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9 Income Side-Hustles That Feel Illegal to Know (But Aren’t)

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1. Ask this company to get a big chunk of your debt forgiven

Trying to stay on top of your debt can be overwhelming. Wouldn’t it be nice if someone could just… get you out of debt?

A company called National Debt Relief could convince your lenders to simply get rid of a big chunk of what you owe. No bankruptcy, no loans — you don’t even need to have good credit.

If you owe at least $15,000 in unsecured debt (credit card debt, personal loans, medical bills, etc.), National Debt Relief’s experts will build you a monthly payment plan. As your payments add up, they negotiate with your creditors to reduce the amount you owe. You then pay off the rest in a lump sum.

On average, you could become debt-free within 12 to 48 months. 

National Debt Relief has already helped more than 500,000 people pay off over $5 billion in debt. 

It takes less than a minute to sign up and see how much debt you could get rid of.

You will need to go through a short assessment with one of their experts, so be prepared for a short call once you have signed up. Yes, it’s for your own good, so make sure to pick up!

2. Win Real Cash Playing a Game That’s Blowing Up on iPhones

Sounds a little crazy, right? But yes — there’s actually a game that pays you real money just for playing on your phone. It’s called Solitaire Cash, and top players are earning up to $396 per win.

You’re not going to quit your job, but if you’re already on your phone in your downtime, why not turn that time into actual cash? Instead of playing games that don’t pay a dime, this one gives you a chance to win real money — no gimmicks.

It’s a fun way to kill time and maybe line your wallet a bit while you’re at it. Give it a shot.

Download Solitaire Cash here (it’s free)

3. Cancel Your Car Insurance

You might not even realize it, but your car insurance company is probably overcharging you. In fact, they’re kind of counting on you not noticing. Luckily, this problem is easy to fix. 

Don’t waste your time browsing insurance sites for a better deal. A company called Coverage.com shows you all your options at once — people who do this save up to $1,025 per year.

If you tell them a bit about yourself and your vehicle, they’ll send you personalized quotes so you can compare them and find the best one for you.

No phone calls. No spam. Just happy customers

Tired of overpaying for car insurance? It takes just two minutes to compare your options with Coverage and see how much you could save on car insurance.

4. Avoid interest payments until 2026

If you’re carrying a balance or planning a big purchase, choosing the right credit card could help you avoid interest into 2026 — and even earn cash back while you’re at it.

Our editors at DollarPerks have reviewed dozens of options and found the top-rated cashback credit cards for 2025. Many of them offer:

0% intro APR for up to 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (APR then varies)

No annual fees

Generous cash back rewards on everyday purchases like groceries, gas, dining, and more

Flexible redemption options and wide merchant acceptance

Whether you’re trying to pay off high-interest debt, make a big purchase without added fees, or just get rewarded for spending, these cards are some of the smartest money moves you can make right now.

Tap here to see the top cashback credit card picks for 2025

5. Earn Up To $396 Playing Bingo On Your Phone

Sound crazy? Sorta. Legit money? Definitely. Worth your time? 100%. At least … if you like playing games and like making money in your free time. While it might sound pretty weird, Bingo Cash is a real way to earn money from your phone.

No, you won’t always win a ton of money. But you do have a chance to win real cash every time you play. If you’re looking for a way to earn a little extra cash on the side in your free time, this is the app for you. Instead of wasting your time scrolling or playing games that don’t pay, download Bingo Cash and you could start earning money right away.

To get started: download the app here (it’s free). Then compete against other bingo players at the same skill level as you. If you win, you earn money. There’s also no ads to interrupt you, and you can even cash out directly using PayPal, Apple Pay, or direct to your bank account. Seriously, stop mindlessly scrolling and start earning.

Get paid to play Bingo

6. Overpaying when you shop online

You might be surprised how often you’re overpaying on Amazon and elsewhere.
Big stores like Amazon know that no one has time to price shop through dozens of sites, so there’s often no incentive for them to offer bargain prices.

I typically hate browser extensions with a fiery passion, but if you don’t have Capital One Shopping added yet, do yourself a favor and grab it while it is still free.

When you shop online (on Amazon or elsewhere) it will:

  • Auto-apply coupon codes to potentially help save you money
  • Compare prices from other sellers to help make sure you’re not missing out on a better deal

Whenever the extension finds an available discount, you’ll see a little savings alert pop-up.

Here’s a link to get Capital One

7. Ask this company to spot you up to $100,000

Need to pay down high-interest debt, handle a major expense, or just create some breathing room? You could be eligible for a personal loan of up to $100,000 — and checking takes just a few minutes.

Our partners at Amone connect borrowers with a wide network of trusted lenders to help match you with the best available options based on your credit profile. There’s no fee to check, no impact to your credit score, and if approved, funds could be in your account in as little as 48 hours.

If your credit score is 680+ it’s a fast and easy way to see what you qualify for — and it could make a real difference in your financial picture.

Tap here to check your offers — it’s fast, free, and doesn’t affect your credit

8. This Secret Account Offers Up to $300 When You Set Up Direct Deposit

If you’re still banking with a traditional institution, chances are your savings are barely moving — earning something like 0.40% APY (which is next to nothing).

SoFi Checking and Savings (member FDIC) is changing the game, offering up to 3.80% APY on savings when you set up direct deposit or deposit $5,000+ in qualifying funds. Even checking balances earn 0.50% APY — that’s nearly 9x the national average on savings.

Set up a qualifying direct deposit of just $1,000 to unlock cash bonuses (terms apply).

With no account, monthly, or overdraft fees, mobile check deposits, easy transfers, and up to $3 million in FDIC insurance through the SoFi Insured Deposit Program, it’s one of the most feature-rich accounts out there.

Opening an account is fast, simple — and one of the smartest ways to help your money grow.

9. One Car Breakdown Could Cost You Thousands

Auto repairs are skyrocketing – and without coverage, a single fix could drain your savings.

Endurance has already paid out over $350 million to help drivers avoid financial disaster, covering cars up to 20 years old.

New customers can now save even more — get $300 off your first contract when you lock in protection today.

Don’t wait until you’re stuck on the side of the road.

Get your free quote

10. Tapping into your home’s equity

If you’re looking to cover a large expense like paying off credit card debt or funding a home improvement project, using your home equity might be a smart move.

However, with interest rates higher than they used to be, a cash-out refinance or traditional home equity loan might not make the most financial sense.

That’s where a home equity line of credit (HELOC) comes in. It works more like a credit card — giving you access to funds when you need them and letting you pay back only what you use, typically with lower payments during the initial draw period.

With LendingTree’s easy-to-use HELOC matching tool, you can answer a few quick questions and get matched with personalized offers from trusted lenders — all in one place. It’s a fast, simple way to see what options are available to you.

Check out LendingTree’s HELOC Matching Tool

11. Don’t let home repairs drain your bank account

Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more. Not being able to make repairs could leave you in a bad situation — but a home warranty could protect you against surprise expenses.4

Whether you’re a brand-new homeowner or you’ve owned your home for years, a plan from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where homeowner’s insurance falls short.

If a covered system in your home breaks down, you can call their hotline 24/7 for assistance to get it repaired. They have a network of over 15,000 technicians that can assist you, making sure any issue can be taken care of swiftly — without breaking the bank.

Not sure if it’s for you? Rest easy: they were named one of the “Best Home Warranty Companies” by US News 360 Reviews and were awarded Best Company’s 2020 Consumer’s Choice Award. For a limited time, you can get your first month free when you sign up for a Single Payment home warranty plan.

Get a free quote

Advertiser Disclosure

Companies mentioned in this article have not been reviewed, approved or endorsed by included advertisers. Opinions are ours alone.

 


*Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 46% before fees, or 25% including our fees, over 24 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period of time. We do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Depending on your state, we may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating.” 

Important Disclosures: This website does not constitute an offer or solicitation to lend. The operator of this website is NOT A LENDER, does not make loan or credit decisions, and does not broker loans. The operator of this website is not an agent or representative of any lender. We are a lead generator. This website’s aim is to provide lenders with information about prospective consumer borrowers. We are compensated by lenders for this service.

Information about loans: Not all lenders can provide loan amounts up to the maximum amount that is advertised. The maximum amount you may borrow from any lender is determined by the lender based on its own policies, which can vary, and on your creditworthiness. The time to receive loan proceeds varies among lenders, and in some circumstances faxing of loan request form materials and other documents may be required. Submitting your information online does not guarantee that you will be approved for a loan.

Every lender has its own terms and conditions and renewal policy, which may differ from lender to lender. You should review your lender’s terms and renewal policy before signing the loan agreement. Late payments of loans may result in additional fees or collection activities, or both.

By using this website or services, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years old, that you are a resident of the United States, and that you are not a resident of any state where the loan you are applying for is illegal.