Online surveys and mystery shopping get a bad rap. Many people think that they are just scams but there are really some great (and legitimate) companies out there that will pay you for your time and effort. And to prove it, here’s what I earned from online surveys and mystery shopping last month, among other endeavors. I completed these mystery shops and surveys in the previous month (or earlier) and received the payment this month. Some of these mystery shops required me to pay something out of pocket to purchase a good or service (which I get to keep) but I was reimbursed for my purchase and was usually paid an additional fee.

November 2012
Marketforce– $153.30
Goodwin & Associates– $12.00
Sinclair Customer Metrics– $15.00
American Express World Points- $25 Amex gift card (from credit card reward points)
Ebates– $19.11
Inspired Opinions/Schlesinger Associates– $125 (focus group)

Total earned this month: $349.41

Where did this money go? To be honest, some of it went toward Christmas gifts but only about $100. I am keeping a small budget for presents this year and making many of them to save costs.

The rest went to paying my speeding ticket (ugh) and for car repair for my husband’s car. Yay responsibility, or lack thereof.