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?
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.
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.
I’m not earning Benjamins, but every little bit helps.
I’ve been meaning to post this for a few weeks, but I have been recovering from surgery, and trying to take the kids on short adventures.
You guys know how much I love a good cashback app, and here are some of my recent cashouts, and how I’m coming on reaching the payouts on a few more apps.
Drop: they ran out of gift certificates/rewards so I will try again on Thursday. They release a limited number of each week. Right now I have enough points to cash out $25 worth of rewards. It has taken me almost 2 years. I count this is one of my very passive apps to use.
If you are interested in learning more about the cashback apps, I use, check out my cashback app page here. Many of the apps I use are affiliate-linked, so when you sign up for them, you will receive a bonus for first-time use, and I will also receive a small bonus. Think about it as buying me a Slurpee, or buying my kids a donut.
For more information about the use of Affiliate links, check out my disclosure page.
Black Friday shopping is not my jam, nor has it ever been. I know a lot of people love getting up at the crack of dawn to save money, but I’d rather snuggle with my cat.
Some Retailers have already started their Black Friday Deals: JCPenney, Walmart, and Target have deals up on their sites and in-store now. Here are my top five tips to help you save a little more on Black Friday (and beyond):
Make a List! This seems like a no-brainer, but make a list of each person you are shopping for and then list a few possibilities. There are still supply change issues, and that means some stores may be out of what you had planned.
Use Rewards Programs to your advantage! I’m talking about Target Circle, Target Red Card, JCPenney Rewards, MyPoints, Swagbucks, and Ibotta. I did a bunch of holiday shopping yesterday online at JCP. JCPenneyRewards members earn a $10 bonus Reward for every $50 spent in-store and online on qualifying purchases 11/18/22-11/30/22. Limit 3 bonus Rewards per customer. I had already planned to do the bulk of my holiday shopping there anyway, so these rewards are a bonus that I’ll use to buy kid socks, which both kids need. And if you are looking for coupon codes- Don’t forget the Honey Browser Extension!
Make a Budget and STICK TO IT. Seriously. And if you do stockings- take those into consideration as part of the budget. I save Amazon Gift card codes all year for gift shopping, and I set aside a small count each month in a separate saving account for holidays and gift-giving occasions. I earn Amazon Gift cards by doing Research studies (like the ones I post about all the time) and surveys on MyPoints and Swagbucks.
If you shop in person, take cash. If you are easily tempted, take cash, and leave your cards at home. This forces you to stay on budget.
Homemade Gifts are awesome! If like me, your budget is very small this year, don’t forget to flex your craft/artistic/cooking skills. I make hats, cookies, pj pants, and aprons usually for several folks on my gift list. I use supplies that I already have on hand. I love making soup, so I’ll be making several large batches, freezing 4-6 serving-size portions, and giving them to family members.
And finally, remember that the winter holidays are not about gifts. They are about coming together with friends and family to celebrate. If you having a difficult time making the magic happen for your family this year, check out my 2022 Holiday Resources post here. In December I’ll be hosting an Amazon Gift Card giveaway as well.
I’ve been using MyPoints since 2011, and I’ve earned a lot of cashback just by doing my normal online shopping through MyPoints. About $550, to be exact.
Right now they are offering a great deal! When you refer a new user, and they earn 300 points, you both get a 300-point bonus. It’s easy to earn 300 points!
I love using MyPoints. I can earn points shopping online and utilizing in-store pick-up with stores like Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and JCPenney.
I ordered Christmas Gifts and earned 1200 points.
There are so many point-earning opportunities.
You can double dip on earning points or cash back by using a point earning credit card like American Express or Discover Cards or taking advantage of a points program that rewards you for purchases on their website, like JCP Rewards.
I love that I can earn gift cards which I use to offset the cost of holiday gifts.
Talk Back: What is your favorite Cashback program?
I’ve been using MyPoints since 2011, and I’ve earned a lot of cash back just by doing my normal online shopping through MyPoints. About $550, to be exact.
Right now they are offering a great deal! When you refer a new user, and they earn 300 points, you both get a 300 point bonus. It’s easy to earn 300 points!
I love using MyPoints. I can earn points shopping online and utilizing in-store pick up with stores like Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and JCPenney.
I ordered Christmas Gifts and earned 1200 points.
There are so many point-earning opportunities.
You can double dip on earning points or cash back by using a point earning credit card like American Express or Discover Cards or taking advantage of a points program that rewards you for purchases on their website, like JCP Rewards.
I love that I can earn gift cards which I use to offset the cost of holiday gifts.
Talk Back: What is your favorite Cashback program?
I’ve been a member of MyPoints for 10 years! There are all sorts of ways to earn money including these “Magic Receipt” offers!
These deals are only good at select stores, so check on each offer before adding it to ensure that you can redeem it at a store near you. Here is an example of one of the offers:
Find the deals you like, click “Add To List“, and then purchase those specific items at participating stores.
After purchase, click submit the receipt from “My List” and follow the instructions.
Be sure to read the fine print, paying special attention to product restrictions and expiration dates.
Each offer has its own terms, including at which stores the offer is valid. While this won’t replace my use of any of my other apps, it is a nice addition.
Looking for a job is a process that takes time. In the meantime, you still have to earn money. I thought that I’d post some survey companies that I use to make money while I’m on the hunt for a part-time job. There are a lot of Get Rich Quick scams out there (here are a few to avoid), and I wanted to share with you some ways you can earn money at home in a legit way.
I do a lot of surveys online through various companies. Some of my favorites can be found here on my Side Hustles page.
Recently, a few more survey companies have been brought to my attention, so I thought I’d share them too.
Join Inbox Dollars free and get paid to take surveys, shop online, try name brand products, and play games online. And you start off with a $5 bonus when you sign up!
Receive cashback from Kashkick when you read emails, complete surveys, take quizzes, referring your friend, and subscribing to special promotions.
With Opinions4Good, you earn points by providing feedback on a variety of different research topics.
Once you reach $10, you’ll be automatically paid out the following month directly to your verified PayPal account.
Earn your first $2 filling out your member profile, which we’ll use to send you surveys that match your interests.
Sign Up – Create an account and complete your profile step by step
Complete Surveys – Choose from a large amount of surveys to participate in.
Earn Rewards – New surveys added daily, so check back often to earn more rewards.
Pinecone Research members receive points for each completed survey! Points can be redeemed for cash or prizes. I love Pinecone research!
They will send you an email notification when you have a survey available. Complete the survey and earn points to be redeemed for either cash or prizes. Occasionally, they will send you a product to test, too.
Sign up and take surveys to earn points that can be redeemed for e-giftcards from Survey Junkie. Earn points by taking surveys, which can pay anywhere from $2 to $75 per completed survey.
One differentiator with Survey Junkie is that if you do not qualify for a survey, you still earn some points for it.
Survey Roundtable is a community where you can share your honest opinion about the products and services you use every day and get rewarded for taking surveys. Sharing your opinions can earn you real rewards you can use anywhere! Their 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 we target our surveys to your needs and interests
Here’s the virtual debit cards ($10 and up) currently have up for grabs: Amazon.com, Banana Republic, Barnes and Noble, GAP Brands, Regal Theaters, and more.
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.
I’ve been using MyPoints since 2011, and I’ve earned a lot of cashback just by doing my normal online shopping through MyPoints.
Right now they are offering a great deal! When you refer a new user, and they earn 300 points, you both get a 300 point bonus. It’s easy to earn 300 points!
I love using MyPoints. I can earn points shopping online and utilizing in-store pick up with stores like Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and JCPenney.
I ordered new shoes for the big kid yesterday for in-store pick up from JCP and earned 310 points!
There are so many point earning opportunities.
We did our taxes using Turbo Tax and clicked through a link to Turbo Tax on Mypoints and earned 1500 points! That’s enough points for a $10 Gift Card!
You can double dip on earning points or cash back by using a point earning credit card like American Express or Discover Cards, or taking advantage of a points program that rewards you for purchases on their website, like JCP Rewards.
I love that I can earn Amazon Gift cards which I use to offset the cost of holiday gifts.
Talk Back: What is your favorite Cashback program?
These deals are only good at select stores, so check on each offer before adding it to ensure that you can redeem it at a store near you. Here is an example of one of the offers:
Each offer has it’s own terms, including at which stores the offer is valid. While this won’t replace my use of any of my other apps, it is a nice addition.
Do you dread taking your kids shopping in the summer? I love my two weirdos, but I dread taking them to Target, Wal-mart, basically any place I need to run errands that has toys, candy, treats, impulse buy items.
I can stick to my list and budget while shopping solo, but add my two smalls into the mix, and stuff “mysteriously” makes its way into my cart. The whining, crying, begging. It’s enough to drive me to day drink.
So, I try to shop online and do in-store pick up as much as possible. I use all of the tools available to me to save money:
A lot of the stores available through Mypoints and Topcashback offer in-store or curbside pick up.
Target has their Redcard which has tons of perks. I save 5% every time I shop by using my Target Red Card. It’s a debit card and it’s Target branded, so I can only use it at Target, just like an ATM card (with a PIN).
Today I’m running to Target to pick up an order of stuff (face wash, cotton balls, stuff like that).
Then it’s off to 99 Cents Only to refill the snack box!
Talk Back: How do you Navigate the stores in the summer while staying on budget?