Paid Email etc.

Another way to earn some quick cash is through 'paid email' type sites. Most of them provide a variety of ways to make money beyond just emails, including surveys, offers, games, etc.

Unique Rewards
This one is my favorite! They have credited me for every action I've completed (unlike some of the other sites). They offer a $5 sign-up bonus and pay higher amounts than the other sites.

InboxDollars
Not bad overall. They give you $5 at sign-up. My only complaint is that I haven't been credited for each completed offer.

SendEarnings
I just joined up so the jury is still out. They have the same set-up as InboxDollars & offer the $5 sign-up bonus.

Microworkers

I was just introduced to this website today and I like it already! Basically, you can post or complete simple 'jobs'. The jobs posted include writing short articles, placing a link on your blog or website, clicking through an affiliate link & signing up on a website, etc. Each task pays a small amount of money - the ones available right now range from $1.50 to $.09. They also give you bonus money when you register. It's not a lot of money, but many of the jobs take less than a minute of your time. And hey, every little bit helps! The payout limit is only $9.

Microworkers.com

I'm linking with my referral link, if you'd like to use that to sign up!

Paid Surveys

Admittedly, many paid survey sites seem to be scams. Either they expect you to spend money, or they reward you with points that end up with next-to-nothing monetary value. There are a few that are worth the time, though. (Full disclosure: Yes, some of the link I'm providing are my referral links. If you'd like to use them, please do so! If not, you can always go directly to the main page.)

Opinion Outpost
Use a point system with each point being equal to $0.10. They add up fast! You can redeem the points for cash or an Amazon gift code. I chose the Amazon code and got it immediately. I like this one!

Greenfield Online
Some of their surveys are paid and others offer entries into their reward sweepstakes. They tell you beforehand what the compensation will be and about how long the survey will take. I haven't requested payment from them yet, but they're considered to be a reputable site.

e-Rewards
They don't pay cash, but allow you to choose rewards. Some rewards are better than others, but I've found quite a few that I like. I've earned over $100 worth of rewards without even filling out surveys regularly.

Pinecone Research
I finally got a link to join yesterday and am still waiting for my approval. This is considered to be the best online survey site and I've heard only good things about them. They don't actively accept applications, though. You have to be lucky enough to get a link from someone or stumble upon one of their ads. If/when I'm approved I'll post referral links.

long time, no post

I think it may be time for me to bring this blog back to life. A lot has happened since my last blog post. My life is following a very different path these days. I'm currently looking into some work-at-home opportunities, which will be more of a focus for me. Personal finance is still a big interest, of course. I'm sure it's becoming a more popular topic as the economy continues to flounder!

I'll have a lot of updating to do over the next few days/weeks. It was never my intention to let this blog sit for so long. I just didn't have the time or energy to keep up with it while at my previous job. Not planning to let it happen again!

So far, so good

This was my first week at my new job and so far I'm loving it! Within my first week at my last job I was miserable, so I'm taking this as a good sign. I had new employee orientation yesterday and they explained all of our benefits. We get a pension plan and a 403(b) with 50% employer matching on the first 6% we contribute. Both are fully vested after 3 years. The fund choices for the 403(b) seem pretty good. I'm going to start out by contributing 6% in order to get the full match, but beyond that I'll put money in my Roth IRA until I reach the limit because the expenses on it are next to nothing.

I'm struggling with what health plan to choose. There are four options ranging in premiums from $20.32-$91.07 biweekly. To complicate things further, it doesn't appear that my doctor is in their network. I absolutely love my doctor and have been going to her for almost 10 years. I really don't want to switch doctors, but the cost of going out-of-network is horrible. ugh....

Earned Income Credit

I found out last month that I qualified for an earned income credit for 2007. I got my check last week and it was for $182. Not too bad. It's $182 I didn't expect to have! I deposited it and immediately moved it into my fund for a home down payment. I didn't even consider spending it. If I had gotten that check a few months ago I would have immediately thought, "How am I going to spend this?!" Actually, I think I'm more excited about having more money in my savings than I would have been if I bought something.

July Goals Recap

I didn't do very well with meeting my goals for July. I'm somewhat disappointed in myself, but I know July was a crazy month. Then again, most of my life is crazy. Some of these goals I will carry over into August.

• Transportation challenge - Met. My goal was to spend less than $80 and I spent only $57.77!
• Get my free credit report - No. This was due to my own laziness and procrastination.
• Begin 403(b) contributions - No. This is because I accepted a new job! I'll be sure to get started with my contributions after I start.
• Enroll in online bill pay for car loan - No. Again, procrastination. I could do this online but they ask for your social security number and I'm leery of submitting mine online. The alternative is to go to a branch location to enroll and I just haven't gotten around to it.
• Know my networth - No. I would have to know the remaining balance on my car loan, which I don't. Yet another reason I need to enroll online.
• Get my Avon orders in on time - Close. I got two out of three in on time. Not bad considering that when I was in school I submitted nearly every order late.