by Kat Martinez

Created on: July 03, 2010

Paid surveys are all over the internet, but most of them are scams. You can make some good money filling out surveys, but only if you join several legitimate companies and fill out the surveys they send you diligently. You won’t get rich, but you will get a good amount of money – I get about ten dollars every month from each of these companies. Here's a list of the paying sites I've found and tested.

Opinion Outpost pays in points that can be converted to cash. 10 points equals $1, and you can request a cashout at 50 points, or $5. They send multiple surveys in a week, and the lowest point value I've seen on one is 15, so it's easy to reach cashout. I've already gotten one check from them. Even if you don't qualify for a survey, you can still play their $50 instant-win game, donate money to the Red Cross, or enter their sweepstakes. You must be at least 18 and a resident of the US, UK, or Canada to join.

Lightspeed Consumer Panel also pays you in points, but these can be converted to cash, or redeemed for gift cards and merchandise. The lowest point value I've seen for a survey is 75, and it takes 1,100 points to get $10 in PayPal. You must be 18 or older to join.

I like Surveyhead, since they pay you just for completing the profile surveys - which are surveys they use to help match you to more paying surveys, and usually rewardless at other panels - plus they give you $5 just for joining. Payout is $25, and paid in the form of PayPal cash or gift cards. You must be at least 14 to join.

NFO MySurvey also pays in points which can be redeemed for cash or merchandise. 1,100 points is equal to $10. You must be 14 or older and a resident of the United States to join.

Global Test Market is another points one, but only redeemable for cash. 1,000 points is the minimum for cashout, equal to $50. Most surveys are worth about 35 points, but they often send multiple surveys a day, so it's easy to earn. You must be at least 14 to join.

Mindfield Online is open to residents of the US and Canada ages 14 and over, Mindfield pays cash via PayPal or check. The minimum for redemption is $5.

Valued Opinions is yet another cash survey company. You must be a resident of the US, UK, Australia, or New Zealand to join here, as well as being at least 16. You can redeem your earnings for gift certificates at major retailers, and cashout is at $20. They tend not to send surveys unless all of your profiles are at least partially complete.

MyView pays in points redeemable for cash in the form of prepaid Visa cards, as well as other gift cards. You must be at least 13 and a US resident to joi. Minimum points for redemption are 35,000, equal to $25. They often give you points just for attempting a survey, even if you don't qualify.

SurveySavvy pays via check, and minimum payout is only $1. You must be at least 14 to join.

SurveySpot offers more points, redeemable for PayPal cash once you get 1,000, or $10. You must be a US resident 18 or older to join.

Survey Club Research is a favorite. Even if you don't qualify for a survey, as long as you attempt it, you will be credited $0.10. They also have a nice, clean design and easy-to-answer profile surveys.

Surveys can be a great way to earn money if you have an extra hour or two a day. Sign up with several panels and qualify for enough surveys, and you can make some good money. Most of my online income comes from the surveys I do every month!

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