Sometimes I feel like I’m living in a virtual world, and I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. These days, there are just so many of us out there who work online, play games online, and who most certainly have friends that they only contact through social media channels online—at least I know that I do. And I think these are all great things. In fact, some of my closest friends in real life are friends that I first met online.

And friendships are not the only new thing I’ve been making in the digital world lately. In fact, thanks to a little poking around, I’ve recently discovered apps that pay you real money for your real-life activities. These apps are exactly what they sound like. Although they obviously exist solely on your phone or another compatible device, they basically track your real-life activities and give you rewards, generally in the form of cash, for the things you do every day. Isn’t that a great concept?

So, I figure why not share it with all of you fine people out there today? In fact, you might like these apps that pay you real money for real-life activities just as much as I do. After all, what’s not to like about turning the things you do every day into some nice bonus income? With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of my favorites.

Apps that Pay You Real Money #1: Gigwalk

Gigwalk is what’s known as an in-person app because, in order to use it to make real money, you have to complete tasks in person. The way it works is that let’s say you’re out for a walk, and you open up Gigwalk and see a pin at a store in your community. You simply click that pin and it gives you a task to complete.

These tasks are usually so simple that you can spend a few minutes knocking them out before continuing on your way. Examples include seeing if a brand display has been set up properly, or even doing a quick bit of inventory for a certain product. Depending on how involved the tasks are you can make anywhere from $3 to $100 per gig (although in my experience it’s generally much closer to $3). Once you complete those gigs and your work is approved, you can then get paid real money via PayPal.

Apps that Pay You Real Money #2: Field Agent

Field Agent is another one of those apps that pay you real money. Much like with Gigwalk, with Field Agent, you may find yourself doing things like checking out store displays or making sure things are priced correctly as you go for a walk or head out to shop.

Sometimes, you can even use it in tandem with Gigwalk, doing two tasks at the same store! I know I have in the past, and it’s been really productive for me. Oh, and just like Gigwalk, Field Agent pays you for your work starting at $3, and it lets you cash out and collect your money via PayPal. Basically, my advice is that if you’re using one of these, you should just go right ahead and sign up for the other. That way you don’t miss out on any chances to earn real money.

Apps that Pay You Real Money #3: Shopkick

I think of all the apps that pay you real money for real-life activities, my favorite is Shopkick. Shopkick is actually what’s known as a shopping rewards app, and how it works is that it gives you points for shopping activities that you do each time you go to the store anyway, activities like buying certain products, scanning barcodes while you’re browsing to get more information, and even just walking into the store. You can then trade those points in for gift cards, which, let’s be honest here, are the same thing as real money.

What I like the most about Shopkick, however, is that it’s turned my sometimes routine shopping trips into a whole lot of fun!

What I like the most about Shopkick, however, is that it’s turned my sometimes routine shopping trips into a whole lot of fun! Instead of a chore, every time I hit those aisles it feels like I’m on a fun scavenger hunt for points to earn as many rewards as I possibly can. I’ve even become a regular on Shopkick’s Facebook page, where I share tips, jokes, and whatever else with fellow users. I like Shopkick so much that I honestly can’t remember all that well what going to the store used to be like before I started using it—though I’m sure I wasn’t nearly this engaged. That’s why overall Shopkick is my favorite of this bunch.

The last thing I want to tell you is that I’ve been using all three of these apps for some time now, and they’ve helped me add a nice little boost to my budget, especially Shopkick. I’ve also just now started to share them with my many friends online, and they seem to be enjoying them as well! At least, they certainly seem to be awfully grateful for the advice.

So, there you have it: three great apps that pay you real money for real-life activities. I suggest using them all, of course, but if you have to select just one I would highly advise going with Shopkick. Let’s face it, no matter what you do you’re going to have to make somewhat regular trips to the store, and with Shopkick those trips become not only a way to earn yourself some rewards, but to also make every stroll down the aisles a whole heck of a lot more fun!

Looking for the coolest apps that pay you real money for real-life activities, especially one that can help you make your routine shopping trips more fun? Download Shopkick for free and join a community of Shopkickers who love the rewards of shopping with us!

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Image courtesy bigtunaonline