hustle

Earn Gift Cards with Surveys on MyPoints.com!

Abby H.

Last week was a no-work week for me, which is why you saw a lot more posts from me. At my 9-5 job, when we are closed, we don’t work, which means….. I don’t get paid.

Except for the holiday and the day after (it’s a floating holiday), that means I had 3 unpaid days off last week. What’s a girl to do, besides clean out the closets, steam clean the couch, take the kids to the zoo, and visit the eye doctor?

SURVEYS!

I spent my time between loads of laundry/meal prep/dishes and at 6 am every day (the cat doesn’t understand days off) doing surveys to earn a little extra money for the holidays. And Groceries.

I completed most of the surveys on MyPoints.com, which, in addition to offering a large number of surveys, also helps you save and earn money shopping online.

Here are some of the surveys available as of Monday night that I qualify for. 

 

For reference, 1600 points are equal to a $10 gift card. I usually get gift cards to stores where I can buy groceries, or I get gift cards that I can give as gifts.

I also completed surveys on Verasight, where I cashed out $10.00, and Paid ViewPoint, where I cashed out $15.00. I completed a few other misc. surveys I had in my email, including 4 software reviews on G2. Those pay $10 each. I was able to cash out about $90.00 in gift cards from My Points.

I didn’t get paid for any of the following, but I might later down the road if I get picked for a PRC research study. I post about those about once a week, or when they send me emails. They have a lot of various research studies available for people all across the US. Here are some I posted last week.

Earn Cash with PaidViewPoint!

Abby H.

I did it again!

I just cashed out from Paid Viewpoint so I figured it was a great time to share it with you again.

I’ve been a member for 9 years, and I do a couple of surveys each week. Each Survey you are sent, you are pre-qualified for. That means that you won’t spend 20 minutes doing a survey only to be told, “Sorry, we don’t need you!” and you don’t get paid. Paid ViewPoint surveys vary in bounty/amount earned, starting at .10 and working up to $5.00.

What I like is that Paid Viewpoint tells you how long each survey will take and how much it pays, no surprises.

Once you sign up, you will receive an email when they have surveys for you, but I check my Paid ViewPoint account a few times a week to see if there are any available, just in case I miss emails from them.
Obviously, I won’t be quitting my day job because of these surveys, but a little extra money never hurts.

Earn Cash with PaidViewPoint!

Abby H.

I just cashed out from Paid Viewpoint so I figured it was a great time to share it with you again.

I’ve been a member for 9 years, and I do a couple of surveys each week. Each Survey you are sent, you are pre-qualified for. That means that you won’t spend 20 minutes doing a survey only to be told, “Sorry, we don’t need you!” and you don’t get paid. Paid ViewPoint surveys vary in bounty/amount earned, starting at .10 and working up to $5.00.

What I like is that Paid Viewpoint tells you how long each survey will take and how much it pays, no surprises.

Once you sign up, you will receive an email when they have surveys for you, but I check my Paid ViewPoint account a few times a week to see if there are any available, just in case I miss emails from them.

I cashed out $10.86 this afternoon. Not tons of money, but, that’s only a months worth of surveys.

Disclosure: I may earn a commission or reward if you click on the links above. Please see my Disclosure page here for more info.

Earn Money This Summer with Surveys!

Abby H.

Even though I’m working summer school this year, pay day is net 30, meaning I won’t receive most of my summer pay until the end of August.  I need a little extra cash to take the kids on fun adventures, and snacks cost money! I try to spend 30 minutes a day doing surveys, usually early in the morning after the cat has demanded her breakfast, before the kids have woken up.  Here are some of my favorite survey companies:

PaidViewPoint– They only send you surveys that you qualify for, so there is no wasted time. Payout is only $15.00, so I make a payout about once a month. It’s not tons of work, and every little bit helps!

Pinecone Research: Get Paid $1-3 per survey!– My favorite survey company. $1-3 per survey you complete and they only send you surveys that you are already pre-qualified for!

I’ve been a member of Swagbucks for years, and it’s an easy way to earn free gift cards and cash.

Members join for free and will have access to all of our earning verticals, including, but not limited to, watching videos, shopping for cash back, taking surveys, and redeeming special offers.

Swagbucks is the web’s leading rewards platform, dedicated to providing FREE gift cards to its 12+ million members.

Choose from top retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Starbucks, PayPal, and tons more.

Join Inbox Dollars free and get paid to take surveys, shop online, try name-brand products, and play games online.

You do online activities: Take Surveys, Watching Videos, Shopping, and More.

You earn real CASH!

Take Surveys and earn cash, sweepstakes and prizes for your participation from SurveyClub.com.
Earn cash for participating in online surveys, private panels, focus groups, clinical trials, in-home usage tests, online bulletin boards, taste tests, and mystery shopping studies.

SurveyClub gives companies the unique opportunity to access its panelists by posting studies directly on its website.

Receive cash back from Kashkick when you read emails, complete surveys, take quizzes, refer your friend, and subscribe to special promotions.

Earnings are deposited into your Paypal account!

 

And I post market research and focus group invitations from PRC and AO Opinions at least once a week, so keep your eyes peeled for those opportunities as well.

Fall 2024 Making Money/Side Hustle Round Up!

Abby H.1 Comment

I’ve posted about this before, but I wanted to make an updated post with the most popular and lucrative ways I make money outside of a 9-5 schedule job.

First up, and my favorite way to earn cash: Surveys. For me, these fall into two categories: Research Studies and App Surveys.

  • Research studies are generally conducted by companies like Taylor Research, PRC, Q-Insights, or AO Opinions.  They are either performed at the research study facility (Taylor Research is in Mission Valley), or online via a Zoom meeting on an old-fashioned Bulletin Board System. In person, it can range from 30 minutes to 8 hours and payments range from $25 all the way up to $1000. Online studies are usually between 45 minutes-3 hours and pay $50-$700. Most pay via check or a gift card. If you are doing a research study survey for a brand, they sometimes offer you a gift card for their brand website. I generally don’t accept those studies/surveys. I try to post about opportunities each company has as they email them out.  I try to do 1-2 studies a month. This helps me save up for family fun during the summer. 
  • App Surveys are conducted via apps specifically for surveys. My two favorites are PaidViewPoint and Pinecone Research.  They both have a website if you don’t want to download their apps. There are other survey companies as well, I have a list of some here. I’ve used most of those to varying degrees of success, but PVP and PR are my favs, their surveys are short, and reaching the minimum to cash out with both is simple and doesn’t take long.  I usually take the Paypal or Venmo cash option for both.

Another site for Research Studies is Digsite. I don’t remember how I discovered DigSite (I think it was a targeted Facebook Ad). I have done surveys and research studies with them for about a year, and they generally pay between $25 and $200. over the past two weeks, I have done two research studies with them, it’s about 5 to 10 minutes each day for three or four days. They ask your opinions about a specific topic, sometimes you have to take a picture, or do a little bit of homework, but, overall it’s fun. Dig site pays in Amazon gift cards. They email you when they have studies that fit your demographic.

If you like to do hustles that take you outside the house,  try Field Agent!– I make money by incorporating Field Agent jobs into my already-needed errands. Quick, easy money. Audits, secret shops, and trying new products are just a few ways you can earn money with Field Agent.  They have Costco missions frequently- take pics of displays, review sample folks. The $3, $5, and $7 tasks add up quickly! Field Agent pays out via Bank Transfer. 

If you want to get into secret shopping, Amusement Advantage has a lot of opportunities in the Southern California area. You have to be a good writer, have good attention to detail, and take decent photos (from your phone). Most of their shops/adventures are very specific and detailed. You can learn more about it here.

isecretshop.com is another secret shopping website that has a variety of opportunities. Before I had kids I used to do TONS of secret shops on weekends and after work. You have to be a good writer, have good attention to detail, and take decent photos (from your phone). Most of their shops/adventures are very specific and detailed.

The next three are SUPER PASSIVE, meaning you aren’t going to get rich doing these, but they are easy to do and require minimum effort.

This passive side hustle I enjoy and that I’ve been doing for 11 years. Turn your Junk Mail into Cash! I’ve been doing this for YEARS, and I love it. You can learn all about Small Business Knowledge Center here.

Evidation: This is a super passive hustle, but it’s super fun- all you need is a smart watch or a fitness tracker.  Here is the article I wrote with all the information about how it works.

I also do simple tasks with Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. I transfer the earnings to my Amazon.com account. You sign up and do tasks for small amounts of money, but the money adds up fast.  The tasks are quick and simple (transcription, surveys, flagging inappropriate photos).   If you want cold hard cash instead of Amazon.com credit there is an option to have money transferred to a bank account.  Mechanical Turk does ask for your SSN when you sign up- you will receive a 1099- MISC at the end of the year, regardless of which option you select.

This next category isn’t a “hustle” per se, but they are all great ways to get cashback or save on groceries and other shopping trips. I use a lot of cash-back/rebate apps. You can see my complete list here. 

My friend Amy uses a local company Genalyte to earn money. They offer you a “courtesy” for blood and plasma. They are in the Sorrento Valley area. You can learn more on their Facebook page.  I personally have never done it- I have very tiny veins and have a hard time doing a blood draw at the doctor’s office.

So there you have it. No Uber, Lyft, Instacart. No MLMs or crazy pyramid schemes. Nothing untested or clickbait-worthy. Want the truth behind those clickbait articles: “5 CrAzY WaYs To MaKe MoNeY?!!“ Check out my post here.

 

Earn Money This Summer with Surveys

Abby H.

It’s not all beach trips and hot girl summer here. This mama needs to earn a little cash on the side to afford all the fro yo my kids want.

One of my favorite ways to earn cash is to do surveys, here are a few of the survey companies that I use and earn with regularly.

Join Inbox Dollars free and get paid to take surveys, shop online, try name-brand products, and play games online.

You do online activities: Take Surveys, Watching Videos, Shopping, and More.

You earn real CASH!

Receive cash back from Kashkick when you read emails, complete surveys, take quizzes, refer your friend, and subscribe to special promotions.

Earnings are deposited into your Paypal account!

 

The Survey Junkie community shares feedback with brands in exchange for rewards such as cash, gift cards, and more.

    • Complete three or more surveys a day, earn as much as $100 monthly.
    • Complete four or more surveys a day, earn as much as $130 monthly.

Sharing your opinions can earn you real rewards you can use anywhere! The Survey Roundtable rewards program grows every day, all depending on what our members most want to earn.

To make the most of your opinions, you’ll first take a Personality Survey. It’s how they target  surveys to your needs and interests

Here’s what virtual debit cards ($10 and up) are currently available: Amazon.com, Banana Republic, Barnes and Noble, GAP Brands, Regal Theaters and more.

Take Surveys and earn cash, sweepstakes and prizes for your participation from SurveyClub.com.
Earn cash for participating in online surveys, private panels, focus groups, clinical trials, in-home usage tests, online bulletin boards, taste tests, and mystery shopping studies.

SurveyClub gives companies the unique opportunity to access its panelists by posting studies directly on its website.

Earning Money with Surveys!

Abby H.

I’m not working this summer (other than sharing deals and fun summer crafts with y’all), so I’m trying my best to save some cash to take the kids on adventures.

One of my favorite ways to earn cash is to do surveys, here are a few of the survey companies that I use and earn with regularly.

Join Inbox Dollars free and get paid to take surveys, shop online, try name-brand products, and play games online.

You do online activities: Take Surveys, Watching Videos, Shopping, and More.

You earn real CASH!

Receive cash back from Kashkick when you read emails, complete surveys, take quizzes, refer your friend, and subscribe to special promotions.

Earnings are deposited into your Paypal account!

 

The Survey Junkie community shares feedback with brands in exchange for rewards such as cash, gift cards, and more.

    • Complete three or more surveys a day, earn as much as $100 monthly.
    • Complete four or more surveys a day, earn as much as $130 monthly.

Sharing your opinions can earn you real rewards you can use anywhere! The Survey Roundtable rewards program grows every day, all depending on what our members most want to earn.

To make the most of your opinions, you’ll first take a Personality Survey. It’s how they target  surveys to your needs and interests

Here’s what virtual debit cards ($10 and up) are currently available: Amazon.com, Banana Republic, Barnes and Noble, GAP Brands, Regal Theaters and more.

Take Surveys and earn cash, sweepstakes and prizes for your participation from SurveyClub.com.
Earn cash for participating in online surveys, private panels, focus groups, clinical trials, in-home usage tests, online bulletin boards, taste tests, and mystery shopping studies.

SurveyClub gives companies the unique opportunity to access its panelists by posting studies directly on its website.

 

April is Financial Literacy Month

Abby H.

Financial literacy is near and dear to my heart. I’ve spent much of my adult life working hard to save money, pay bills on time, and live within my means. It is a lot of effort and work, but, it’s made my life less stressful.

In 2020, I wrote a three-part series about making a practical budget that a family can adhere to and how to get some extra help if you need it. This was written during the pandemic, so there is a lot of information and resources, especially for those feeling the financial panic that many felt during the height of the pandemic.

If you already have a budget or feel that your spending is out of control and you aren’t to the point yet where you feel that you need a budget, I did a series of posts in late 2019 about how to reign in the out-of-control spending.

 A big part of financial literacy is tracking where you stand financially. With identity theft happening to 22% of Americans (per a 2022 Bureau of Justice Statistics study), knowing what’s on your credit is important.  Obtaining your free annual credit report is easy.  Free Annual Credit Report is the site that I use.

Once you receive it, go over and verify all of the open accounts are yours. Contact the credit bureaus immediately if there are any incorrect names, addresses, or accounts.

If you are saving for your future, or your kid’s future, here are two great savings opportunities:

Savings bonds- Savings Bonds: The gift that keeps on giving!

529’s/ Educational Savings Accounts- September Is College Savings Month!

Have Some Free Time This Summer? Earn Money with Surveys!

Abby H.

If you are like me, you’ve got a little free time this summer. Sitting on the pool deck while the kids swim, sitting at their martial arts classes weekly, and those quiet early mornings when the cat wakes you up for food but everyone else is asleep. I think the last one may just be me.

Regardless, there are tons of way to make a little extra money this summer. Enough for an extra trip to Starbucks, or a browse through the dollar spot at Target, or maybe more, depending on how much time and energy you wish to invest.

Here are a few of my favorite survey companies:

Inbox Dollars- Join for free and get paid to take surveys, shop online, try name brand products, and play games online.

 

 

 

Receive cash back from Kashkick when you read emails, complete surveys, take quizzes, referring your friend, and subscribing to special promotions. It’s super simple!

 

 

 

LifePoints is one of my favorites. It’s so easy! Join one of the largest influencer communities in the world. We’ve rewarded over $20 million to our members in the last year alone.

Share your opinions on numerous products and popular brands. Complete surveys and get paid for it!

Earn points that can be redeemed for rewards of your choice. Join today and get 10 LifePoints to kick off your earnings!

I’ve been using MyPoints since 2011, and I’ve earned a lot of cashback just by doing my normal online shopping, completing surveys, and using their magic receipts cash back program- all through MyPoints.

If you are looking for some more ways to make some extra money, check out my side hustle post here. And if you want to earn cashback and save money on your shopping, check out my complete list of smartphone apps here.

Why I Gave Up Hustle Culture and Got a Full Time Job

Abby H.

For years, I was part of the hustle culture. I did gigs and what most people deemed to be “side work” so that I could stay home and support my kids in their education and development. Hell, I even have a page dedicated to it on this blog. 

And I did a post about the Side Hustles seen frequently on Tik Tok too. The research time it took for that was about 6 months, and it was awful. The return on investment (ROI) was not there.

Childcare here in Southern California (and the entire US) is costly and I wouldn’t be able to work full-time and bring home enough money to contribute to the family, beyond paying for daycare. Once we discovered Bubs was on the spectrum, my work outside the house was thrown out the window. There were a lot of appointments, therapies, and special help that were required. So I hustled- I spent hours each day doing surveys online, research studies online and in person, product reviews, teaching coupon classes, and doing app-based work for Field Agent and other similar apps (mostly secret shops and store/product placement audits). And of course, blogging and posting deals and affiliate links when I could make it work and not sound like I was shilling for some company. Because I have a small following, I didn’t have access to a lot of opportunities and sponsorships, in fact, after the pandemic, a lot of programs and companies changed their content creator programs to only larger (10k+ followers) audiences, leaving us little guys out. That meant, once again, it was back to the drawing board, finding new ways to make the same amount of money as before.

My original plan was to go to still blog Part-Time, as well as work Part-Time outside the home after the littlest was in school and work during school hours, however, COVID happened and plans were changed. In late 2021, I started looking for a small, part-time job, and I found one at a local school, in the district where my kids attend. It was a few hours a day, and it was a great way to ease back into working outside the house.

This fall I was offered an opportunity to become a paraeducator, assisting in a special education classroom. After discussing it with my family, and making sure there would be coverage from school pick-ups, I applied for and accepted the job. I work while my kids are at school, and I pick them up from my mom’s house right after school/work, and we have enough time for whatever appointments and shenanigans each afternoon. I have the same weekends and holidays off that they do, and I can work summer school for 6-ish weeks if I want to.

Why am I telling you all of this? The rise in popularity of hustle culture has made it harder for most of us to rely on it to get along. There is the same number of opportunities, but more of us trying to get by and scramble for all of those gigs. If you find yourself struggling with gig work and you have a set schedule that you need to abide by (for example, if you have school-age kids that you are responsible for dropping off and picking up each day), think about working jobs that support kids.

Many school districts are hiring kitchen and cafeteria workers, lunch and playground aides, and even paraprofessionals. There are few prerequisites for these jobs, and a lot of the training and guidance you get on the job. Full-time in most districts is only 30 hours a week, and full-time work comes with benefits. Most districts use EdJoin for job postings, and there are postings from teaching to classified staff. And if you aren’t available every day, you can join the substitute pool (even for classified jobs, like mine), and work per diem as you are needed.

Working in a public school isn’t going to make me rich, but the steady salary helps my family, and the consistent schedule is helpful for making appointments and doctor’s care.

Bottom line- I was tired of busting my ass to make pennies. I spent most of my 30’s working every day, trying to juggle motherhood and making money, trying to give my kids awesome experiences and fun every day while doing surveys from my phone at the park, staying up late to write reviews (a 500-word review about tampons? Come on!), and I was making less than minimum wage, but I had “Time Freedom” and I was “Able to Work Where Ever I Wanted!” and all of the other lies that hustle culture has fed us (Not to mention MLM culture, but I’ll leave that to Roberta Blevins). Now I’m happier and healthier, and I feel like I’m a better mom because I’m able to worry less about making the ends meet, and I can spend time playing with legos with the kids without having to stop every 5 minutes to post something or pack us all up to go do a secret shop or audit.

That being said, one of the few things I still do that’s posted on my Side Hustle page is Small Business Knowledge Center. It’s easy, quick, and I get paid for sending them my junk mail. It’s free Starbucks/Pizza money (Kid’s choice).