This week I'm going to "cash in" a few points in various platforms to earn some gift cards for the last of my shopping. I had lofty ambitions back this time of year for side earnings that let's just say fell short of target. Still, there's some returns and I'll recap those, and the original plan below. My whole goal was $1200 in side funds.
Cash and card apps: Fetch: I had hoped for a modest $30. Ibotta was a fail. If you're still not using, here's my Fetch referral:https://fetchrewards.onelink.me/vvv3/referraltext?code=DXREDD Result: $20
Microsoft Rewards: This will be in the form of Target gift cards. I thought I could earn at least $50, but I got bored and stopped for a while. Result $20
One and only one yard sale: Total fail. I did not hold nor contribute to one.
Facebook Marketplace: Yet another part of purging, but as I find things we don't need or use, I thought why not try and recoup some money back for $220 goal? I posted nothing! I'll count my daughter reselling a dog crate I bought, but when I tried to return, the retailer said to keep, for $50 as a win.
Blog Adsense: I had estimated perhaps $600 for the year, but was short. Result $453.86
Freebies: I tucked a few things away. No cash value, but a few things here and there.
Blog Adsense: I had estimated perhaps $600 for the year, but was short. Result $453.86
Freebies: I tucked a few things away. No cash value, but a few things here and there.
Grand total: $553.86. While less than 50% of target, considering no garage sale or Facebook marketplace postings, it's not a total fail. This has been a horrible work year, all my mental energy zapped by days end. I wasn't thinking creatively. There's no harm in aiming for success in 2023. How have you done with reward games and challenges? Any new ones your trying in the coming year?
I do MS Rewards, swag bucks and Mypoints and honestly can only stay on track if they are part of my daily to do list. I made $105 from MS rewards but also fell short of the $120 goal. Mypoints got seriously boring and I made $10. Swagbucks was the highest gross with $210 but is also the most frustrating. I am not sure how some of these people do this long term on a regular basis. But all in all I use the money for birthdays and Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI like MS rewards because it's a bit of trivia fun. I can't keep up though with the daily so reset so often.
DeleteI dropped the ball this year. Microsoft Rewards seemed like it was more work than it was worth this year, so I cashed out my last $10 for an Amazon card and let it go after that. I didn’t do much with My Points or Swagbucks either. I don’t make as much on Adsense, but that is probably because I only post once per week.
ReplyDeleteI've never used Swagbucks or my points. When my computer battery died, I got out of the MS Rewards habit, but trying to do again.
DeleteI do none of the rewards programs, except for ones at local stores.
ReplyDeleteI am the same Anne. I do the $5 off $25 Dollar General coupon bc I do go there often. It and Family Dollar are the only stores in the small very rural town in the southern part of state where I live during the week.
DeleteI can't keep track at stores, so miss those deals.
DeleteI've made the following:
ReplyDelete-About $1250 selling things on eBay & FB marketplace.
-Saved $300 using points, for a night at a hotel
-Earned about $75 via Fetch & iBotta
We will use a lot of our hotel points for Dubai, as well as for two nights towards the end of the month, for M's surprise Christmas gift. We'll be hopefully using our airline upgrades for our trip to Dubai as well.
You've done so well in the various plans and reselling items. No doubt the items you have are in more demand than things I'd have. But, I could still get rid of a few things while making a bit on the side.
DeleteIf you plan for a garage sale in the future, it saves a ton of work if you mark the items you choose to sell when you find them, and box them up and tag the box for garage sale. Keep your price tags, markers and tape all together in one spot and continue to mark as decisions are made. It makes a huge difference when you set your date, as everything will be ready to be put out on tables etc. instead of spending hours and days trying to get everything prepared all at the same time. (have done several garage sales over the years and finally learned this lesson - saves the sanity - now we just donate, as we don't have any where near the accumulation of goods.)
ReplyDeleteAs far as trying to do better next year, after moving to a smaller community, and the pandemic/lockdown, we spent a lot of money on various mail order places, including Amazon. We are pinching the pocketbook, and taking better control of our Amazon spending this year. We stopped all other mail order already, a few months back, but Amazon is a good source for items not available in our small town, or are, quite frankly, often more expensive. We do try to shop local and do so when we can or it makes sense. Chewy will continue to be our source of cat food supplies because our stores have had supply issues and they are a bit picky as to what they like and it's so convenient not to have to lug home bags of canned foods or huge bags of dried food. Cost wise, still a bit cheaper also. It's easy to not pay off the CC in full, and it doesn't take long before you see what the interest rate damage can be, even if paying way more than what's owed each month. Caught up now with intentions of keeping it that way and making more effort to add to the savings. We do save, for rainy days etc, but can and will do better. I haven't tried the reward games or challenges but intend to look into it more in the future. Not sure if we will be spending in the right areas to prove lucrative but we shall see. All in all, I think, despite your busy year, a bit over $500 in free money is pretty darn good. I have to put our efforts into not spending in the first place. Ranee
I've done donations when purging, but If I get serious, I'll take your advice to plan for a garage sale.
DeleteI should look into MS rewards. I think that would be about the only one I could keep up with. I do use my Kroger card which says I've saved 489.00 this year by using so I guess that counts. I do save all of our change in a huge jar that adds up to 500-600 dollars every year. My raise goes straight into our cash savings. We're pretty mindful of our spending so that in itself saves a lot for us. Have a great Monday!!
ReplyDeleteOur local store with gas points helps but it not a true reward. I think you'd maybe like Ms rewards as it's a bit if fun with the points.
DeleteIt's hard to stay focused on getting those points. I've tried to do those surveys but always get partway through them and they decline me so it's so not worth my time. I pretty much only do my credit card cash back rewards (about $40/mo), Rakuten ($48 for the year) and Honey ($73 this year). My blog adsense earns about the same as you are per year
ReplyDeleteI've only once gotten selected for survey and consumer returns. They are frustrating.
DeleteThis was my least productive year for rewards. However, I did manage to cover costs of gifts with earned rewards.
ReplyDeleteThat's a success then if you met part of your spending needs.
DeleteI can't be bothered trying to sell things either, but as I've been going through my stuff anything I think my DIL might be able to sell I pass on to her to post it on FB! I'll be curious to find out how much she can sell!
ReplyDeleteIt's a young person's game! My daughter likely could make more too reselling for me.
DeleteSince you did save up/earn over $500, I would not call that a TOTAL fail!! Be a little kinder to yourself, my dear!
ReplyDeleteI buy a lot of my gifts second-hand (clothes, books, jewelry) throughout the year so that saves me a bunch, and I will be hitting the clearance section at Dots (a clearance store that sells off clothing samples) for my nieces/nephew.
I'm going to be picking up a ton of local boxes of chocolates for all the little gifts. One stop, and done!
Well done on your own challenge!
Just the resale portion was a total fail, but the rest was fun money earned. I'll be buying local beer to round out a few gifts.
DeleteHey 1/2 is better than nothing. I use Ibotta very sparingly, I don't think it is really worth it.
ReplyDeleteI just don't run store to store to shop. I work too many hours as do you, to factor the planning required for Ibotta. Fetch is easy to just snap the receipt.
Delete