Residual Income Online - Surveys, Product Testing, Loyalty Shopping

My friends and family are frugal shoppers - always looking for the best bargain. They use coupons, take advantage of sales and buy in bulk. In the past 5 years or so they've also discovered Internet. They have amassed a collection of online accounts at various websites that offer deals, but after many years we have narrowed it down to the juicy ones and this report is our results.

Residual Income?

The reason I say "residual income" is because none of these methods will make you rich, nor amaze your friends. Take a good look at the earnings of each method. Often they pay in a points system or only payout cash after a certain amount has built up. At best this is mad money or extra spending cash or bonuses - not a hot addition to your budget, or a fix for an income crisis.

Loyalty Programs

Sites that offer you rewards via points for buying from vendors on their lists are called loyalty programs. For your loyalty in buying or at least shopping from their vendors they will grant you a number of points. These points can be cashed in for rewards - items, gift cards or certificates.

Mypoints is my family's favorite. Every time you receive an email from them and read it (opening it) you receive 5 points. The technology behind this is the graphics and links in the email tell the site that YOU opened the email because it loaded a graphic inside your email program. If you actually click on a link and visit the website they are promoting, cha-ching another 5 points. If you actually BUY anything you can expect usually a 1 point per $1 spent ratio. If you do plan to buy something through this method do it right after clicking on the site through the email. If you leave the site and come back later you may miss out on the deal because the cookies in your browser no longer see you as a Mypoints member.