Money Blue Book

What are paid online surveys?

Filling out a free paid online survey is an interesting way to pass the time and make some money on the side. Your opinion is valuable to many companies for market research purposes and they are willing to pay you for your opinion. Your participation is used to influence and guide companies on how they go about developing products and services to meet consumer needs.

How much money can I make?

You’ll most definitely make some money by completing online surveys but don’t expect to get rich, even if you completed every single one out there. The shorter surveys that take less than 5 minutes pay not as much, while longer surveys that take 15-30 minutes or more, pay much better (anywhere from $1 to $50+). If you made it onto a live person focus group, those could even pay up to $250. Keep in mind that survey payout varies greatly depending on what you qualify for based on your profile and background.

How many surveys will I get?

After you register with a survey agency and fill out a profile listing your demographics, interests, and statistics, the company will usually e-mail you regularly with surveys to complete. The frequency of receiving surveys from the companies varies depending on your demographics. For example, if the company is trying to poll individuals who are home owners, and in your profile you indicated you were a renter, then you won’t receive a survey for that issue. But you can generally expect a steady stream of e-mail surveys. Completing them isn’t too painful, especially since you are getting paid.

Will I get spammed or have to pay them money?

No, you don’t have to worry about either. Surprisingly, I have not received any junk e-mails as a result of signing up and only very occasionally do I receive update newsletters from the companies. You can usually easily opt out of those if you wish. There are some survey companies out there that do charge you a fee to use their listing, but I highly advise against ever using a paid service. Remember, the companies want to hear from their consumers and are willing to pay you to complete their surveys. It shouldn’t be the other way around.

How To Get Started With Paid Online Surveys

If you have some spare time and want to earn enough for a few gift cards or movie rentals, then online paid surveys might be right for you. I use the following sites to make a steady $50-$75 equivalent a month:

• NFO My Survey
• Survey Savvy
• Lightspeed Consumer Panel
• Greenfield Online
• Synovate

Yes I know, the book’s been out for years now. I did read excerpts from it in the past, but it wasn’t until recently that I sat down and read it in its entirety – Robert Kiyosaki’s bestseller Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor And Middle Class Do Not.

The book is somewhat entertaining and written in a very anecdotal style. It compares and contrasts the teachings of his “poor dad”, his respected and educated paycheck earning father, with his “rich dad”, his friend’s father, a drop out but self made millionaire. The book stresses several important themes:

• You should learn the type of financial literacy that is never taught in school. Disturbingly, he downplays the importance of a traditional education.
• You’ll never get rich by chasing a higher salary. Apparently, working hard is now a fad.
• You should buy income generating assets, rather than liabilities. Assets are defined as items that generate income such as rental property, stocks or bonds. Liabilities are items that produce expenses such as your home, material goods that you buy, and even your car.

My Thoughts And Take On The Book

The main thing I got out of it was that it’s important to increase your financial education and to invest in income producing, passive income type assets. Buying gadgets and toys can contribute to happiness and a better quality of life, but they usually have no earning power, although one can argue whether they have any further residual market value (eBay!).

The book unabashedly idolizes the lifestyles of the rich and obsesses with the need to make money. Sure, money is very important, but there is just an overall meanness and disdain for ordinary folks in this book. The only value that seems to be taught is the need to strike it rich so that the reader too can one day show off his or her abundance of wealth and material possessions.

Kiysosaki also overly stresses and emphasizes investment in real estate. Clearly, it’s how he made the bulk of his fortune but at the same time, he doesn’t do a particularly clear job of explaining just how he accomplished that. I fear that he may ultimately succeed in leading a few eager but inexperienced lemmings down into the housing market abyss in search of stellar real estate profits that are currently no longer there.

To maximize my purchase savings, not only do I always make online purchases using my favorite reward credit cards, I always utilize shopping portals that offer you additional cash back. One of my favorite portals that I use to track my purchases and receive cash back savings is Ebates. By shopping through these type of sites, I’ve earned more than $200 in cash back savings in the last few months. This site alone offers cash back savings from over 800 stores.

Double Bonus Promotion

Currently, Ebates is offering new members a $10 sign up bonus if you join and make a qualifying purchase by September 15. I can receive $10 as well if you list my e-mail address: .

Although the promotion is set to expire on September 15 , the deadline has been extended numerous times in the past.

If you’re a brand new customer, Citibank is offering a decent limited time $100 promotional offer for first time Citibank deposit customers who apply for and open a new Ultimate Savings Account by 8-31-07. The $100 offer is only available for first-time Citibank deposit account customers, and will be paid only once to any individual. The $100 will be deposited into the Ultimate Savings Account within 90 days from the end of the statement period in which your account was opened. The account must be in good standing at the time of the $100 credit. Persons who currently have or at any time have had a deposit account at Citibank are not eligible. The Ultimate Savings Account currently pays 4.65 % APY and there is no minimum balance requirements. You could open the account with only $1.00 and net a cool $100 dollars.