6 ways to get money for nothing

If your finances are feeling a little deflated after all the festivities, you’re not alone. The typical household spends around £700 more during Christmas than in a usual month, leaving many with a financial hangover in January and looking for ways to boost their bank balance in the New Year. And, let’s face it, even if you’ve got a healthy bank balance, a little extra cash is always welcome.

It’s tough though, because who feels like cutting back on spending or taking on more work in January? If you’ve already sealed off all your financial leaks like unused subscriptions, what you need right now are some easy wins – so read on because, believe it or not, there’s free cash out there with your name on it.

Here, I’ve assembled my tried and tested ways to pocket some of this. While I see it as money for nothing, like anything else you’ll need to put in a little time and effort – and, in some instances, be prepared to share personal data, such as your shopping habits. In return, you’ll be hundreds of pounds better off.

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Here are your six tips for getting money for nothing

1. Earn when you shop (cashback sites)

Sign up to reputable sites like TopCashback or Quidco and you’ll earn every time you buy from their registered retailers. TopCashback says it works with over 6,000* retailers, and Quidco lists more than 5,000*. Once signed up, you can shop at your chosen retailer via the cashback website and get a percentage of the costs back – anything from 1% to 10%*. Top tip: install a browser extension to notify you if the store you’re purchasing from offers cashback, and you won’t miss an opportunity to earn.

2. Lucky draws (premium bonds)

There’s no guarantee, but if you save some of your money in premium bonds, via National Savings & Investments, you could win a prize draw of anywhere between £25 and a million-pound jackpot. It’s worth bearing in mind that you don’t earn interest with premium bonds, while you could earn interest on your savings with other banks. The minimum you need to save with premium bonds is £25*. Prize draws take place every month and the chances of winning are 22,000 to 1 for every £1 bond*.

3. Happy returns – birthday freebies

If you don’t mind sharing the date of your birthday with some of the stores you use regularly, you can often get some freebies on your special day. On my last birthday, I got a free box of grapes thanks to my M&S Sparks card, free cookies with Morrisons, a cake from Costa, £5 from The Body Shop, a free coffee from Gail’s and a sweet treat from Greggs*. Not a bad haul! What’s in it for the brands? It’s all about customer retention – by nurturing a relationship, they hope to win your loyalty.

4. Move money, make more – bank accounts

Not switched bank accounts since you opened one when you were 18? Now could be a good time to see if another bank suits your needs better, as many will offer you a cash bonus when you move to them. £200 is generally the highest amount. At the time of writing, Nationwide was offering £175 to new customers and First Direct was also giving switchers £175*. The deals come and go, so act fast when you see one you want. Be sure to check the small print to ensure you are eligible.

5. Spread the word – refer a friend

Consider the services and products you genuinely like as you can often get a cash or voucher payments for referring a friend. You can even do this with Boundless – tell friends or family about it and, if they sign up, you’ll get a £10 Love2Shop voucher. Similarly if a friend signs up: with Sky you can both earn up to £100 in vouchers*; with 3 Mobile, £80 between you*; with American Express, earn bonus rewards with a referred friend*.

6. Credit card bonus – cashback cards

Some credit cards let you earn cashback for everyday spending –only use one if you can pay your bill in full each month, though. There’s no point earning cashback if you’re paying interest on your credit card. Amazon and Nectar credit cards offer vouchers or points to be spent with specific retailers, but plenty offer a percentage of cash back. Check which are offering the best deals and whether they come with fees, or not. Before applying for one, go through an eligibility checker – this will protect your credit rating.

Do more with Boundless

If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus. 

With Boundless, you get unlimited access or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions, including Kew Gardens and Wakehurst and WWT centres across the UK, as well as year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more. With Boundless Plus, you can enjoy additional benefits including unlimited access to Historic Royal Palaces sites, National Trust for Scotland places, access to The Ramblers' extensive walking community, and peace of mind with roadside assistance and local recovery by LV= Britannia Rescue.

*All rewards and values correct in December 2024.