Saturday, June 8, 2013

5 Minute Money Maker: Field Agent App for iPhone

So here's my first 5 Minute Money Maker.  Field Agent.  I would categorize it as a Secret Shopper App. It literally lets you earn money in five minutes.  Here's how it works:
1. Download the free App. It's only available for iPhone.
2. Reserve a job near you. You have 2 hours to start.
3. Complete the job. Most get approved in a couple hours to one day.
4. Get paid. Money goes straight to PayPal almost instantly each time you cash out!

 So here's how the app looks: These are all the jobs right now within my search radius (10 miles for me).

That's a really good day.  In reality, it's hit and miss. The jobs go fast too, so checking any time you're going out is a good idea.  Often, we find ourselves out shopping at the exact store where a job is available.

The "General" category can be a little bit of everything. In my experience, "Audits" is where the money is. Most of the work is going to a store, looking for a particular display or demo, taking photos and answering questions.  (Everything is done within the app.  It's very easy.)  Simple ones will pay as little as $2.50 and can be done in a minute.  Audits on multiple products can get you as much as $12.00 and take a good 20 minutes.

For the "Survey" category, you typically have to have a receipt from the prior week from the retailer listed, in a particular product category (i.e. Personal Hygiene) in order to do it, so it's all a matter of luck.

"Scavenger Hunts" want you to take a photo of a product--the exact product with the exact UPC they list.  Seems easy, but it's kind of like searching for aliens.  You might be sure their out there, but the chances of you being the one to find them seems slim.  We've only managed a few out of a hundred tries.

The "Just for Fun" category means no money.  Enough said.

Here's another view of those same jobs, with distance and pay-out:

And here's proof that it really works.  Less than half-way through the year and I've made just under $200.  The wife has made over $300.  In fact, this weekend we hit a hot-streak and got almost $60 in jobs since I took these screenshots.  Together, we've paid $500 off the old credit card!

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Introduction

 I've been considering blogging for some time.  I have a lot to say, and I'm fairly good at finding words to say it.  That said, what I end up talking about most is money.  That can be good and bad.  In some ways, it controls our lives.  In other ways, we let it control us in ways it should not. 

What This Blog is About
Money.  How to save it, how to earn it--especially online.  Simple tips I've personally tried, all organized, as much as possible, to be done (or started) in five minutes or less.

What This Blog is Not
This blog is not professional.  I'm not a professional blogger or financier.  I won't go into any more detail because I don't want to give any misapprehensions.  That said, I will make this disclaimer:  Nothing said on this blog should be taken as either professional or legal advice.  Anything said is merely a personal opinion and any advice is taken at your own risk.

So Who Am I?
I am a working professional at a non-profit corporation. I'm married.  My wife does not work, but we always looks for ways to save or earn money where it helps us meet our goals.

Why Listen to Me?
Because you've listened to everyone else.  Professionals talk over you.  Your friends are no better off than you and your searching for help on the internet.  What have you got to lose?