Bargain Babe» job

Reader winner: coping with unemployment

bargainbabe — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:49:56 +0000

Reader Debra wins my review copy of Creative Unemployment: How To Transcend Job Loss for her understated comment.

I would love to read this book. I have been looking for work since the end of April – it is very emotionally draining.

I hope this book helps you get through this difficult time, Debra. If you missed my review of the book, author Harlan Kidwell Jr. focuses on the emotional journey that follows getting laid off. One thing that comes up often – even when you have a job – is how to talk about money with friends who want to spend more than you do. Socializing can be a minefield when you are cutting back!

To reduce spending, go over your budget again or attend a totally free swap meet.

How to make big bucks doing online surveys

bargainbabe — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:13:11 +0000

This is a guest post by Nicole of Nicole’s Nickels, a great coupon blog that I’ve been a fan of for awhile. I interviewed Nicole months ago about how to make money as a mystery shopper. Now she’s back with advice on how to make money doing online surveys.

If you’re looking for ways to earn some extra money each month from the comfort of your own home, online surveys may be just the thing for you! I have been doing surveys for over a year now and earn approximately $100 per month. It’s certainly not enough for me to retire but it is my gas money that I don’t have to worry about!

I love that I can sit in my pjs or while I watch TV and earn money. You can also get product tests from doing surveys where they send you not yet released products to report back about. There are a lot of survey sites out there and I am signed up with over 30. I only blog about the ones I have had no issues with.

Before signing up with your first survey company, get a new separate email address for surveys only (I use gmail). I don’t get any spam in my surveys email account but I do get a lot of survey invites which could clog your inbox. All of the survey companies I blog about are completely free to sign up for. Remember, they are paying YOU for YOUR opinions!

Many surveys are looking for people that fall into certain demographics so you won’t qualify for every survey you do. I qualify for approximately half of all surveys I attempt. Don’t get hung up on why you’re not qualifying, it’s just the way it is.

Each survey company handles payment differently. Some pay in cash while others may pay in merchandise. Read the terms and conditions as you sign up to make sure you understand how you’ll be paid and if there is a minimum amount to be paid. I make an effort to redeem every month so I can maximize my monthly earnings.

Here are 6 survey companies I recommend:

My Survey
HCD Surveys
Ipsos-I-Say
Opinion Outpost
Global Test Market
Toluna USA

To read more about the survey companies I am signed up with, check out the survey page on my blog, Nicole’s Nickels.

Job loss survival kit

bargainbabe — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:20:42 +0000

It has gotten to the point where we all know someone who has been laid off. Which makes it hard not to think about getting laid off ourselves. Transfer all that job-stress into concrete plans for coping if you do get the ax. A collection of stories from Kiplinger covers the basics.

Life after a layoff

Keeping your health care while unemployed

What if your employer files for bankruptcy?

Tax breaks for job hunters

Undercover job hunting

13 hot jobs in a recession

Start your own business

More resources from Bargain Babe:

Expenses to cut immediately if you lose your job

Tips for staying employed

A quick way to get ahold of your finances