One month ago I signed up for 3 paid online survey services: My Survey, Greenfield, and Pinecone Research. They were all listed in my post about Paid Surveys and Word of Mouth Marketing. To setup each survey account, I created a separate email address to help separate and keep track of them. Greenfield has by far provided the most surveys. Some of them are for money and others are only for a sweepstakes entry. I skipped the sweepstakes entry surveys and just took the ones that had a guaranteed dollar amount. The surveys have ranged from $1.00 to $5.00.

Pinecone Research has provided the second highest total earnings, but has had the least number of surveys. Each survey pays $3.00. My Survey has provided the lowest amount of earnings. They are based on a points system and when you reach 1000 points, you can cash out $10.00. Both Pinecone Research and Greenfield are recommended. I have not had any problems with My Survey, it just hasn’t earned nearly as much as the first two. Below is a chart that compares the three companies for the first month.

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The first economic stimulus package was $168 billion dollars and many people saw this in a form of a check or direct deposit. It looks like the second round, if there is one, will be focused on rebates and infrastructure development. It was nice to receive $600 but we have to remember that we’ll pay for it later(indirectly) or take the money from other sources. While Congress hoped everyone would run out and spend the money and stimulate the economy, reports are showing that a lot of people have saved it or put it toward regular bills. Contradicting the last sentence, there are also studies that say consumer spending is up.

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You can use the calculator if…

• You are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record.
• You have enough Social Security credits at this time to qualify for benefits.
• You are not eligible for a Pension Based on Work Not Covered By Social Security.

Click here to go to the Social Security Estimator.

More Social Security Calculators

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1. Too many accounts:
Having money in too many accounts can be time consuming and a hassle to manage. If one of you does the majority of the financial planning, your spouse may be left in the dark if something were to happen. Sitting down with your partner and creating a list of accounts will put you on the same page.

2. One spouse deals with advisors
It’s your money too. Both partners need to know where and what their money is doing. A financial advisor should have a good relationship with the both of you to effectively manage your money.

3. Not putting enough aside
Start early and save at least 10% of your take home pay. You should save money from both paychecks and don’t settle for the minimum. As a couple you should have shared expenses and the extra money should go straight to savings.

4. Too much money tied up in cash
Long term goals should have an investment plan set up. Keeping your money in cash will not keep up with inflation and your money will be worth less and less.

5. One party isn’t getting a voice
Each partner has their own risk tolerance and when there is only one person doing the investing, the investment fits their comfort level. Investing in separate accounts will allow each of your own level of risk tolerance as a compromise.

6. Failing to diversify those investments
A key factor in investing is diversification. You will need to have high risk and low risk, domestic and international as well as a variety of industries.

7. No shared goals
A set of common goals will make saving and investing easier. Sitting down and writing them out on paper will create a stronger plan. Short term and long term goals should be in progress at all times.

8. Skipping account maintenance
Failure to re-balance your investment to maintain the correct asset allocation will hurt your financial plan. Forgetting to update personal information and beneficiaries can spell trouble if something happens to one of you.

9. Commingling inherited assets
Once this money is placed in a joint account, it is considered marital property and you may lose it before you ever use it.

10. Investing without understanding
This can hurt you in two ways. One, it may not work the way you thought it did, and second, you may have problems getting out of it. You wouldn’t own a car if you didn’t know how or want to know how it works.

11. Don’t know how advisor earns money
Learning how they are paid will tell you if they have your best interest in mind. You don’t want biased information when it comes to investment advice. You hire them to work for you.

12. Not collecting ‘free money’ at work
Not taking advantage of an employer matched 401k is like someone offering you free money and telling them, “No thanks.” The 401k match is part of your compensation included in benefits. Increase it slowly to get started and pretty soon you won’t feel a difference.

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