Personal Finance · 2026
(2026) 7 Apps to Improve Your Finances This Summer
Photo by Ezequiel Garrido on Unsplash.
Summer is a good moment to tidy up your money — a little more coming in, a few new habits going out. The apps below range from quick ways to earn on the side to simple tools for saving and investing, and every one of them is available to US users.
Disclosure: some links below are affiliate links. If you sign up through them, we may earn a commission — at no extra cost to you.
No. 01
Earn passive rewards with a research app
Passive rewards, no tasks required.
Nielsen Pulse is a market research app that rewards you each month simply for keeping it installed — and it comes from the company that measures TV ratings. Once it's set up, it works quietly in the background, measuring things like which shows you stream and where you shop online, with no surveys or tasks to complete. You earn $3 per month for each device you connect, and $18 per month when you connect your TV.
Who it's for: people who want truly hands-off earnings and don't mind sharing anonymous usage data in the background.
How to get started
- Download and install the Nielsen Pulse research app.
- Connect your devices and agree to the app terms.
- Keep the app installed to earn your rewards each month.
Set it up once and let a bit of passive income roll in, month after month.
Learn More →No. 02
Get cash for what you already do online
Earn in your free time.
KashKick deposits real cash into your account for the everyday things you already do online, from playing games to answering surveys, and it has paid out over $5.4 million to members so far this year. It's built for US users who want an easy, low-effort earner.
Who it's for: anyone who spends time online and wants to turn games and surveys into a little cash.
How to get started
- Sign up with your email, or connect using PayPal.
- Confirm your account to activate it.
- Start completing offers and surveys to earn cash.
A low-effort way to pick up a bit of extra spending money.
Get Started →No. 03
Get more from your everyday banking
Banking with benefits.
SoFi Plus is a premium membership that brings high-yield savings and more than 20 perks — over $1,000 in annual value — together in one place, including rewards on investing, crypto, and boosts on SoFi credit cards. It's designed for people who want their day-to-day banking to work a little harder.
Who it's for: people who bank actively and are comfortable paying a monthly membership to unlock better rates and rewards.
How to get started
- Create a new SoFi account.
- Activate the SoFi Plus membership ($10 per month).
- Start putting your premium rates, rewards, and tools to use.
A single upgrade that can make your everyday money go further.
Get Started →No. 04
Earn by sharing your opinion
Take surveys. Get paid.
Survey Junkie pays you for taking online surveys about products and brands, with over $55,000 paid out to members every day. Complete three or more surveys a day and you could earn as much as $100 a month — four or more a day pushes that to as much as $130.
Who it's for: people with spare minutes who don't mind sharing opinions in exchange for cash.
How to get started
- Create your Survey Junkie account and fill out your profile.
- Take the surveys matched to you — the more you finish, the more you earn.
- Complete three or more surveys a day to start earning toward that monthly total.
One of the simplest ways to turn a few spare minutes into extra cash.
Get Started →No. 05
Earn rewards for everyday tasks
Nearly $700 million rewarded to date.
Swagbucks rewards you for things you already do online — taking surveys, shopping, watching videos, and searching the web. Your points add up and convert into gift cards or PayPal cash, and it's worth checking their current sign-up bonuses when you join.
Who it's for: multitaskers who want rewards for the shopping, searching, and watching they'd do anyway.
How to get started
- Create your Swagbucks account (available to US members).
- Earn points by completing surveys, shopping, or watching videos.
- Redeem your points for gift cards or cash through PayPal.
Small everyday actions can quietly add up over the course of a month.
Get Started →No. 06
Turn spare time into cash
Over $1 billion paid to members.
InboxDollars pays you in cash for everyday online activities like surveys, games, and watching short videos. It's a US-only platform made for earning in your downtime, and it's worth trying a few survey platforms to see which one fits you best.
Who it's for: US users who want to fill idle minutes with small, straightforward cash tasks.
How to get started
- Create your InboxDollars account (US only).
- Complete surveys, watch videos, or play games to earn.
- Cash out once you reach the payout minimum.
A handy option for filling idle minutes with a little income.
Get Started →No. 07
Start investing
1M+ active members, $5B+ in assets managed.
Stash makes investing approachable, letting you build a portfolio and begin with as little as $5 — professional financial guidance without the sky-high fees. It's a beginner-friendly way to start putting your money to work over time.
Who it's for: beginners who want a guided, structured way to start investing without a big upfront balance.
How to get started
- Sign up for Stash and verify your identity.
- Choose your plan and set up your Smart Portfolio.
- Link your bank and deposit at least $5 to begin.
Starting small today is how long-term investing habits get built.
Invest Now →You don't need every app here. Pick the one or two that fit how you already spend your time, get set up, and let the habit build from there. A small step this summer is still a step forward.
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