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6 Ways to Get Paid to Shop in 2025

If you're someone who loves to shop, here's the good news: in 2025, there are more legit ways than ever to actually get paid for it. From scanning receipts to becoming a personal shopper, these methods can turn your errands or online browsing into real income. Here are 6 proven ways to get paid to shop, complete with tools, apps, strategies, and tips.



1. Become a Personal Shopper

Being a personal shopper isn’t just about picking clothes anymore. People are cashing in by shopping for others in multiple creative ways:

2 women shopping for dresses

Types of Personal Shoppers:

  • Fashion Stylists: Curate wardrobes for busy professionals or style-conscious clients. Many start by showcasing looks on Instagram or TikTok.

  • Live Retail Shoppers: Shop live on platforms like TikTok from stores like TJ Maxx or Target. Viewers buy exclusive or trending items in real-time.

  • Luxury Flippers: Score limited releases from Supreme, Louis Vuitton, or Nike SNKRS and resell them at a profit.


How They Make Money:

  • Charge a sourcing or styling fee

  • Mark up items by 20–100%

  • Accept tips during live sales

  • Use affiliate links for commissions

Where to Start:

  • Build an audience on TikTok, Instagram Live, or Whatnot

  • Use ListPerfectly to cross-list items on Mercari, eBay, and Poshmark

  • Join Facebook groups for personal shoppers or collector niches


Earnings:

Can range from $200/month to $3,000+, depending on your niche and client base. Earnings can vary.


2. Use Receipt Scanning Apps

Turn your everyday receipts into rewards by using apps that pay for your data.

Phone taking a photo of a receipt

Best Apps in 2025:

  • Fetch Rewards: Scan any receipt for points, redeemable for gift cards

  • Receipt Hog: Includes fun bonus spins, turns receipts into market research

  • CoinOut: Pays cash for receipts via PayPal

  • InboxDollars: Offers cashback plus surveys and deals


Average Earnings:

$10–$30/month for active users. Earnings can vary.


Pros:

  • Passive

  • Accepts nearly any receipt

  • Stackable with other rewards

Cons:

  • Low payouts

  • Requires consistent use


Tip:

Link your email/online orders and set a daily reminder to scan receipts.



3. Use Cashback Apps & Sites

Get a percentage of your spending back just by using the right app before you shop.

Rakuten home page

Best Apps in 2025:

  • Rakuten: Up to 10% back + browser extension + $30 bonus

  • TopCashback: Higher rates on select retailers

  • Upside: Up to $0.25/gallon at gas stations and 10% at groceries

  • Shopkick: Get rewards for walking into stores or scanning products


Average Earnings:

Rakuten users average $63/year; heavy users report $100–$200+ Earnings can vary.


Pros:

  • Easy and "free" money

  • Some are passive

  • Stack with other deals

Cons:

  • Must remember to activate

  • Not all stores qualify


Tip:

Use multiple extensions; only the best offer will usually trigger automatically.


4. Try Mystery Shopping

Mystery shopping pays you to evaluate customer service, store conditions, or try out products anonymously.

mystery shopper

Legit Companies:


Average Earnings:

$10–$25 per assignment, sometimes with reimbursements. Earnings can vary.

Pros:

  • Flexible gigs

  • Get paid + freebies

Cons:

  • Requires detailed reports

  • Must follow specific instructions


Tip:

Sign up with multiple platforms and check them daily. The best gigs go quickly.


5. Shop for Others with Gig Apps

Grocery, pharmacy, or retail delivery apps will pay you to shop and drop off items.

Grocery Delivery

Best Apps in 2025:

  • Instacart: Grocery delivery and in-store shopping

  • Shipt: Offers delivery for stores like Target and Lowes

  • DoorDash: Offers shop-and-deliver gigs for stores like Walgreens


Average Earnings:

$15–$25/hour with tips. Earnings can vary.


Pros:

  • Set your own hours

  • Some pay instantly

  • Tips can add up

Cons:

  • Mileage/gas costs

  • App ratings affect job availability


Tip:

Work during peak times and always message customers — good communication = better tips.


6. Become an Affiliate or Shopping Influencer

If you love sharing hauls or product finds, turn your content into commission with affiliate links.

Influencer trying on makeup

Top Platforms:

  • Amazon Influencer Program: Create a storefront and earn commission when people shop your recommendations

  • LTK (LikeToKnowIt): Ideal for fashion/lifestyle content

  • Shopify Collabs: Connect with small brands for affiliate deals


Average Earnings:

$50–$200/month for beginners; more with a large audience. Some creators earn ~1000+/month using tools like ViralVue to optimize reach. Earnings can vary.

Pros:

  • Passive income

  • Fully online

  • No customer service needed

Cons:

  • Requires content creation

  • Takes time to grow audience/trust


Tip:

Start simple with unboxings or "shop with me" videos. Link every product.


Final Thoughts

There you have it: 6 real ways to get paid to shop. Whether you’re scanning receipts, delivering groceries, or flipping finds on TikTok, there’s money to be made.

Try combining a few methods and see how much you can earn just by doing what you already love: shopping.

Have a tip or strategy you use to get paid for shopping? Leave a comment or share this post with someone who needs a new side hustle!


⚠️ Disclaimer

The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only. While I strive to keep the content accurate and up to date, I cannot guarantee that all information is current, complete, or correct. Always do your own research and verify directly with the companies mentioned before signing up or accepting any field inspection work. Additionally links above may contain affiliate commissions.

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