4/3/2026 PRC Research Study Round Up!

PRC is a nationwide research study company. They are always conducting studies and seeking additional respondents. They email me once a week about the online studies they are looking to fill. Research studies are a great way to earn a little extra money, and most of them can be completed from the comfort of your own home, using your computer or laptop.

Topic: Pool Servicing
Who: Adults 18+
Incentive: $250
Length: 30 minutes
When: April 3 – April 6, 2026 | Webcam Interview
Requirements: Proof of occupation will be required.

If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.

Topic: Vehicle Purchasing Experiences
Who: Adults, 18 +
When: April 16-17, 2025
Where: Online focus group
Length: 90 min
Incentive: $150

If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.

Topic: Cooking Study
Who: Adults 18+ years of age
Date: March 2nd – April 25th
Duration/type: 4-hour in-home session
Incentive: $400 digital incentive
Location: From the comfort of your home where a moderator will be coming to the home to speak with you and your family.

If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.

Topic: Refrigerator Filters (Everydrop # 3 Refrigerator Filters)
Who: 18+ (Nationwide)
When: March 2026 – September 2026
Where: Online surveys each month (after water filter installation, the filter will be shipped to you)
Length: 2-3 short surveys per month over 6 months + product trial
Incentive: $300 + Filters

If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.

Topic: Business Insurance decision-makers / influencers
Who: Adults 18+ years of age
Date: March 30th – April 24th
Duration/type: 60-minute webcam interview
Incentive: $225 digital incentive
Location: From the comfort of your home

If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.

A few notes about PRC:

It is recommended to use Google Chrome or Firefox to complete the pre-qualification survey.
Only one participant per household.
Their surveys are open to U.S. Residents.
Incentives are paid via Digital Incentive unless otherwise stated.
To participate in any study that requires a webcam, please use a laptop or desktop computer ONLY—No smartphones or tablets.
If you use ChatGPT or any other AI assistance for your responses/feedback during any of the research projects, please keep in mind that you will not receive compensation and will be removed from the database.
If you pre-qualify, a PRC Global Market Research recruiter will contact you via phone.

 

Focus Group Connection – $150 Paid Research Study

Focus Group Connections is a research company located in Southern California. They conduct studies and surveys all over the US.

Focus Group Connection is looking for participants in their upcoming ONLINE research study on the topic of stain removers and cleaning products.

When: April 14th and 15th.

Length: This 90-minute online session offers you a unique opportunity to influence product development.

Incentive: $150 for your valuable contributions.

If interested, please fill in the pre-screen survey here.

Please note that not everyone will qualify to participate, and not everyone will receive a callback.

Programs I Use to Find Legit Freebies

Who doesn’t love free stuff?

I’m always on the lookout for good, quality freebies. What I mean by that is items that have value. Not just monetarily, but also items that I will use. That can be anything from free food to a brand new washing machine and dryer.

Many of the freebie programs I have used in the past are no longer available (for example, Tryit and JCPenney Insiders were both acquired by Influenster), so those are not included in my list.

However, here are some that I use today and recommend to others.

This list does not include rebate apps or any other programs where you incur an out-of-pocket expense that is reimbursed later.

Home Tester Club is pretty cool. They are one of my new favorites. You sign up to review items, and they send you something. A lot of the time, they don’t notify you before shipping. You’ll get a package in the mail, and a few days later, you’ll get an email notifying you that you were selected and a link to the survey to complete once you have sampled the product. I’ve received all sorts of great skincare, cosmetics, food, and clothing from Home Tester Club.

Tryazon: The kids and I have been participating in Tryazon events for 8-ish years. We’ve gotten to try all sorts of fun toys, games, organizational products, and food.

Influenster: To get all of the products and free stuff offered by Influenster, you have to download the app.  When they send an offer for a free product, you have to jump on it right away. Their offers go fast! I’ve gotten clothing, cosmetics, perfume, and household appliances through Influenster.

Ripple Street: this company rebranded recently and was previously known as House Party. You can learn about them here

Smiley360  is a Word of Mouth (WOM) marketing website. Sign up for campaigns, and you will receive samples to use and coupons to share with friends. Report your sharing and earn points! I’ve received Laundry detergent (full-sized bottles), vitamins, supplements, tampons, and razors in the past.

Kitchen InsidersKitchen Insiders is an online community where food lovers can get a sneak peek at what we’re cooking up in the Kitchen. As a member, you’ll have the opportunity to try some of the latest and greatest snack foods for free in exchange for your honest product feedback. You can even earn points and badges for participating. Joining us in the Kitchen is completely free!

Can Fan Community: A vibrant place where we come together to learn, share, and appreciate the wonders of canned fruits and tomatoes! We’re committed to delivering the freshest, tastiest products, grown here in the USA!  Join the movement of individuals who appreciate the unmatched nutritional value, sustainability, and beyond! Together, we can shout out the message and spread the love for these pantry staples to the world!

Life Hack CollectiveAs part of our community, you’ll be able to participate in engaging Missions that may include trying new products, participating in discussions with your fellow community members, and sharing your opinion on your favorite social media platforms. By completing surveys, they’ll be able to best match you with Missions you’ll hopefully find interesting and fun.

If a company or brand offers you a freebie or a rebate to purchase an item on Amazon in exchange for a review- DECLINE THE OFFER. This is a common scam for new sellers on Amazon to receive reviews, which can put your Amazon account in jeopardy. 

Stack Influence: This is a website and app that offers you products with up to a 100% rebate after you post about it on social media. I wrote about it here. I’ve used it before, and reimbursement is quick

If you are looking for apps or companies that offer 100% rebates on food, check my post here.

Talk back: What is your favorite website for getting free stuff?

Earn Cashback with TopCashBack- Three Great Offers!

TopCashBack is back with some amazing offers and deals. If you’ve never heard of TopCashBack, here’s the scoop:

Visit their website, sign up for an account.

Next time you need to shop online, start at TopCashBack. Search for the retailer, click the link, and shop. You’ll receive cashback on your purchase. Amounts/percentages vary by retailer.   TopCashBack is free to join and can be used with over 4,000 stores!

Shop for health & beauty products and treat yourself! Browse through skincare products, cosmetics, fragrances, and even fitness and vision merchants.

Right now, TopCashBack has a few special offers for new members:

 

Proctor & Gamble: It’s Our Home Rebate Up to $15 Back!

Everyone loves to save money, right? Check out P&G brandSAVER Perks! Save on brands you love, earn rewards, and make an impact. Here are a few of the offers/deals available:

  • NEW It’s Our Home Rebate: Up to $15 Back.
  • Join P&G brandSAVER to unlock up to $15 back when you shop Tide and 20+ more brands.
  • Take quizzes, answer surveys, or scan your receipts featuring P&G Products.
  • Collect points for each engagement and redeem them for prizes like digital rewards and sweepstakes entries.

Free- Wild Wonder Animal Encounter at San Diego Area Libraries

When my kids were little, they loved these events. Honestly, they probably still would be excited about seeing wild animals up close.

Wild Wonders will be visiting 23 San Diego County libraries this summer with their furry friends.

To learn more about Wild Wonders, visit their website.

And don’t forget- Summer Reading Programs from both the City of San Diego and County of San Diego libraries will start in the beginning of June. I’ll post more information as it becomes available.

Q-insights- Online Shopping Study $25

QI-logoNOslogan.pngQ-insights is another company where I do research groups, focus groups, and online surveys to earn extra money.

They have a lot of stuff in South Orange County and less often in San Diego County. Currently, they are conducting an online study regarding shopping.

They are currently conducting a one-on-one online study on online shopping.

Who: respondents between the ages of 18-60 to participate.

Dates: April 2nd, 3rd and 6th (Depending on which day you qualify for)

Method: Online – webcam

Length: 1 hour

Incentive: $125

If you are interested in participating, please fill out the survey here. A recruiter will contact you if you pre-qualify and ask additional screening questions.

Tryazon- Jasey’s Toy Chest Party

I’ve been a fan of Tryazon for about 7 years. It’s an amazing company that works with manufacturers of toys, games, food, and recreational/sporting goods. Manufacturers supply their goods to consumers to try out and review for free.

The kids and I have received toys, games, craft kits, and art supplies to test and have fun with.

Right now, Tryazon has a fun toy sampling opportunity to apply for!

Bring home toys built for magical moments and a lifetime of memories with this Tryazon Featured Party opportunity, from Jasey’s Toy Chest! Jasey’s Toys Chest believes in joyful learning through toys that create open-ended play. The brand was created in loving memory of their son Jasey, who filled their home with creativity and adventure. Now they create sustainable toys that are built to last and spark learning, creativity, and connection. Explore the endless possibilities with Jasey’s Toy Chest!

They have 100 hosting spots open for this opportunity! Those selected get to receive a party pack for free with a variety of toys from Jasey’s Toy Chest to share with friends and family!

Learn more and apply here: https://www.tryazon.com/jaseys-toy-chest-party/

3/30/26 Freebies and Deals!

Looking for some birthday freebies? Check out my post here.

If you live outside Southern California, check out this list: Free Birthday Stuff in 2025: Get The Best 100+ Freebies on Your Birthday!

For free food resources, please refer to my comprehensive list, available here.  It is focused on San Diego County, but additional resources are available outside my area.

Freebies:

FREE Custom Fido Alert Pet ID Tags
2 FREE 5×7 Photo Prints at CVS
FREE Man-i Pedi from Hard Mountain Dew
FREE Coffee at Dunkin’ on April 1st
FREE $25 to Spend at Walmart After Cash Back
Chipotle Burrito Vault – $2 Million in FREE Chipotle
FREE Care Mail Handwritten Letters
The Best Baby Registry Websites — Get Baby Freebies and Must-Haves
FREE Custom Tabby Alert Pet ID Tags
FREE AROMASE Psoriasis Scalp Care Products
FREE GREENIES Dental Chew Treats – 10,000 Giveaway
FREE Sample of Wellness Protein Bowls Dog Food
FREE Sample of RoC Hydration+ Water Cream
Free Perfume Samples You Can Get Right Now
FREE Svinka Hand-Drawn Art Postcard
Easy Ways To Get Free Men’s Cologne Samples
FREE OGX ProGrowth + Peptide Conditioner After Walmart Cash
FREE e.l.f. Sheer For It Blush Tint
FREE Sample of Edna Day Moisture Cream & Overnight Cream
FREE Easter Collection Donut at Krispy Kreme
Get Free Samples by Mail: List of Legitimate Freebies & Free Samples From Brand Name Companies
Sweet Surprises: How to Score Free Chocolate
FREE 24-Pack of Crayola Crayons from Staples

Deals

Majesty Palm House Plant 1.94-Gallon ONLY $14.98 at Lowe’s (Reg $25)
Macy’s Jewelry up to 70% Off – Prices as low as $29
40% Off Select Kids’ Ride-on Toys at Target – Stacks w/ $10 Off $50 Toy Coupon
Walmart Beauty Box ONLY $8.98 Shipped – Now FULL Size Items Added
Latest Mixtiles Coupons and Promo Codes: Framed Wall Art Photos Up to 50% Off
BIG Home Event at Macy’s: Up to 60% Off Bedding, Kitchen, Luggage & More
Sta-Green Premium 2-cu ft Mulch on Sale for $2.00 at Lowe’s
JCPenney Spring Women’s Dresses From $19.99
CVS Photo Coupons & Promo Codes – 70% Off 16×20 Canvas, BOGO Free Gifts & More
Dove Men+Care Bar 3 in 1 Cleanser for Body 8-Pk ONLY $9.67 Shipped
Top 15 Sam’s Club Hacks to Save More in 2026
Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker ONLY $49 (Reg $100)

Adding Whimsy To Your Life!

In today’s world, we could all use a little more happiness and simple joys in our lives. Here are just a few ways that I add a little bit of whimsy to my life. These are all simple and inexpensive.

I use “the good”: dishes, linens, vases, etc. Leaving items for a “special occasion“ that may never come, let’s leave that in the past. I’ve started replacing my household goods as they wear out with better-quality items. I’ve moved to 100% cotton, higher thread count sheet sets for our beds. 2 sets of better sheets per bed instead of 3 or 4 sets of mid-quality polyester blend sheets that inevitably pill (blech).

Speaking of “the good,” this goes with your clothes, too. I’m not suggesting you wear a ballgown to the grocery store, but your pearl earrings from Meemaw look great with jeans.

Go analog. Not for everything, have you seen the “analog bag“ trend? It’s basically a Mom purse. A puzzle book, journal, small craft like knitting, crochet, kumihimo, or lucet. Something to keep your hands busy and not mindlessly scrolling on your phone.

Spend time each morning unplugged. I tried to spend my first 30 minutes of each day without a screen. I make my protein coffee, finish making lunches, pack my bag, and the kids’ backpacks. And I checked my wall calendar for anything coming up, then it’s time to wake up the kids, and make breakfast.

Take care of Nature:

  • Go for a walk, and pick up trash along the way.
  • Hang a seed ball or a hummingbird feeder on your porch or patio.
  • Get a succulent or other low-maintenance plant.
  • Feed some ducks (not bread). Frozen corn or peas are better for them.

Make a beverage cart or a beverage corner in your kitchen. I moved some stuff around to make a coffee cupboard in my kitchen above my coffee maker. It has all of the shelf-stable coffee/cocoa/tea supplies on it, including my French press, my syrups that don’t fit there live under the cupboard next to my coffee machine.

I’m spreading the love and putting love notes in the kids’ lunches every day and cutting sandwiches into funny shapes. Just a little note and touches that show them I care.

Making fun desserts, and having yummy fruit on hand to snack on. Seasonal fruit is cheaper, but I do love me some berries.

Make something colorful: a fruit salad, a beaded bracelet, or plan a fun, colorful outfit with pieces you already own. Or draw a picture and color it. If you don’t have crayons, colored pencils, or markers, or you’re trying to lower your carbon footprint, there are plenty of free coloring apps online.

 

Talk Back: I’d love to hear about how you are taking time to make your life a little more whimsical?