Online “Money Makers”: Six Websites/Applications That You Can Earn Towards Gift Cards or Cash
February 22 | Posted by editor | Mountain Money Saver
So while things are still financially tight for most people throughout the country, wouldn’t it be nice if you could start offsetting Christmas this year? What about getting free groceries online? For the past two (2) months we’ve been testing different websites that allow you to do “tasks” where you accumulate points and then exchange them for rewards. These rewards can range from Amazon.com cards (one of our favorites) to PayPal deposits (sometimes even better). It’s up to you to decide what type of rewards you want with what each website offers and how much time you want to dedicate.
So what’s the catch and how are they able to do this? A-D-V-E-R-T-I-S-I-N-G. Pure and simple. They are exposing you to all sorts of brands and in exchange you get “rewarded.” If you have a little time to spare it might at least be worth checking out. Our first TIP is it’s much easier to sit in front of the TV and perform some of these mindless items while watching your favorite shows. Now you’re not going to get rich by doing this but an extra $25-50+ (estimated) a month sure can add up! We have compiled a list of our favorites for you to start with plus pros, cons and tips for each.
Reward Offers: Probably the largest variety. Amazon.com, Starbucks, Sears, PayPal, Dominos, Home Depot, CVS, and many more!
This site is not new in Internet standards as they are currently celebrating their 4th Birthday (and giving away $1000 to four lucky people). A very popular site that offers rewards for watching videos, taking surveys and looking at offers to name a few. Lots to do here and plenty of points available for as much time as you want to put into it. A great place to stop by when you are really bored.
PROS: Variety in both tasks and rewards doesn’t make this such a daily chore. You can accumulate 10-25 points everyday in just regular tasks. Offers allow for greater point values – but our advice is don’t fall trapped to offers that end up costing you money unless you were already planning on the purchase. Skip those and move on to another next task.
CONS: This site only allows for a maximum of five (5) rewards a month so use them wisely. Although you never lose points so you can continue to carry them over if you are on a real streak. Study the rewards and see where you can the best use of your points for what you really want.
TIPS: We have a set of tasks we do everyday just because they are easy: Toolbar use (1SB), Daily Poll (1SB), NOSO (2SB), Special Offers > AdRewards (0-2SB), Special Offers > Gambit > Videos (0-5SB), SwagbucksTV (3SB), Video Ad Survey (3SB), Web Search (0-10SB), Trusted Surveys (0-150SB).
Reward Offers: Amazon.com, Wallmart, Home Depot, Starbucks, iTunes, and PayPal just to name a few.
Undoubtedly the easiest site of the lot. This site had been by invitation only so you must have a token or invitation to join. (Click on our link and get your invite automatically.) This site is complete mindless activity and SuperEasy to do while watching TV. You get 25-100 clicks per day, depending on your level, on the SuperLucky Button every day for your chance to win points.
PROS: SuperFast payout once you have redeemed your reward. Invite friends and you win their points too when they click and win on the SuperLucky Button. Watch your points really add up this way. Also, don’t ignore your emails because each day they will send you 1-25 points!
CONS: Some days are disappointing and some days rock when collecting points. It’s a lot like the thought of a slot machine, every now and then you get SuperLucky. Don’t let this discourage you because we find we can cash out about $10 each month if you do this everyday.
TIPS: Don’t forget to watch the videos, we find these to be sort of hidden points as you get one (1) for each one you watch. Also, don’t miss extra ones under the Matomy tab, then click on videos. Skip the offers and spend your time and energy elsewhere.
Reward Offers: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Lowe’s, Sears, and several online retailers.
When it comes to opinion sites we like this one the best. While you get points for participating in opinion panels you can also get invited to participate in product testing from time to time. In two (2) months we have tested Dolce& Gabana perfume as well as a Keurig Coffee Machine that we get to keep! While we can’t promise the same it’s likely you will get invited to do something if you participate regularly. If they are not accepting members when you visit, keep checking back.
PROS: You receive survey invitations by email so it’s not something you have to keep at the forefront of your thoughts – they just remind you when something is available.
CONS: Points seem to accumulate slowly but we think the benefits of product testing opportunities outweigh this. Mind you, you have to qualify for both. (We still got perfume, a coffee maker, and $10 in Amazon.com gift cards in just two (2) months!) This site is more time consuming but the invitations only come maybe once a week or so.
TIPS: Take advantage of each invitation. Even if you don’t qualify you still get 100 points and an entry into their latest cash prize drawing. You never know what may come your way.
Reward Offers: Rebate checks and a one time gift card from Barnes & Noble, Target or Home Depot
While this does not necessarily collect points there are definitely some rewards. If you purchase items regularly online you might want to use this site as your starting point. Get money back, up to 25% in some cases, from your purchases in the form of a check or PayPal.
PROS: No rebates to have to fill out and mail in.
CONS: It takes about a month to get paid. So far that’s our biggest complaint because otherwise it’s easy money back in our pockets.
TIPS: Check out the Ebates Daily Double for bigger Cash Back values.
Shopkick Smartphone App
Reward Offers: Target, Macy’s, Best Buy, iTunes, Old Navy, and a few more.
This proves to have more interaction than the others. Use your smartphone’s camera to scan listed items for kicks. Simply scan the barcode and you will be collecting kicks in no time. Also has a “walk-in” feature that gives you kicks for simply walking in specific stores and “checking in.”
PROS: Easy and fun even for kids. Makes shopping (or browsing) a whole new experience. Sometimes there are special scans or double points for maximum kicks value.
CONS: Not a lot of rewards to choose from and it takes a lot of points to get there. If there is not a store near you from the rewards they offer, keep in mind the one that are online that you can still use the cards to pay for your purchases.
TIPS: Check the app every day. Even if you don’t go anywhere the app still produces about 10 kicks each day. Take advantage when you go to the mall or out of town. We found that malls are some of the best opportunities for kicks!
CheckPoints Smartphone App
Reward Offers: Amazon.com, Home Depot, Starbucks, Walmart, and merchandise
Another product scanning application for your phone. Simply check your nearby points (the app locates those closest to you) and visit for scanning opportunities. We found that not all products are always available but it’s a lot like a treasure hunt.
PROS: For each product scanned you not only get points but a token to play one of their games. Each game has the chance of winning even more points. Added bonus in our opinion.
CONS: We found the app a little difficult to respond sometimes and even gave up on occasion.
TIPS: Check often when you are in different locations and out of town for more possibilities and places to earn points. After a few times you’ll get the idea.
There are plenty more out there on the World Wide Web that present rewards for the same or similar tasks. Hopefully we have narrowed them down to the ones we have found to have the best opportunities and that we have had success in receiving our rewards. Some others that we came across and tested were too time intensive, some took forever to earn enough to cash-in, and others were just plain awful. Go forth and prosper but be aware of programs out there that just don’t seem to work as you will be introduced to many through these channels. So as we all have been saying lately…what have you clicked on today?
