February 2015

February No Spend Month Challenge: Day 25 (How to Make Money With In-Home Product Testing)

Hello again, savvy savers! I hope you are all well rested and ready for a new days challenge! So, today I want to focus on ways that you can help generate extra funds in your home, and that is with in-product testing!

Product testing is so much fun and rewarding because you’re making a difference with what type of products you’d like on the market. You’re letting your voice be heard. Also you’re saving companies money by them not putting products in stores that won’t sell. I’ve tested a lot of products over the years and I don’t remember how many! I’ve tested electronics, toys, food products, beauty products, household products, adult products, websites, and so much more!

Companies are willing to send these products out to “guinea pigs” like us so that they can get a general idea of how well the product will go over once it’s released. And if there are any potential problems that they weren’t aware of before, these can be dealt with beforehand. All they want in return for sending you the product is for you to try it and let them know what you think.

So, why product testing:

I’ve been testing products for money for the past 7 years and love doing it!
I get about 4 to 5 full size products and sample products to test a month.
I get the first exclusive look at up and coming products, which I can help companies tailor products that others will enjoy, too!
I also participate in at least 1 paid sponsorship per month; the trial experience pays generally range from $5.00-$150.00 for participating.
Even if I am not paid for a product test, I am able to keep the product, which helps to generate “funds” to our home, too!
It’s a win-win!

The reason for product testing is that Top Brands would like to know what consumers think about new products they’re developing to be sent to stores but before they do that they need your opinions. This way it’ll save the various companies both time and money if the product doesn’t do well, after the initial testing and marketing drives.

Please note, majority listed here are survey panels meaning you’ll receive paid surveys from Top Brands and also receive products to test at home depending on your demographic. Also, you do not need to be a blogger to sign up with these companies!

Here’s how to sign-up:

First, you’ll need to sign up with a company that offers product testing at home.
Once you do this the company will send you emails to fill out screeners to see if you’ll qualify for their up and coming product testing.
Once you fill out their screener survey, they’ll let you know at the end if you qualify or not. For example, let say the company is looking for people to test out their beauty product, if you don’t use a certain beauty product they want you to test then you won’t qualify.
Once you get the approval to test, the company will ask for your address to send you the product to test for a week or two.
Then they’ll follow up with you with an email asking questions about the product you’ve tested. Once you’re done, you get paid!

Here are companies that I have worked with:

FREE HCD Research Online Surveys – HCD is a very good survey site, they have really neat surveys that don’t take very long to do. You get paid by a check or depending on the survey you can get a gift card.

National Consumer Panel – Earn valuable points, which are redeemable for electronics, household items, jewelry, toy, gift cards, and more

Earn FREE LOreal Products for becoming a Gold Rewards Members! You can earn Free products, coupons and more!

Toluna – Get paid for your opinion. Surfers who participate in this offer can receive a free membership to the Toluna online survey panel.

Smiley360 is another great site to test free products!

Ipsos I-Say Panel – You can earn points for taking surveys Earn points for every completed survey. The more surveys you take, the more points you earn. Cash in your points for American Express gift cards, Amazon gift codes and more, and they also do product testing if you qualify for them. Ipsos is a very good survey company!

Pssst Generalmills -Pssst is fantastic, they send out full size freebies and coupons for freebies.

VocalPoint – Vocalpoint offers fantastic samples throughout the year!

Kraft First Taste – Kraft First Taste sends out coupons for a full size products, along with high value coupons throughout the year!

PopSugar offers fantastic freebies! They even send out full size freebies.

Bzzagent.com -Bzzagent is really neat because they send you a full size products and you review it – Along with other perks that you can receive just by being a member.

Influenster.com – You can earn fantastic samples and so much more! – Registered members “play the game” by unlocking badges that reflect your lifestyle, expertise and power to influence. By earning badges that tell them more about you, Influensters can increase their chances of being selected to receive a themed VoxBox (complimentary packages of products to test & review), rewards (bonus giveaways/discounts) and other special promotions targeted toward our most influential members!

Toluna– I get quite a bit to test with Toluna Panel and the pay is good! When you sign up, click the “Rewards” tab and then click “Test Products” tab. You’ll also get product test invites in your email. Also Toluna has high paying focus groups. Pay by Cash and Gift Cards.

Pinecone Research– Pinecone Research is the most Top Rated Product Testing Company and I receive about 2 to 3 products a month. Pay by Cash, PayPal, Gift Cards, Merchandise, Music, and More!

Valued Opinions– I mostly receive beauty products to test with Valued Opinions Panel. Also offers to join high paying focus groups. Pay by Gift Cards.

Nielsen Home Scan Consumer Panel– You’ll get a free scanner to scan all your household purchases with Nielsen Home Scan Consumer Panel and you get rewarded for it by getting free electronics and more! Pay by Free Merchandise.

ACOP– I get a few products from ACOP Panel but their pay is good. Also offers to join high paying focus groups. Pay by Cash, PayPal, and Tango Gift Cards.

In Home Product Testing Panel– I don’t get much from In Home Product Testing Panel, only every few months and they pay with Target gift cards. Pay by Target Gift Cards.

BuzzBack Panel– I get mostly beauty products from BuzzBack Panel but not many. Pay by PayPal and Gift Cards.

L’Oreal Product Testing Panel– I get new products from L’Oreal to test but for some reason it’s hard to qualify for some of their testing. Pay by Free Beauty Products.

BzzAgent– BzzAgent is my favorite! I get so many free stuff to test that I’ve lost count! Great company! Doesn’t pay but I love getting so much stuff each month. Pay by MyPoints rewards to redeem for free merchandise, gift cards and more.

Global Test Market– I mostly get household items with Global Test Market but the pay is great! Pay by Cash.

Smiley360– I recently signed up with Smiley360 and already tested a couple of things with them. Doesn’t pay though. Pay by Free Products.

McCormick– If you like the McCormick brand of foods and seasonings, they offer to review their products and you’ll get paid for it. They also have contest at times too. Pay by Amazon Gift Cards.

Johnson & Johnson Friends & Neighbors– I use to get products to test from them quite a bit when my daughters were babies and toddlers, but not so much anymore since my daughters are older. This name brand company is prefect for mothers with young children. Pay by Cash.

MyView– I’ve done MyView through other survey panels and I had opportunities to do product testing with them. Pay by Gift Cards.

Swaggable: I get so many free stuff to test that I’ve lost count! Great company! Doesn’t pay but I love getting so much stuff each month. Pay by MyPoints rewards to redeem for free merchandise, gift cards and more.

So, today I challenge you to look into the above list and see if you can start product testing today! Be sure to come back tomorrow for a new day’s challenge!

Here’s to saving,

Challenge Links:

Tutorial Tuesday: $0.15 DIY Puffy Paint!

Calling all crafters! For this weeks Tutorial Tuesday, I am sharing with you my recipe for Puffy Paint! This recipe will cost you $0.15 a bottle, a savings of $2.75 a bottle, from commercial blends! Since one of my two majors was Art History, I often spent time while at home, on breaks from college, experimenting with Art mediums, and this was one of my concocting sessions! With so many kiddos soon to be back out of school for the winter holidays in a few short weeks, this would make for an awesome indoor project!

Here’s how I make it:

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup Room-Temperature Water
1/2 Cup Table Salt
4 Drops Food Coloring, per batch

Instructions:

In a glass bowl, mix the salt and flour together.
Add the water slowly, whisking it together, be careful not have any lumps.
Add 3 drops of food coloring to mixture; tempera paint, or natural fruit or vegetable juice, such as beet, mint, spinach, or carrot juice, can be used as well.
Add contents to a squeeze bottle; I found three-packs of squeeze bottles at the Dollar Tree for $1.00! Use a separate bottle per color.
Please note, paint will dry with 3 hours, and paint tends to break-up after use in bottles, so when done, clean out bottles after each use.

Here’s to creativity,

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Bathroom Spice Rack Nail Polish Organizer!

Good morning, savvy savers! I hope many of you are off of work this fine Easter Monday, and for those that may not be, that something positive comes of both your mood and your day! With that said, I want to share of the aspects of my master bathroom, that I consider positive! For this weeks, Organizational Ideas post, I want to share how I organize my nail polish collection, and my collection I mean the myriad of bottles that seem to come from the abyss to my bathroom!

I organize my bottles on a hanging spice rack, which I was able to purchase for free, using earned Amazon.com gift cards, from survey sites! This rack, is priced at under $10.00. This method keeps my polishes and lacquers within reach, not sitting in drawers, and easily accessible to myself during weekly spa nights! I love to look at my rack when I go into the bathroom, for as a visual person, colors excite me!

Here’s to organizing!

February No Spend Month Challenge: Day 24 (How to Make Money Taking Online Surveys)

Hello again, savvy savers! I hope you all are well rested, and ready for a new daily challenge! So today I want to focus a way you can earn money in your spare time, with online survey sites! Why Survey Sites: Last year I earned $420.00 taking online surveys. Here’s how:

The average survey takes 20 minutes, so one could realistically complete 3 online surveys in an hour, and have generated $9.00.
Though is not a great sum of money, the earned survey funds could potentially add up to a $36.00 a month, or $420.00 savings annually.
This is only an average of 3 surveys are taken weekly. based on qualification and availability.

I used those funds to pay for holiday gifts, birthday gifts, as well as earned Amazon gift cards which paid for my entire years worth of Amazon Subscribe & Save and Amazon Pantry items! Awesome, huh?

Here are my favorites:

1) Harris Polls: Harris Polls is the Boss of survey sites. Their research is well-respected and frequently cited; the number of points awarded per survey is generous; and there are lots of rewards to choose from – gift cards, prizes and sweepstakes entries. You can make up to $45 per survey in 20 min the #1 paying survey site today!

2) ZoomPanel: If you’re looking to earn rewards quickly, ZoomPanel is the survey site to join. They typically send out several survey invitations each week, and have a great collection of rewards to choose from – the latest books and movies, electronics, appliances, jewelry, home decor, charitable donations and more; you can earn up to $20.00 an hour with this site.

3) CVS Advisor: CVS Advisor is a must-join site. You’ll probably only get a few survey invitations a year, but you’ll want to respond to those invitations when they come. They reward participants with Extra Care Bucks, and it’s not uncommon to receive $10 in ECBs for participating in a single survey.

4) Swagbucks: Join swagbucks; answer surveys; and earn points that you can redeem for gift cards to popular stores and restaurants. Earn additional points by shopping through the site, using their search engine and watching videos. I have earned upwards of $40.00 a month with this site!

5) Ipsos I-Say: Ipsos is a global survey-based market research company that serves more than 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries. As an Ipsos I-Say community member, you’ll have the opportunity to take surveys and earn rewards that can be redeemed for money, Amazon.com gift cards, donations such as the American Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders, and prepaid American Express cards. Most members receive surveys at least once each month with an average of about four per month, and the more surveys you take, the more points you earn. In addition, many Ipsos members also have the chance to test new products and services before the general public. I personally use this site weekly, and since joining last year, taking an average of 10 surveys a week, have thus far earned $130.00; $90.00 of this was used on Amazon to help offset my holiday stocking stuffer costs! If you’re interested in joining Ipsos, click here.

6) KidzEyes: KidzEyes is a website that conducts market research among 6-12 year old kids, and is in full compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. KidzEyes conducts surveys for children’s companies, and wishes to have kids fill out surveys, in order to provide better products and services for children and sometimes they are interested in hearing parents’ opinions too, in which case, you will help earn your child(ren) additional KidzPoints. When kids complete the surveys that they receive from KidzEyes via email, and surveys completed earn KidzPoints that can be turned in for cash or prizes’ points can be withdrawn and deposited into your checking account and given directly to your child.

7) Funovation Panel: If you like the idea of influencing the future trends in toys, holiday purchases, and children’s clothing, than the Funovation survey Panel is for you! This is a free survey site, which enters your information into drawings and sweepstakes, often for large ticket toy items, in exchange for short surveys! I have been a member of this site for a little over a year, and have found the surveys fun; its a great way to get sneak-peeks into the upcoming seasons toys and holiday gift ideas! Click here to check the site out and to get more information!

8) PineCone Research: One of my favorite survey companies is Pinecone Research, who is currently accepting new members to their online research panel. This research firm gives points away at the end of each survey, which have a cash out value of $3.00, which can be transferred to an existing PayPal account, to a pre-paid card, a mailed paper check, which you can set aside to be directed to your savings account! The average survey takes 20 minutes, so one could realistically complete 3 online surveys in an hour, and have generated $9.00, and though is not a great sum of money, the earned survey funds could potentially add up to a $36.00 a month, or $420.00 savings annually, if 3 surveys are taken weekly. based on qualification and availability.

So today I challenge you to check out the above survey sites, and see if you can start saving today! Be sure to check back tomorrow morning, and see tomorrow’s Daily Challenge!

Here’s to saving,

Challenge Links:

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Weekly No-Spend Menu!

Happy Monday, savvy savers! This week is starting off to a sunny, yet chilly start here in Dixie. Thankfully, this weeks menu is going to be a breeze, and consists of Cupboard Clearing ideas, so stepping out to the market is not necessary! I am cooking and prepping solely from what is in my deep freeze pantry, and stockpile this week! I have spent nothing for this weekly menu plan, part of my 30-Day No-Spend Challenge!

This week we will be having:

Monday
Breakfast: Meatless Monday low-fat Mozzarella and Spinach Omelette, with Green Tea.
Lunch: Almonds, Cheese Crackers, Cheese rounds, with celery, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Almonds, and Gala Apple Slices.
Dinner: Crockpot Three Bean Chili, cooked with Boca Crumbles, with Diet Cola.
Dessert: Sugar-Free Dulce de Leche Cups.

Tuesday
Breakfast: Green Tea, Coconut Milk, and Strawberry Smoothie; made with Truvia.
Lunch: Freezer Cooking Chicken and Dumplings, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Frozen/Thawed Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Taco Roll-ups; in lieu of taco shells I use Romaine Lettuce Sheets.
Dessert: Gluten-Free Brownies.

Wednesday
Breakfast: Baked Frittata Cups, with Unsweetened Almond Milk.
Lunch: Taco Salads, with crystal light.
Snack: Grapes and apple slices.
Dinner: Crockpot Chicken Curry, steamed peas, and crystal light.
Dessert: Homemade Gluten-Free Truvia brownies.

Thursday
Breakfast: Homemade Greek Yogurt, with fruit cup, and Unsweetened Almond milk.
Lunch: Tossed Salad with Turkey, light vinaigrette, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Grapes and apple slices.
Dinner: Grilled Turkey Burger Patties, sweet Potato Fries, with Crystal Light.
Dessert: Brownie flurries with leftover brownies; we use Edy’s Sugar-Free Ice Cream.

Friday
Breakfast: Homemade Greek Yogurt, with fruit cup, and Unsweetened Almond milk.
Lunch: Tossed salad, with homemade Greek Yogurt dressing, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Strawberries and two pieces of Sugar Free Chocolate; candy is used as melted drizzle for berries.
Dinner: Barbecue Pork, Steamed Green Beans, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Diet Coca-Cola slushies.

Saturday
Breakfast: Homemade Greek Yogurt, with fruit cup, and Unsweetened Almond milk.
Lunch: Chicken Salad, and Crystal Light.
Snacks: String Cheese and grapes.
Dinner: Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry, Quinoa, and lemonade.
Dessert: Sugar-Free Dulce de Leche Cups.

Sunday
Breakfast: Bacon, Eggs, and Toast, with Unsweetened Almond Milk.
Lunch: Grilled Sausages, Steamed Broccoli, Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese, with Crystal Light.
Snack: Grapes and walnuts.
Dinner: Crockpot Orange Chicken with Almonds, Steamed Peas, and crystal light.
Dessert: Sugar-Free Dulce de Leche Cups.

How I Scored Free Exercise Equipment, Freecycle.org!

Hello again, savvy savers! Today I am starting another new blog series, Battle Of The Bulge, Budget-Style! I will be focusing on ways to live a healthier, more active lifestyle while be able to afford clean, organic, obtainable foods! I believe this series can be worthwhile for many, who like myself, wish to get more in shape, not through crash-dieting but by small attainable lifestyle changes! All of the changes I propose will be free or affordable, and most meals and plans will contain couponed savings or deals! Fads are fancy, but coupons are a commitment! With that said, here is where I am currently: I have a family history of high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. I am looking to lose 60lbs., find affordable non-gym membership options for working out, and change the way I consume food; this includes meals, snacks, and splurges!

Today I am 31 years young, I am 5’6”, and weigh 197 lbs; I am down tw0 pounds since last week. I walk my dogs but beyond this am not terribly active. My lifestyle causes sedentary behaviors; I work-from-home, blog, run two internet businesses, and perform advocacy work online as well. I am an internet-based excuser! Today finds my continued yoga, meditation, walking my dogs, using a pedometer, portioning my meals, and now I also measure myself monthly!

For today’s sixth installment in this series, I want to discuss exercise, and in particular, exercise equipment. My husband has been an avid gym user for years, but I myself do not like exercising in small-confined space with others, and so I began to look for alternatives. Recently, I started noticing that on my local Freecycle groups page that so many were getting rid of exercise equipment, and so my deab hubby graciously went locally to pick-up two pieces of equipment for me, a like-new elliptical machine and stationary bike. I have started using these items daily, and it has been so fun! I use it daily, in addition to walking, and tennis, and have noticed how much better I feel after doing so! What’s even funnier, is that almost daily someone in my Freecycle group is again, giving away this type of equipment as well! I would recommend everyone, with small allowing, to check out you local Freecycle group, and see what you can score!

Here’s to your health!

Do You Have Missing Money?

Hello again, savvy savers! For this weeks Saving On The Go Post, I want to remind you all to check out the site MissingMoney.com. This site, established in 1999, is a national database that enables you to perform searches for lost assets required by law to be turned over to the states – funds potentially due from past employers, utility companies, stocks, mutual funds, inheritance, over-payment of state taxes, and much more! You would potentially be missing out on money rightly due to you!

How to search to see if you have Missing Money:

Click here, to enter your name and state and click on “go.”
If you find a match, you must complete a claim form.
Most states and provinces require a specific form to be completed which asks pertinent information about the property and proof of ownership, such as copies of checkbook, passbook, bonds, etc.
Follow the instructions to complete the specified form and supply any necessary documentation and identification.
Claim forms and ID are then mailed to the state for review.
In return, states will respond to you directly after they have reviewed your submission and verified that you are the rightful owner.
Most states send you an acknowledgment letter after receiving your claim.
Claims processing time frames vary between states and provinces and property to property based upon claim activity.
Click here to view the list of participating states in MissingMoney.

This could potentially be the best, and easiest, way to find funds to put towards snowballing debt starting a new savings account, and much more!

Here’s to saving,

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