A hot search topic today deals with a site, www.missingmoney.com, which is a searchable database of most states' unclaimed property records. I have been aware of this site for a few years and sadly, no one owes me any money. Or rather is that gladly? I guess I have been fiscally responsible all this time after all!
What is nice about missingmoney.com is that you can search broadly or narrow it down if you haven't lived in multiple states. Missingmoney.com will also let you search just your last name (helpful when searching for money for relatives) or just your first and last name.
To read more about www.missingmoney.com and how it works, please read this article:
Missingmoney.com Reunites Americans With Missing Money, Property
Showing posts with label cash. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cash. Show all posts
Monday, July 14, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
ChaCha Guide as a work-at-home option
For a month or better, I have been trolling the work-at-home forums at a few sites, poking into a few threads and seeing what really is out there for moms who choose to stay home with their kids (or for those who are just looking to earn a few extra bucks). I stumbled upon ChaCha half by accident. I'd never heard of ChaCha before, and was curious because I was seeing people posting to these forums about making a few extra hundred bucks a month. Bear in mind, these people are treating it as a full-time job, whereas I am more of a slow and steady wins the race type of person. Even $50 or $100 extra bucks a month would be nice. Lots of people are feeling the pinch of gas prices and this type of gig could help make ends meet, or at least get them a lot closer!
I did apply and was accepted as a guide. I applied mainly out of curiosity though to see if you did actually get paid to guide people's searches that are texted to ChaCha at 242242 on your cellular phone. So far, so good. I have about $17 in my ChaCha account from guiding people's searches from their cell phones! I have two options for payment, that being either meeting the $100 threshold for a bank transfer, which is a once a month deal, or I could get a debit card on the Pay Me Now option and eat a $2 transaction fee each time I want paid now. Instant gratification is an available option!
So far, so good. I have answered dozens of questions all while I sit and surf, read email, or even writing articles for Associated Content. I just stop what I am doing when that door bell noise goes off and accept the query. Some questions are off the wall, some border on vulgarity, but most so far seem to be testing to see if someone really will look up the right answer. I've gotten two questions so far about the planets (yes, Pluto was demoted and is no longer a "planet") but for those of you who spend time on line anyway, ChaCha could be a good fit.
Check out how to be a guide!
I did apply and was accepted as a guide. I applied mainly out of curiosity though to see if you did actually get paid to guide people's searches that are texted to ChaCha at 242242 on your cellular phone. So far, so good. I have about $17 in my ChaCha account from guiding people's searches from their cell phones! I have two options for payment, that being either meeting the $100 threshold for a bank transfer, which is a once a month deal, or I could get a debit card on the Pay Me Now option and eat a $2 transaction fee each time I want paid now. Instant gratification is an available option!
So far, so good. I have answered dozens of questions all while I sit and surf, read email, or even writing articles for Associated Content. I just stop what I am doing when that door bell noise goes off and accept the query. Some questions are off the wall, some border on vulgarity, but most so far seem to be testing to see if someone really will look up the right answer. I've gotten two questions so far about the planets (yes, Pluto was demoted and is no longer a "planet") but for those of you who spend time on line anyway, ChaCha could be a good fit.
Check out how to be a guide!
Monday, April 21, 2008
U30/Garb Panel - Legitimate Survey Panel #15 - earn cash for your opinion
I can't believe I haven't highlighted U30/Garb Panel! As a survey panel, U30 is great. Though I receive many invites that I just don't qualify for, the ones that I do get pay well, ranging between $5-$10 most of the time, and other times much higher. I have been offered many product wear tests where I get to keep the product afterwards and the compensation is, in my opinion, above average, which is most appreciated.
Not all surveys have compensation attached, but prize drawings. To be honest, I don't think that U30 uses these types of surveys for anything more than pre-screeners. Other less panelist friendly panels use these as basically freebies on their part; that is, they get free information and you end up doing a long survey for a long shot at a prize.
Myself and my sister have both done product wear tests for U30, but they do have other types of surveys as well. U30 does market research for many name brand companies such as Pepsi, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Coors, etc. As a general rule, I would be more inclined to try to qualify for a U30 survey than many others that hit my inbox. They pay well and I would rather spend my time doing market research for a company that doesn't pay their panels a pittance for honest opinions.
If you wish to join U30, please sign up at their site by clicking this link:
Join Page for U30
Not all surveys have compensation attached, but prize drawings. To be honest, I don't think that U30 uses these types of surveys for anything more than pre-screeners. Other less panelist friendly panels use these as basically freebies on their part; that is, they get free information and you end up doing a long survey for a long shot at a prize.
Myself and my sister have both done product wear tests for U30, but they do have other types of surveys as well. U30 does market research for many name brand companies such as Pepsi, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Coors, etc. As a general rule, I would be more inclined to try to qualify for a U30 survey than many others that hit my inbox. They pay well and I would rather spend my time doing market research for a company that doesn't pay their panels a pittance for honest opinions.
If you wish to join U30, please sign up at their site by clicking this link:
Join Page for U30
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Opinion Outpost - Legitimate Survey Panel #14. Earn cash by doing surveys.
Opinion Outpost is a legitimate survey panel that pays cash for your opinions. I have been with Opinion Outpost for about two years. I really can't recall how I got put onto Opinion Outpost, but it was probably my sister who hooked me up with them. At first, I didn't qualify for a lot of surveys, but it seems that in the past year or so, I qualify for a good many of them. Since 1/2007, I have cashed out 5 times.
How it works: Opinion Outpost emails you survey invitations and they have Opinion points attached to them. 10 points is equivalent to $1. Many surveys are worth more than 10 points, so you could cash out after two or three surveys depending upon the point value. You need 50 Opinion points to cash out and receive a $5 check. It generally takes 6 weeks or so to receive a check via mail. My last cash out which was on 1/16/2008 was for 57 points. I received a check for $5.70. To date, I have cashed out for about $35 total since I signed up for this company.
I really like that the surveys have a point value assigned to them. For the most part, it is a fair amount. If the survey is long, the points are higher. If you aren't going to qualify for a survey, you will know fairly quickly. This is a very nice thing since certain other survey companies have you spend 10 minutes answering questions, only to find you do not qualify. To me, it should be very evident within the first 5-10 questions whether or not you will qualify. I have seen surveys range between 10 points and 182 points. (I, sadly, did not qualify for the 182 pointer.) I encourage you to sign up since Opinion Outpost is a reputable company that pays and treats its panelists fairly when it comes to compensation.
Want to join? Please click this link: Opinion Outpost's sign up page.
For must know tips on how to get started taking surveys, don't pass up my article How To Make Ends Meet and Still Be a Stay At Home Mom. The part that deals with surveys is on pages 2 and 3 of that article, but you may want to read the rest for other ideas.
How it works: Opinion Outpost emails you survey invitations and they have Opinion points attached to them. 10 points is equivalent to $1. Many surveys are worth more than 10 points, so you could cash out after two or three surveys depending upon the point value. You need 50 Opinion points to cash out and receive a $5 check. It generally takes 6 weeks or so to receive a check via mail. My last cash out which was on 1/16/2008 was for 57 points. I received a check for $5.70. To date, I have cashed out for about $35 total since I signed up for this company.
I really like that the surveys have a point value assigned to them. For the most part, it is a fair amount. If the survey is long, the points are higher. If you aren't going to qualify for a survey, you will know fairly quickly. This is a very nice thing since certain other survey companies have you spend 10 minutes answering questions, only to find you do not qualify. To me, it should be very evident within the first 5-10 questions whether or not you will qualify. I have seen surveys range between 10 points and 182 points. (I, sadly, did not qualify for the 182 pointer.) I encourage you to sign up since Opinion Outpost is a reputable company that pays and treats its panelists fairly when it comes to compensation.
Want to join? Please click this link: Opinion Outpost's sign up page.
For must know tips on how to get started taking surveys, don't pass up my article How To Make Ends Meet and Still Be a Stay At Home Mom. The part that deals with surveys is on pages 2 and 3 of that article, but you may want to read the rest for other ideas.
Friday, March 28, 2008
HCD Surveys - Legitimate Survey Panel #11
To be sure, HCD is one of my favorite survey panels and not only just because they pay. I like HCD because the surveys are generally interesting to complete and are interactive.
Let me give you an example. I receive a lot of surveys from HCD that involve gathering opinions about public events and politics. Remember Michael Vick? I got a public opinion survey about that subject. Remember John McCain and his alleged affair? I got a survey about that too. I really feel like HCD has its finger on the pulse of the American Public by gathering a large sampling of people to give their opinions on things. Usually you are shown a video clip during the survey and most are about 10 minutes long. So really, the compensation is pretty fair for the time you spend taking a survey. HCD also recently started awarding 10 points if you disqualify, and not many survey companies are so thoughtful in that regard.
Most surveys range from 100-300 points for me. Once I hit 1,000 points, I can cash in for a $10 check. This is relatively new; they used to assign a dollar amount to a survey and mail you a check after you completed it. While I don't get checks as often, the ones I do are higher valued. It is a lot more worth it to me to go to the bank to cash a $10 check than it is for a $2 check!
I really can't say how much I have made with HCD. I've been a panelist for probably a year and a half. I can say I got probably eight $2 checks before they switched over to the new point system and have gotten one $10 check so far this year.
Please consider allowing me to refer you to HCD: HCDSurveys Consumer Research Panel
I hope you all aren't sick of my survey postings, but I am trying to post the information I would have wanted years ago before I started signing up for different survey panels.
Let me give you an example. I receive a lot of surveys from HCD that involve gathering opinions about public events and politics. Remember Michael Vick? I got a public opinion survey about that subject. Remember John McCain and his alleged affair? I got a survey about that too. I really feel like HCD has its finger on the pulse of the American Public by gathering a large sampling of people to give their opinions on things. Usually you are shown a video clip during the survey and most are about 10 minutes long. So really, the compensation is pretty fair for the time you spend taking a survey. HCD also recently started awarding 10 points if you disqualify, and not many survey companies are so thoughtful in that regard.
Most surveys range from 100-300 points for me. Once I hit 1,000 points, I can cash in for a $10 check. This is relatively new; they used to assign a dollar amount to a survey and mail you a check after you completed it. While I don't get checks as often, the ones I do are higher valued. It is a lot more worth it to me to go to the bank to cash a $10 check than it is for a $2 check!
I really can't say how much I have made with HCD. I've been a panelist for probably a year and a half. I can say I got probably eight $2 checks before they switched over to the new point system and have gotten one $10 check so far this year.
Please consider allowing me to refer you to HCD: HCDSurveys Consumer Research Panel
I hope you all aren't sick of my survey postings, but I am trying to post the information I would have wanted years ago before I started signing up for different survey panels.
Monday, March 24, 2008
NFO/mysurvey.com - Legitimate Survey Panel #9
I have been a member of NFO/Mysurvey.com for approximately two and a half years. I like belonging to this panel for several reasons. First of all, they pay (a must!) and very timely too. I have earned $60 from Mysurvey.com since I started and am close to half way to my next 10 dollars. Secondly, their surveys aren't annoying or overly repetitive.
How it works is that you take surveys, most of which start out as 10 pointers. Some are just to gather information for future surveys and many are screeners that if you qualify, you can go on to take the rest of the survey for more points. I highly recommend opting to take surveys on site as well as via the mail (the way NFO started out decades ago) because with each mail survey you complete, you do get points for doing so. You should receive an email when the points have been credited to your account.
You earn points, which you bank, and you can cash out at the 1,000 point level. At 1,000 points, you can cash out for a $10 check, which comes very quickly, only a few weeks and it will hit your mailbox. You can also cash out for merchandise or other goodies (1 free month of Netflix, anyone?) or you can save up and at the 1,100 point level, you can redeem for a $10 gift certificate via Reward Choice. Amazon is a participating retailer, among others. I am actually too cheap to waste 100 points to get a $10 gift code, so I always opt for the $10 cash.
I have gotten numerous products to test via this site. Many items were baby products, so moms with babies, be sure to sign up! Mysurvey.com does also offer an affiliate program if you have a website and it does offer 150 points for referring a friend. Be sure to check that out and do adhere to spam rules.
For must know tips on how to get started taking surveys, don't pass up my article How To Make Ends Meet and Still Be a Stay At Home Mom. The part that deals with surveys is on pages 2 and 3 of that article, but you may want to read the rest for other ideas.
How it works is that you take surveys, most of which start out as 10 pointers. Some are just to gather information for future surveys and many are screeners that if you qualify, you can go on to take the rest of the survey for more points. I highly recommend opting to take surveys on site as well as via the mail (the way NFO started out decades ago) because with each mail survey you complete, you do get points for doing so. You should receive an email when the points have been credited to your account.
You earn points, which you bank, and you can cash out at the 1,000 point level. At 1,000 points, you can cash out for a $10 check, which comes very quickly, only a few weeks and it will hit your mailbox. You can also cash out for merchandise or other goodies (1 free month of Netflix, anyone?) or you can save up and at the 1,100 point level, you can redeem for a $10 gift certificate via Reward Choice. Amazon is a participating retailer, among others. I am actually too cheap to waste 100 points to get a $10 gift code, so I always opt for the $10 cash.
I have gotten numerous products to test via this site. Many items were baby products, so moms with babies, be sure to sign up! Mysurvey.com does also offer an affiliate program if you have a website and it does offer 150 points for referring a friend. Be sure to check that out and do adhere to spam rules.
For must know tips on how to get started taking surveys, don't pass up my article How To Make Ends Meet and Still Be a Stay At Home Mom. The part that deals with surveys is on pages 2 and 3 of that article, but you may want to read the rest for other ideas.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Greenfield Online - Legitimate Survey #7. Not a real moneymaker, but could be good for some..
When I first started survey taking a few years ago, I literally signed up for every legitimate survey company that I could find. Someone had recommended Greenfield to me, so I took a chance. I can't complain that I didn't receive payment, since I did. It took a long, long time, but it came. They have since switched to a PayPal option which is nice. However, to be honest, I wouldn't bother with this survey company unless you are a male.
Did I just say that? Yes. My husband is a member and gets somewhat frequent survey invitations offering him decent remuneration for taking their survey or joining an online discussion board to talk shop about products. Me? I get survey invites asking me to spend a half hour to earn a measly buck. Or worse, a half hour to earn a sweeps entry! Though recently, I see, they have instituted a "quarter for your thoughts" where they offer a quarter now for those surveys they used to want you to spend a good half hour of your time on for free. Many of their surveys are repetitive in nature and you are just praying that the next question is the last.... they take forever. There is a reason why Survey Police has Greenfield ranked as number 31 on their list.
If you do decide to join, just do what I do. I look at the invitation and if they want me to spend more than 10 minutes or offer me a buck or less for my time, I pass. I hit that delete button and move on. I generally skip over surveys for restaurants, cell phones, technology items, etc. Basically anything that doesn't look like it will lead to a product test. Surveys that are targeting consumers to try a product won't take a half hour! Ten minutes, maybe 15, max! Product tests do pay fairly well, plus most of the time, you can keep the product when you are finished.
If you do decide to join, you can do so by clicking here.
Did I just say that? Yes. My husband is a member and gets somewhat frequent survey invitations offering him decent remuneration for taking their survey or joining an online discussion board to talk shop about products. Me? I get survey invites asking me to spend a half hour to earn a measly buck. Or worse, a half hour to earn a sweeps entry! Though recently, I see, they have instituted a "quarter for your thoughts" where they offer a quarter now for those surveys they used to want you to spend a good half hour of your time on for free. Many of their surveys are repetitive in nature and you are just praying that the next question is the last.... they take forever. There is a reason why Survey Police has Greenfield ranked as number 31 on their list.
If you do decide to join, just do what I do. I look at the invitation and if they want me to spend more than 10 minutes or offer me a buck or less for my time, I pass. I hit that delete button and move on. I generally skip over surveys for restaurants, cell phones, technology items, etc. Basically anything that doesn't look like it will lead to a product test. Surveys that are targeting consumers to try a product won't take a half hour! Ten minutes, maybe 15, max! Product tests do pay fairly well, plus most of the time, you can keep the product when you are finished.
If you do decide to join, you can do so by clicking here.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Your2Cents - Legitimate Survey Company #4 - earn cash for your opinion
I have been a member of Your2Cents for approximately a year and a half. In that time, I have earned $30. Not a great amount of money by any means, but not too bad either. Considering that I often get surveys tailored to alcohol consumption and that I don't drink alcohol, it isn't so bad after all.
What I like about Your2Cents is that each survey that you qualify for is worth from $1-$5, though the most I have ever gotten was $3. The interesting thing is that you don't know how much you are getting until the end of the survey when it tells you how much you earned for doing the survey.
Your rewards are held until you reach at least $5, and then you can cash out. You will receive a check in about 6 weeks or so. I have never not received a check when requested. The surveys are generally not long and aren't too repetitive.
Joining Your2Cents is easy to do by clicking this link. They do offer mobile surveys if you are into that, the pay is higher, but I am just not willing to give out my cell phone number. You may also join the panel and have your reward money donated to SPCA by clicking here to get more information.
Be sure to complete your profiles as when you first start out, you will receive a $1 bonus for filing out your surveys, which gets added to the amount that you earn for your first survey.
What I like about Your2Cents is that each survey that you qualify for is worth from $1-$5, though the most I have ever gotten was $3. The interesting thing is that you don't know how much you are getting until the end of the survey when it tells you how much you earned for doing the survey.
Your rewards are held until you reach at least $5, and then you can cash out. You will receive a check in about 6 weeks or so. I have never not received a check when requested. The surveys are generally not long and aren't too repetitive.
Joining Your2Cents is easy to do by clicking this link. They do offer mobile surveys if you are into that, the pay is higher, but I am just not willing to give out my cell phone number. You may also join the panel and have your reward money donated to SPCA by clicking here to get more information.
Be sure to complete your profiles as when you first start out, you will receive a $1 bonus for filing out your surveys, which gets added to the amount that you earn for your first survey.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Buzzback - Legitimate Survey Company #3
I have belonged to Buzzback for approximately 3 years. I like their surveys, though I get maybe one a month, give or take. Most offer at least $5, sometimes more, so they are well worth your time to complete them.
With Buzzback, there is no need to cash out. After you complete the survey, you receive a check in the mail in about 4 weeks or so. Buzzback's surveys are often interactive and are not repetitive in nature, so very enjoyable to complete.
For must know tips on how to get started taking surveys, don't pass up my article How To Make Ends Meet and Still Be a Stay At Home Mom. The part that deals with surveys is on pages 2 and 3 of that article, but you may want to read the rest for other ideas.
With Buzzback, there is no need to cash out. After you complete the survey, you receive a check in the mail in about 4 weeks or so. Buzzback's surveys are often interactive and are not repetitive in nature, so very enjoyable to complete.
For must know tips on how to get started taking surveys, don't pass up my article How To Make Ends Meet and Still Be a Stay At Home Mom. The part that deals with surveys is on pages 2 and 3 of that article, but you may want to read the rest for other ideas.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Global Test Market - Legitimate Survey Company #1
Global Test Market, founded in 1999, is a survey company that serves 60 countries and 1,400 clients world wide. It is a legitimate survey company and it does pay its panelists.
How does it work? Once you register for the panel, you really should fill out the profiles. They take a few minutes each and you earn ten points each profile, or a total of 100 points. That 100 points translates into $5 worth of points. Surveys will arrive by email and range in points between 5 and usually about 150. If you do not qualify, you will receive 5 points. This is nice since very few survey companies award points when you disqualify for a survey.
How do you cash out? After you have banked at least 1,000 Market Points, you can cash out for a check in the amount of $50. While it may take some time to reach the point of cashing out for some, it is well worth it once you have that $50 check in your hand. You are given the option of cashing out at 1,000 points, but you can cash out any time thereafter. For instance, earlier this week I reached that magic 1,000 point threshold and crossed it with a total of 1,138 points. I cashed out that entire amount, which is roughly about $56. Theoretically, you could accumulate points until the cows come home, but as a general rule for myself, I don't let money sit in their bank account when it could be sitting in mine.
As with all survey companies, your experience may be different than mine. Many surveys are offered based on demographic data, and not everyone will qualify for every survey. Panelists can earn 20 Market Points for referring others to join the panel. The 20 points are credited once the referral has completed a survey.
Global Test Market is currently ranked #9 in the Top Ten list at Survey Police, which monitors survey sites. The site also provides rankings, which are provided by members of the site.
For must know tips on how to get started taking surveys, don't pass up my article How To Make Ends Meet and Still Be a Stay At Home Mom. The part that deals with surveys is on pages 2 and 3 of that article, but you may want to read the rest for other ideas.
How does it work? Once you register for the panel, you really should fill out the profiles. They take a few minutes each and you earn ten points each profile, or a total of 100 points. That 100 points translates into $5 worth of points. Surveys will arrive by email and range in points between 5 and usually about 150. If you do not qualify, you will receive 5 points. This is nice since very few survey companies award points when you disqualify for a survey.
How do you cash out? After you have banked at least 1,000 Market Points, you can cash out for a check in the amount of $50. While it may take some time to reach the point of cashing out for some, it is well worth it once you have that $50 check in your hand. You are given the option of cashing out at 1,000 points, but you can cash out any time thereafter. For instance, earlier this week I reached that magic 1,000 point threshold and crossed it with a total of 1,138 points. I cashed out that entire amount, which is roughly about $56. Theoretically, you could accumulate points until the cows come home, but as a general rule for myself, I don't let money sit in their bank account when it could be sitting in mine.
As with all survey companies, your experience may be different than mine. Many surveys are offered based on demographic data, and not everyone will qualify for every survey. Panelists can earn 20 Market Points for referring others to join the panel. The 20 points are credited once the referral has completed a survey.
Global Test Market is currently ranked #9 in the Top Ten list at Survey Police, which monitors survey sites. The site also provides rankings, which are provided by members of the site.
For must know tips on how to get started taking surveys, don't pass up my article How To Make Ends Meet and Still Be a Stay At Home Mom. The part that deals with surveys is on pages 2 and 3 of that article, but you may want to read the rest for other ideas.
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