Paid surveys and points programs – a little extra in your Louis Vuitton

Have you ever wondered about those research surveys that you read about online? Some of the ads claim that you can make $200 from taking simple online surveys or even make a living at it.

While I haven’t seen any $200 surveys out there (although you may find an online focus group that pays that much), you certainly can earn money taking online surveys. Beyond cash, many of these surveys pay in points which can be converted to gift cards to places like Amazon.com, restaurant chains, etc.

You should NEVER, EVER have to pay to sign up with a survey & research company. Just the opposite is true – they should be paying YOU! So, if you see an online ad asking for money in order to sign up – MOVE ON!

• Opinion Square – uses a rewards points system. Points can be redeemed for things like gift cards, electronics and home appliances. rom time to time, Opinion Square members will be contacted about special surveys that offer cash or gift cards as a “thank you” for participating. You’ll also automatically be entered to win a chance at $100,000 just for joining Opinion Square.

• Ipsos – Members earn rewards such as giveaways, cash prizes, and gift cards from major retailers for their participation. Once you join, be sure to check your e-mail and click on the link in order to complete your registration.

• Memolink – Take Surveys, Earn Points, Redeem Points For Free Rewards. Register Free! I like this one because it’s a combination of survey site, shopping portal and click-thru’s for earning points, making it EASY to earn & cash out for $$ and gift cards from a HUGE list of retailers.

I’ve seen a lot of others that have big flashy ads. While they MAY (I’ve never tried them) come through with their offers of freebies and prizes. I’d be very wary of spam. So, if you decide that you’d like to try these – set up an e-mail address JUST for them through yahoo, hotmail, gmail or one of the other free e-mail services. You don’t want your in box littered with trash that you have to weed out daily as they are lead generating services IN ADDITION to offering surveys & research (I’ve marked these in RED)…

• ECN who offers a a FREE Vacation valued at over $ 200 for answering surveys.

• Survey Networks claims to give you a chance to win a Lexus RX 330 Enter Today
  You can also check out some of the sponsors that we have here on Champagne Living as you’ll often find survey companies, points programs and freebies listed there as well. So, go take some of those opinion polls and let the companies know what’s on your mind as well as earn money taking online surveys.