earn money

My Side Hustle Totals for 2020!

Abby H.

2020 wasn’t the best year for side hustles. Like most of us, I spent most of 2020 at home. That means no secret shopping, no audits with Field Agent. I did a lot more surveys and online research studies in 2020.

When there aren’t any side hustles to earn money, the name of the game becomes all about saving money.

My complete list of side hustles is here. And the list of apps I use is here.

Let’s start with Smartphone apps since they are pretty passive income for me. I’m not as much into them as a lot of other savers. The truth is, I don’t shop at most mainstream grocery stores, so apps like Ibotta aren’t very useful.

Misc. Most of these I have links to or more info in my side hustles post here.

  • Ohm Connect: $80 (It was hard to conserve electricity when we were all at home ALL YEAR)
  • Field Agent: $ 93.00
  • SBKC: $ 100
  • Research Studies/Focus groups: $1200 ( I did a ton of these online this year through Q-Insights and Digsite)
  • Capterra: $250
  • Selling stuff after we Marie Kondo’d the house: $555
  • PaidViewPoint: $47.06
  • Misc. Surveys, Rebates, and cashback offers: $280

That’s approximately $2800 in 2020. Not bad for a year where I spent most of the time writing, playing Playmobil, and attempting to conduct distance learning with two kiddos.

Q-insights Car/SUV/Minivan Survey Pays $100!

Abby H.

QI-logoNOslogan.png

Q-insights is another company that 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 San Diego County.

I received an email this morning that Q-insights is currently looking for people to take part in an upcoming online survey for car, SUV, and minivan owners.

This is an online survey that will be held at the end of January. The survey is 1 hour long and pays $100.

They are looking for owners of the following vehicles 2013 or newer:

  • Chevrolet Equinox
  • Chevrolet Malibu
  • Chevrolet Silverado
  • Chevrolet Tahoe
  • Chevrolet Traverse
  • Chrysler Pacifica
  • Dodge Caravan
  • Dodge Durango
  • Ford Edge
  • Ford Escape
  • Ford Explorer
  • Ford F-150 SuperCrew
  • Ford Fusion
  • GMC Acadia
  • Honda Accord
  • Honda CR-V
  • Honda Odyssey
  • Honda Pilot
  • Hyundai Palisade
  • Hyundai Santa Fe
  • Jeep Cherokee
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee
  • Kia Sorento
  • Kia Telluride
  • Nissan Altima
  • Nissan Pathfinder
  • Nissan Rogue
  • Ram 1500
  • Subaru Ascent
  • Subaru Outback
  • Toyota 4Runner
  • Toyota Camry
  • Toyota Highlander
  • Toyota RAV4
  • Volkswagen Atlas

If you have one of these vehicles and are interested, please fill out this survey screener and one of their recruiters will contact you if you qualify.

(San Diego, CA) Flagship Research Seeking Parents fo Upcoming Study!

Abby H.

I got an email this morning from Flagship Research, and they are looking for parents or grandparents with children ages newborn to 4 years old who live in the household that want to take part in an upcoming research usability study. This study is being held at an offsite location in the Carlsbad area in San Diego on Thursday, January 7th, Monday, January 11th through Friday, January 15th at various throughout the day. The study will consist in taking part in a 2-hour one-on-one interview that will compensate $150 if you qualify and participate.

If you are interested, contact Flagship at (619) 849-1111. And let them know that Abby Hewes referred you.

If you don’t live in San Diego and are interested in earning money, here are a few online survey companies I like:

 

Got a Tablet? Check out this opportunity from Q-Insights Market Research Company

Abby H.

QI-logoNOslogan.png

Q-insights is another company that 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 San Diego County.

I received an email this morning that Q-insights is currently looking for males and females ages 20-50 who are currently own a
tablet, such as Apple iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab.

The survey would be a 2.5 hour online Zoom focus group being held on January 11, 12, or 13, 2021.

You would be paid $200 for your participation. To see if you qualify, please fill out the questionnaire here. 

For more information about Q-insights, check out the post I wrote here.

Piñata: Make Rent Rewarding

Abby H.

I discovered this app the other day and I decided to share with you.

I was a renter for years, and each month it pained me to write a rent check and wave the money goodbye. Enter Piñata! Piñata is the world’s first and only rent rewards platform that gives you rewards for paying rent and is free.

Every rent day, get Piñata Cash, redeemable for gift cards and free goodies from top brands.

Even when it’s not rent day, Piñata gives renters exclusive deals and discounts to help you save on everyday expenses from CVS and Costco to Best Buy and Sprint to Papa John’s and Disney World. You get an average of $4,000 in yearly savings. You can also get cash back on special deals from your favorite brands.

You’ll get a $30 gift card just for creating your account.

Get Pinata Cash for referring friends & family and helping them earn as well!

Talk Back: If you sign up for Pinata, please let me know what you think!

Save Money on Online Purchases with Smarty!

Abby H.

If you are an online shopper (and at this point, who isn’t?), you know that searching online for coupon codes for each and every website can be daunting.

And did you know that Amazon isn’t always the best price? But do you really have the time (or energy) to comparison shop online? No.

That’s where Smarty comes in! It’s a Chrome Extension that combs the internet for coupon codes, discounts, and even comparison shops for you!

And it works on hundreds of websites including Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Macy’s!

As a bonus: When you install the browser and refer your friends, you can earn cash back! So it’s a win-win! Everyone saves, and you get a little cash back to pad your wallet.

 

Free Thanksgiving Dinner from Ibotta!

Abby H.

Ibotta and Walmart has hooked up to offer you a free Thanksgiving dinner! Seriously! If you are new to Ibotta, it’s a cashback app that is super easy to use.

This deal is super easy to do:

  • Download the Ibotta app.
  • Download the Ibotta browser extension to your computer and log in to Ibotta to discover our newest, most convenient way to shop online.
  • Once you’ve logged in and linked your Walmart account, all nine free Thanksgiving offers will appear in your browser extension immediately (and in the Ibotta app within an hour).
  • Link your Walmart Pickup & Delivery account to shop online with the browser extension. Or, shop at Walmart in-store with the Ibotta app. Either way, you’ll get cash back!
  • After you shop, scan your receipt in the Ibotta app. Once your receipt is verified, the funds will appear in your Ibotta account. You can cash out for Paypal or gift cards- your choice.

So what are you getting for free?

  • FREE Butterball Turkey Breast Roast ($9.98) Offer valid for 100% cash back on all flavors of the 3 lb Butterball turkey roast, which includes a gravy packet. Also valid for $9.98 cash back on Butterball whole turkeys.
  • McCormick Gravy, 0.87 oz Pouch Offer valid for all 0.87 oz McCormick gravy packet flavors. $1.12 Cash Back.
  • Great Value Stuffing Mix, 6 oz Offer valid for all 6 oz Great Value Stuffing Mix flavors. .82 Cash Back.
  • Idahoan Mashed Potatoes, 8 oz Pouch Offer valid for all 8 oz Idahoan Mashed Potato flavors. $1.88 Cash Back
  • Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, 10.5 oz Can Offer valid on 10.5 oz can only .98 Cash Back
  • Great Value Cranberry Sauce, 14 oz Offer valid for all canned 14 oz Cranberry sauce varieties. .98 Cash Back
  • Great Value Green Beans, 12 oz Offer valid on Great Value Fine Green Beans, 12 oz frozen bag $1.34 Cash Back
  • French’s Crispy Fried Onions, 2.8 oz Offer valid on French’s Original Crispy Fried Onions, 2.8 oz. $1.92 Cash Back
  • Coca-Cola, 2 Liter Bottle Offer valid on 2 Liter bottles of Coca-Cola: Cherry Zero Sugar, Vanilla, Caffeine Free, Caffeine Free Zero Sugar, Original Taste & Zero Sugar. $1.25 Cash Back

This is a great opportunity to pick up a meal for free after cashback. And if some of these items aren’t food that you normally eat, food banks will be looking for donations for holiday meals.

You can download the Ibotta app here. When you use my referral code qmo4a, you will receive a bonus (the amount varies) after you redeem your first offer (like this sweet one).

If you’ve got questions, check out the FAQ about this deal here.

 

Pinecone Research- Updates and a New App!

Abby H.

If you’ve been a reader of this blog for a while, you know how much I love Pinecone Research. I’ve been singing its praises for years.

It’s getting better! Now there is a Pinecone Research Mobile App. The new and convenient mobile app gives you access to the full experience of your membership on the go. Not only are you able to take surveys and redeem your rewards, but you also have the ability to make updates to your panelist profile.

To get started, click either the iOS or Android download links below.

Rewards Site: The Pinecone Rewards site is receiving a facelift! Browsing rewards options is now easier than ever and new catalog options are available. Starting October 6th, you can redeem your rewards via Direct Deposit (ACH) to a bank account of your choice. They added this as a secure way to receive cash rewards quickly and direct to you!

In addition, their offerings include virtual Mastercards and Amazon Gift Cards. Keep in mind that if you have joined the panel in the last 30 days, your first redemption must be via ACH Direct Deposit to verify your rewards account. After your first ACH Direct Deposit redemption or 30 days of being an active Pinecone member (whichever occurs first), you will have the ability to redeem your points for any reward option in the catalog.

I downloaded the app yesterday and did 3 surveys. It was a lot quicker and easier than using my iPad or laptop! I can’t wait to redeem my points for an ACH deposit.

Fetch Rewards: Want 4,000 easy points? Refer friends!

Abby H.

 

 

 

One of the reasons I love Fetch Rewards is that they run incredible referral bonus offers. And I LOVE telling everyone all about Fetch Rewards. It is my #1 favorite cashback app. There are thousands of referral bonus points just waiting to be claimed.

Now through 10/6/2020, you’ll get 4,000 points for anyone who signs up using your code. And the deal is sweet for your friends too! Each friend who signs up gets 2,000 points.

 

 

If you haven’t signed up for Fetch Rewards yet, or want to learn more, check out my post here. Find the Fetch Rewards app in your app store, and when you download it, use my code ND2TB when you sign up and you’ll score 2,000 bonus points.

In 2020, I’ve earned $75 in Amazon Gift cards! Sometimes there are extra point offers for buying specific brands or items, which is how I’ve earned extra points- but it was stuff I was buying anyway!

In order for you to qualify for the increased referral bonus, your friends must enter your referral code and complete a valid receipt now through 11:59 PM PT on 10/6/2020. After 11:59 PM PT on 10/6/2020, the referral bonus will expire. Your custom referral code can be found in app under Me.

*See Rewards page in the Fetch Rewards app for specific redemption details.

Sad News! Radial Insight Receipt Rewards Program is Ending!

Abby H.

I received an email earlier today and I’m bummed, but honestly, I’m not all that surprised. Like all awesome programs that pay well, they have to come to an end.

Unfortunately, the Receipt Rewards program will be ending on October 1, 2020. Current members can continue to take advantage of the other great programs, including traditional email surveys and Radial Insight On Demand.

After October 1st, rewards will no longer be issued for submitted receipts. For instructions for deleting the Receipt Rewards browser extension, please click here if you use Chrome, or click here if you use Firefox.

If you are on the hunt for some easy to do rewards programs, I suggest UpVoice (more info here).