Did you know that data is now the world’s most valuable resource? It is now even more valuable than oil.
But why are we telling you this?
Well, because between studying, going out with friends, and browsing social media, you might have found yourself looking for some simple ways you can make some extra cash – and data could be that solution.
And best of all, you can do this without having to put your phone down!
This is because there are lots of different apps and websites out there that are incentivizing people – and in particular, students – to share their data in return for cash or monetary rewards.
However, if you want to make money in this way, you need to know how to go about choosing the most interesting and lucrative platforms. Otherwise, you might find yourself spending hours filling out pointless surveys only to make five pounds by the end of the day.
And this is where we come in.
Below, My Baggage has pulled together a list of the different ways that students can exchange their data for cash or rewards.
So what are you waiting for? Start making some extra cash today.
Take online surveys
We’ve mentioned above that there can be some poor survey sites that waste your time, but this doesn’t mean there aren’t some good ones out there too.
If you go to the right places, filling out online surveys doesn’t have to be boring or time-consuming to make some real money. In fact, it can actually be quite a fun way to spend your time and get paid.
Some of the best apps and websites out there right now include Toluna, Opinion panel, I-Say, Neilsen, and Citizen Me, so be sure to try these first.
Plus, because this is becoming such a popular way for students to make extra cash, lots of these sites and apps will pay you directly into your PayPal account at the end of each survey you take.
And these sites offer anything from 10p to five pounds for answering a few questions depending on which platform you choose and the types of questions you’re answering. So as you can see, if you get the right surveys, this can be a very lucrative pastime.
That being said, before you commit to any online survey website or apps, take some time to read up on online reviews and check that these aren’t time-consuming scams.
Become a secret shopper
Like online surveys, you might have heard about secret shopping opportunities less favourably in the past. However, these opportunities have changed dramatically in recent years, and there are now some great apps and websites out there that can connect you with these experiences.
One app, in particular, is Roamler, an app created by a Dutch tech company. Other secret shopper companies that you might want to consider include Market Force, Grass Roots, Mystery Dining, iShopfor, and Serve Legal.
The way these experiences work is that secret shopper gets paid to carry out simple tasks and report back. The idea behind this is to do some market research and also to measure things such as the quality of goods or services for the chosen business.
Again, some companies will offer better pay or incentives than others, so consider the names we’ve mentioned above and do your research before applying to any secret shopper position.
Get rewarded for spending money
Although it might sound counterproductive, there are ways that you can actually earn rewards while you spend. And if you’re a busy student who is going to be spending that money out anyway, why not make the most of it?
One app in particular, which goes by the name of Fygo, is designed specifically for university students. The app allows students to make money whilst they shop, eat and drink, and once you’ve got the app on your phone, you can start making money straight away.
The system works by alerting the app each time you spend money in a participating shop, cafe or restaurant. You can then earn instant cashback, which is sent straight to your account. The idea is to encourage you to use participating brands but to also find out how you spend your money.
Another great app that offers a similar incentive is CheckoutSmart.
However, there is a slight difference.
On this app, you do your shopping as normal, and then you upload a picture of your receipt when you’re done. You will then be targeted with exclusive offers based on your past purchases, as well as receiving cash payments sent straight to your PayPal account.
The best news of all? Some of the participating stores include big-name brands such as Asda, Aldi, Ocado, Superdrug, and Waitrose.
Get paid to search the web
Finally, who would have thought that you could get paid just for browsing the web? Well, you can!
This is perhaps one of the easiest ways for your to get rewarded for your data as it requires very little work. In fact, all you need to do is allow the app or website to monitor your browsing and then go about your day as you normally would.
The provider then uses this information for market research and to develop a better understanding of what people are looking at on the internet.
There are two well-known apps/sites in particular that are great, and these are Qmee and Swagbucks.
The idea behind these is that each time you search on sites like Google, Bing, Yahoo, and Amazon, you get rewarded for it. Each result is calculated, and a monetary reward is attached. This goes straight into your PayPal account.
Are you ready to swap your data for cash?
Above, we’ve looked at just four different ways you can make money or rewards using your data, but this list is by no means exhaustive. So if you’re looking for quick, easy, and fun ways to make some extra cash, check out the different opportunities online for exchanging data for money. You might just be surprised how much you can earn!