Is it really worth all the effort?

[Newtodeals]

I hope this isn't going against the site's code of conduct - I read the FAQ and didn't notice anything saying it was. If so, I apologize. This is a repost of a section of what I said in my first post. I felt it might be better here, especially because I've been taking some time and effort with surveys lately. Thanks for reading and replying.


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I've joined a few survey panels. I've heard all sorts of things, such as that surveys are a good way to make money online as well as that they are a waste of time, pay significantly less than minimum wage per cumulative hour, and do not keep your private information safe in their servers. I wanted to ask you guys, the experts - do I really have a chance with this? I know I won't get rich, but I'd like to bring in a few hundred extra bucks a month, and I'd like to get paid the equivalent of minimum wage while doing it. Gift cards to wal-mart or other stores that sell food and essential goods are ok, but an Amazon gift card is a luxury item I don't need.

I'm a single women with no children, no steady employment and two cats. I try NOT to use as many brands as possible because I either can't afford them or don't trust the chemicals/food additives/whatever. I don't drive a car. I don't have a television. I don't listen to the radio. I'm considering cancelling my net service, or at least seriously scaling back the amount of download capacity I have, because I spend too much time online in my opinion. This would make me an unattractive survey participant, I think.

I see a lot of deals, coupons and freebies advertised on this site. The problem is, they seem to take much more time and effort than they're worth. Even calling a number for a free razor seems pointless when the razor has a value of about fifty cents an it takes the equivalent of 2-3 dollars time to call.

I know I need to start somewhere, stick at it and see where it leads - I can't go after all types of deals at once. I know it may take time to see results. Ultimately, I would like to see results comparable with minimum wage work in terms of what I'm paid for online work/searching/surveys/etc...I've started with surveys, although I'm definitely nervous about the amount of personal information I'm giving. Any tips, suggestions or advice would be welcome.

Thank you.

[Newtodeals]

Sigh. Just saw somewhere online that I cannot use Swagbucks because I'm in Quebec... that was the best site I knew of. The others (survey sites) all seemed not worth the effort, and I'm kind of getting ready to give up on Surveyhead - seems they just make me do surveys and screen me out at the end. And offer me ridiculous things like 40 cents for 30 minutes.

[frugalkitty]

Well the only job that pays as well as a minimum wage job is an actual minimum wage job.

If you are looking to make that kind of money using surveys it will take a fairly large time commitment.

Only you can decide what your time is worth and what is too much effort for the pay off.

I am single and no kids and so far I am having the most luck with webperspectives and super points and swagbucks.

As far as a razor being worth .50 cents. 2 mins on the phone to me is worth the time to get a razor a product that I need anyhow.

[lisaglynn1983]

You definitely wont get rich doing these things, but im a single woman with a dog at home and the extra money has come in handy. I normally use all the amazon and chapters cards for gifts for other people. I've already got a small pile of things at home already for my little cousins for Christmas. I've also gotten toys for my dog too.

I also allow my self to get a few things for myself, that i otherwise would not justify the cost for.

Cheques are great when companies offer that option. I normally put 2 in my savings and the third i cash and buy groceries or cleaning products with.

I've personally never made over $100 in cash money (not gcs or payal) in a month, unless i've managed to cash out of one of the larger payouts like global test market or angus. But i've been doing this on a regular basis now for about a year and a half, and have made a lot in that time.

[clumsygal]

Well the only job that pays as well as a minimum wage job is an actual minimum wage job.

If you are looking to make that kind of money using surveys it will take a fairly large time commitment.

Only you can decide what your time is worth and what is too much effort for the pay off.

totally agree with you!!!!
i'm a member of @ least 5 survey panels , i would call myself lucky if i could make 50.00 a month ! ~ that's why i still stick with my minimum wage job
~ even i'm living under the poverty line but i still call myself lucky for i have a job and chances to earn some extra $$$/gc

[Aslan]

Well the only job that pays as well as a minimum wage job is an actual minimum wage job.

If you are looking to make that kind of money using surveys it will take a fairly large time commitment.

Only you can decide what your time is worth and what is too much effort for the pay off.

+1.

I have a decent job, and at this point I just stick with Swagbucks and Pinecone Research. I do Ipsos and Hotspex on and off but I'm kind of winding both down right now, since I think both take too much effort for the reward.

[icangarden]

I'm enjoying doing my superpoints, swagbucks, surveys with opinion outpost, webspectives, pinecone, legerweb, toluna.

You are not going to get rich from doing this but certainly will earn a little extra spending money.

[DaveP]

Sigh. Just saw somewhere online that I cannot use Swagbucks because I'm in Quebec... that was the best site I knew of. The others (survey sites) all seemed not worth the effort, and I'm kind of getting ready to give up on Surveyhead - seems they just make me do surveys and screen me out at the end. And offer me ridiculous things like 40 cents for 30 minutes.

Just use an address elsewhere in the country. Amazon GCs are sent by email, not to a physical address.

[Horndogg]

I'm enjoying doing my superpoints, swagbucks, surveys with opinion outpost, webspectives, pinecone, legerweb, toluna.

You are not going to get rich from doing this but certainly will earn a little extra spending money.

But you have to remember what fun would Superpoints really be IF you did NOT have any referrals?? I would be better if everything I belong to, and I belong to alot. If I had lots and lots of referrals yes I could just sit here and collect lots of money. But you and i both know that I don't have lots of referrals. And to make even a little bit of money takes time and sometimes lots of time!

[Horndogg]

Just use an address elsewhere in the country. Amazon GCs are sent by email, not to a physical address.

And you don't need a physical address for PayPal either, or any other company that you will use PayPal. Hope this helps.

[frugalkitty]

I guess enjoyment is a big part of it too. I like doing surveys and superpoints etc. I need a new laundry hamper and I'm happy that I can use money I made online to pay for it. I ordered some fun jewelry and I'm happy that I don't have to pay for it I've also ordered cosmetics.

Sometimes surveys are boring, but I like the rewards also sometimes I get to sample products and I think that is a lot of fun.

If I'm really not in the mood I don't do surveys, but I make sure I use all my superpoints clicks everyday because it is so easy to click a button.

[clumsygal]

I guess enjoyment is a big part of it too........
Sometimes surveys are boring,...............If I'm really not in the mood I don't do survey.

ditto! ~ especially i'm single, i have no date and i have nothing better to do
you're right, some surveys are really boring ~ i usually skip those finance,auto and travel survey, they are usually super long and asking simular question over and over again..... believe it or not, there're times i actually fell asleep

[Ricki911]

Im a single women who has 2 cats (they are spoiled brats), but I drove. I dont have steady work (as most of it is seasonal). I find many things are based for those who are married and have kids. Over the years its gotten frustrating just knowing half the surveys I get kicked out of because I choose not to have kids. But this doesnt stop me from participating.

Your not going to bring in a large income online (I mean not $700 paycheque). But you decide and work towards what you want. I earned $40 this month alone (well September). I go to the same sites and once you get a routine down you can earn more money (does that make any sense).

I do do surveys but find they dont pay much and I always get kicked out for the fact Im single, and no kids (clearly thats what they all want). I do other sites online to earn money and its working.

[Natalka]

Ricki, I've noticed I qualify for way fewer surveys since my son is no longer a 'child', so I know what you mean!

OP, definitely doing surveys isn't going to earn you tons o' money - I just do the ones I do because I have the spare time, and it's surprizing how quickly they add up (e.g. I get Pinecone payments directly into PayPal). I definitely do fewer surveys than I used to, also because of the time/reward ratio.

If you want real income, that involves getting actual paid employment.

As for what freebies and deals are good for you - well, that's just different with each person/family on here.

Wishing you luck!

[TeppiVivi]

I'm from Quebec as well and i make roughly 30$ per month on swagbucks. It doesn't matter where you live, just put your postal code and Ontario as the province and it will still work. They send it by email (Like DaveP said). You won't get the value of a paycheck online, but it doesn't take a lot of time honestly to fill out these things. I spend around 30 minutes to 1 hour on those sites per day (If i have time to kill, naturally) and I manage to get enough stuff to make me happy. It will never replace my part time job (I'm a student in university for now) and I do it mostly for fun. I do not suggest participing in those kinds of websites if you're going to make them your main income since it won't suffice. If you need any kind of help, feel free to message me (Je parles aussi francais :D )