How I Earn Extra Cash to Buy Books (and Other Honest Ways to Make a Little Extra)

Raising a big family is rewarding, chaotic, and costly—and finding a little extra cash for books or fun treats isn’t always easy.

As moms of many, we already give every dollar in our houses a purpose. Groceries, bills, clothes, activities—it’s all spoken for before the month even begins.

Books are something we truly love—they feed our minds, spark conversation, and provide a little escape—but even small indulgences have to compete with real-life needs.

Over the years, I’ve discovered simple, honest ways to make extra money as a mom—without wasting time on surveys I don’t qualify for or adding extra stress. Little by little, these methods have helped fund my book-buying habit (and sometimes coffee… let’s be honest 😄).

If you’re looking for practical ways to earn extra money, here are the ones that actually work for me.

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Cash Back & Rewards Apps

Ibotta: The Best Cash Back App for Groceries

If I could only recommend one app, it would be Ibotta.

I’ve been using it for years—sometimes consistently, sometimes not (because life happens). Even with breaks (sometimes months at a time), I’ve earned just shy of $2,000. Most months, I make $20–$40 just from buying things my family already uses. Sometimes more, sometimes a little less.

Nothing extra. No impulse buying. Just groceries, toiletries, and household basics we would normally buy.

How It Works:

• Add offers in the app
• Shop like normal
• Upload your receipt
• Get cash back

You can also link store accounts so rewards happen automatically.

Use my code nshnxco or use this link and get $5 when you submit your first receipt. Already have Ibotta? This is your reminder to open it again. 😉

Upside: Cash Back on Gas, Food, and Travel

I mainly use Upside when traveling from South Dakota to Oklahoma to visit family. My go-to stop is Casey’s Gas Station, and those savings add up fast.

Upside gives cash back on gas, groceries, and restaurants. I’ve even seen deals like 22% cash back at Burger King—amazing on road trips!

Sign up with my link and get:

Use my code MXKKG and get 20¢ per gallon extra on your first fill-up or 26% extra cash back on your first food or grocery offer.

Fetch, ReceiptPal & Receipt Hog: Snap Your Way to Cash

Fetch helped me afford some of our first homeschooling books. Just snap a picture of your receipt, earn points, and redeem them for gift cards. Bonus offers, like buying 2 Nature Valley products for extra points, make it even easier.

ReceiptPal and Receipt Hog work similarly—take a photo of your receipt and earn points. Even if you only do it occasionally, it adds up.

• Fetch: Use my code V4BFG to start with 2,000 points
• Receipt Hog: Use my code ting5147 for extra points

TopCashback & Rakuten: Money Back on Online Shopping

Just today, I got a $35 payout from TopCashback for Christmas shopping I had completely forgotten about. It was such a nice surprise!

How They Work:

• Open the app or website
• Find the store you want to shop at
• Click their link
• Shop like normal

Money back on things you were going to buy anyway.

I usually check both TopCashback and Rakuten and pick whichever has the higher cash back percentage. It adds up, especially during holidays.

👉 TopCashback: Sign Up Here
👉 Rakuten: Sign Up and Earn $50

Walking Apps: Weward and Cashwalk

These apps have encouraged me to get extra steps in and helped me lose 20 pounds last year. During warmer months, my goal is 10,000–12,000 steps per day; in winter, I aim for 5,000 steps.

They track your steps and reward you with points that can be redeemed for gift cards or cash. Walking while cleaning, shopping, or running errands all counts.

• Weward: Use my code, FaithfulTamarin8705 or Sign Up Here → 150 wards
• Cashwalk: Use my code P4XF9 → Up to 300 coins

This is one of the main ways I currently support my book-buying habit.

Creative & Passive Income: Selling Printables on Etsy

About three years ago, I started selling printables on Etsy. Once the work is done, it’s done—the product keeps selling. All I really have to do now is answer occasional customer questions.

Even while juggling homeschooling, mom life, and all the other things, I’ve made a few thousand dollars over the years.

Use my link to get 40 free listings.

How I Learned:
The Gold City Ventures Printables Course is what got me started, and it has been invaluable in helping me learn how to create and sell printables.

If you’re interested in learning more about this, Gold City Ventures also offers a free ebook called Seasonal Products Secret that gives a really good look at how it all works. You can check that out here: Free Ebook

And if this is something you’d like to explore further, you can visit their course website and join the waitlist here: Website and Waitlist

Simple Ways to Make Extra Money as a Mom in Everyday Life

Not everything comes from apps. Some of the best ways to earn extra cash are things that naturally fit into everyday life:

• Donating Plasma or Platelets – If you’re healthy and comfortable with it, this can be a reliable source of extra cash. I did this in college, and it helped a lot.
• Selling Books You No Longer Need – There are plenty of people out there looking for books. Selling ones you no longer read is an easy way to make some extra cash. Personally, I buy most of my books used, so I know there’s always someone looking for a good deal.
• Selling Clothes, Toys, or Household Items – Kids outgrow things fast! Using Facebook Marketplace lets us declutter while earning extra money when a garage sale just isn’t feasible.
• Thrifting to Resell – I love thrift shopping and have picked up some items to sell, even though I haven’t actually gotten started yet. It’s another way to earn a little extra cash when the opportunity arises.
• Garage Sales – Old school, but they really work. When we moved from Oklahoma to South Dakota, our garage sale helped us financially and gave us a fresh start at the same time.

Each of these is realistic, doesn’t require long hours, and can make a real difference in funding little joys—like books!

Why I’m Sharing This

These are honest ways to earn extra cash—ways that don’t rely on those super time-consuming surveys that you may not even qualify for after you’ve spent 5 minutes answering questions. They work with real life, don’t add stress, and give you the freedom to spend on things you love—like books.

Start small: try one app, sell one item, or set aside a little from your cashback rewards. Over time, it adds up.

Little efforts, consistent habits, and a few creative ideas have made a big difference in our lives—and they can in yours too.