#StressRelief #StressManagement #PersonalDevelopment #MindsetShifts #MultipleSourceOfIncome #MultipleStreamsOfIncome #ReferralIncome #CashBack #AffiliateMarketing #FinancialHouse #FinancialWellness
As a disclaimer, EnvisionCo Blog is reader-supported. Some links on this site are for additional informational purposes whereas some others are affiliate links (don't worry, these will be clearly marked as such). When you click through an affiliate link on our site and sign-up for a service or finalize a purchase, we may earn affiliate commissions. This of course is at no additional cost to you. Additionally, EnvisionCo Blog is for informational and educational purposes only and is in no way intended to be a substitute for financial advice by a registered certified financial planner, medical advice by a qualified physician, or therapy by a trained mental health professional.
In today's uncertain economic climate, having multiple sources of income can be a valuable safety net. While a steady paycheck can provide a sense of security, having only one source of income leaves us and our families vulnerable to financial instability. We have talked about it here before at EnvisionCoBlog, that having only one source of income is not only hazardous to our wealth, but it is also hazardous to our mental health. The threat of job loss, economic downturns, and unexpected expenses looms large, leaving individuals and families vulnerable to both financial instability and emotional stress. At the same token, working different jobs all of the time just to have money, is not any better for our overall mental health and well-being. While the idea of using our spare time to earn good money with minimal effort might seem appealing, it's important to be realistic. We need diversification of income sources without sacrificing all of our spare time. Here are a few ideas from my very own side hustle, passive income vault.
Amazon Associate Affiliate Program
The purpose of today's article is to introduce ways for you to begin diversifying your income, while not taking up too much of your spare time. Being an Amazon Associate is one of the first in my lineup. Here's why. The Amazon Associates Affiliate Program offers a fantastic opportunity to earn passive income by promoting products on your website or social media channels. As an affiliate, you can earn a commission on each qualifying purchase made through your unique affiliate link. This program provides access to a vast product catalog, reliable tracking and reporting tools, and a competitive commission structure. Additionally, Amazon's brand recognition and trust can help drive traffic and conversions to your affiliate links, making it a lucrative option for individuals and businesses looking to monetize their online presence. The best part, there is no inventory for you to stock, ship, or track. You identify products you know, love, and use that your audience may be interested in. You post the links to those products on you social or business pages and you are done.
For example, you may have read my article last week, "Refill Your Cup: 3 Simple Self-Care Activities for a Mindful Recharge." Within this article, I shared my self-care plan for the week. In that article I discussed my plan of drinking afternoon tea, reading for enjoyment for at least 15 minutes, and showing myself some self-appreciation by journaling the good about myself. I must admit I do feel rejuvenated after my week of refilling my cup (I even found I slept a little better!). So how would one use something as innocuous as a self-care article as an Amazon Associate? Product recommendations. Rather than just say this is what I am good to do (drink tea) I could offer that my audience join in and order their tea to participate as well. Get your (affiliate link) peppermint tea and join me on a path relaxation. Rather than just say that I am going to read, I can share what I am reading. Get lost in the story with me; get your copy of (affiliate link) "A Piece of Cake: A Memoir." Rather than just talk about journaling, I can challenge my readers to grab their designated journal and join in the appreciation train. Don't have a journal just for showing self-appreciation? No problem; make your journaling experience extra special when you order the (affiliate link) VICTORIA'S JOURNALS Leatherette Vintage Journal Hard Cover Lined Notebook Old Looking Travel Diary.
You didn't have to stock, ship, or track the tea. You didn't have to stock, ship, or track the book. You didn't have to stock, ship, or track the journal. You simply write the article one time or post to your social media and wait for the clicks to pile in. Just be sure to clearly notify your audience that you are an Amazon Affiliate and that you may earn commissions from their clicks. Amazon and the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) requires such statements/disclosures.
Upside
I've been using Upside for about two years, and I love its simplicity. It's a great app that partners with businesses to offer cash back. While you can find some grocery stores and restaurants, Upside is best known for helping you save on gas. Upside fights rising gas prices by offering cash back on every gallon you pump. I've seen offers as high as 14 cents per gallon! The best part is you can double dip by using Upside with a cash-back credit card and store loyalty programs. With consistent use, you can easily earn enough for a free tank of gas or more. Here's how it works:
Sign up with my Upside referral link. | |
2. | Enter promo code NT3G8 to get an extra $0.15/gal bonus on your first purchase. |
3. | Link your credit or debit card to the app (I only use a credit card, which I’ll explain later in this article). |
4. | Search the app for offers at gas stations and restaurants. |
5. | Check-in on the app when you arrive at a participating location. |
6. | Use your linked card to make your purchase (make sure to use the same card you linked to the app). |
7. | Upload a copy of your receipt to the app (though, if you check-in/claim the offer, it rarely asks for a receipt). |
You'll receive cash back that you can transfer directly to your bank account, PayPal account, or exchange for gift cards. I have shared this offer before and am bringing it to you all again because it works! I live in a rural area which has made it a bit trickier to find participating gas stations and restaurants, but I’ve managed to make it work. In fact, on February 22, 2024, I was able to cash out from Upside to my bank account $82.35. Currently, my account balance on Upside is back up to $20.58. Again, I'm in the rural so I am not breaking the bank, but every little bit helps. Sign-up with my Upside referral link. Input promo code NT3G8 to get an extra $0.15/gal bonus the first time you make a purchase. For a limited time, Upside is sweetening the deal. As of the writing of this article, when you sign up using my link, you'll get a one-time bonus of $10. Better hurry though; not sure how long that offer will last. https://upside.app.link/NT3G8
Disclaimer: I will receive a nod from Upside for any person who signs up using my link/promo code. However, once you have signed up, you too will be assigned a referral link/promo code and will have the ability to refer others too.
Swagbucks
I've been using Swagbucks since July 2013. To be honest, I don’t take full advantage of everything Swagbucks offers—otherwise, I’d have earned a lot more by now. Swagbucks originally started as a survey platform, and surveys are still popular because companies are willing to pay for your feedback. However, I rarely use the survey feature. Instead, I’ve mainly earned free gift cards and cash for everyday activities I was already planning to do. For example, when I shop on Amazon or Walmart or book a hotel, I simply search for them on Swagbucks and get rewarded for using their links. By primarily using this method, I’ve cashed out $453.00 so far. There are plenty of other ways to earn Swagbucks (SB) too: you can shop online or in-store and upload your receipts, watch videos, play games, participate in daily trivia, use Swagbucks as your search engine, refer friends, and discover deals to earn points. You can redeem those points for gift cards to places like Amazon or Walmart, or even cash out via PayPal. If you want to give it a try, use my Swagbucks referral link to get started. When you sign up through my link, we’ll both earn a bonus 300 SB. If the link doesn’t work, just copy and paste this into your browser:
Now to reiterate how easy it is to earn Swagbucks, a few years ago, I had linked one of my credit cards (this is not a requirement like the Upside offer). Years later, I went to eat at Burger King and used that same card. I automatically received an email that I was being sent Swagbucks because I had used the credit card I had linked to my Swagbucks. I didn't have to upload or do anything extra. It was automatic.
Disclaimer: I will receive SB directly from Swagbucks for each person who signs up using my link. However, once you have signed up, you too will be assigned a unique referral link and will have the ability to earn SB for each person you refer.
PayPal
PayPal isn’t just for sending money to friends or paying for goods and services. While I’m not sure how long this program will last, as of the time of writing, you can log into PayPal and refer friends, family, and others to their platform. If you sign up using my  PayPal referral link, we can both earn $10 cash back (1,000 points) when you accept my invite and spend $5 within 30 days. There’s a limit of 10 referrals per year.
However, I’ve noticed that PayPal generally discourages posting referral links in public forums like this. They prefer you share your referral link through email or text message. If you use my link from here, there’s a chance neither of us will get the credit. So, if you don’t already have a PayPal account and would like to sign up, feel free to email me, and I’ll send the link directly to you. And when you refer others, make sure to share your link via email or text so both you and your referrals can receive the cash bonus. https://py.pl/1Dt3y4eTaz5
Disclaimer: I will receive 1,000 points (valued at $10) from PayPal for any person who signs up for a brand-new account with PayPal and spends $5 within 30 days. You too will receive 1,000 points (valued at $10).
Chase Visa
Yes, I’ve included a credit card (which technically is debt, but hear me out). There’s a responsible way to use a credit card. Personally, I use my Chase card to pay for things I already have to cover each month, like gas, groceries, car insurance, and my cell phone bill. Instead of using cash or checks, I charge these expenses to my credit card. Why? Because of the cashback rewards. With my card, I earn 1% cash back on all purchases, and every quarter, there’s a 5% cashback bonus on selected categories chosen by Chase. If you sign up using my Chase referral link and get approved, I’ll earn $50, and you can also benefit—by earning $150 after spending $500 within the first three months. https://www.referyourchasecard.com/18s/7PVWXI3N0C
One thing I really value about my Chase card is the ability to monitor my credit for free. But even better, I can stack rewards. Remember when I mentioned Upside? I link my Chase card to Upside, which allows me to earn cashback rewards from both Upside and my Chase card. Even better, during quarters when Chase includes gas stations in the 5% cashback category, I’m earning rewards in both directions. However, if you don’t have the discipline to avoid unnecessary spending, this offer may not be for you. The bonus cash isn’t worth it if you can't stick to using the card only for essentials like gas and utilities.
Disclaimer: I will receive a nod from Chase for any person who signs up using my link but I am limited to 5. Yes, only 5 referral sign-ups! As of the writing of this article I will receive $50 for any friend who signs up with, my Chase referral link and gets approved. However, when you spend $500 in 3 months, Chase will send you $150.
Ally
Ally is a newcomer to my affiliate marketing, referral bonus lineup. However, Ally is not new to me. I discovered Ally in 2016 through bankrate.com when I was searching for a high yield savings account. The thing I most appreciate about Ally is their interest rate. Unlike my brick-and-mortar bank that pays 0.30% APY and I have to wait to receive an interest payment once every 3 months, Ally paid a higher interest rate, and I receive payment every month. I cannot recall what Ally's interest rate was when I first signed up for the account in 2016. I can say as of the writing of this article, my Ally savings account pays me 4.20% APY. I can also have different savings buckets depending on what I am trying to save for. For instance, I can have my main emergency fund but also a savings bucket for say a trip I would like to go on. After Ally emailed me about their new referral program, I somewhat wished I was in a position to sign up as a newbie. From now until December 31, 2024, you have the chance to have your bank pay you $100. Yes, you read that correctly. $100! Here is how to do it.
To earn your $100 welcome bonus, follow these steps: |
|
|
|
|
|
Disclaimer: Ally does reward account holders for sharing with their friends and networks but I am limited to 5. Yes, only 5 referral sign-ups! As of the writing of this article I will receive $50 for any friend who signs up with my Ally referral link and follows the steps outlined in the table above. Will you be in my five?
SoFi
I almost feel that this offer needs no introduction because I have been hounding both my readers here and my followers on Facebook about this ALL YEAR LONG! I cannot promise that you will see large sums of money when you first start out because most likely you will not. I ask that you do see the long-term picture not the short-term picture. I have said it so many times and I will say it again here: Pennies makes dollars and dollars makes sense. To quote Morgan Housel, author of the New York Times Bestseller, (affiliate link)Â The Psychology of Money:
"Do people need to be convinced to save money? My observation is that, yes, many do. Past a certain level of income people fall into three groups: Those who save, those who don't think they can save, and those who don't think they need to save. This is for the latter two."
As of the writing of this article, with the SoFi Checking and Savings, you can earn up to 4.6% APY and pay no account fees. When you use my SoFi Checking and Savings referral link and fund your account with at least $50 in 14 days, you'll get a $25 bonus. SoFi also has an investing option. I personally hold my non-dividend paying stocks in my SoFi Invest account which I have had since June 2022. The amazing thing about SoFi Invest is that you can buy and sell stocks (or even pieces of stocks) with zero fees. My SoFi Invest comes with its own unique referral id link. When you use my SoFi referral link and open an active investing account with $50 or more, you'll get $25 in stock. Please note though, you have to choose between one or the other (checking and savings vs. invest account). SoFi will not payout a bonus for you signing up for both offers.
Disclaimer: SoFi does reward account holders for sharing with their friends and networks. The bonuses have shifted from month to month but as of the writing of this article I will receive $75 for any friend who signs up with my SoFi Checking and Savings account link. Or, for any friend who signs up with my Sofi Invest link I will receive $50 in stocks. However, once you have signed up, you will be given your own referral link and you can earn for any sign-ups you refer.
In today’s world, diversifying your income is not just a smart financial move, it’s a necessity for maintaining peace of mind and financial stability. Relying solely on one source of income leaves us vulnerable to unforeseen economic changes, job losses, or unexpected expenses, all of which can cause significant stress. By introducing multiple streams of income, such as affiliate marketing programs, cashback apps, and referral bonuses, you create a financial buffer that helps mitigate risks while offering more opportunities to grow your wealth over time. The options we’ve explored—from promoting products through the Amazon Associates Program to earning cashback with Upside or Swagbucks—show that building passive income doesn’t always have to consume a lot of your time. These side hustles can be seamlessly integrated into your daily routine without sacrificing your personal life. The key is finding the right balance between earning potential and time investment. The goal isn’t to overwhelm yourself with work but to strategically add streams of income that support your financial goals and contribute to a sense of security. I hope this article has inspired you to explore new income opportunities. Do you plan to try any of these, or do you have your own strategies? Share your thoughts in the comments. Please remember as you begin this journey, do not worry about getting it perfect; just get it going. Until next time. Happy reading.
"Don't put all your eggs in one basket."Â ~Spanish Proverb
Here at EnvisionCo Blog, we try to keep ads to a minimum making our blog entirely reader-supported. We may feature links on this site for additional informational purposes. From time to time, we may feature other links which are affiliate links (and these will be clearly marked). When you click through an affiliate link on our site and sign up for a service or finalize a purchase, we may earn affiliate commissions. This is of course at no additional cost to you. However, if you like what you see and would like to make a donation to help us keep ads to a minimum, we would greatly appreciate it! Nothing fancy. We accept the price of a cup coffee with as much gratitude as we would the price of a tank of gas!
Comments