Finding extra money has become a game for me. Over the years, I have found money through rebates, refunds, online sales, and even the ground. Yep, I found a $20 bill on a morning run at the beach!
I have used the extra money to pay off debt, fund family trips, or build up our Christmas savings.
In January, I found more extra money than I ever have and I was so excited about it, BUT unexpectedly, February…blew.it.out.of.the.water!
My total of found money in February: $3433.68
Airfare Refund: $2700
I had an unexpected surprise hit my credit card in February. Honestly, it was months in the making, but at one time, I didn’t think I would ever see the money.
In January 2020, we booked round-trip flights to Paris for the four of us. We have close friends who moved to Germany a few years ago and we always hoped to go visit them. Neither my husband nor I have been to Europe so this was a big deal and we were very excited to be able to take our kids on such a trip.
After a lot of discussion with our German friends who are world travelers, we decided to fly into Paris from Newark, spend 3 nights in Paris, take a train to Germany to spend the next 5 nights, and then take a train back to Paris to board the plane back to Newark. Whew, got all of that!
This trip was a reward for our years of paying off six figures of debt, and we were going to pack a lot into our week.
And then…COVID hit. We tried to remain optimistic that the trip would happen but by May the European airline emailed us that they were canceling our flight and they gave a voucher for a future flight. Optimistically, I took the voucher, only to regret later that I didn’t pursue a full refund.
One morning in January I found an email in my inbox from the airline that they were completely canceling all flights from Newark to Paris and they offered me a full refund of my voucher. Relief is an understatement, and after a lot of back in forth with the airline, the full refund hit my account in February.
We’ll get to Europe someday, but for now, this money is going towards our summer beach vacation in the US.
Plasma earnings: $325
I donated plasma 5 times in February which is short of my goal of 8 times. I usually donate on Friday and Sunday mornings and I missed a few days due to schedule conflicts. This money is a combination of donation earnings, referring my husband, and other bonuses.
I’m saving my plasma money for summer trips and activities.
If you’d like information on donating plasma, read my review of donating plasma HERE.
Rakuten: $233.93
I have been using Rakuten online portal for many years and the check that comes in February is usually my highest because it includes cash back from our Christmas purchases and referrals.
This money is being put towards my new-to-me car loan. Yes, you read that right. Read all about my car loan here.
Related Reading: Rakuten Review: How I Earn Cash Back on Online Purchases
Sold furniture: $150
We sold a bedroom dresser and twin bed on Facebook Marketplace. I think it sold within 2 hours after my husband posted the pictures. My daughter outgrew the set and we put the money towards a new set for her.
Ibotta: $24.75
Ibotta is a cash back app and I took advantage of a lot of their grocery offers in February. I earned cash back on Perdue chicken, pasta, crackers, and shredded cheese–all staples in my kitchen. Any money I earn from Ibotta goes back into my grocery budget.
Read my review of Ibotta here.
Found money recap:
Where did you find extra money in February?
I’ve found ten dollars twice on morning runs just laying on a sidewalk! Plus we did a search for lost money when my father died and my brother and I each got $800 in dividend checks that had the wrong address and were just sitting in escrow. Last year I bought a car and then later sold the one it replaced. I had paid sales tax on the entire price of the new car and when I sold the old one later I applied for a partial sales tax refund and got several hundred dollars. All that was free money!