It's not easy being a millennial, but that doesn't mean we should feel bad about our finances.
When most people think about millennials they usually picture someone who has no savings or investments and is living paycheck-to-paycheck while still paying off student loans. And this is true in many cases — however, there are more than a few millennials making their own way through life without relying solely on an employer (or government) check to survive. Many use apps like Apple Pay, Venmo, PayPal, etc., as well as other online tools to manage their personal finances.
One app that is quickly gaining popularity among young adults looking to save some extra cash is Cash App, which was founded by rapper 50 Cent back in 2014 under his G-Unit Digital Entertainment subsidiary. The app itself became publicly available in 2017, when it surpassed over one million downloads within two months of its release. Since then, it has been downloaded over 50 billion times. It also broke out into mainstream news after rapper Drake used it to send money to fellow musician Nicki Minaj during her tour earlier this year.
With all that buzz surrounding it, it shouldn’t come as surprise that so many users have flocked to Cash App to earn some extra pocket change. But how exactly does Cash work, what kind of services are offered, and if you qualify to receive any sort of benefits? Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about using the Cash App.
If you're thinking about getting started with Cash App, the first thing you'll want to consider is what you plan to spend your funds on. Like any service that offers financial products, Cash App will offer different options depending on where your hard earned dollars end up going. Currently, Cash App only offers three payment methods: debit card payments, account deposits, and instant transfers. Instant transfer means sending money directly between accounts inside the app, whereas account deposits simply let you keep your earnings safe until you decide to withdraw them.
As far as interest rates go, Cash App currently pays 1% per week for U.S.-based customers and 0.5% per week for international customers. That rate might not be enough to sway those who already bank elsewhere, but considering the ease of managing transactions via smartphone, Cash App could become another option worth exploring if you find yourself needing better interest rates. If you don't see yourself keeping your money in Cash long term, you may even benefit from switching to a lower interest earning product.
While higher interest earning opportunities aren't necessarily common among mobile banking apps, Cash App does allow for a slightly larger range of investment choices compared to similar competitors. For example, you can invest your balance in stocks, bonds, Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc., meaning you have greater flexibility with where your money goes once you start withdrawing it. Of course, these types of investment require additional fees and risk factors, so proceed with caution before diving in headfirst.
That said, if you're interested in investing, Cash App probably isn't the best place to start since it doesn't charge annual fees for holding onto your funds. Other banks such as Ally Bank, Discover Bank, Capital One 360, Simple, Chase Slate, and others charge yearly maintenance fees ranging anywhere from $3-$8 to hold onto your assets. This makes sense since they provide access to traditional checking accounts, but if you just want to open an account to avoid overdraft charges and limit spending temporarily, Cash App is less invasive.
Overall, Cash App provides plenty of reasons why anyone would choose it over other digital platforms. However, you'll likely encounter limits or restrictions for certain features based on where you live. In general, Cash App is pretty generous with offering new signups perks, but you should always double check your local laws before depositing anything large into your account.
In addition to receiving a small percentage of every transaction you complete via the app, Cash App also gives you the ability to claim tax deductions when filing taxes each April. When claiming a deduction via Cash App, you must meet the following criteria:
You didn't set the value of the transaction equal to zero.
The amount of the transaction wasn't made specifically for gambling purposes.
For non-taxable transactions, you won't incur any penalties or interest due to late payments.
There were insufficient funds in your linked credit/debit cards to cover the transaction.
Your account hasn't had a negative balance for 90 days prior to completing the transaction.
All told, you can potentially deduct around $100 per month in expenses on average. While relatively insignificant, it's nice to know that you can actually recoup some of your losses if you tend to gamble too often! Just remember that the IRS will review your return annually to ensure you haven't exceeded the maximum allowable deduction.
Another perk of having a physical address is that you can request paper checks instead of swiping your card whenever you want to purchase something. You can either mail them in or stop by a nearby branch to pick them up.
Yes, definitely. Even though it seems impossible, there are several ways to get free money on Cash App. Here are a couple of examples:
First things first, you'll want to verify your eligibility to enroll in Direct Deposit. Once enrolled, you'll be able to request direct deposits from employers or whoever else sends you regular paychecks. With Direct Deposit, you won't even have to worry about whether or not your company sent you a check. Instead, Cash App will automatically deduct your earnings straight from your account.
Additionally, Cash App partners with various businesses including Starbucks, Chili's, Chipotle, Seamless Eats, Uber, Lyft, Postmates, Instacart, Amazon Prime Air, DoorDash, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, GameStop, Sephora, and more. By signing up for delivery, pickup, rideshare, or shopping programs like these, you can easily rack up rewards points and eventually redeem them for gift cards and discounts.
Lastly, according to CNBC, Cash App recently introduced a feature called "Earn & Learn." Essentially, it allows you to connect your Facebook profile and learn about potential promotions and deals that fit your lifestyle. As soon as you sign up, the system begins scanning your social media feeds to determine which deals match your preferences. So, if you frequently order food deliveries or use ride sharing apps, Cash App will notify you about special offers tailored towards both of those activities.
If your bank account has a positive balance, it's probably safe to say that you have heard about Cash App before — and likely use it as well. The app was developed by Square back in 2014 (it used to be called Squarespace) after its cofounder Jack Dorsey noticed his friends were using Venmo less often due to security concerns over the service.
In fact, according to Business Insider, more than 100 million users are active on the app daily. It also claims that "more than half" of Americans who own smartphones either already use or plan to start using the app. And if all this isn't enough proof alone, here at MUO we've written several articles discussing how useful the app actually is, so without further ado let us discuss exactly what you need to know about making money on Cash App.
One of the most important things to note when opening an account with Cash App is that there aren't many easy methods available to earn extra income through them. While you can technically request some type of bonus payment through referrals, these usually amount to only $5-10 per person, which doesn't really help anyone earning any significant amounts via their accounts.
Instead, one of the best options to generate passive income is to simply invest directly into stocks. This method works similar to other investment apps like Robinhood or Betterment, but instead of trading stock picks yourself, you choose specific companies whose shares you want to buy. As long as you keep those stocks invested, they will continue to increase in value for years to come. You'll receive regular payouts based off of how high each company goes within a given time frame. Here's how it works:
Open up an account online at https://www.cashapp.com/signup/. Once inside, look under the Invest heading on the left side panel. Then click Create Account & Select Your Plan button. Now select Stock Funds. Next, scroll down until you see the New Fund section. Click View All Companies then select the blue icon next to the company name. Finally, press Continue. On the new screen, choose whether you want to purchase 1 share, 10, 20, 50, or 200 shares of the selected company.
Once you're done selecting your number of shares, enter your email address and password. After entering everything correctly, tap Submit. Depending on how fast you filled out your application, it should take anywhere between 5 minutes to 24 hours to process. If you don't hear anything back from Cash App for two weeks, give them a follow up call. They may accidentally overlooked something during the signup process.
It typically takes around 3–4 business days for your funds to show up and begin generating dividends once you purchased them. A word of warning though, since investing in stocks involves risk, it's always recommended to consult with a financial advisor first. But if you're looking for a quick way to get started, Cash App offers a convenient option to test drive this feature out. Just go to My Account > Settings > Dividends and set it to Active. From now on every time you log into your account, you will automatically check for dividend payments and reinvest those earnings to grow even larger profits later on.
Unfortunately, while there are no official promotions offering free money just yet, you still have access to plenty of perks and benefits from being a part of the Cash App community. Some of the top features include:
Referring others to open their own accounts: When you refer another user to open an account with Cash App, you both qualify for rewards points equal to $20. These reward points can be redeemed for gift cards, merchandise deals, discounts, and exclusive events. To redeem yours, head to your profile page and click Refer Others. Enter their username in the text field provided followed by Send Them An Invite. Press Sign Up.
Downloading special mobile apps: In addition to accessing Cash App on desktop browsers, you can download various versions of the iOS and Android apps as well. Each version comes equipped with unique perks and privileges, including free shipping, coupons, early notice alerts, and exclusive member-only content. Simply visit your Profile tab on the main menu bar of your app to find links to download your preferred device.
Using peer-to-peer lending platforms: Cash App integrates seamlessly with leading peer-to-peer lending services such as ZestFinance and Lending Club. Users can borrow or lend against their Cash Balance, allowing them to capitalize on interest rates that range from 8% - 35%. With Zest Finance, for example, borrowers can earn up to 12% APR depending on how quickly they repay loans.
Paying merchants directly: Like traditional banks, Cash App also supports digital wallets and debit card providers such as Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Debit Cards. Because of this, you can send or withdraw money straight from your phone without having to manually input sensitive information like passwords. Plus, all transactions made through these third-party services count toward your overall balance rather than affecting it negatively. For instance, if you spend an excess of $1000 in a month with your credit card, your total available balance will not decrease below zero unless you carry a negative balance elsewhere too.
Making deposits to your checking account: Another great perk offered exclusively to Cash App members is the ability to link your bank account to your Cash App account. Therefore, whenever you add money to your Cash App balance, it immediately shows up in your linked banking portal.
Managing multiple Cash Accounts: Since Cash App uses real-time transaction tracking, you won't ever again need to wonder where your money went. Even better, if you decide to transfer money between different Cash Apps, it will instantly update your balances accordingly. So for instance, if you forgot to tell someone else about your spending habits, you could easily track your expenses right from your dashboard.
Saving money on taxes: By linking your bank account, you'll never need to worry about paying Uncle Sam additional tax fees again. Instead, you can rest assured knowing that any money deposited into your Cash App balance will eventually end up going towards lowering your taxable earnings.
Investing your savings: One of the easiest methods to save for retirement goals is by investing money into mutual funds via Cash App. However, unlike typical brokerage firms, Cash App charges 0.25 percent commission fee for trades paid monthly with automatic rebalancing.
You can also utilize Cash App's built-in portfolio management tools to analyze market performance trends. Using historical data, you can view past performances and potential future outcomes for individual assets ranging from bonds to cryptocurrencies.
The free mobile app Cash App has been growing in popularity since it launched in 2015, and now more than 30 million people use it each month. It's easy to see why — not only does this app allow users to send and request money quickly and easily, but they also have access to a number of different methods that help them turn their spare change into full-time income. So how exactly do these features work?
Here are some of our favorite tips and tricks for using Cash App as an alternative way to get paid.
If you're looking to start making extra money or just find another source of income, there are many different options available through the Cash App network. The best part about all of these programs is that you don't necessarily need to be a member to take advantage of any of them. Here are three examples of businesses who offer quick payout options via Cash App:
1) Get Paid Today - This program pays customers up to $250 per week if they qualify. You will need to set up your own account by signing up at www.getpaidtoday.com/cashapp (you'll then connect your Cash App profile). Once you've done so, submit receipts over time and the company will review those before paying out. Eligibility requirements vary depending on what state you live in. For example, New York residents must earn between $600-$2,000 in sales during a given period while California residents must sell products worth a total of $500 within 60 days. If you meet either of these criteria, you could potentially walk away with hundreds every single week!
2) Gigsby - Similar to other gig economy jobs like UberEATS and Instacart, Gigsy lets you deliver food orders for restaurants directly from its user base. Users simply download the mobile app and register with the service. After completing tasks, Gigsy provides users with payment upon receipt. There are no fees associated with joining this program, which means you keep 100 percent of the profits once you reach certain milestones.
3) Swagbucks - While this one isn't technically an app, it's definitely something we recommend trying out if you want to make extra money online. Basically, you search the web using swagbucks' browser extension instead of Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari, allowing you to earn points called SBs. Then, when you redeem them, you can choose to donate them to charity or even shop Amazon and eBay without spending a dime. Just remember to check out our list of essential websites and tools for earning money doing nothing.
As mentioned above, none of the companies affiliated with Cash App actually charge membership dues. Instead, you will have to wait until you receive funds after submitting transactions. However, most services provide compensation plans that clearly lay out guidelines regarding minimum earnings and timelines, so there should never be any surprises here. In general, getting paid via Cash App takes anywhere from two weeks to several months depending on the type of transaction.
While most people probably know that freelancing sites such as Upwork and Fiverr let you post projects and bids, there are plenty of lesser known sites where you can look for side hustles. One great option is Gigwalk, which is essentially LinkedIn meets TaskRabbit meets Craigslist. Simply head to the site, create an account, and begin searching for local opportunities. When you click "post job," Gigwalk shows you potential gigs near your current location. As long as you pass the application process, you'll have instant access to payments. Gigwalk says that it typically sends checks to applicants within 48 hours of receiving their applications. That said, Gigwalk does require that you complete background checks and drug tests prior to working under its employment policies.
Another similar site is Viggle. On this website, you can browse listings based on categories ranging from fitness to fashion. Like Gigwalk, Viggle offers instant payouts via PayPal once you accept a particular assignment. Unlike Gigwalk, however, Viggle requires you sign up for a monthly subscription plan ($6/month or $60/year), which gives you access to exclusive deals and discounts.
You may already use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., so why not combine everything together for additional exposure? The new Social Media Job Search Engine promises to match thousands of job seekers with employers willing to hire for less conventional positions including lifeguards, DJs, dog walkers, event planners, and much more. Check out the site's landing page to learn more about how it works.
No. However, there are a few things you can do to speed up the processing times of deposits made through Cash App. First off, if you link your bank accounts to Cash App, you might be able to increase the speed of withdrawals slightly. Secondly, you can try contacting customer support to inquire about faster withdrawal limits. Overall though, both of these methods aren't going to impact your overall experience too drastically.
In addition to withdrawing money, Cash App also supports depositing money via physical checks and debit cards. To set up a deposit, open Cash App and select Accounts & Withdrawals. From there, scroll down until you see Deposit Checks and Debit Cards next to Direct Deposits. Click on either of these links to add specific sources where you'd like to deposit funds.
To withdraw large amounts of money, you may first need to contact Cash App's customer support team to discuss your needs. They can help walk you through the steps needed to set up automated transfers from your checking account to your business account.
Additionally, Cash App doesn't pull straight dollars from your balance unless you specifically ask the company to do so. Therefore, if you transfer money from your personal account to a business account you won't incur overdraft charges.
Finally, Cash App recommends keeping your daily limit below $300, especially if you haven't received notifications stating that your balance crossed that threshold recently. Otherwise, it usually takes around 10 business days for Cash App to notify you once your balance exceeds this amount. Additionally, if you think someone stole money from your account, report fraud immediately to the police department closest to you.
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.