How Can I Make Money? Swagbucks!

How Can I Make Money? is a new weekly series at Frugal Follies, dedicated to ways to make extra money at home.  These aren't get rich quick tips, but ideas that might help you make some extra money during your free time.  Posts in this series may contain affiliate links. Hope these tips help!

Swagbucks is one way I make extra income each day.  I've been a member of Swagbucks since 2010, and so far I've earned almost $700 in Amazon.com gift codes.  I've used those codes to purchase computer supplies, books, and gifts for my nieces and nephews.  (And sometimes I give them away here!)

Swagbucks is a completely free, no strings attached site that rewards you for all of the things you're already doing online. Search, Watching Videos, Playing Games, Taking Surveys, Shopping and more - as you do these activities, you'll earn Swag Bucks, which are reward points that you can redeem for all sorts of gift cards in the Rewards Store. You can download their toolbar or download their OS and Android apps for more opportunities to earn. Choose the activities you like or have time for - how much you earn is up to you!

Each day, I get a Swag Buck just for having the toolbar installed.  When I need to search for something, I use the toolbar, and a couple times during the day I earn Swagbucks - sometimes as few as 6 or as many as 59!  I'll also stop by the Swagbucks website and watch some videos or participate in brand activities to make a few more Swag Bucks.

Each day, my goal is to meet the Swagbucks Daily Goal - anywhere between 50 and 130 Swag Bucks per day.  If you meet the goal, you'll also get bonus Swag Bucks. Some days I make it to the goal, some days I don't.  But I try to meet the goal each day.

When I have 450 Swag Bucks, I can go to the Rewards Store and order a $5 Amazon.com gift code.  A few days later, I have the code in my account!

Want to earn some Amazon gift codes in your free time, too?  Click here to join Swagbucks!

(This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

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Try Nielsen Consumer Panel again!

If you've applied for the Nielsen Consumer Panel in the past and have been turned down, try again - your zip code may now be part of their program!

The panel focuses on measuring consumer attitudes and behavior. The panel members' opinions help manufacturers and retailers make decisions on what products to develop or improve.

If you're accepted as a panel member, the Nielsen Consumer Panel will provide you with a hand-held scanner as shown in the graphic above. Every time you or members of your household shop, you'll use the scanner to scan the barcodes on all of your purchases. Then, once a week, you'll send in your purchase information. No landline is required.

You'll earn gift points that are redeemable for name-brand merchandise, and you'll also earn entries into sweepstakes, such as the monthly $500 American Express gift card giveaway and the $20,000 quarterly giveaway.

Click here to apply to be a member!

(This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

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Clean out your children's closets and make money!

If you have lots of outgrown kids' clothes and want to make some extra money, but don't have the time to list things on eBay or bring the items to a consignment shop, this site is for you!

Head over to Kindermint and sign up.  You'll be sent a free Mint Pack.  Fill it with the children's clothes that you want to sell, then send it back postage-paid.  They will total up how much they'll take for your clothes and send the money to you via PayPal or check!

Please note you'll need to put down a $4.95 deposit via credit card to cover the Mint Pack in case you don't return it. You'll be refunded the deposit when you return the Mint Pack.  And if they don't wish to buy an item, they'll issue a Receipt of Donation for tax write-off purposes.

Learn more about Kindermint.

(This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

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Extra cash from Inbox Dollars

Need a little extra cash?  You can receive $5 just for signing up for Inbox Dollars!

Inbox Dollars pays members to do lots of easy tasks, such as

• reading emails
• taking surveys online
• playing games
• shopping

If you're interested in freebies, surveys, sweepstakes, discounts, and coupons, then Inbox Dollars is for you!

Click here to learn more!

(This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

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Win $500 or $20,000 from Nielsen Consumer Panel!

If you've applied for the Nielsen Consumer Panel in the past and have been turned down, try again - your zip code may now be part of their program!

The panel focuses on measuring consumer attitudes and behavior. The panel members' opinions help manufacturers and retailers make decisions on what products to develop or improve.

If you're accepted as a panel member, the Nielsen Consumer Panel will provide you with a hand-held scanner as shown in the graphic above. Every time you or members of your household shop, you'll use the scanner to scan the barcodes on all of your purchases. Then, once a week, you'll send in your purchase information. No landline is required.

And, you can be entered for a chance to win American Express gift cards!  Here's how you do it:

• Sign up to become a NCP panel member.
• Scan your household purchase information (with a handheld scanner they provide).
• Send the purchase information to NCP.

For every week of the month NCP receives your purchase information, you'll earn one entry in the monthly sweepstakes--where you can win a $500 American Express Rewards Card. That's up to FOUR entries every month! And, every month, 25 panel members win!

And every quarter, an additional 40 panel members will win a $500 American Express Rewards card--just by sending purchase information in every week of a month.

And there's more! For each week in a qualifying quarter that NCP receives your purchase information, you'll earn one entry into the Grand Prix Sweepstakes--where you can win $20,000! Every quarter ONE lucky panel member wins!

Join the Nielsen Consumer Panel now!

(This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

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Be heard! Your opinion matters!

If you want your opinions heard and want to make a little extra money, here's another survey company for you to try!

MindsPay pays you to review products and take surveys!  I just signed up, and here are a few surveys I already qualified for:

#10321	Discover It Card Offer	5 Minutes	$47.00
#11587	Walmart Study	1 Minutes	$0.70
#11063	Child Safety Study	1 Minutes	$3.00

Sign up for MindsPay!

(This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

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Make extra money in your spare time!

I've put it off long enough - I've got to get the taxes done!

I've put it off because I'm pretty sure we owe this year - not enough was withheld.  Ugh!  Gonna have to change that so that this doesn't happen next year.

If you have a hole in your budget due to taxes, you can earn a little extra in your spare time by doing surveys and taking advantage of rewards sites!

Check out these survey and rewards sites:

• Global Survey Group
• Inbox Dollars
• Ipsos I-Say (Mothers)
• MemoLink Surveys
• MySurvey.com
• Nielsen Home Scan Consumer Panel (no landline required) 
• NPD Group
• Opinion Outpost
• Plink - Get Paid to Eat Out
• Quick Rewards
• Shoppers Voice
• Swagbucks
• Valued Opinions 
• Vindale Research 
• Zoombucks

(This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

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Win up to $20,000 with Nielsen Consumer Panel!

If you've applied for the Nielsen Consumer Panel in the past and have been turned down, try again - your zip code may now be part of their program!

The panel focuses on measuring consumer attitudes and behavior. The panel members' opinions help manufacturers and retailers make decisions on what products to develop or improve.

If you're accepted as a panel member, the Nielsen Consumer Panel will provide you with a hand-held scanner as shown in the graphic above. Every time you or members of your household shop, you'll use the scanner to scan the barcodes on all of your purchases. Then, once a week, you'll send in your purchase information. No landline is required.

You'll earn gift points that are redeemable for name-brand merchandise, and you'll also earn entries into sweepstakes, such as the monthly $500 American Express gift card giveaway and the $20,000 quarterly giveaway.

Click here to apply to be a member!

(This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

Read more...

Give Nielsen Consumer Panel a try again!

If you've applied for the Nielsen Consumer Panel in the past and have been turned down, try again - your zip code may now be part of their program!

The panel focuses on measuring consumer attitudes and behavior. The panel members' opinions help manufacturers and retailers make decisions on what products to develop or improve.

If you're accepted as a panel member, the Nielsen Consumer Panel will provide you with a hand-held scanner as shown in the graphic above. Every time you or members of your household shop, you'll use the scanner to scan the barcodes on all of your purchases. Then, once a week, you'll send in your purchase information. No landline is required.

You'll earn gift points that are redeemable for name-brand merchandise, and you'll also earn entries into sweepstakes, such as the monthly $500 American Express gift card giveaway and the $20,000 quarterly giveaway.

Click here to apply to be a member!

(This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

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New survey site - Fresh Ideas Panel

For those of you looking for survey sites where you can make extra money, here's a new one to try!

If you are selected to participate in the Fresh Ideas Panel, you'll need to commit to participating in at least one survey a month. You will have the opportunity to provide your thoughts about the topics under discussion by answering survey questions via an online survey.

In return, for each survey that you complete, you will be entered into a sweepstakes where you can win exciting gifts like a $200 gift certificate!

Click here to join the Fresh Ideas Panel.

(This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

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Get $5 just for signing up!

Need a little extra cash?  You can receive $5 just for signing up for Inbox Dollars!

Inbox Dollars pays members to read emails, take surveys online, play games, and go shopping. If you're interested in freebies, surveys, sweepstakes, discounts, and coupons, then Inbox Dollars is for you!

Click here to learn more!

(This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

Read more...

Try the Nielsen Consumer Panel again!

If you've applied for the Nielsen Consumer Panel in the past and have been turned down, try again - your zip code may now be part of their program!

The panel focuses on measuring consumer attitudes and behavior. The panel members' opinions help manufacturers and retailers make decisions on what products to develop or improve.

If you're accepted as a panel member, the National Consumer Panel will provide you with a hand-held scanner as shown in the graphic above. Every time you or members of your household shop, you'll use the scanner to scan the barcodes on all of your purchases. Then, once a week, you'll send in your purchase information. No landline is required.

You'll earn gift points that are redeemable for name-brand merchandise, and you'll also earn entries into sweepstakes, such as the monthly $500 American Express gift card giveaway and the $20,000 quarterly giveaway.

Click here to apply to be a member!

(This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

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Earn money by reading emails!

I know lots of you are always on the lookout for new ways to bring in extra cash for your households!  Here's another one:

Inbox Dollars pays members to read emails, take surveys online, play games, and go shopping! New enrollees also receive $5 just for joining so this offer will convert extremely well to a broad based demographic, especially users interested in freebies, surveys, sweepstakes, discounts, or coupons online money making opportunities.

Click here to learn more!

(This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

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New zip codes for Nielsen Consumer Panel!

Just a reminder about how the Nielsen Consumer Panel is now accepting applicants from many new zip codes!  If you've applied in the past and have been turned down, try again - your zip code may be one of the new ones.  I've heard lots of people say that this is a great program!

The panel focuses on measuring consumer attitudes and behavior. The panel members' opinions help manufacturers and retailers make decisions on what products to develop or improve.

If you're accepted as a panel member, the National Consumer Panel will provide you with a hand-held scanner as shown in the graphic above. Every time you or members of your household shop, you'll use the scanner to scan the barcodes on all of your purchases. Then, once a week, you'll send in your purchase information. No landline is required.

You'll earn gift points that are redeemable for name-brand merchandise, including electronics equipment, jewelry, household items, and toys. You'll also earn entries into sweepstakes, such as the monthly $500 American Express gift card giveaway and the $20,000 quarterly giveaway. (Now those are some great prizes!)

Click here to apply to be a member!

(This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

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Nielsen Consumer Panel - accepting new zip codes!

Good news! I've learned that the Nielsen Consumer Panel is now accepting applicants from many new zip codes!  So if you've applied in the past and been turned down, try again - your zip code may be one of the new ones and you could be accepted to the program.

The panel focuses on measuring consumer attitudes and behavior. The panel members' opinions help manufacturers and retailers make decisions on what products to develop or improve.

If you're accepted as a panel member, the National Consumer Panel will provide you with a hand-held scanner as shown in the graphic above. Every time you or members of your household shop, you'll use the scanner to scan the barcodes on all of your purchases. Then, once a week, you'll send in your purchase information. No landline is required.

You'll earn gift points that are redeemable for name-brand merchandise, including electronics equipment, jewelry, household items, and toys. You'll also earn entries into sweepstakes, such as the monthly $500 American Express gift card giveaway and the $20,000 quarterly giveaway. (Now those are some great prizes!)

Click here to apply to be a member!

(This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

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Calling all moms!

Aren't we all looking to make a few extra bucks nowadays?

Survey sites can be a great way to use those little extra moments of time to make some extra money!

Here's one that's just for moms: Ipsos i-Say.

I-Say is looking for Moms! Take surveys and earn points. The more surveys you complete, the more points you earn. The more points you earn, the more you can redeem in their online reward catalogue. They also like to chip in and offer some great contests & prizes for dedicated members. It’s a win-win!

Click here to learn more.

(This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

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Get paid for playing games and shopping!

If you're already going to be playing games, shopping, and reading your email while you're on the computer, why not get paid for it?

Inbox Dollars pays members to read emails, take surveys online, play games, and go shopping! New enrollees also receive $5 just for joining. If you're interested in freebies, surveys, sweepstakes, discounts, coupons, and online money making opportunities, then Inbox Dollars is perfect for you!

Click here to sign up and earn $5 for joining!

(This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

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Earn back that missing 2% of your paycheck

When my husband got his first paycheck this year, it was a little bit painful.  That's because the Social Security taxes went back up to the normal level of 6.2% - it had been lowered temporarily to 4.2% until this year.

That extra 2% isn't that much money, but it's still a bite into our budget.  And with expenses like health care going up each year, plus college looming for our eldest daughter, the bite hurts.

If you need to make up that extra 2% in your budget, doing surveys and visiting rewards sites is a great way to make a little extra money in your spare time.  Keep at it, and you'll have that 2% back, and maybe even more!

Check out these survey and rewards sites:

• E-Poll Survey Panel
• Inbox Dollars
• Ipsos I-Say (Mothers)
• MindField - Top Online Internet Panel
• MySurvey.com
• MyView Panel - Earn Rewards!
• Nielsen - RewardTV
• Nielsen Home Scan Consumer Panel (no landline required)
• Opinion Outpost
• Plink - Get Paid to Eat Out
• Quick Rewards
• Shoppers Voice
• SwagBucks
• Valued Opinions

(This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

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Make $5 right now!

If you made a New Year's resolution (remember those?) to make more money this year, here's a source you should definitely check out!

Inbox Dollars pays members to read emails, take surveys online, play games, and go shopping! New enrollees also receive $5 just for joining. If you're interested in freebies, surveys, sweepstakes, discounts, coupons, and online money making opportunities, then Inbox Dollars is perfect for you!

Click here to sign up and earn $5 for joining!

(This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

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Make extra money this year

For those of you looking to earn a little extra money this year, online surveys can be a great way to do that.  It's a good idea to sign up for several services, as you won't necessarily get surveys from each company each day. 

Here's a service you might not have signed up for yet: Opinion Outpost.

Opinion Outpost is the #2 Rated U.S. Survey Company according to SurveyPolice. In addition they've received more rankings than any other survey company by far within the past year, so you can be certain that their overall quality score is highly accurate.

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are accepted as a member of Opinion Outpost.

1. Each survey does have a limit to the number of respondents they can take. As a result it's best to try to answer a survey as soon as you get it.
2. All of their surveys will ask you screener questions in the beginning to see if you qualify. Don't be discouraged when you don't qualify. They're looking for very specific demographics and it has nothing to do with you personally.
3. Stay as active as you can. They remove accounts for inactivity after 3 months.
4. Complete your "member profile" as soon as you can. This will enable Opinion Outpost to send surveys that are more likely to work for you.
5. It can take as long as a month (but not usually) to start receiving surveys, so hang tight and be patient.
6. They also have a generous referral program that pays you when your friends and family sign up as well.

If you've never taken paid surveys before, Opinion Outpost is a super place to start. For those who have 5 minutes here and 10 minutes there, it's a great way to receive a recurring monthly payment (Paypal, Amazon, etc.) without a lot of effort.

Click here to sign up!

(This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

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