Gift cards work like cash at most retailers. That means you won’t earn rewards when you redeem them.

But if you get them five back gift card balance from friends and family or by using the right credit cards, they can help you save money. And some apps let you turn those gift cards into money.
Earning on the Go

If you have a few spare minutes, it's possible to earn gift cards just by doing the things you already do. Using apps like Ibotta, Drop or Fetch Rewards, which pay you for shopping at participating stores, can help you get free gift cards without having to change your routine.

These apps pay you in exchange for scanning receipts from retailers such as Target, CVS and Walmart. Some even offer a daily bonus for submitting the previous day's receipt. Other apps, such as Shopkick, reward you for simply walking into a store, and you can earn more kicks by visiting different stores or completing a scavenger hunt in the app.

Another way to earn gift cards is by taking paid online surveys, for example those offered by InboxDollars or SurveyScape. While these may not make you rich, they're a great way to earn extra cash that can be used for things you need, such as paying the rent.

If you have gift cards you don't plan to use, you can sell them on sites like GiftDeals or CardCash. However, be sure to consider the fees, including purchase and shipping charges, that you'll have to pay before deciding to sell your cards. You may also find that a credit card offers a better rate for buying gift cards and can save you more money in the long run.
Apps to Make Money

Many of us spend a lot of time on our smartphones, and fortunately, there are apps that let you turn some of that smartphone use into points, rewards and straight-up cash. These money making apps probably won’t allow you to quit your day job, but they can help you add a bit of extra cash in your spare time.

Some of the most popular money-making apps are dedicated to letting you earn rewards for shopping online, watching videos and performing other simple tasks. Swagbucks is a top-rated, versatile cashback app that allows you to redeem rewards for gift cards and cash. It also offers a $10 bonus for new users.

Ibotta is another high-rated cashback app that lets you earn points for shopping both online and in-store, with a $5 minimum payout via PayPal or a gift card. The app has been around for more than 10 years, and many people have built substantial incomes through it.

Other app options include Receipt Hog, which pays you to scan receipts and give your opinions about local restaurants. The free-to-download app is available on iOS and Android devices, and you can earn 1,000 coins (worth $5) after scanning the receipts of five participating restaurants.

iPoll, which pays in cash (not points) for tasks like product reviews, secret shopping and testing ads, is another easy way to make some extra pocket change. You can also earn through 'Missions,' which require you to turn on your phone’s GPS and complete tasks such as visiting specific retailers.

Another surprisingly passive money-making app is Honeygain, which collects data on your browsing and mobile device usage to provide companies with research insights. The free-to-download app doesn’t take up much space or slow down your device, and the site says you can expect to earn about $19 a month from it.
Gig Economy

The gig economy is booming, with more and more people looking for greater flexibility in the way they earn and consume products and services. This is a result of a number of factors, including a desire for choice and more options in the way they make a living, as well as the emergence of technology-enabled marketplaces which connect customers with freelance or flexible workers.

In addition to helping people find work, these marketplaces are also a boon for consumers as they offer convenience and quality at a lower price point. Ride-hailing and food-delivery apps are a prime example of this, but the concept extends far beyond those specific examples. For example, Airbnb connects homeowners with spare rooms or holiday homes to travellers who are seeking affordable accommodation in locations where hotel rates would otherwise be unaffordable.

Other marketplaces include those aimed at helping people learn new skills or brush up on old ones. For example, VIPKid and Chegg provide online tutoring services for students, enabling them to work from home, set their own schedules, and earn money for their efforts. Moreover, these marketplaces have added to their offerings to become complete solutions that include practice tests and homework checks alongside the one-to-one tuition sessions.

For many people, these marketplaces offer the chance to do some interesting work and meet a variety of interesting people. They are also an easy way to augment their incomes, either as a supplement to a full-time job or as a way to pursue a hobby or passion they may not have time for otherwise.

The Gig economy is not without controversy, however. It has raised concerns about levels of worker protection and labour-market policies, and in some cases, the companies at the heart of the market are eschewing traditional benefits such as holidays and a minimum wage for their drivers.

Despite these concerns, the gig economy is here to stay. Its growth is supported by a number of factors, including the increasing appetite among consumers for more choice and flexibility, as well as businesses' needs to reach high-quality labour in an increasingly competitive environment.
Buying Gift Cards with Credit Cards

A gift card is an excellent way to give someone a present without having to hand over cash or a check. You can also purchase gift cards with credit cards to earn rewards, but it's important to understand the ins and outs before you decide to do so.

One way to buy gift cards with a credit card is through online platforms that allow you to complete the transaction with your card. This is often convenient and can be done in a matter of minutes. However, you should keep in mind that your card issuer may treat the transaction as a cash advance and charge you additional fees, such as interest rates and cash advance fees.

Another reason to buy gift cards with a credit card involves taking advantage of merchant promotions. Many cards offer elevated rewards rates or a high cashback percentage for purchases at specific retailers. For example, a credit card that offers 5% back on grocery stores, drugstores, office supply stores and more may offer a higher rate than a card that does not offer a bonus category for these types of purchases. Purchasing gift cards with a credit card can help you take advantage of these promotions by using them to purchase items you would have purchased anyway.

Some people use gift cards to manufacture spending by purchasing them and then turning around and selling them for a profit. Manufactured spending is something that raises red flags with card issuers and can result in account closures. Generally, it's not wise to purchase large amounts of gift cards for the purpose of manufacturing spending.

In addition to rewards from the retailer, you can also earn additional rewards by purchasing gift cards through a shopping portal like Rakuten. You can find out which portals are offering the highest potential earning on this type of purchase by visiting the CashBack Monitor. Just be aware that some retailers and card issuers may have restrictions or limits on the number of gift cards that can be purchased in a single day. You should also know that some gift cards, such as those from Visa, Mastercard and American Express, do not count towards a minimum spending requirement for credit card signup bonuses.