10 Weird Ways to Boost Your Bottom Line

The truth is, you’ll never get rich by following the rules and doing the same old boring thing.

Have you tried all the typical ways to make more money, but you’re still not seeing the gains you want? That means it’s time to shake things up and try something different. Forget the conventional strategies. It’s time to get creative and color outside the lines.

You need to get weird — smart, but weird. You need to use your phone to make money, not just check your voicemail. You need to let your insurance company know who’s boss.

Now’s the time to change up your financial game plan. Not all these tips may work for you, but some of them will, so make sure to read them all. What have you got to lose?

1. Have this company pay off your credit card debt

Worrying about debt is probably the worst way you can spend your time, and paying interest and late fees is the worst way you can spend your money.

If you’ve got a problem, the sooner you deal with it, the better.

National Debt Relief is one of the most respected providers of debt relief in the U.S.

They’ve helped more than 500,000 people, are A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau and also are top-rated by Top Consumer Reviews, Top Ten Reviews, ConsumersAdvocate.org and ConsumerAffairs.

You simply fill out a form on the company website, then a debt coach will call you to learn more about your situation. If they can help you, they’ll set you up with an affordable plan that works for you — and give you an estimate of when you can expect to be debt-free. There’s no upfront fee and no obligation to get started.

National Debt Relief can help you with almost any unsecured debt, like credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, repossessions … even some student loan debt. Ready to start a new, happier chapter of your life? Don’t wait another minute. Check them out right now.

2. Get a second set of expert eyes

To properly manage your money, work with a professional — it’s totally worth it. If you’re not doing this, you could be missing out on some serious financial gains.

A Vanguard study found that, on average, a hypothetical $500,000 investment over 25 years would grow to $1.7 million if you manage it yourself, but more than $3.4 million if you work with a financial advisor. That’s twice as much!

If you’ve got at least $100,000 in investments, check out a free service called SmartAsset. You fill out a short questionnaire and instantly get matched with up to three vetted financial advisors in your area, all legally bound to work in your best interests.

Even if you don’t want help picking investments, an advisor can help lower your tax burden, create a comprehensive financial plan, maximize your Social Security, help with estate planning and making sure you’re on the right track. They can also be there in case one day, you’re not.

Using SmartAsset only takes a few minutes, and in many cases you’ll be offered a free consultation.

Nothing to lose and lots to potentially gain. Take a minute and check it out right now!

Please carefully review the methodologies employed in the Vanguard white paper, “Putting a value on your value: Quantifying Vanguard Advisor’s Alpha.”

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

Home repairs aren’t cheap. Whether it’s a leaky roof or a broken appliance, your castle can quickly crumble and cost you hundreds, or even thousands.

Unless, that is, a home warranty company has your back. Example? First American will protect you from giant bills by covering everything from home appliances to electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling systems — even pools and spa equipment.

They also allow you to customize your plan, so you only pay for what you need.

When something goes wrong, just call First American, day or night. The company has a network of prescreened technicians and typically dispatches an independent contractor within 48 hours.

Hey, if you’re handy and like to repair stuff yourself, that’s obviously the cheapest route. But if that’s not you, a penny spent now could save you big bucks later.

Get your free quote in 30 seconds.

4. Don’t pay to fix your car

The cost of car repairs is skyrocketing. One shop told Consumer Reports that a decade ago, their average repair was $1,600. These days, the average bill is $4,000.

If you’re concerned about coming up with thousands of dollars for a repair bill, protect your investment with a CarShield auto warranty.

CarShield provides extended warranty plans of up to 24 months, and allows you to choose from at least six different plans, so you’ll only pay for the coverage you need. They cover cars up to 20 years old and offer flexible month-to-month plans so you’re not locked in for years.

CarShield has a network of thousands of ASE-certified repair shops, and they pay the repair bill. All you cover is the deductible. All their warranties include 24/7 roadside assistance and rental car benefits while your vehicle is being repaired.

ConsumerAffairs calls CarShield “a solid choice” for drivers of any age, and “particularly appealing” for those with older vehicles.

Take a minute right now and get a quote.

5. Invest in real estate for $10

Real estate has long been a path to wealth. But you need to be wealthy to get started, right?

Wrong. For as little as $10, Fundrise can get you started. Fundrise lets you buy into real estate properties the same way stocks let you buy into companies.

In effect, you’re a landlord without having to run background checks or serve eviction notices. While not a guarantee of future results, Fundrise investors have earned an average of 25% within three years; if they held on for five years, the increase was more than 50%.

People are always going to need a place to live — and recent rent jumps make real estate investing more profitable. Rent prices went up almost 17% in 2021, according to data from Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies.

Take two minutes and check it out.

Note: This is a testimonial in partnership with Fundrise. We earn a commission from partner links on moneytalksnews.com. All opinions are our own.

6. Don’t pay retail, save 10% to 30% on everything you buy

With the kind of inflation we’ve all seen over the past two years, everything is more expensive now. You’ve noticed this, right?

Let’s face it, shopping online is more convenient than going to a store. Plus, you’re more likely to find a deal, promotion or coupon code and quickly cross-reference prices at several different retailers to save money.

Want to make that process even easier? Try Capital One Shopping. This handy-dandy tool alerts you when a deal on an item you’re buying is available. Talk about effortless. All you have to do is add it as a browser extension, and it’ll search the internet for coupon codes to apply during checkout.

That’s not all. It also compares prices across the internet so you know if an item you’re purchasing is cheaper elsewhere. It’s free, and you don’t need to be a Capital One customer to use it. It’s just a friendly tool trying to save you money online. Find better bargains now.

7. Use this secret source for discounts

Are you over 18? Then you’re eligible to save hundreds of dollars every year simply by joining AARP.

“What?” You say, “I thought AARP was for retired people.”

As it turns out, you don’t have to be 50 or older to join AARP. And members get discounts on hundreds of things, like:

• Up to $200 per person off flights
• Up to 30% off rental cars
• Up to 15% off restaurants
• Up to 20% off hotels

You’ll also save on eyeglasses, prescriptions, meal deliveries and lots more. And that’s not all. AARP offers a Fraud Watch Network, job listings, retirement planning tools, games, and tons of information, programs and resources.

Anyone trying to save money can’t afford not to join AARP, especially since the cost is as low as $12 per year with auto-renewal. You’ll likely recoup the cost in the first week.

8. Save up to $610 on car insurance

If you’re like most Americans, you’re probably paying too much for car insurance. But shopping around for a better deal is such a hassle.

Well, it used to be.

Now you can just check out Provide Insurance, the largest online marketplace for insurance in the U.S. Provide Insurance lets you compare quotes from more than 175 different carriers in minutes.

All you have to do is answer a few questions about yourself and your driving history. Then Provide will show you the best options for your needs and budget.

You could save up to $610 a year on car insurance by using Provide Insurance. That’s money you could use for other things, like investing, saving or paying off debt.

Don’t let your current insurer overcharge you. Try Provide Insurance today and see how much you can save on car insurance.

9. Slash your interest bill by $500 (or more)

One way to slash that sky-high credit card interest you’re paying is to get a lower-interest personal loan and use the proceeds to pay off all your debt in one fell swoop.

And finding one couldn’t be easier.

Whether you’re consolidating high-interest debt, financing your next home renovation project or covering unexpected expenses, NerdWallet's loan marketplace makes finding the right loan quick and easy.

It only takes a few minutes to apply — without affecting your credit score — and if approved, you’ll have money in your account in no time.

NerdWallet has rated and reviewed loans from more than 35 financial institutions, with loan amounts ranging from $2,000 to $100,000 and APRs as low as 5.99%.

Their marketplace also offers a range of helpful resources and tools, so you’ll feel confident and informed throughout the process. It’s never been this easy to find and compare personal loans.

10. Make money on your phone

Whenever you’re killing time on your phone, you could be making money from these companies:

Blackout Bingo for iPhone puts a competitive spin on the classic game and pays real cash prizes. Put your concentration and strategy to the test in big tournaments and head-to-head matchups.

Branded Surveys has a user-friendly platform that allows you to complete surveys on any device. You’ll earn points for each survey completed, and points can be redeemed for gift cards, PayPal cash or sweepstakes entries.

Survey Junkie partners with market research companies to listen to your honest opinions and learn how you spend your time and money. You can earn as much as $40 monthly if you complete three surveys daily.

KashKick is a rewards platform that will pay you for completing specific tasks like trying a new app or game, taking surveys or watching videos. Survey payouts range from 15 cents to $2 each, so your earnings add up quickly.