What You Should Know About Survey Sites

In my previous post, I recommended 3 survey sites that I have participated in. I listed these sites because I have found them to be legitimate, which is more than others out there can say.

This post continues on with the subject of survey sites, only it offers up some advice that anyone who is involved with or thinking of joining a survey site should no doubt read. Good luck!

Tip #1:
Even though it may be time consuming and dreadful, read the terms of service. There is typically a condensed version in the FAQ’s sections but even so, it is not conclusive. If you have any reservations or further questions, either email the Customer Service department and ask questions until you are satisfied or just don’t sign up.

Tip #2:
Make certain that you make note when this trial period ends. Note: There are free reminder services that you can sign up with that will send you a reminder notice via email. Keep any confirmation emails that you receive so that you have proof, just in case, of when you started and ended your contract/service.

Tip #3:
While trial periods can be great, meaning that you can try it out and cancel without being out any money, many times after you have tried a particular offer, you can’t try it again with other survey sites (unless it is specifically stated in their terms and conditions). Thus, you eventually run out of available offers to try.

Tip #4:
Some sites have a time limit as to when you must cash out. For example, if you have earned the $25 minimum to cash out, you may have 90 days to do so. If not, it will expire and you won’t get paid.

Tip#5:
To keep things a little more organized, set up an alternate email account specifically for the taking of surveys. This will make it easier to keep track of which survey sites you have signed up with and will also enable you to better manage any offers that you have signed up for (such as free trial periods).

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Making Money At Home Taking Surveys

Times are tough and a few extra dollars in the bank account wouldn't hurt one bit. But as a stay-at-home mother who wants to keep it that way (that is, continue to be a stay-at-home-mom), there just doesn't appear to be much to suffice. Like others before me, I too have begun looking into these too-good-to-be-true claims to see just what is out there in the way of working from home. I am being extra cautious. I don't want all of my personal information to be out there and I don't want to spend a ton of money, if any at all, only to realize that I've been had (been there, done that). The Internet is littered with a seemingly endless amount of offers to make money from home. It's mind numbing and painful at the same time to have to comb through site after site to find the few that are actually legitimate.

And while I am just getting started, I have found a few things out there that may work out. More posts will follow as I continue to research and collect information. For now though, I've started with taking online surveys.

I have signed up with several survey sites. Disappointed by some but somewhat pleased by a few. Keep in mind that taking surveys online won't have you "rolling it in." And it will never be enough to live on! With that in mind, by signing up with a few good, quality, paying sites, it starts to add up. Before too long you can have enough for that birthday present or date night with your spouse (which we all need).

Site: Vindale Research
Link: http://tryvindale.com/Vv5JNPXBZ

About:
Sends notifications via email of products to test (i.e., Stamps.com printable stamps software, Gamefly.com video game rental's). Some require that you sign up with a credit card, but occasionally, you don't even need one.

Why I Like This Site:
You receive email notifications frequently and the amount of cash received upon completion and validation are higher than any others that I have tried. You are made fully aware of what the offer you are signing up for or the product evaluation you are making, entails. This includes any restrictions (i.e., age), approximate time required, how much you will earn, whether or not a credit card is required, any upfront fees (termed 'acquisition fees'), and the amount of compensation if any upfront fees are required. Complete instructions follow so you know what to expect. A product description and the purposes of the survey/evaluation are also given. You then complete a "Product Evaluation" followed by a "Follow-up Survey" about the product or offer.

What You Can Make:
They advertise $5-$75 per survey/product evaluation. The most that I have been offered is $20. Not bad for 30 minutes of your time. You can request payment via your Paypal account or by paper check when your account balance reaches $50, which can take a while sometimes. You can also get a $2 sign up bonus (at the time of this post).

Important to Know:
When you have signed up for an offer and then evaluated it and taken the follow-up survey through Vindale, you can either choose to continue your membership with that participating sponsor or cancel shortly thereafter. Be certain to read everything (terms, conditions, etc. before you agree to sign up).

Site: Inbox Dollars
Link: http://www.inboxdollars.com/?r=nyoung2


About:
Sends notifications via email to read other email (about 2-3 each day), and take qualifying surveys. You can get money by trying out products/services from companies, taking surveys, and playing games online.

Why I Like This Site:
Steady flow of email notifications, pretty much daily, for every way to earn money on their site (i.e., reading emails, surveys, playing games, etc.).

What You Can Make:
The drawback is that you only earn a few cents at a time, however, for the emails that you read. And the surveys are for $1 or so. While it takes a while to see much of anything, it does slowly add up. Of course, any offers or products/surveys that you review and complete earn you the most money. A lot of them, though, you have to pay or divulge your personal information. Sometimes, that is alright. But again, I am extra cautious when it comes to that. Once you earn $30, you can request a check.

Important to Know:
As far as Customer Service, I have had good luck with them. They are pretty quick to respond and there's not a lot of fuss involved if an issue arises.

Site: My View
Link: http://www.myview.com

About:
Take surveys via their website. Sends notifications via email. I have had pretty good luck with this site. Surveys cover a broad range. Most pay $1 per survey. Also offer Personality Surveys which help you to receive more invitations to complete surveys. When you do complete these, you earn one MyView dollar. One MyView dollar=$1 USD. Earn $25, and cash out using a Paypal account.

Why I Like This Site:
Lots of surveys. I have gone a couple of days at most thus far without receiving an invitation. And when I haven't received an invitation, I log onto the site and take one of the Personality Surveys. These surveys are pretty quick and easy (If it will take longer, the survey descriptions will specify).

What You Can Make:
Most pay 1-2 MyView dollars per survey. They also offer Personality Surveys, which help you to receive more invitations to complete surveys. Upon completion of these, and there are 10 or more, you earn on MyView dollar. One MyView dollar=$1 USD. Earn 25 MyView dollars and you can cash out using your Paypal account.

Anything Else . . .
* You can unsubscribe from any of these at any time. Just follow the instructions, usually listed under the site's 'Help' or 'FAQ' sections.

*When you do sign up for an offer, usually there is a free trial period involved. Make certain that you note when this offer ends if you don't want your credit card charged.

And Finally . . .
I like these sites because you earn actual money, not points or credits (If I wanted a camera, I'll go and buy the one that I want with the money that I make. While it may take a while, it's something that you can do for a few minutes a day, and make a few bucks.

Be sure to check out my "What You Should Know About Survey Sites' post to follow, for tips on taking surveys.

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Parenting is Expensive

Being a parent is expensive. Especially in today's world. I believe that it is more expensive than ever before. I think that my own parents would vouch for that. There's formula, diapers, baby food, baby wipes, diaper creams and potions to buy, medical checkups and activities on top of that.

It has come to the point that our bills have grown so much that I am taking the initiative to cut down where possible. I have also made an earnest effort to stay away from the store. Any store. After all, we always seem to buy more than we ever need. And its been proven that the longer a person spends in a store, the more they buy.

Aside from that though, I have stepped up the homemade meals and have even started to make my own supplies. The Internet is full of sites that offer easy-to-follow instructions. And in the parenting and baby department, I have run across and tried homemade baby food, baby wipes, and diaper rash cream. It has proven to be a huge money saver, requiring little effort and time. Its actually kind of fun. And you can be proud of yourself that your doing it for your child.

Homemade Baby Wipes
1 roll of thick paper towels (Bounty works best)
2 cups of boiled water, cooled
1 tablespoon baby OR olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons baby wash
Round plastic container (such as Rubbermaid #6 or #9)

Cut paper towels in half with an electric knife. Pull out cardboard center and discard. Put one cut half of towels, cut side down, into Tupperware dish. Pour solution over towels, secure lid tightly and allow to soak. Turn container over and let sit for approximately 10 minutes. Pull first wipe from center of roll. Now wasn't that easy?!!

Homemade Diaper Rash Cream
1 teaspoon Mineral Oil (usually found in the health section at the supermarket)
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons zinc oxide
2 teaspoons antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin)
2 teaspoons yeast infection cream (optional)

Mix mineral oil and cornstarch until paste forms. Add ointments and optional yeast infection cream. Store in airtight container. Apply as needed.

Homemade Rice Cereal (from http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/)
1/4 c. rice powder (whole grain brown rice-plain, jasmine, basmati)
1 cup water

Grind rice in food processor or blender. Boil water in saucepan. Stir in powder. Simmer 10 minutes. Whisk constantly. Serve warm.

Homemade Oatmeal Cereal (from wholesomebabyfood.com)
1/4 cup of ground oats (not Quick or instant)
3/4 cup - 1 cup water
Grind oats in food processor or blender. Boil water in saucepan. Stir in powder. Simmer 10 minutes. Whisk constantly. Serve warm.

Good luck!