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49 Clever Ways to Pay Off Your Credit Card Debt

In November 2023, according to Bankrate39 percent of U.S. adults said they’d carried their credit card balance for over 2 years. And over a third carry a credit card balance month to month.

So there’s no need to feel alone. Especially as we’re here to help with a broad range of viable options to make money, save money, borrow money, and get deals that could get you back into the black faster than you might think.

All the companies on this page are trusted, with high star-ratings and strong reputations. And all the money-making ideas here are actionable right from the page.

And there’s a very broad range.

Add $500 to Your Wallet Just For Taking Surveys and Playing Games

Everything’s a matter of taste, but free cash apps are always tasty – if they work.

KashKick will pay you for trying new apps.

Up to $500 in your first month is possible.

Cash for kicking back includes:

  • Trying advertised games
  • Financial services
  • Subscription services
  • Completing surveys and more

Just lie back in bed, put a pillow behind your head, and start earning.

(Erm… should we rephrase that?)

Either way, cashout comes at only $10.

Payout in cash via PayPal.

It also comes with a 3.9 Star-rating based on 4.74K reviews and over 100K downloads on Google Play.

Check out KashKick here.

Mature man on sloping lawn beside driveway kicks a garden gnome beyond his property.
It all depends how you get your kicks really.

Can You Really Tap Into Big Money This Easily? Erm, Yep

If you need cash — let’s say a lot of cash — the thought of taking out a traditional loan with a high interest rate is daunting (to say the least).

If you own a home, there is another option.

Hometap will give you a lump sum of money in exchange for a share of your home’s future value.

It’s called home equity investment. Unlike the similarly sounding home equity loan, you don’t have to make monthly payments.

Wait! What?

Yes, it isn’t a loan. Hometap invests in your home’s value, so that when you sell your home down the line, it takes a share of those proceeds. Here’s how it works:

  1. Request an investment (up to 25% of your home’s value or $600,000 max)
  2. If Hometap agrees it will send you the money (deducting 3% closing fees)
  3. That big ticket cashout is all yours to use in any way you wish
  4. When you sell your home, Hometap gets an agreed percentage of your home’s value
  5. If the value of your home goes down, Hometap as an investor will share in the depreciation

If you need cash and own your home, this is definitely something to consider, because you won’t be taking on debt.

Check out Hometap here.

Is There Really a 3-Step Solution to Serious Debt? Or What?

Impact Debt Relief (IDR) brings personalized service to a new level.

Meaning most clients can expect to be debt-free in 24-48 months – after 3 steps:

  1. No obligation online form or phone call for a personalized assessment.
  2. IDR professionals negotiate with your creditors on your behalf.
  3. The best debt relief program is chosen for your specific situation.

And fees typically depend on the success of negotiations on your behalf.

Personalized focus means a tailored solution for your needs—designed for speed and satisfaction—and with a view to a debt solution that is less than what you owe.

Check out Impact Debt Relief.

Is There Really an Easy Way to Rocket Your Finances Upwards?

Being FREE is a great start for a financial app offering budgeting features designed to budge your finances into the black, before helping send them skyward.

Rocket Money helps you:

• Monitor your income and spending
• Set savings goals
• Identify ways to trim your budget
• Sync to your bank accounts

You can ease your way in free and possibly stay there; or opt for the Premium version at between $4-$12 per month. And even that comes with a 7-day free trial.

Premium features include:

• Custom budget categories
• Automated savings
• Credit report and net worth tracking

Heavily reviewed as easy to use, it also has notifications on tap (as you choose), clever savings goals that are simple, and a bill negotiation service on both free and Premium platforms!

Rocket Money boasts an Excellent! rating on Trustpilot based on over 4K reviews.

Check out Rocket Money here.

Real Investment Advice With Local Options? Hmm…

Investing and looking for the right financial advisor is not easy.

With so many factors to consider it can be hard to know where to start.

WiserAdvisor offers to take the guesswork out of the equation.

Here’s how it works:

  • Provide some basic information about yourself and your investment goals.
  • Create your profile, and WiserAdvisor will match you with up to three top-rated advisors in your area.
  • All advisors on the platform are FINRA and SEC-registered.
  • Your initial consultation is FREE.

This enables you to:

  • Feel confident you are receiving quality advice.
  • Decide if an advisor is the right for you with no pressure or obligation.
Check out WiserAdvisor here.

Your Real (Estate) Investment Solution? Let’s Check…

Real estate investments can provide a consistent source of income at a much faster rate than stocks and bonds. With Fundrise, you can enter this lucrative market without buying properties or becoming a landlord.

Fundrise enables you to join Fundrise-directed plans across real estate, venture capital and private credit, or to build a custom plan through Fundrise Pro, which allows you to:

• Control and shape your portfolio exactly as you wish
• Pick the exact allocation across any number of available funds
• Update your plan as your financial goals change
• Switch easily between custom and Fundrise-directed plans

So you choose your own level of day-to-day management, while online access to your investments couldn’t be simpler either way.

And Fundrise accepts clients regardless of annual income or net worth, with starter investments as low as $10 for general investing and $10/month for Fundrise Pro membership.

According to Business Insider: “Fundrise is among the best real estate investing apps for beginners and non-accredited investors…” and it enjoys an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Check out Fundrise here.

This is a testimonial in partnership with Fundrise. We earn a commission from partner links on The Money Manual. All opinions are our own.

Spin Your Wheels in Paydirt and Benefits to Drive Income?

Here is a household name that remains a remarkable option for earning cash fast.

As anUber Eats driver you can:

  • Set your own hours
  • View your earnings easily
  • Get paid quickly (and keep ALL your tips)
  • Earn Uber Pro rewards, including:
    • Cash rewards
    • Discounts on gas and car maintenance
    • Cash back on gas and EV charging with the Uber Pro Card
    • 12-months free Costco Gold Star membership
    • 100% tuition coverage toward a degree
    • 100% tuition coverage learning a language with Rosetta Stone

Of course, we won’t say anything corny like Uber Eats delivers! (But it kinda does.)

Give Uber Eats a spin here.

Woman driver is mock frightened by an mock irate male passenger who grabs the wheel.
Take control of your driving, your finances, and lose the idiot.


Can You Really Become Debt Free Fast and Securely?

Turn your debt of $10,000 or higher into 1 low monthly program payment.

Financial stability often achieved in 24-48 months.

Multiple credit card bills? Collections? Personal loans?

Debt’s no sweat for National Debt Relief and their clients.

Their Whole Human Finance™ approach helps you tackle your debt for less than you owe.

Get started with a FREE consultation.

No obligation and NO FEES until debts are settled.

No credit score requirement.

And it comes with an “Excellent” 4.7 Star-rating based on 40,106 reviews on Trustpilot.

So why settle for anything less?

Check out National Debt Relief here.

 

Man in tuxedo and covered in party paraphernalia against mustard yellow background yells in joy into cell phone while holding a credit card in his other hand.
Debt-free is the goal, but check all options before throwing that party.

Don’t Sweat Debt, Shed It – Stress-Free

For a big ticket item like debt consolidation it helps to find a company that has an “Excellent4.3 Star-rating on Trustpilot.

Like AmONE.

AmONE brings the top lenders to you, so you can quickly decide who fits your needs best. They also have U.S. based specialists to walk you through the debt consolidation process in basic steps:

  • Turn several high interest payments into one easy payment.
  • Forget all those “due dates” that cause stress and irritate.
  • Pay your debt faster at a single, lower interest rate.

And they answer specific questions you need to raise. Strict confidentially is another reason so many people like them.

Not only that, they give you all the pros and cons and make sure you’re making the best choice for YOU.

Debt? No sweat.

Check out AmONE here.

Raisin Savings? Is This the Ultimate One-Stop Shop Solution?

Most people still have the savings account that they opened when they first started earning.

But when it comes to saving money, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

That’s where Raisin steps in.

Offering a curated selection from various U.S. banks and other financial institutions, you can:

  • shop around
  • compare rates and terms
  • create your own bundle of saving products

With Raisin, you can apply for multiple accounts using a single enrollment (charging no fees).

Then manage them all in one place.

Each month, you’ll receive a single statement showing balances and interest earned across all your savings accounts.

Savings products include:

  • High-yield savings accounts
  • High-yield money market deposit accounts
  • Fixed-term certificates of deposit
  • No penalty certificates of deposit

You are unique and so are your savings goals, so get to raisin some savin. (Sorry.)

Check out Raisin here.

Can Free Time Really Become Up To $1,000 per Month?

Want to earn up to $1,000 this month? Some claim that can happen here. Others offer a more conservative but consistent $100 per month.

We do know that Freecash has paid out over $45 million to users since 2019.

Apart from earning pay for surveys, you can grab free cash by:

  • Playing games
  • Completing tasks
  • Choose your fun and…

  • Reach Level 2 for fast cashout
  • After earning only $2 (2,000 points).

And you’ve started the Ka-Ching! thing.

Cashout in cash via PayPal or convert into gift cards from Visa, Amazon and more.

Is It Legit?

Yes! Freecash has a 4.2 Star-rating on Google Play based on 69.4K reviews and has 5M+ downloads.

Check out Freecash here.

 

Smiling older man in winter clothes and scarf stands in a city square smiling a holding a "Free Hugs" sign.
Ok, free cash online is real. But free hugs? It’s still this guy.

Snap Your Receipts and Earn Cash for Shopping?

16 million selfies are enough. Please stop!

Start snapping receipts and raking in Swagbucks instead.

Swagbucks new Magic Receipts feature lets you:

  • Turn receipts into cash
  • Choose from hundreds of grocery stores
  • Opt for a wide variety of shopping categories
  • Simply snap a photo and send

And grab a $10 bonus at sign up.

Users are earning $100-$200 each month for 10-25 minutes a day:

  • Snapping their receipts
  • Signing up for apps
  • Choosing gig economy offers like Uber Eats

Fast cashout at only $3 (300 points).

Cashout has paid out over $550 million.

Top Tip! Focus on high-paying tasks and take advantage of shopping rewards.

Then exchange points for cash via PayPal or gift cards from Amazon, Starbucks, Hulu and more.

Check out Swagbucks here.

A Door of Earning Opportunity Not to Dash Past?

Looking for an easy-going side gig with steady pay and flexibility?

DoorDash is a door you shouldn’t dash past.

As you may know, it’s an on-demand delivery service that contracts people to deliver orders right to a customer’s doorsteps.

Deliver food as a “Dasher” via car, bike, scooter or motorcycle on your own time and drive your own job while earning fast.

You’ll get your money direct deposited into your bank account every week and can track your earnings through the app.

Unlike services like Uber or Lyft, which limit you to only working in the state in which your vehicle is registered, you can make deliveries anywhere DoorDash is available.

So no matter where you go, if you’re in need of some extra spending money, you can just pull out your phone, open the app and start taking orders.

And you could be making money within a week of applying.

Check out DoorDash here.

Is This the Veritas of Non-Volatile Investing?

Investing is crucial if you want a well-rounded financial plan.

And while most people think of stocks as the holy grail of assets, there are others that are far less volatile and just as, if not more, profitable.

Fine wine is one of them.

Previously limited to exclusive auctions for select audiences, the Vinovest app enables everyone to diversify their investments with high-appreciating wine.

With an average annual return of 10.6% even during economic downturns, fine wine is a market that has consistently outperformed global equities over the last 30 years.

Vinovest uses AI technology and expert analysis to create a personalized portfolio of proven, high-appreciating wines tailored to your investment goals.

You maintain full ownership and control over your wines and they take care of all the insurance and storage details, so you can focus on enjoying the ride.

(Or a bottle or two from your portfolio, if you’d like.)

With a minimum investment of just $1,000, there’s never been a more accessible or exciting time to get in on the fine wine investment game.

Particularly for anybody with a cheeky little personality.

Check out Vinovest here.

Get a $4,700 Credit Limit Boost – For FREE

Ready to give your credit score a jump? Dovly AI can help you boost your score by an average of 31 points and unlock up to $4,700 in extra credit – all without spending a dime.

Dovly AI works 24/7 to monitor, (re)build, and protect your credit–helping you build a strong financial future. Here’s why you should check ‘em out:

  • Score boost: Members see an average increase of 31 points.
  • Higher limits: Unlock an extra $4,700 in credit.
  • Completely free: No credit card needed.
  • 5-star reviews: Over 30,000 people love it.
  • Fast and easy: Sign up in 2 minutes without affecting your credit score.
Check out Dovly AI here.

Is the Perpay Deal Hard to Credit? Let’s Look…

If you’re looking to build your credit, Perpay may be just the thing for you.

It enables you to use your everyday purchases to help improve your credit score. Simple.

Members receive a personalized spending limit that they can use at Perpay’s online market place, which has more than 1,000 brands.

When you make a purchase and set up your payments, a small payment for your order will automatically be deducted from your paycheck until you’ve paid it off.

Each on-time payment will help build your credit history.

In as little as four months, you could see your credit score increase by an average of 36 points.

The best part?

There is no credit check required to apply for a Perpay account. This could be the credit boost you’ve been looking for.

Quite the boost really.

Check out Perpay here.

Struggling to Stick to Your Budget? Say Hello, Cleo

Crying “Mayday!” until payday? Cleo can help.

You can get up to $250* with:
• no credit checks
• no W2 forms
• no interest

Cleo promotes itself as an AI Money Pro focused on budgeting and saving. And it’s backed up with a 4.4/5 Star-rating on Google Play, based on over 70,000 reviews and 1 million downloads.

Talk to Cleo about your income, bills and other expenses and she’ll analyze that info to create a personalized budget for you.

So if you want to reach your financial goals and have fun doing it, this could be the start of a beautiful friendship.

Budget better with Cleo

*Subject to eligibility. Amounts range from $20-$250, and $20-$100 for first-time users. Amounts subject to change. Same day transfers subject to express fees. You may also apply for a cash advance without subscribing by contacting team@meetcleo.com.

Good Karma for Your Credit? Let’s Check It

Checking it is the key phrase here, no matter how you feel about karma.

Free signup with no credit card info is your starting point to Credit Karma 24/7 free access to your credit scores, reports and much more, including:

  • Updates and ways to focus your financial future
  • Credit card, loan and insurance offers tailored to you
    • In many cases, view your approval odds before applying
  • Product approval comes with a small commission—WIN-WIN

In the wildly competitive financial space, it’s not easy to really know which offer is best for you. Credit Karma shuts down the noise to focus on your best financial offers.

Credit Karma covers a broad range of financial needs, such as:

  • Credit cards and loans
  • Paying down debt
  • Asset tracking and financial growth
  • Checking and savings
  • Auto insurance
  • Tax
  • And more

And it comes with a 4.7 Star-rating based on 2.87 million reviews and over 10M downloads on Google Play.

Could be a WIN-WIN…

Check out Credit Karma here.

Young woman with turquoise hair stands in a forest looking at a modern art installation showing colorful, giant eyes on trees.
Conjure up your own karma. (Or do it the easy way.)

Credit Card Careers

The options we offer tend not to require additional qualifications or certificates. The Money Manual is all about keeping things simple and finding trusted companies with high star-ratings and strong reputations to work with.

However, some side jobs out there may require certifications or additional skills. These options can also be focused on to help move up in your current position and should be considered, depending on your situation and personal needs.

For the offers above, consider your needs and the things you like. If it’s games and surveys, for example, consider downloading multiple free apps and keeping an eye out for new deals and offers that pay out the most. Combining these types of apps can be more rewarding as well as more lucrative and can help you save money by losing subscriptions used for down-time.

That’s right – you can make money where you used to spend money. Think about it. So let’s round out with some tips on saving money to complement your new means of making money.

Save Money to Make Money

The smart way to start saving money simply is to set a budget.

This helps you track your income and expenses, ensuring you spend within your means. By identifying unnecessary expenses, you can cut back and allocate more funds to your savings.

Another important method is to set specific financial goals. Whether it’s saving for an emergency fund, a vacation, or a big purchase, having clear objectives can motivate you to save consistently.

Automating your savings can also make a big difference. By setting up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account, you ensure that a portion of your income is saved without you having to think about it.

Additionally, taking advantage of high-yield savings accounts or other interest-bearing accounts can help your money grow over time.

Lastly, minimizing debt is crucial. Paying off high-interest debts quickly and avoiding new debt can free up more money to save and invest.

Saving in a Nutshell

  • Set a budget: Track your income and expenses, then cut back.
  • Don’t sacrifice: Find the best free ways to make money during downtime.
  • Define financial goals: Establish specific savings targets.
  • Automate savings: Set up automatic transfers.
  • Use high-yield savings accounts: Shop around for great deals.
  • Minimize debt: Pay off high-interest debts first and avoid new debt.

A penny saved is a penny earned. Now let’s focus on beating that credit card debt!