People always call the show and ask, “How do I make money with online surveys?” I tell them two things: First, you’ll probably earn gift cards instead of actual cash, and second, those gift cards could be worth $50 with the right sites.
Notice how I said “the right sites.” Look up survey sites and you’ll inevitably see lists with Swagbucks or Survey Junkie at the top. But if we’re being realistic, even a diehard user of Survey Junkie will likely only make $40 a month. It’s not much — but there are sites that will give you $50 for a single survey.
Expert tips for earning money through online surveys
Your background impacts how much money you’ll make. Sites that give out big gift cards care about your experience. They’ll want to know what you do for a living and what you’re an expert at.
The best sites that pay you to take surveys require some effort. You can’t immediately sign up for an account and take a million surveys. You have to apply and wait to be approved. But the effort is worth it since they pay much better than InboxDollars, Swagbucks, MyPoints or Survey Junkie.
Does LinkedIn pay for surveys?
Okay, so you can’t take surveys directly through LinkedIn. But you can connect your LinkedIn account to third-party survey websites like The Expert Cafe, which focuses on marketing research.
Get this: You can earn up to $100 per survey. After you register, you must fill out a short questionnaire to see if you’re eligible. Once you’ve verified your address, The Expert Cafe will email you about available surveys.
Another site worth checking out is User Interviews, a platform that connects companies with market research participants. You’ll earn anywhere from $5 to $200 an hour on this site.
Whoa, we blinked and it’s mid-November! The days are shorter, your to-do list is longer, and scammers are ready to catch you off guard. Luckily, you’ve got me on your side with the top holiday scams.
Criminals and AI voice bots are calling, emailing and texting, claiming to be Amazon employees. Oh, no, your account is on hold! Or there’s been suspicious activity you need to deal with now. They’ll ask you for your payment info — that’s a glaring red flag.
🤑 Amazon’s secret 20% discount: Send your old tech to Amazon through its Trade-in Program and get a gift card for the value. They’ll take just about anything — it doesn’t even need to work. But if you trade in Amazon gear like a Kindle, eero or Fire TV Stick, you’ll get 20% off a new, qualifying device. Nice.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
💔 So very sad: A 73-year-old New Jersey woman lost over $50,000 in a romance scam. A man named “Henry” on Facebook wooed her. All she had to do was send him money and gift cards for travel, which he promised to give back and more. When her son found out, the money was gone. A detective confirmed the transfers went to Nigeria.
Cost for Hallmark’s new paper greeting cards with a digital gift card inside. Your recipient just has to scan the interior QR code to get the goods. Choose from over 100 retailers, then get it shipped to you or find a store nearby for pickup.
FBI warning: Crooks are using this new tech support scam
One of the most important parts of my job is making sure you know what criminals and cybercreeps are up to. Enough people fall for this junk — I don’t want you to be a victim, too.
The FBI is warning about tech support scams that robbed folks of a whopping $542 million in just the first half of 2023. It all starts with a notification that looks like it’s from your bank or even the government warning of a computer hack. You guessed it. They’re fake.
Money tip: 7 apps that pay for your opinions and time
A little extra cash is always welcome, no matter your financial situation. You can use your free time to make money with little more than your smartphone and an internet connection.
💳 Turning dollars into sense: Consolidate leftover gift cards with just a little bit of cash remaining on them using Amazon. Go to Account > Gift Cards > Purchase a Gift Card in the total of your remaining balance and send that electronic gift card to yourself. Now you can spend it. Easy‑peasy.
🚨 Don’t fall for it: Federal cybersecurity agency CISA says scammers are posing as CISA employees over the phone. Remember, a government agency will never hit you up asking for cash, crypto or gift cards.
Hackers’ new target: They’re tricking retail employees to get into their work accounts. Why? To make gift cards to use in stores and online. Stay safe, employers: Tell your team to avoid clicking random links, and make sure your antivirus software is up to date.
“Hi, sorry to bother. Do you shop through Amazon?” It’s a scam email, and it keeps ending up in Content Queen Allie’s inbox. If you respond, some jerk will try to convince you they have Amazon gift cards they’ll trade for cash. Hit “spam” and move on.
It started off with a gift: Kids are renting out their spare computer power to AI companies. Not a hard sell, when they’re offering Fortnite skins and Roblox gift cards. Here’s what your kid won’t realize: Their machine is being used to create AI porn, and they’re automatically opted in. Make sure none of the computers in your home are signed up to sites like Salad.
Sometimes, the problem runs deeper than that. Your computer might not even turn on, or it’s performing erratically. That’s when you may need to reach out for help.
Why you need to change your voicemail setting right now
Stop saying hello when you answer the phone. That might seem silly, but that’s the advice the Federal Trade Commission is giving. Why? Phone scammers are now using artificial intelligence (AI) to sound just like you or your loved ones.
Some of the most common scams are phishing emails or text messages with malicious links or attachments. Sometimes you end up on a spoofed login page, and if you enter your credentials, you’re handing them over to criminals. But that’s not always the case. Some prefer to pick up the phone and call potential victims.
Read this before you try to score a deal on Facebook Marketplace
Some social media platforms have made it easy for you to buy stuff from other members. Facebook Marketplace is one of the most popular. The problem is it’s littered with scammers.
Read on for five scams you must know about before buying anything on Facebook Marketplace.
Those aren’t the only devious schemes to worry about. There’s a new ruse making the rounds where thieves pretend to be calling from the FBI. The thought of getting a call from an FBI agent is frightening enough, but this one adds scare tactics to rip you off.