As a student there are plenty of tried and tested ways to get your hands on some extra cash. But what to do when those resources (one of which is probably your parents) have been bled dry? Extracting some value out of “the system” so you can afford another night out or the weekly shop is not easy, but it is possible.
Thanks to the ever-generous resource that is the internet, you can now unlock a wealth of hidden value with a few clicks of your mouse. In this article we’ve outlined five of the best resources in the online world.
Top Free Money Resources on the Internet
Freebiesiteuk.co.uk
Recommended by the Telegraph and a great place to find everything from samples of alcoholic beverages and computer games to days out and restaurant vouchers, this site has virtually everything and anything. In contrast to other freebie sites, this one allows users to rate the deals and provides regular updates on the latest online and offline deals. If there’s one drawback, then it would be that many of the offers require a Facebook account and for you to like / share your information with the provider.
Bingo Bonuses
It might be a game you would normally associate with your Nan, but bingo is now one of the hottest games in the online world. Far from the dingy bingo halls that span the UK, online sites such as Titanbet Bingo are glitzy virtual platforms filled with cheap games and, importantly, free cash. Although you have to speculate (a little) to accumulate, there is more than a handful of ways you can make some free cash playing online bingo.
By far the most efficient way is to claim a welcome bonus. The way these deals work is simple. You set up an account, make a deposit, stake £10 on a game and you will get £30 free. This money can be used to play bingo and once you have wagered enough it can be withdrawn – “bingo”.
Cashback Sites
Most of you will already know about cashback sites such as Quidco or TopCashBack, however, if you are a little savvier, you will take the advice of Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis. The financial wizard and his team have created the Cashback Maximiser. Instead of giving you a list of pre-arranged deals, this tool allows you to search for the top offers based on your own preferences. Like a Compare the Market tool for cashback sites, this aggregator allows you to make the most money possible from online cashback providers.
Cashback Credit Cards
Although we would not recommend using a credit card as your first payment method, we would suggest you get a cashback card if you are planning on using the bank’s good graces to pay for things. Some of the best deals allow you to get an introductory cashback rate of up to 5% for a certain period and then 3% for the duration of the card’s life. One of the main things to look out for is the valid services. Most cashback credit cards only give cashback on fuel and shopping, so if you are not going to use it for these expenses then do not get one. Additionally, you should also be aware of interest rates and if you cannot make monthly repayments it is a good idea to look for alternative payment methods.
Survey Sites
Everyone has got an opinion and thanks to social media services such as Facebook and Twitter, people are now more willing than ever to air their thoughts. Unfortunately, when you strike up a debate on Facebook or Twitter you do not make any money for it, but there are places to earn some cash for giving you opinions. Online survey sites are not a new phenomenon, but thanks to the explosion of bargain hunters online the number of sites has now grown to epic proportions. If you sign up to as many as possible and race through the surveys as quickly as possible, you can make close to £1,000 a year for free.
The internet is a great place to make a bundle of free cash if you know where to look. Whether it’s a bingo bonus or a cashback deal, the online economy is filled with offers. Our list of five hidden (or not so hidden) gems should give you a good start but do not let that be the end of your search because there are plenty of additional ways to boost your bank account without risking your own finances.
