What I found will probably surprise you (and might just change your week).
Did you know that over 70% of money-making apps never actually pay users what they promise?
Shocking, right? That means for every 10 people trying to make some extra cash from their phones, 7 walk away with nothing but wasted time.
Now, if you’re like me, you’ve seen the ads:
"Make $500 in a week using this one weird app!"
"Get paid just for walking!"
"Earn cash watching videos from your couch!"
They sound too good to be true.
And usually… they are.
But I decided to put them to the test.
Why I Did This (And Why You’ll Be Glad I Did)
Like most of us, I could use a little extra income—something that doesn’t require learning a new skill or working a second job.
I wanted real money. Not coins. Not coupons. Not mystery points I can maybe redeem one day.
Just cash I can use to pay for groceries, gas, or let’s be honest... a guilt-free online shopping spree.
So I picked 5 of the most talked-about money-making apps and used them religiously for a week.
Here’s what happened.
Also Read: 7 High-Paying Websites That Will Pay You (No Experience Needed)
The 5 Contenders
(Spoiler: Only 2 were actually worth it)
- InboxDollars
- Swagbucks
- Field Agent
- Dosh
- Temu Affiliate Program
InboxDollars: The Classic Survey App
The Promise:
Get paid to watch videos, answer surveys, and play games.
The Reality:
I made $13.40 in 7 days.
The Experience:
Filling out surveys felt like speed-dating with robots. Some were fun. Most were a drag.
But here’s the thing—they actually paid me. After hitting the $10 threshold, I cashed out via PayPal without hassle.
What Worked:
The trick? Skip the long surveys and focus on the quick polls and “daily scratch cards.” Those stack up faster than you'd think.
Final Verdict:
✅ Legit but time-consuming.
📈 Best for: People who enjoy multitasking while watching Netflix.
Swagbucks: The “Do Everything” App
The Promise:
Earn points (Swagbucks or “SBs”) doing everything from shopping online to playing games.
The Reality:
I earned 1,725 SB = $17.25 in gift cards.
The Experience:
This one felt like a digital amusement park—so many ways to earn.
I made the most cash by trying out trial offers (hello, free Hulu for a week) and using their built-in search engine.
The Secret Sauce:
Stacking SBs with your online purchases. I ordered something I needed from Walmart and got 400 SB just like that.
Final Verdict:
💳 Pays in gift cards, but worth it if you shop online anyway.
📈 Best for: Deal lovers who shop often.
Field Agent: The Unexpected MVP
The Promise:
Get paid to complete “missions” like snapping photos in stores or checking prices.
The Reality:
I made $41.00 in just a few short tasks.
The Experience:
This was shockingly fun. I felt like a secret shopper ninja.
One mission paid me $10 to check how many cans of Pringles were on a shelf at Walmart.
The Unexpected Analogy:
It’s like Pokémon Go for adults—with real money instead of digital monsters.
Urgency Trigger:
These missions disappear fast. You have to act quickly or someone else grabs them.
Final Verdict:
💥 Best paying and surprisingly enjoyable.
📈 Best for: People who don’t mind popping into a store during errands.
Dosh: The Lazy Cashback App
The Promise:
Get cash back automatically when you shop with linked cards.
The Reality:
I earned $9.15 without doing anything extra.
The Experience:
Set it and forget it. Once I linked my debit card, I started getting cashback without thinking about it. Bought lunch? Cashback. Gas? Cashback.
Psychological Hook:
It feels like stealing from your own past spending. You're suddenly getting money for things you already planned to buy.
Final Verdict:
💳 Zero-effort rewards that feel like magic.
📈 Best for: Everyone. Seriously.
Temu Affiliate Program: The Wild Card
The Promise:
Share Temu links. Earn commissions when people buy.
The Reality:
I earned $62.80 in a week.
The Experience:
I posted a few deals on Facebook and in a WhatsApp group. That’s it. People clicked, bought, and the app showed my earnings within hours.
The Yes-Set:
- Do people love crazy-cheap deals? ✔️
- Is Temu already trending everywhere? ✔️
- Do people click links from friends they trust? ✔️
Scarcity Effect:
Only a few people are actually taking advantage of this affiliate setup right now. Most think it’s “too hard.” (It’s not.)
Final Verdict:
🚀 Highest earning app of the bunch.
📈 Best for: Social butterflies and casual influencers.
So... What Actually Paid Off?
Let’s break it down.
| App | 7-Day Earnings | Effort Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| InboxDollars | $13.40 | Medium | Survey lovers |
| Swagbucks | $17.25 (gift cards) | Medium | Online shoppers |
| Field Agent | $41.00 | High (but fun) | Task lovers / Store explorers |
| Dosh | $9.15 | Zero | Everyone |
| Temu Affiliate | $62.80 | Low | Social sharers / Hustlers |
Let’s Be Real: You’re Not Going to Get Rich
But…
💡 What if you just want an extra $50 this week?
💡 What if you’re sitting on your phone scrolling anyway?
💡 What if one of these apps could help pay for groceries, gas, or coffee?
You don’t need to grind. Just be smart about where you spend your time.
My Secret Combo for the Biggest Payout
Use this 3-step formula to maximize your cash:
-
Install Dosh and link your card (easy passive income).
-
Try a few Field Agent missions when you’re out shopping.
-
Join the Temu affiliate program and share ONE deal per day with your friends.
That alone could net you $50–$100 this week.
And you don’t have to commit hours.
You just need to start.
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Still Thinking About It?
Here’s the kicker:
Tomorrow, some of these high-paying tasks and affiliate deals might disappear.
That’s not scare-tactics—it’s reality.
Apps rotate offers, and early movers always win.
So ask yourself:
❓ What’s the real risk—trying one of these for 15 minutes, or continuing to scroll TikTok while your wallet stays empty?
Ready to Start? Here’s Your First Step:
👉 Download Dosh and link your card. That’s it.
(Easiest win. Cashback starts without you even trying.)
Then, if you're feeling it, try Field Agent or test the Temu affiliate program with one post.
You can come back and thank me later.
P.S. Want a Pro Tip?
Stack your wins:
Use Swagbucks to sign up for Dosh or Field Agent through their special offers—and you’ll double your earnings (gift cards + real cash).
That’s a money hack only a few people know about.
But now you do.
And that’s the difference between “wishing you had more money” and actually having it.