Easy Ways to Get Extra Cash in 30 Minutes or Less

published 11 September 2016

Time is money. You know the expression. Turns out it’s actually true. Here are three easy ways to turn 30 minutes of your time into cold, hard cash.

Cash in loose change

Got loose change? Take it to a Coinstar kiosk. There’s a fee if you want cash back, but gift cards are fee-free. (Find nearby kiosks on Coinstar.com; fees vary, but 10.9% is typical.)

Most banks have done away with coin machines. One exception is BB&T. Customers can cash in up to $25 in change without a fee.

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Redeem rewards points

Credit card rewards points can pile up fast. They can also expire. Redeem your points for cash before they do. Most card issuers will cut you a check for the value of your points. Or, opt for a statement credit or a gift card.

Sell unwanted gift cards

Speaking of gift cards, convert your unused gift cards into cash by selling them online. Go to GiftCardGranny.com to find out how much buyers are willing to pay. The more popular the gift card, the better the offer.

Take a look at 35 more smart financial moves you can make in 30 minutes or less.

Browne Taylor joined Kiplinger in 2011 and was a channel editor for Kiplinger.com covering living and family finance topics. She previously worked at the Washington Post as a Web producer in the Style section and prior to that covered the Jobs, Cars and Real Estate sections. She earned a BA in journalism from Howard University in Washington, D.C. She is Director of Member Services, at the National Association of Home Builders.