How I (easily) make money!

I have been a frugal person my whole life. I've been on my own since a young age and have had to scrap and save. Supporting myself through college was hard, but I found a few ways to help provide some extra income. Couponing has been life-changing, but there are more ways to help fatten your bank account.

• Pinecone Research (Survey) I have been a member of Pinecone research for a few years and have made at least over $150 when taking some surveys in my free time. I signed up and qualified (some people are not part of the audience they're looking for, so not everyone gets accepted). Every survey you're invited to take means you automatically qualify for, so you don't waste your time. Every survey ending in the digits -1001 you complete is 300 points or $3.00 in your pocket. You can trade in these points towards merchandise from brands like Tiffany and Co. or Fossil. I prefer to cash them out for money directly into my Paypal account. Also, there is no minimum to cash-out. Surveys ending in -3001 do not result in a reward payout, but does present the opportunity to test products, Same with the surveys ending in -1001. I have been sent numerous products before they hit the shelves to test and a week later I take a brief survey and get paid about 900 points ($9) and get to keep the product. It is a legitimate and easy to do while watching t.v. or killing time.
• E-Rewards (Survey Website & App) E-rewards is another good survey website. Unlike Pinecone research, you do not qualify for every survey you are sent. Survey payout is done in e-rewards currency. Each dollar in e-rewards currency is equal to about 33 cents in real world currency. So it can take awhile to accumulate enough money to cash-out for a reward. The cash-out rewards are gift cards for various stores from Starbucks to Macy's. It can take awhile to get to cash-in for a reward but it definitely adds up. This website is by invite only. I ordered pizza and afterwards I received an email inviting me to E-rewards. Same for my significant other. We both take surveys in our free time and cash out for gift cards. It requires some patience, but is worth it. They also have an app for a chance at extra surveys.                                          

• Ebates (Website) This website is awesome! In the first month of signing-up, if you spend $25 in online purchases you get a $10 from a list of retailers. How it works: Before shopping through an online retailer you go to Ebates.com first (after singing in) and then to the retailer's website from there. That's it! You get a percent back on your purchases. 

                                 

The percent back varies from retailer to retailer, but it certainly adds up. 

So far I have earned quite a bit for just doing one small, extra step.

 During holidays they will have as much as 10% cash back. It's great for holiday online shopping. Once you hit $5 in cash back you can have it sent via check to you, deposited into your Paypal account, or turned into gift cards. I prefer the check!

Here's a referral link to get started: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=LBNqV0PPCHrrKFh2gQ4fjw%3D%3D&eeid=28187 

I installed the Ebates extension into my toolbar (I use Chrome). 

It will notify you when the website you on currently on qualifies for cashback by popping out a small screen.

• Cartwheel (Target Mobile App) If you love Target like me then you have install this app on your smartphone ASAP. It's a great app that allows for even more savings. The app has coupons that are usually percentages off specified items. These discounts can usually stacked along with manufacturer coupons and Redcard 5% off. The app is available on Apple and Android smartphones. You can search for the item's discount by the search bar or scanning the barcode in the app. If there was an applicable coupon it will pop up. You can then clip it. You start with a limited amount of coupon slots and can earn more by saving certain amounts (i.e. $50, $100, etc). So far I've save over $300 since testing the beta about two years ago. 

                                        

• Mperks (Meijer Mobile App) This app is a must for those who shop at Meijers. It is very similar to the Cartwheel app. There are really good deals and sometimes free item coupons with this app. Also, there are rewards you can earn. For example, if you spend $35 in about a month in dairy products, you will receive a certain amount off your next purchase. It adds up and helps find some really good deals. You enter you phone number and a pin number (you choose) at checkout to link your mperks account.
     

• Retailmenot (Mobile app & website) This app is a must-have! I never have paper coupons for stores like Bath and Body Works. This app is a large search engine for retailer specific coupons. It's also a website that is a necessity for online shopping. 

                                    

Shopkick (Mobile App) This app is very different from the others. You open the app and search a specific store in the app. Once you bring that store up, you walk into the store and it registers that just walked into the store. You do this over and and over to collect points. The points can be redeemed for giftcards and sometimes certain products.
                    


Ibotta (Mobile App) After purchasing items from certain stores, you find that store in the app and see what items are eligible for credit. If you bought an item listed in the app from a redeemable store then you will scan the item's barcode and then scan the receipt via the app. Within 24 hours they will certified the item and give you cash back. Usually it's 10-25 cents, but it adds up. The money can be cashed-out for Paypal money or giftcards.
                                              

These apps and websites have saved/ earned me hundreds (dare I say at least a thousand) dollars. Following couponing websites (i.e. Krazy Coupon Lady) and couponing FB pages and Instagram account are awesome too! Hope this helps! 

Please let me know what websites/apps you utilize to save $$$.

Target Beauty Box Summer 2015

I just got my Target Beauty box Summer 2015 in the mail. I am so excited. I missed the last box and was kicking myself, because it's such a good deal. This box was a little more money than previous Target Beauty boxes- $7 versus $5.

If you are not familiar with the Target Beauty box it is an affordable small box of glamor goodies that Target sells exclusively on Target.com. It includes anything from skincare, haircare, and of course cosmetics.The Beauty Box is usually sold on a quarterly basis until they run out. Every box has free shipping. If you have a Redcard like me it will also take the 5% off too! Lately, they have been offering other boxes at the same time but with different themes. For example, there is a 'Father's Day' edition box also being offered. It's only $5 and is a great deal for any man. As of now this box is still available!

http://www.target.com/p/target-beauty-box-father-s-day-15-value/-/A-17366778#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=target+beauty+box

Unfortunately, the Target Beauty Box is no longer available but I will link it anyways just so you get a better idea of it.

 http://www.target.com/p/target-beauty-box-summer-40-value/-/A-17366779#prodSlot=medium_1_2&term=target+beauty+box

Now onto the box!

                     

               


The box was pretty good quality to the point I found myself questioning "Should I throw it away? It's so nice." It rivaled the quality of Birchbox's packaging. It came with the products wrapped in simple and classy red tissue paper and a card stating 'Hello Beautiful'. Why, thank you . On the back of this card lists everything you have received and how to apply it. There was also a $3 off $15 beauty purchase at Target.


My box included:

• One full size bottle of Sinful Colors nail polish in 'Thimbleberry' In the pictures it comes off more muted, but in-person it's a bright coral/red/pink color. This would look great on someone with a tan or a darker complexion. On me (I'm fair skinned) it is not flattering. I wish I would've received the blue color that others had gotten in their box instead. This bottle is roughly $2 at Target.

Revlon HD lipstick in 'Gladiolus '. My thoughts about this lipstick are similar to the nail polish. Target would've been better to send a more classic or wearable shade for all skin shades.  It didn't have the feel of a normal lipstick which was nice, but application was almost, dare I say, streaky. It doesn't go on opaque the first time. Even when you apply a few times and it appears to be even that doesn't last. Simply pressing my lips together made it patchy again. I wonder if a more neutral shade would wear better. This is a full size and retails for $8 at Target. 

• Cutex Advanced Revival Nail Polish Remover Pads (3 ct) which is not full sized. They claim each pad can clean nails both hands. I haven't tried these yet. I have tried this formula in liquid form and really liked it. It was much more gentle on my nails than traditional nail polish remover.

0.5 fl oz Olay Regenerist Luminous Dark Circle Correcting Hydraswirl Eye cream. I'm excited for this product because I have such bad dark under eye circles (It's genetic). The good size sample comes with a convenient pump that really lets you control how much product is dispensed. A little of this product goes a long way. I just started using this and hope to see results, but I am so impatient! 

• Last but not least is my favorite product I've received in the box-Fekkai Soleil Professional Haircare St. Barth's beach waves tousling spray. Once again, a little goes a long way. I spray into my damp hair and blow dry. I do not get much tousling action, but it makes my hair so soft and shiney! I have had good experience with Fekkai products. 

Final thoughts...

Overall, I would recommend this box for future re-purchase! You get the $7 back and plus some. I wonder if Target will offer future boxes for $5 or $7? Either way it's worth your money. I would LOVE for Target to offer the Beauty Box as monthly subscription box (This would be on of the cheapest on the market besides Walmart's quarterly subscription which is glorified samples). It would definitely give Birchbox and Ipsy a run for their money!

Do you agree? 

What was your favorite product?