Yes, you really can make decent money completing surveys and playing games each month. These are eight of the best opportunities for making money online. This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide...
You probably have friends or family that already supplement their income by filling out surveys or winning card games online.
And we all understand how survey sites work: Businesses are willing to pay for honest feedback from us consumers about what we like and don’t like.
This is the kind of article you look for when you just want to make sure you’re linking up with a legitimate company that isn’t trying to rip you off or waste your time.
These are some of the best survey sites and quick-cash games, selected based on their reputation and the amount of money you can realistically earn in a month.
1. InboxDollars — Add Up to $225/Month to Your Wallet While Watching the News
You just have to answer honestly, and InboxDollars will continue to pay you every month. This might sound too good to be true, but it’s already paid its users more than $56 million.
You could add up to $225 a month to your pocket by signing up for a free account with InboxDollars. They’ll present you with short surveys to choose from every day, which you can fill out while you watch tonight’s broadcast.
It takes about one minute to sign up, and start getting paid while you watch the news.
2. Branded Surveys — Get Paid Up to $140/Month Just for Sharing Your Honest Opinion
Taking three quick surveys a day could earn up to $140 each month. A free site called Branded Surveys will pay you up to $5 per survey for sharing your thoughts with their brand partners.
It takes just a minute to create a free account and start getting paid to speak your mind. Most surveys take five to 15 minutes, and you can check how long they’ll take ahead of time.
Once you earn $5, you can cash out via PayPal, your bank account, a gift card or Amazon. You’ll get paid within 48 hours of your payout being processed, just for sharing your opinions.
It takes just a minute to set up your account and start getting paid to take surveys. Plus, right now, you’ll get a free 100-point welcome bonus just for becoming part of the community.
3. Bingo Cash — You Could Bag $83 For Every Win
Bingo Cash gives you the chance to play Bingo for real money. The game is based on the classic Bingo format, but with special power-ups you can use to do things like buy more time or dab an extra square.
You’ll battle it out against other players at your same skill level. Everyone gets the same board and sees the same Bingo balls. Winning is totally a matter of how you use the powerups you’re given.
The top three players in a game can win real money — anywhere from $1 to $83. You can also play casually with virtual currency if you want.
To get started, just download the free app and start playing your first game immediately.
4. YouGov — Earn Up to $100 this Month By Answering Survey Questions About the News (It’s Anonymous)
The news is a heated subject these days. It’s hard not to have an opinion on it.
Good news: A website called YouGov America will pay you up to $100 or more this month just to answer survey questions about politics, the economy and other hot news topics.
Plus, it’s totally anonymous, so no one will judge you for that hot take.
When you take a quick survey (some are less than three minutes), you’ll earn points you can exchange for up to $100 in cash or gift cards to places like Walmart and Amazon. Plus, Penny Hoarder readers will get an extra 500 points for registering, and another 1,000 points after completing their first survey.
It takes just a few minutes to sign up and take your first survey — and you’ll get your points immediately.
5. Survey Junkie — Get Paid up to $40/Month Just for Sharing Your Opinion
Yes, there are a bunch of paid survey sites out there, but one of the best we’ve found is Survey Junkie.
They’ll ask you questions about things like, what kind of laundry detergent you use, or if you prefer Pepsi or Coke. You get points for answering, and many people accumulate enough points to request a check within a few hours. Completing just three surveys a day can earn you as much as $40 a month.
More than 10 million people already use Survey Junkie, and it has 4.5/5 stars on TrustPilot.
Give it a try by visiting Survey Junkie and clicking the “Join Now” button. It’s free.
6. Solitaire Cash — Earn up to $83/Win in This Mobile Game
Lots of us already play Solitaire on our phones for fun or just to pass the time. Want to see if you can win money at it?
There’s a free iPhone app called Solitaire Cash that lets you play for real money. You could get paid up to $83 per win.
You might be thinking: There’s got to be a catch. This is definitely one of those spammy apps, right?
Wrong. There really isn’t a catch. Sure, you can pay to play in some higher-stakes tournaments, but there’s no pressure. And, in fact, there aren’t even any annoying ads.
With each game, you’ll battle it out against at least five other players. Everyone gets the same deck, so winning is totally a matter of skill. The top three players who solve the deck fastest can win real money — anywhere from $1 to $83.
Over on the App Store, it has over a million downloads and more than 15,000 ratings, averaging 4.7 stars (out of 5).
To get started, just download the free app and start playing your first game immediately.
7. Swagbucks — Get Paid $225 for Watching the News
It’s been a historic year in the news, and we’re all constantly refreshing for the latest updates. You probably know more than one news-junkie who fancies themselves a constitutional scholar or a foreign policy expert.
That might not be the best news for your dinner conversations — but it’s great news for your wallet. You could add up to $225 a month to your pocket by signing up for a free account with Swagbucks. They’ll present you with short surveys to choose from every day, which you can fill out while you watch tonight’s broadcast.
You just have to answer honestly, and Swagbucks will continue to pay you every month. This might sound too good to be true, but it’s already paid its users more than $429 million. We talked to one user in Pennsylvania, 52-year-old Carolinda Hendrickson, who earned $1,200 in a year.
It takes about one minute to sign up, and start getting paid while you watch the news.
8. Nielsen Consumer Panel — Scan Your Groceries’ Barcodes For Free Gift Cards
Remember the Nielsen company? The one that’s always tracked TV ratings? Well, now it wants to know what’s in your fridge.
Once you sign up to be on the Nielsen Consumer Panel, you’ll gain access to the NCPMobile app. (If you don’t have a smartphone, Nielsen will send you a scanner.) As you unload your groceries after your next shopping trip, simply use the app to scan items’ barcodes.
Nielsen will reward you with points, which you can redeem for free gift cards, electronics (new TV, anyone?) and household items. The longer you stay on the panel, the more opportunities you have to earn.
Applying to become a panel member is straightforward. You’ll answer some basic questions about you and your household, then Nielsen reviews your application and will contact you when you’re eligible to join.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.