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

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I Was Dead Broke. These 5 Weird Sites Helped Me Make (and Save) Money FAST.

Three months ago, my bank account was a joke. I was overdrafted, living on instant noodles, and praying my Wi-Fi wouldn’t get cut off. I wasn’t just broke — I was panicking.

After one too many late-night Google searches for “easy ways to make money online,” I finally found a few sites that actually worked. No scams. No upfront costs. Just weird little platforms that paid me faster than I expected — and one even helped me tackle my credit card debt.

If you’re in a financial mess (or just want extra money for Target runs), here are the exact five I used to dig myself out:

💬 1. ChatJobs — Get Paid Just to Text

This was my first win. ChatJobs pays you to answer messages for businesses — like a remote support rep, but without the stress.

• No phone calls or Zoom meetings
• Flexible hours, perfect for night owls
• I earned $120 in my first weekend

👉 Take the ChatJobs quiz here

🎮 2. Freecash — Earn from Apps, Games & Surveys

This site surprised me. It pays you to try new apps, play games, and complete offers. No strings. I used it while watching Netflix.

• Cashouts via PayPal, crypto, or gift cards
• I made $42 in 3 days testing apps
• It’s free to join — no credit card needed

👉 Start earning with Freecash

📱 3. SocialPaid — Yes, You Can Get Paid to Be on Facebook

SocialPaid blew my mind. You literally get paid to post or comment on social media for small businesses. If you’re already scrolling — why not get paid?

• Facebook, TikTok, Instagram gigs
• Pay varies, but I landed one for $250/week
• Great for social media lovers

👉 See SocialPaid gigs here

💳 4. CuraDebt — They Helped Me Crush My Credit Card Bills

This wasn’t a job — but it saved me more than any side hustle. I was paying over $400/month in minimum payments. CuraDebt negotiated everything down and combined it into one low payment.

• Free debt relief consultation
• No upfront cost
• I saved over $3,000 in interest

👉 Schedule your free debt consultation

🍏 5. Acorns — Turn Spare Change into Apple Stock

I thought investing was for rich people. Then I tried Acorns. It rounds up your purchases and invests the change automatically — and they gave me a free $5 Apple stock bonus for getting started.

• Investing made simple (and automatic)
• Perfect for beginners
• Free bonus stock with a $5 deposit

👉 Get your $5 Apple stock bonus

💡 Final Thoughts

These five sites didn’t just help me get out of a bind — they changed how I think about money. Whether you’re desperate for cash or just want some financial breathing room, I hope this list helps you like it helped me.

Start with one. Stack a couple. Take control. It’s a game-changer.