Wednesday, December 17, 2025

An easy way to make extra holiday cash this week

Hi there!

The holidays are here, and I know this time of year can get a little pricey – from gifts and decorations to meals and travel.

But, there's a way to make extra cash right now (without leaving your comfortable spot on the couch).

With Freecash, you can play games, complete surveys, and try other easy tasks to start earning money quickly - just in time to cover any holiday expenses or to make extra money over holidays.

Whether you're looking to earn a bit extra for those last-minute holiday gifts or simply want to put some cash back into your savings, Freecash is an easy way to make it happen without stretching yourself thin. Plus, these little wins can add up fast – helping you start the new year with a boost in your savings rather than a dent.

Not too long ago, I played a game on Freecash that said they would pay around $300 for playing, and to my surprise, it actually worked!

I earned $302.80 just by playing a game on my phone. This experience made me realize that playing games for money isn't fake - it's actually possible!

Freecash has a lot of games you can play to earn money, and if you already enjoy gaming on your phone, this is a fun way to increase your holiday budget. It takes a little bit of time, but for me, I thought it was easy. It took me about one week to make $300, and I was paid nearly instantly as well.

Here's why Freecash is great for the holidays:

  • Quick earnings - Get paid instantly via PayPal, crypto, or gift cards (like to Amazon)!
  • Flexible - Pick and choose tasks that work with your schedule. For example, you might be able to earn $2 for downloading TikTok or $10 for signing up for Netflix. Or, you can play games on your phone and earn $300+.
  • Fun - Try different games and offers while watching your favorite holiday movies.

You can sign up for Freecash by clicking here.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Happy holidays!

Michelle from Making Sense of Cents

P.S. Want to know more about how Freecash works? I've written a Freecash review that explains how I made money playing games on my phone. Check it out at How I Made $302.80 Playing Games on My Phone (In One Week).

P.P.S. Another easy way to make extra money this holiday season is to get cash back on your online shopping! With my favorite cash back site, right now you can get a $50 signup bonus. Click here to learn more.

​*There are affiliate links above.

Recommended reading: 17 Low Effort Side Hustles That Can Make You Extra Money





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Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Thinking about starting a blog? A quick heads up

Hi there!

I wanted to send a quick follow-up because I've been getting a lot of replies from readers who are thinking about starting a blog (or finally taking their idea seriously).

If that's you, this is just a friendly heads up. Right now, Bluehost is still offering blog hosting for a low price, and you can start a blog for around $50 for the first year (plus get a free domain name).

👉 Click here to start your blog for around $50 for the first year.

I'm mentioning this because Bluehost recently raised their prices, and they let me know that another increase is likely in January. They also told me the current low rate is only locked in through December 31, 2025, so if you've been thinking about starting a blog, now is a good time to grab the lower pricing.

Here's what you'll get if you start now:

  • Blog hosting at a low price
  • A free domain name
  • My step-by-step tutorial to launch your blog
  • A bonus: I'll personally review your homepage and send you feedback by email once your blog is live (just reply and let me know you used my link)

I know starting a blog can feel overwhelming - but it really does all start with that first step.

I started Making Sense of Cents over 10 years ago with no idea where it would lead, and it completely changed my life. I'm still grateful I started before everything felt "perfect."

One thing I want you to know: If you're unsure about your blog name, that's totally okay. You can lock in today's pricing now and choose your domain later. Bluehost allows you to select "Choose domain later" during signup. Let me know if you don't see this and I can help you find it.

If you have any questions at all before getting started, just hit reply. I'm always happy to help.

And, if you're thinking about starting, but haven't yet, what's stopping you? Hit reply and let me know! Maybe I can help with this too.

Have a great day!

Michelle Schroeder-Gardner at www.makingsenseofcents.com

P.S. Because pricing has already increased once and may increase again in the future, starting now can help lock in a lower cost while you get your blog set up.

P.P.S. Here are some helpful blog posts:

*There are affiliate links in this email.



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Monday, December 8, 2025

If you want to make money blogging, read this

Hi there!

Have you ever thought about starting a blog - or wondered whether your current blog could really go somewhere?

Recently, I was reflecting on all the lessons I've learned about blogging over the years - the wins, the mistakes, and the "what I'd do differently" if I could start over. And I thought: maybe this could help you, whether you already blog or are just curious about it.

Here are some blog posts I've written that dig into the good, the real, and everything about blogging:

If you don't have a blog yet - or you've been thinking about starting one - I also have a step-by-step tutorial to get you up and running: How to Start a WordPress Blog Tutorial.

Why I'm sharing this with you

Blogging isn't magic - it takes effort, trial and error, and patience. But it can be a game changer.

Whether your goals are:

  • More flexibility around work and family,
  • Extra income to support dreams and travel,
  • A creative outlet or side hustle,
  • Or building something you're proud of long-term -

A blog has the potential to help. And I wanted to make it easy for you to see what's possible based on what I've learned over the years.

If you decide to start a blog (or update your current one), I'd love to hear about it. Just hit reply and tell me - what made you want to start? What are you hoping to get out of it? I read every response.

Let me know if you have any questions - I'm happy to help.

Have a great day!

Michelle Schroeder-Gardner at www.makingsenseofcents.com



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Friday, December 5, 2025

Want to make extra money, improve your credit, or be happier?

Hi there!

How are you this week?

Today, I'm sharing a mix of money tips, helpful habits, and tools I've recently reviewed.

Whether you're trying to build your credit, start a side hustle with no money, or just want to feel a little happier each day, I hope you find something useful here!

14 Side Hustles You Can Start With No Money - Over the years, I've started many side hustles without spending a penny (including this site that you're reading right now), so I personally know that it is possible!

12 Simple Habits for Living a Happy Life - Everyone wants to be happy. But finding happiness can feel hard sometimes. The good news is that there are simple things you can do every day to feel better.

Can This $5 Credit-Building Tool Really Help Your Credit? - If you want to build your credit and you feel stuck, this might be worth checking out. Users with starting credit under 600 see an average increase of +86 points in their first year with on-time payments using this tool.

Whatnot Review: Is This Popular Live Shopping App Worth It? - I think the best way to describe Whatnot (this is my referral link) is that it's kind of like TikTok meets eBay – people like you and me post live videos of them trying to sell stuff, like trading cards, clothing, holiday items, and more, and you can buy stuff right on the app through live auctions.

What small change has made the biggest difference in your day-to-day life recently? Hit reply and let me know!

Enjoy and have a great weekend.

Michelle from Making Sense of Cents



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Wednesday, December 3, 2025

A reminder that things can change faster than you think

Hi there!

Money can feel very different depending on the stage of life you're in.

Some of us are focused on getting out of a tough spot, and others are thinking about what's next once the basics are covered.

I pulled together three articles that show some different sides - real help if you're barely scraping by, plus real stories of what's possible with steps over time.

I Retired 5 Years Ago With $500,000. Now I Have $1,000,000 - Here's how one person retired early with $500,000 and doubled their money in just five years. It breaks down their spending, investing choices, and the lessons they learned along the way.

8 Things To Do if You're Barely Scraping by Financially - Doable steps to get breathing room fast, even when everything feels tight.

How We Paid Off $266,329.01 in 33 Months - A motivating debt-payoff story with the exact strategies that made the biggest difference.

What money goal are you currently working towards? Hit reply and let me know!

Enjoy!

Michelle from Making Sense of Cents

P.S. I recommend that you check out Empower (used to be known as Personal Capital and this is my referral link) if you are interested in gaining control of your financial situation. Empower allows you to aggregate your financial accounts so that you can easily see your financial situation. You can connect accounts such as your mortgage, bank accounts, credit card accounts, investment accounts, retirement accounts, and more, and it is FREE.

P.P.S. And, can I ask a tiny favor? If you enjoy my blog posts and find them helpful, would you mind adding Making Sense of Cents to your Preferred Sources on Google? Just go to this link and check the box next to Making Sense of Cents. It helps my articles show up more often in Google's Top Stories section and supports the blog in a really helpful way.



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Monday, December 1, 2025

How to get an extra $50 cash back this month

Hi there!

If you're shopping this month, I want to help you stretch your money as far as possible.

One thing I like to do is use cash back sites when I shop online.

Last year, I earned over $200 cash back from Rakuten during the holidays, and right now new users can get a $50 sign-up bonus just for shopping.

It's free and really easy to use (it is super easy so don't miss out!).

Here's all you need to do:

  1. Sign up for Rakuten (free to join).
  2. Shop through Rakuten and spend $50 within 90 days. You can shop at stores like Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Lululemon, Macy's, Old Navy, Chewy, Expedia, Sephora, and more to earn cash back.
  3. Get your $50 bonus.

Want more savings tips for this month?

If you're shopping on Amazon this month, here are a few easy tips that can help you save money:

  • Clip Amazon coupons: Amazon has a huge coupon section hidden under "Today's Deals."
  • Use price-tracking tools: Tools like CamelCamelCamel help make sure you're actually getting a deal.
  • Subscribe & Save: Great for household items and can save you up to 15%.
  • Earn free Amazon gift cards: Sites like Swagbucks and Freecash allow you to earn free gift cards for Amazon and other places.

You can read more tips at: 15 Best Amazon Hacks To Save Money.

I hope these tips help you save money!

Happy holidays,

Michelle from Making Sense of Cents

P.S. Getting your $50 bonus is simple: sign up as a new member, shop through Rakuten, and place qualifying orders totaling $50 or more within 90 days. Offer available in the U.S. Terms apply.

P.P.S. Wait, they're paying you to shop? It might sound too good to be true, but it's actually really simple! Rakuten partners with over 3,500 stores that you already know and love. These stores pay Rakuten for sending them shoppers, and then Rakuten shares that money with you as cash back.

Note: There are referral links above. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.



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