Hi! I’m Kate, the face behind KateFi.com—a blog all about making life easier and more affordable.

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you). See our official affiliate disclosure for more details.

I Tried These 5 Finance Hacks — Here’s What Paid Me the Most

I’m a skeptic by nature. So when I kept seeing ads for money-making apps and finance “hacks,” I rolled my eyes hard. But then I decided to put them to the test — no fluff, no referrals, just me and my phone.

Out of everything I tried, these 5 stood out. Not only were they actually free, they paid me. Some helped me make fast cash. Others helped me save or invest smarter. And one of them was a total game-changer.

Here’s the breakdown, from useful to “why didn’t I do this sooner?”

1. 💬 SocialPaid — The Best Paying Hack by Far

This one paid me the most. SocialPaid connects you with remote gigs that pay $25–$50/hour for tasks like replying to comments, writing captions, or managing DMs. No experience needed — just take their quick job-matching quiz.

🚀 Take the 1-Minute Quiz

2. 🧠 Freecash — Fastest Way to Earn on the Side

I was skeptical, but this app actually paid me for completing small tasks like surveys, app downloads, and games. I earned $60+ in a few days, and cashouts were instant via PayPal. Easy win.

💸 Start Freecash Now

3. 💳 CuraDebt — Helped Me Reduce My Payments

This one didn’t “pay” me in cash, but it saved me money — and that’s just as powerful. I used their free consultation to negotiate my credit card debt and lower my monthly payments by over 40%.

📉 Get Your Free Debt Assessment

4. 🏦 SoFi — Got $325 for Switching Banks

I opened a SoFi account, set up direct deposit, and got a $325 bonus. The app is clean, there are no fees, and I love seeing my money earn interest without doing anything.

💰 Claim Your Bonus

5. 🌱 Acorns — Invested My Spare Change Passively

This one helped me feel like an adult with my money. Acorns rounds up your purchases and invests the extra cents. I got a $5 bonus just for signing up, and now I’m building a savings stash without lifting a finger.

🌿 Start With $5 Free

Final Thoughts

Not every “hack” is worth your time — but these five were. If you want to earn extra cash, cut your bills, or just stop feeling broke, these are solid places to start.

And if you’re wondering which paid me the most? SocialPaid. Every. Single. Time.