Two weeks progress

Since February, I have started signing up for free samples. It's a great way to try new products, but my mailbox is usually stuffed & bulging everyday. Now I look forward to getting my mail because the freebies far outnumber the bills. The following are just some of the samples I've received: contact lens solution sample, Paul McCartney CD, Bounce sheets sample, Quaker Snack Bars, Downy plus whitening sample, Move Free arthritis pills, a $10.99 coupon for full size Noxema product, a year subscription to at least 10 different magazines, a Swiffer duster, ponytail holders, post-it samples and many, many more.

I plan to detail all the freebies I've signed up for as well as give the links to pass on. I've also joined various survey panels, but have found that I consistently get surveys from about 10 different companies. There are at least a hundred companies that I haven't signed up for yet, but I'm listing all the invitations I get to surveys and how much they pay so I have some idea of just how profitable it is or isn't. Depending on your age, marital status, # of children, etc. you may get more or less surveys that I do, and hopefully will make more money than I have.

5/16 - Paid $3.00 - was notified that SurveyDirect put $3 into my paypal account for a previous survey
5/17 - ACOP Survey - received an email invitation to take a survey which led to an invitation to test a product. ($6 reward) You can join at: ACOP Survey
5/17 - JD Power Online Consumer panel - Got an invitation to take a survey with JD Power. The survey was short and easy and I earned 75 points. You need 500 points to get a $5 Amazon Gift certificate. Sign up at: JD Power
5/17 - Survey Direct emailed an invite to a survey about Red Lobster "there's just something about seafood" commercial preview, which I completed - 1 of 1,500 wins $500 cash. SurveyDirect has changed its name to Authentic Response. Go to their website at: Survey Direct You may have to send them an email since they have no signup page on this site.
5/17 - E-Rewards - emailed an invitation to take two surveys. Will get $6 in e-rewards money. You can sign up at: E-Rewards
5/17 - Global Test Market emailed me to take a survey. I didn't qualify (after only one question) but got 5 points. You need 1,000 to cash out. I can refer you for membership or you can go to: Global Test Market
5/17 - MarketViewResearch emailed me to participate in a survey. I was entered into a drawing for 1 of 15 Amazon.com gift certificates. Due to the answers I gave, MarketView sent me a new product to test and take a survey on. You can sign up here: MarketViewResearch
5/17 - Greenfield Online emailed an invitation to take a survey for an entry into sweepstakes. Since joining in March I have earned $4.00. You can join at: Greenfield Online
5/17 - Ipsos i-Say Online Survey Invitation to a short survey to enter contest. Ipsos is one of the most well-known surveys companies around. You can join the survey panel at: Ipsos i-Say
5/19 - Harris Poll sent me an email invitation to a survey about a well-known restaurant. The Harris Poll is also a very old & "famous" survey company. Receive points for surveys taken and redeem for prizes. Contact them at: Harris Poll
5/19 - Zoom survey emailed me an invitation to a survey. Here, you get points, which you can redeem for prizes. I can refer you or you can register at: Zoom Panel
5/20 - Global Opinion (aka Synovate) emailed me to invite me to take a survey on frozen foods. They give away $5000 in cash every month in random drawings. You can register at: Global Opinion Panels
5/20 - Greenfield emailed me to take a survey. I didn't qualify, though, and then they offered me three other surveys to take which I didn't qualify for either.
5/20 - Global Opinion/Synovate emailed me to take a survey regarding the product I tested for them last week.
5/20 - Lightspeed emailed me to take surveys for entry into their contest for cash prizes. Lightspeed gives points to redeem for paypal cash, Amazon certificates or other prizes from many different companies. You can join at: Lightspeed Panel
5/21 - Freebie - signed up for free perfume sample and goodies at: http://www.lulucastagnette.com/
5/21 - Freebie - signed up for free Blender magazine subscription at: http://www.magscentral.com/bldr/ddjr5u.htm
5/22 - Your2Cents emailed me to take a survey for underwear - I got $2 for taking it. Each survey you complete will pay between $1-$5 cash. My total winnings since March are $7.20. You can register at: Your2cents
5/23 - ZoomPanel emailed me to take a survey, but I didn't qualify to finish.
5/23 - Global Opinion/Synovate panel emailed me to take a survey, but I didn't qualify.
5/23 - Oprah's panel - seems to be a new panel, so I signed up at: Oprah's Panel
5/23 - Baker St.Solutions - joined Baker St. Solutions at: www.bakerstsolutions.com
5/23 - Paypal Mobile Game - Got $5 in my paypal account for playing the Paypal Mobile Game at: https://www.promotionexpert.com/getmobilized/location.html
Lots of instant winners and ends June 5, must have Paypal to play.
5/24 - SurveySpot sent an email for me to take a survey, but I didn't qualify for it. Some surveys are paid cash, some get you a sweepstakes entry. They gave away $978,000 in the first quarter of 2006. You can join at: Survey Spot
5/24 - SurveyDirect emailed me to take a survey on heartburn. I qualified and will get $2.
5/24 - ZoomPanel emailed me to take a survey on frozen food which I didn't qualify for.
5/24 - Took survey through e-rewards - will receive fuil credit, whatever that means
5/24 - Greenfield emailed an invitation to a survey. They asked for my address at the end of the pre-qualification survey so this might lead my getting a product to test.
5/24 - Freebie - got a package of two plastic glasses and a bunch of swizzle sticks from a whiskey manufacturer. If you would like me to sign you up, just ask.
5/25 - ConsumerLink emailed me to take a survey about different medical conditions. Five survey takers will win $100. Sign up at: ConsumerLink
5/25 - Greenfield emailed me to take a survey, but I didn't qualify for it.
5/25 - Pinecone emailed me to take a pre-qualification survey. After taking this I will get a survey in a couple of weeks. This is a very hard company to sign up with. The only way you can join the panel is to find a banner ad that they place randomly on internet sites. I was lucky enough to find one. They pay $5 for each survey done. When you get a survey from them, you will always be qualified to finish and always paid $5. I've done a product test for them that will pay $25. Their web address is: PineCone Research
Be on the lookout for their "pinecone" banner.
5/26 - Freebie - received a t-shirt with Isopure logo on front & a package of drink mix.
5/26 - Zoom emailed me to take a survey and I earned 75 points
5/30 - Freebie - received a Star magazine (this is published weekly). I got a year's subscription free.
5/30 - Freebie - received a half size sample of Degree deodorant, along with a coupon for $1 off.

My quest for money

I want to retire -- yesterday. This is my reason for wanting to earn extra money. But I have limitations... I don't want to drive in a snowstorm to a second job where I have to stand for hours and deal with shoppers. I want to work when I want to and when I have time. I have a full time job already, but I'd like a little extra - to pay bills off, pay down my mortgage and retire as soon as possible. I won't be 65 for another 15 years, but I'm going to make the best of the time I have.
I have been dabbling in finding ways to make extra money online. Since I don't have money to invest, it needs to be money given to me free and clear.
After noticing that I have yet to win the lottery, I needed to find an alternate source of income to retire on.
Two months ago, I read about people who entered contests and sweepstakes that were found in the Sunday coupon sections. I looked in the newspaper and found that most of the contests and sweepstakes could be entered online. The odds of winning are better than the lottery's odds.
I searched for sweepstakes and contest websites and found many to choose from. Two months of sporadically filling entry forms has only left me $5.00 richer. One of my favorite websites is http://www.online-sweepstakes.com/
They have nicely categorized all the sweepstakes into easy to understand areas. They are grouped by: brand new sweepstakes, sweepstakes that can be played daily, monthly or only once. The even have an area where the prizes are grouped into cash, cars, etc. Everything you need to know is here such as starting and ending dates. If you join, and there is no cost to join, you can see the notes for each contest where more experienced people tell of the pros and cons and instructions for entering.