You’ll Need 

High School Diploma or GED

18 years or older 

Minimum 6 months of customer service experience

Legal authorization to work in the US

High speed internet service

ModSquad Work at Home Online Moderator

What is the interview process like at KellyConnect?

You apply online, they send you a confirmation email. You will then either be rejected or selected for the next step in the process, which is scheduling your video interview. It is extremely hard to get an open slot for the interview. No slot, no interview, no job.

TIP: new interview times are usually posted after midnight.

You will have to check the link periodically to see if a slot becomes available.

Once you have scheduled your interview, you can do it on your iPhone through the App link they provide. It’s like a FaceTime interview.  Make sure you are in quiet place. 

Techenical support questions, previous job exerience, simulation role play.

The interview isn’t hard, and the recruiters are really nice. They will tell you then if you got the job or not.

Once you get the job, you get your orientation date & training start date. After orientation all of your equipment will be shipped out before you are scheduled to start training.

Is training paid?

Yes, the training is paid. The pay for the job was exactly what I was told.

How are the working hours

(please note this is feedback from our group and certain jobs will have certain hours) 
The position is full time; 40 hours.
There are three types of schedules that can be offered after your 90 day tenure & successful metrics/work ethic. They are as follows:
1. Five 8 hour  shifts with one weekend day off and the other off day fluctuates.
2. Split shifts throughout the day, or workweek that still total up to 40 hours . example: come in from 8am-12pm and then come back in that night from 9-11pm.
3. 10 hr shifts with the same work schedule/hours and off days every week; 3 off days. example: I worked 12:30p-11:30p with an hour lunch. My hours and off days never changed like the 8hr shifts where you are scheduled anywhere between 1p-11p

Kelly has very flexible options for scheduling. In the event that you can’t come in, you may give your shift away and have someone else pick it up for you. You may switch shifts with anyone else if you need a specific day off, and want to work their shift so you can be off. You may also request off. PTO is given after a year of employment and also as rewards.

Smith.ai Hiring for Chat & Phone Positions

Smith.ai Hiring for Remote work at home 

"We are looking to expand to 24/7 soon, so we are needing to fill open spots for our chat position . We are mainly looking for people to fill weekends (Saturday & Sunday) as well as graveyard shifts for all 7 days. Open availability is a big plus"

We operate Monday through Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. PST / 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. EST. We hire for both full-time (40hrs/week) and part-time positions. For part-time positions you must be available 4 hours a day, 5 days a week (the more the better). Shifts are broken into 2- to 5-hour blocks and are scheduled based on the business needs of Smith.ai and its clients, as well as your availability.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Answering calls and/or web chats for a variety of different businesses and professionals.
Taking messages, screening new clients, booking appointments, collecting payments, and transferring calls
Understanding caller needs and providing business information
Being part of a team and contributing to continued excellence
MUST HAVE
Great work ethic and professional demeanor
Prior receptionist or call answering experience
Ability to follow instructions and clearly summarize details
Ability to multitask and work well under pressure
Great communication skills and positive attitude

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Desktop or laptop computer with Google Chrome browser installed
Reliable broadband internet connection. Must have a less than 50 ms ping, greater than 10 Mbps download and greater than 3 Mbps upload (tested by https://www.speedtest.net and https://networktest.twilio.com)
Strong typing skills: at minimum 40 wpm with 100% accuracy (tested by https://livechatinc.com/typing-speed-test/)
Call answering only: a quiet environment for answering calls, plus headset with a microphone arm attached


Apply here 


Check out feedback from the remote positions 

The amazing communication, the sense of being a part of a team, the feeling that my voice matters, the openness and honesty from all directions, the feedback and recognition.
I've had a lot of jobs, and been in a lot of places where I was another number or another disposable piece. Here, I feel like a person who matters to the team. The lines of communication are always open, and the management is absolutely amazing. When mistakes happen, it's acknowledged and a plan of action is put in place. Feedback is welcomed and encouraged on every level, and it feels like it actually matters, rather than the lip service or some stock answer to brush off the issue.
I have never seen such active CEOs. Justin and Aaron are always a visible presence. And not in the scary way. They don't disappear and ignore concerns; they are out and about paying attention to their company and listening when their employees talk! Support is plentiful and anyone can raise their voice with questions, comments, and concerns, from the newest people to the oldest veterans.
And most importantly, they are on our side, and they actually mean it. If one of the clients says you did well, you get to hear about it. If one of the clients lays into you, they come to bat for you. Everyone helps everyone else.

Joining the team at Smith.ai has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. Not only is the community as Smith.ai incredibly welcoming, but the job is also fun. There is never a dull day at Smith.ai and I am always excited to start my shift and have the opportunity to learn more about the company. The owners are also very visible. They communicate with the entire staff via our chat channels and are always open to honest feedback. Within the first week of working with Smith.ai, I knew I had found a different kind of work from home company- I knew I had found one that actually valued and cared about its employees.

9 Steps To Start Your Virtual Assistant Business

Virtual assisting is a field that is growing extremely fast.

Not only does the internet allow us to complete more daily tasks online, more and more people are doing work from home jobs such as running a website, social media, real estate, advertising, etc. This means there are more and more virtual assistant jobs.   I have been a real estate assistant for several agents over the years.  Yes they are local but 99% of the tasks are done online in the past 5 years. 

Virtual assistant (VA) tasks may include social media management, formatting and editing content, scheduling appointments or travel, email management, and more. Basically, you can get paid to do any task that needs to be done in someone’s business, but doesn’t need to be them. 

9 Steps To Start Your Virtual Assistant Business

1. Decide On Your Virtual Assistant Business Name

While you can keep this simple and just use your own name, some people want a catchy name and title for their new virtual assistant business.  Make sure you grab the domain name so you can set up a website later. 

2. Decide On Your Services & Rates

What are you good at? Are there any specific services that you’d prefer to offer?  What skills sets are you good. Here is a good list to get ideas on what you can do 

Technical Writing
CSS/HTML Coding
Podcast Editing
Editing
Proofreading
General Research
Customer Service
HR Management
Calendar Management
Bookkeeping 
Facebook Group Management
Social Media Marketing
Photoshop
Data Entry 
Excel 
Blog Management 

Alot of VA start off around  15-20  an hour  Remember you are not an employee so you can need to make sure you are covering all of your expenses taxes, business software etc .   For my real estate business, I have adjusted many times as I have learned and more of what my agents were asking.  

3. Create A Business Plan

A business plan doesn’t have to be a long, boring document. Your business plan really only needs a few points, including the services you’ll provide, the contract you’ll give potential clients, how you’ll pay for your business, and what you can offer that sets you apart from other VAs.

4 Develop A Marketing Strategy

Will you use social media as a tool to gain new clients? Do you want to have a blog and email list? How will you market your business to get new clients?

These are questions you need to ask and answer so you can pitch yourself and your services a little easier.  

5. Reach Out To Your Network

Once you’ve figured out the above steps, it’s time to reach out to your existing network! Even if they don’t fall within your virtual assistant business niche, they may need your help or know someone who does.   My first client was a friend of my husband who was in real estate.  

This is a great way to get your first client, and you don’t even have to step out of your comfort zone!  Check out local women business group both on social media and in person. 

6. Advertise Your Virtual Assistant Business

Post on social media, write a blog post, create a YouTube video — whatever you need to do in order to gain a new client. Part of doing business is advertising what you have to offer.   Also create profile on upwork  as you may get good experience doing some task on there as well. 

7. Providing White Glove Service aka keeping your clients

I have been really lucky to keep my clients long term because I provide white glove service. Finish your tasks on time, communicate, and go above and beyond for your clients.   They’ll appreciate that you care about their businesses  and will be more willing to continue working with you and refer you to others.  It's a lot easier to retain a client rather than having to find a new one.  

8. Ask For Referrals & Testimonials

Along with keeping your clients, you can ask for referrals and testimonials! Don’t be afraid of leveraging the work you’ve done for your current clients.   

9. You need to invest in software and tools 

As I’ve progressed with my business, I’ve also realized the importance of having the right tools at my disposal.

I have invested accounting tool, like  Quickbooks  I also use Monday.com  as my task management system, so I never forget anything that I need to do.

10 ways to make an extra money this year

Finding extra ways to earn money can change your life in some really great ways, such as helping you with:

Getting out of Debt 
Saving up for big purchases, such as a vacation.
Stop living paycheck to paycheck 
Retiring early 
Reaching financial freedom! 

Teach English – Did you know that you may be able to teach English online to children? there are multiple companies that hire teachers including VIPKIDS, EF, Palfish  many teachers are earning over $1,000 per month) all while teaching English online. You don’t need a teaching degree, but you do need to have  bachelor degree and teaching English as a second language.  You can do this early morning hours usually 4-7am EST. This is a great option for anyone who has a passion for teaching and looking for ways to make money online.

Become an online tutor – Are you looking for a flexible side hustle as an online tutor? You can check out who is currently hiring for online tutoring. 

Answer surveys – Answering surveys online won’t make you rich, but it is one of the ways to make money online that you can put towards your debt payoff or savings goals. You can check out the one that I recommend here . These survey companies are free to join and free to use! You get paid to answer surveys and to test products. It’s best to sign up for as many as you can, as that way you can receive the most surveys and make the most money.



Manage social media accounts for others – Being a social media manager can be a fun job. Not everyone can do it, but if you have social media skills, then it might be something to look into. It’s not as easy as just sharing random content as you do need to create a strategy that works. 

Use Swagbucks for your online searches – Swagbucks allows me to earn Amazon gift cards with very little work. Swagbucks is just like using Google to do your online searches, except you get rewarded with points called SB for the things you do through their website. Then, when you have enough points called SB, you can redeem them for cash, gift cards, and more. You’ll receive a free $5 bonus just for signing up through my link!

Start a business –  Need an idea or how to go from a hobby to a business check out Christy Wright's Book Business Boutique  She is Dave Ramsey's small business guru

Proofread   All sorts of companies hire eagle-eyed proofreaders to ensure their written documents are free of errors before being seen by others. Misspellings, incorrect grammar, and similar mistakes reflect poorly on a business and can cause problems or confusion. (Imagine, for instance, an ad that promotes a product on sale for $14 rather than the intended $41—big difference!)


Become a freelance writer – A freelance writer is someone who writes for a number of different clients, such as websites, blogs, magazines, and more.  Upwork, Flexjobs and fiverr often list freelance writing jobs 

Moderate forums – Some online forums will pay you to moderate their message boards. If there is a forum you visit often, you might want to see if they are hiring. Modsquad frequently hires  of online moderators

Become a transcriptionist – Do you know what a transcription position  does?  You can do a side hustle for many companies including Rev.com.   Medical transcription is also very popular. 

Mom out thousands of dollars after internet job scam

Working in the hair salon is one of Stephanie Oliver's two jobs. A month ago, she picked up a third one.

"I found an ad on Indeed and it was for a work at home position. I already have a part-time job in the morning and a full-time job. So, I was trying to just make extra money," Oliver said.

Fake Check Scams and Work at home jobs

Oliver worked from home, inputting medical billing codes onto a website for The Good Feet Store in Texas. Or, so she thought.

"I talked to him on the phone. It seemed legit. It was Indeed, it wasn't Craigslist. I feel like it was a legit job," Oliver said.

Oliver was supposed to be paid three times by Paul Andersen, who claimed to work for The Good Feet Company.

She did receive two separate cash payments totaling $750. The last payment, a check for over $2,900, never cleared her bank account.

"I called the place, the Good Feet Store in Texas, asked for him. They said they did not know of him," Oliver said.

After paying for bills with the money she thought she had. Checks are bouncing, now she's out over $2,000.

"I'm just going to have some fun money for my kids. That's just why I did it. It's being returned and there's nothing I can do about it," Oliver said.

Andersen would not answer our calls, he blocked Oliver's number, his website has gone dark and the ad is gone.

Cherie Reese from the Better Business Bureau of Kansas City said things like this happen all the time.

"For scam artists, this is their job. They want to look as legitimate as possible. They're going to go through legitimate websites like Indeed. They'll have their own website that looks incredible," Reese said.

Beware of these common work-at-home scams

Reese said to protect yourself, you have to do your homework first. She suggests going to a company you know is real. If you have someone approaching you about working from home, say no.

Here's how to ask your manager if you can Work at Home

Here are five key things to keep in mind before you approach your manager before you ask to work remotely at at home!  

1. Be awesome at your job
If you’re awesome at your job, you can command the flexibility you want and need. Be the absolute best in whatever it is you do, and your company will bend over backwards to make accommodations for you.

You may be thinking, “but what about the 6-month probationary period before working from home” or “what will people think if I leave at 4:30 p.m. every day?” But the bottom line is this: it doesn’t matter. You’re more likely to get a “yes” from your employer if you do a killer job every day, make your boss’s life easier and be polite and friendly with everyone.

What does this look like? Anticipate your boss’s needs. Give her what she needs before she asks, heck, before she even thinks to ask for it. Solve problems. Work without needing micromanagement. Deliver and communicate the value that you are adding to your organization every single day.

2. Research
You may be doing an awesome job at work, but you still need to know what your company’s current policies are. Is there a probationary period before flexible or alternate schedules are allowed? What are the core hours?

Before you make your ask, examine whether you’re placing your boss in a bad position. For example, if you ask for telework a month before the probationary period ends, will your boss be in hot water for not granting another employee the same benefit

Talk to people in your organization who are currently on a flexible schedule. Is it formal or ad hoc? How did they arrange it? Are there any challenges in their schedule arrangement? Any minefields internally you should avoid?

Tone matters. You don’t want to come across as “I don’t care what the policy says, Sally is working from home on Mondays, and I want that, too.” What you do want to do is leverage the information you dug up for your own schedule needs.


3. Draw up a proposal
Bosses don’t like ultimatums, so put your flexible schedule request in a proposal format. Show that you have researched current policies and norms, evaluated any potential challenges, and anticipate and address any potential pain points.

For example, how will you handle time-sensitive requests from your boss if you are walking out the door at 3:30 p.m. to meet your kids at the bus stop? Maybe it’s promising to answer your phone from 3:30-5:00 p.m. with any urgent questions and will log in from 7:00-8:00 p.m. to answer any requests before the start of the next business day.

Propose a 30-day evaluation period. It’s hard for anyone to say no to anything for 30 days. Consider adding goals and metrics to your proposal and, if approved, schedule the 30-day check-in with your boss right there and then.

“You have to make a business case for what you want,” executive coach Dr. Kiban Turner, Ph.D., told me. “No business really cares about your feelings, your kids, or your elderly parents. But if you’re a great employee, they probably care a lot about you staying in your job. That’s your business case. This case will be even stronger if you have a very specialized skill - where you will be even harder to replace.”

See a Telecommuting proposal letter 

4. Be flexible
Yes, you have family commitments, but this is a J-O-B. You are getting paid to perform specific functions and services, and maybe your proposed schedule doesn’t fit into the real world.

Determine your perfect schedule, and work backwards from there. Maybe your goal is to work from home two days per week, but since no one in your organization is currently doing that, your boss says “no.” Don’t get discouraged. Ask if you can start with one day per week telecommuting, and make sure you absolutely knock it out of the park. When you reevaluate in a few months, you will be negotiating from a position of strength.

“This should be a win-win scenario,” said Andy Rosenberg, a Partner at Washington, D.C.-based government relations firm Thorn Run Partners. “In many sectors, employers who are willing to make flexibility accommodations are at a competitive advantage for talent, especially in a tight labor market like we have been experiencing the last several years.”

5. Over communicate
Keep your calendar up to date, always showing where you are and when. Before signing off for the day, tee up an email to your boss or your team that shows what you accomplished for the day, the status of pending items, and what’s on tap for tomorrow. Leverage all communication tools such as instant messenger and Slack channels to demonstrate that your flexible schedule doesn’t impact your work or your team’s ability to get their work done.

Once approved, own your flexible schedule. Flexible work is still work, never take it for granted and for goodness sake don’t abuse it. Instead, over-deliver while you are on duty and then when the clock strikes the hour of your agreed upon departure, log off with your head held high, knowing you deserve to be where you are.

Jennifer Folsom is vice president of client delivery at Washington, D.C.-based management consulting firm RIVA Solutions Inc. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband Ben and three sons, 17-year-old twins Josh and Will, and 12-year-old Anderson. Her practical guide to modern working motherhood,"The Ringmaster," will be out Jan. 7, 2020.

6 Companies Hiring Online Virtual Tutors

Thanks to modern technology, students no longer have to meet face-to-face with tutors to receive the academic support they need. Online tutoring jobs are in high demand as tech-savvy students realize they can get the same benefits of traditional tutoring, for less money, in the convenience of their own home.

Online tutors provide one-on-one learning support for students using their home computer or laptop, high-speed Internet, a webcam, and a variety of online tools to communicate and share resources.

Tutors work with students as young as kindergarten and as advanced as graduate-level university students. Online tutors also help students prepare for college entrance tests, learn English as a second language, or brush up on professional or technical skills.

To give you an idea of the types of companies that hire virtual tutors, we’ve put together a list of 16 companies that are hiring right now for online tutoring jobs.

 Companies Hiring for Online Tutoring Jobs

1. ArborBridge

ArborBridge offers online and in-person tutoring services with a mission to help students around the world connect with talented, elite tutors. ArborBridge offers a full range of tutoring programs across three categories: test preparation for SAT, ACT, GMAT, and GRE testing; preparation for high school entrance exams such as the SSAT and ISEE; and academic tutoring for kindergarten through grade 12.

Recent online tutoring jobs:

• Advanced Placement Economics Tutor
• Biology Test Preparation Tutor
• Physics Test Preparation Tutor

2. Cambridge Network

Cambridge Network is a service for international students seeking a high school education in the U.S. It connects students with high schools, helps find host families, and offers academic support to international students.

Recent remote tutoring jobs:

• Mandarin Speaking English Tutor
• Religious Studies Tutor
• Math Tutor

3. CareerFoundry

CareerFoundry is an online career development platform that specializes in providing quality, fast-track education for tech careers. The company offers bootcamp-style courses in user experience and user interface (UX/UI) design, web development, and iOS development.

Recent online tutoring jobs:

• UX Design Tutor
• Data Analysis Mentors/Tutors
• Web Development Mentors/Tutors

4. English Ninjas

English Ninjas is an e-learning company that supports students across the globe in their English-learning and speaking endeavors. The company’s fast-growing app is used by thousands of people in more than 150 countries who converse with native English-speaking tutors.

Recent online tutoring jobs:

• Online English Tutor

5. Golden Voice English – GVE

Golden Voice English is an online company that provides English as a second language programs to students in China. Based in Toronto, Canada, Golden Voice English strives to make English learning enjoyable, give students confidence to speak English, and provide high-quality online tutoring services.

Recent remote tutoring jobs:

• Online English as a Second Language Tutor
• Online ESL Tutor/Teacher

6. InGenius Prep

InGenius Prep is an e-learning educational institution that helps students get accepted to the school of their dreams. The platform helps its users with a variety of specific admissions, including college and medical, law, business, and graduate schools.

Recent online tutoring jobs:

• Graduate Coach
• Chinese Graduate Coach

7.  CourseHero 

Course Hero was founded in 2007 and is an online learning website where students can access study resources. Students can search by their specific school to find study guides, videos, practice problems, class notes, and step-by-step explanations.

Using the website, students connect with Course Hero tutors on a wide range of subjects and classes, which makes this a great online work from home job for people with different educational backgrounds and experience.

What might surprise you to learn is that you don’t have to be a certified tutor, a professor, or a teacher in order to become a Course Hero tutor.

However, you will need to share information that proves you have expertise in the subjects you would like to help students with.

Tutors earn an average of $3 for each question they answer on Course Hero. Earning between $12-$20 per hour, Course Hero tutors earn an average of $300 a week.

Here’s how this online tutoring job work:

When you are available to answer questions, you do so on the Course Hero website.

You get paid.

8, StudyPool 

Studypool is an online tutoring site to consider, and it's growing in popularity with as many as 10,000 student questions posted per day.

You can sign up as an online tutor for Studypool and get paid to answer homework and other academic questions from students.

Anyone can be a Studypool tutor, but you’ll need to submit an application and pass the thorough vetting process. It takes a bit of effort but it’s worthwhile if you’re serious about earning good money.

Your Studypool earnings will vary according to how much work you’re willing to do.

Basically, you browse the available questions until you find one you think you can answer. Then, you bid whatever you think it's worth. If you win the bid, you'll receive the agreed upon amount after the question has been answered satisfactorily.

9.  GoStudent 

GoStudent provides you with everything you need to teach online. We find you your students and you manage your lessons through our platform. GoStudent takes away the hassle of being self-employed.