The Quarter Review

[Nigel_TCMM]

Here is my first review covering the first 3 months of the year.

On January 2nd I decided to investigate if I could make any sort of income from flexible and online work. I began with a few online surveys and then started to research other options. Eventually this research led me to TMS. From the guidance and advice of Jon and the members I started to look at other options. Here is a summary of where I have got to:
- Market Research Surveys - On the plus side if you sign up to enough sites there is always a survey to do. On the minus side it takes so long to generate even a few pounds in vouchers.
- Academic Surveys - On the plus side it is more interesting work. On the minus side there are so few on offer.
- Mystery Shopper - I've quickly dropped this as I've calculated it will cost me more to do it than I will get back.
- Crowdsource Bug testing (Leapforce etc)- This is my biggest disappointment. This work stream looked the most interesting and I would have liked to have had more work from the various sites. Even though I think I'm well qualified, I've had no offers. It's tough out there.
- Crowdsource Functional Testing (WhatUsersDo etc) - Also disappointing. For some of the sites once the work drops into your In Box you need Ninja like reflexes to get them allocated to you.
- Market Research Panels - So far I've not been invited to attend any.
- Freelancing - I quickly dropped this. I don't have an in demand skill and there is no point is getting involved in bidding for the generic work.
- Clickworker - I occasionally dabble just for a change but only with the slightly higher value jobs. Two cents per click for what is being asked for is not viable (IMHO)
- Blogging - I've not spent any time looking at this. Maybe one for the future if I ever identify a niche area to blog about. Every idea I've had already has dozens of people out there blogging away on the topic.
- Matched Betting - I left this to the last to start. But I can already see why this becomes one of the main sources of income. I've had a few unexpected issues including having to phone up to get my free bet on more than 50% of the sign up offers. This has been very frustrating.

So in conclusion if I was at all worried how to pass my time in my retirement then I needn't have been worried. All the research and signing up to countless sites has more than kept me busy. However, I haven't as yet generated more than a bit of pocket money.

For the next quarter I'm hoping that all the effort I have put in so far starts to pay off a little more. My plan for the next quarter is:
- Continue to push for and work on Crowdsource Testing.
- Increase my effort on Matched Betting.
- Continue to fill in time with Online surveys. It might be a lot of effort but it has generated me a few vouchers already.
- Keep on applying for the Market Research panels. I'm in this one for the long game.
- Keep an eye open for other opportunities
- and go on holiday!

Thanks TMS for all the support.

 

[Jon]

Here is my first review covering the first 3 months of the year.

On January 2nd I decided to investigate if I could make any sort of income from flexible and online work. I began with a few online surveys and then started to research other options. Eventually this research led me to TMS. From the guidance and advice of Jon and the members I started to look at other options. Here is a summary of where I have got to:
- Market Research Surveys - On the plus side if you sign up to enough sites there is always a survey to do. On the minus side it takes so long to generate even a few pounds in vouchers.
- Academic Surveys - On the plus side it is more interesting work. On the minus side there are so few on offer.
- Mystery Shopper - I've quickly dropped this as I've calculated it will cost me more to do it than I will get back.
- Crowdsource Bug testing (Leapforce etc)- This is my biggest disappointment. This work stream looked the most interesting and I would have liked to have had more work from the various sites. Even though I think I'm well qualified, I've had no offers. It's tough out there.
- Crowdsource Functional Testing (WhatUsersDo etc) - Also disappointing. For some of the sites once the work drops into your In Box you need Ninja like reflexes to get them allocated to you.
- Market Research Panels - So far I've not been invited to attend any.
- Freelancing - I quickly dropped this. I don't have an in demand skill and there is no point is getting involved in bidding for the generic work.
- Clickworker - I occasionally dabble just for a change but only with the slightly higher value jobs. Two cents per click for what is being asked for is not viable (IMHO)
- Blogging - I've not spent any time looking at this. Maybe one for the future if I ever identify a niche area to blog about. Every idea I've had already has dozens of people out there blogging away on the topic.
- Matched Betting - I left this to the last to start. But I can already see why this becomes one of the main sources of income. I've had a few unexpected issues including having to phone up to get my free bet on more than 50% of the sign up offers. This has been very frustrating.

So in conclusion if I was at all worried how to pass my time in my retirement then I needn't have been worried. All the research and signing up to countless sites has more than kept me busy. However, I haven't as yet generated more than a bit of pocket money.

For the next quarter I'm hoping that all the effort I have put in so far starts to pay off a little more. My plan for the next quarter is:
- Continue to push for and work on Crowdsource Testing.
- Increase my effort on Matched Betting.
- Continue to fill in time with Online surveys. It might be a lot of effort but it has generated me a few vouchers already.
- Keep on applying for the Market Research panels. I'm in this one for the long game.
- Keep an eye open for other opportunities
- and go on holiday!

Thanks TMS for all the support.

Great update this! Really interesting to read how different things work for different people!

Just on the two points I've highlighted

Blogging : DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS DOING. There are a million money / mummy / lifestyle / fashion / beauty blogs out there and there can be a million more - it doesn't mean people won't visit yours. What drives people to your blog is the content be that either the quality of it or the style of it (ie a personal tone etc.)

Matched Betting - I've NEVER heard of anyone having to ring up and get their free bets for sign up offers. Were you depositing with a debit card for these signups or using a different payment method? Some of the bookies can take a day or two before awarding you the free bet!

 

[Nigel_TCMM]

Hi Jon, re my issues with matched betting. I've not been told the reason on any on the occasions I have rung up. All have been sorted on the phone. Where it has said I might have to wait before receiving the free bet I have waited. I'm really not sure what the issues have been. I have another round of signing up to do next week so keep your fingers crossed for me.

 

[Nigel_TCMM]

Second Quarter Review
Here is a summary of my progress April to June:

Online earning continues to be a bit of a rollercoaster with lots of ups and downs. I had my best ever month in April on the back of opening free bet offers. My money earning for May and June was hit by holidays and the good weather.

- Market Research Surveys – I have gradually been winding this one down mainly through boredom and frustration. I’m fed up of getting so far and then being told I don’t qualify. I’m now mainly concentrating on those sites that don’t throw you out so much.
- Academic Surveys – Still one of my favorites I’m just not always able to get to them in time.
- Crowdsource Bug testing (Leapforce etc)- On the plus side I got my first ever job with Appen. I’m not sure what’s happened to it as I haven’t been paid yet.
- Crowdsource Functional Testing (WhatUsersDo etc) – I still enjoy doing the few that I seem to qualify for. I had about 5 or 6 this quarter.
- Market Research Panels – This was my biggest success of the quarter as I went to two panels. As well as being paid I also enjoy doing these so that’s an extra bonus.
- Print on Demand (POD) – This has dominated my time this quarter. It has become a mini hobby in its own right. The highlight was getting my first (and only) sale. That was a good buzz. The low was getting rejected by Amazon. I know my designs are not works of art but they are better than some being sold by them.
- Blogging – I spent a few hours sat on the beach thinking about setting up a blog. In the end I’ve rejected the idea for a few reasons but the main one is that I think I only want to have a blog to promote my POD designs. That is not really a valid enough reason for all the time and effort that will be required to set up and run a blog. I decided that I’m not really that interested in having the world (or a couple of readers) knowing my views.
- Matched Betting – Lots more highs and lows this quarter. The high was getting the earnings for April as I went through lots of opening free bets. The lows are as I continue to make mistakes. I was not reading the T&C’s closely enough on the World Cup bets and missed some of the caveats. I also still find myself having to chase up free bets that do not appear in my account. Ladbrokes were the latest guilty site.

The following income streams I have now ditched as not worth the time and effort:
- Mystery Shopper
- Freelancing
- Clickworker


Thanks TMS for all the continued support.

 

[Nigel_TCMM]

Third Quarter Review
Here is a summary of my progress July to September:

A very mixed bag this quarter. I had my best ever month in July but poor returns in August and September which was probably due to holidays and the good weather. My good returns in July were mainly due to MB however, my MB returns still fail to generate the income reported by many TMS regulars.

- Market Research Surveys – Now only doing those which I need to cash out against eg You Gov (which by my calculation I'll cash out in June 2019)
- Academic Surveys – I'm still enjoying doing these when I can catch them.
- Crowdsource Bug testing (Leapforce etc)- I've now dropped this workstream as it has provided me no income at all.
- Crowdsource Functional Testing (WhatUsersDo etc) – I will continue to monitor this workstream even though I did not qualify for one test this quarter.
- Market Research Panels – I managed to get invited to a couple more of these this quarter which was very welcome.
- Print on Demand (POD) – I continued to build my design portfolio on Redbubble, Teespring, Zazzle and Spreadshirt with a range of Christmas designs. I have had no further sales but with Christmas approaching I remain forever hopeful.
- Matched Betting – Realising my mistake with the matched and unmatched position on Betfair was a big plus for this quarter. It now explains why I had some unexpected losses in the past. Got gubbed (Betways) for the first time. I will continue with MB as long as my earnings are greater than my Profit Accumulator subscription.

The following income streams I have stopped altogether:
- Freelancing
- Mystery Shopper
- Freelancing
- Clickworker
- Blogging
- Crowdsource Bug Testing

Thanks to all on TMS for your continued help and guidance.

 

[Nigel_TCMM]

End of Year Review

On January 2nd I started my journey to see if I could make any sort of income from flexible and online work. I began with a few online surveys and then started to research other options. Eventually this research led me to TMS. From the guidance and advice of Jon and the members I started to look at other income streams. As someone who had just retired from work I was always a little bit worried about how I would fill my time. I need not have worried as online working filled every spare minute. So as a new hobby this has been a big success. As for the income side, then not so much. I would say that I have made some pocket money. I know I could have done more in some areas but others haven't delivered what I had hoped.

Here is a summary of each income stream I looked into:
- Market Research Surveys - I have now given up on all but a couple of sites as it is just too boring and not worth the effort. I'm half way through the You Gov surveys so I will continue with them. I calculate I will generate the £50 this time next year.
- Academic Surveys - When I can catch them I enjoy doing these so this is one area I will continue with into 2019.
- Mystery Shopper - Dropped this one straight away. I calculated it would cost me more that I got back.
- Crowdsource Bug testing (Leapforce etc)- This is my biggest disappointment. This work stream looked the most interesting and I would have liked to have had more work from the various sites. Even though I think I'm well qualified, I've had few offers. I now don't even bother looking.
- Crowdsource Functional Testing (WhatUsersDo etc) - I qualify for the occasional one and I enjoy the ones that I get. I will also continue with this into 2019.
- Market Research Panels - I've now had 3 or 4 of these and will continue to apply for them. Getting paid to voice your opinions, what is not to like with that.
- Freelancing - I dropped this one straight away. I don't have an in demand skill and there is no point is getting involved in bidding for the generic work.
- Clickworker - I dropped this one after a few months. Such poor return against the effort involved.
- Blogging - I considered this but decided it wasn't for me.
- Matched Betting - Not surprisingly this was my biggest earner once I started it. However, I never generated the income that has been reported as possible on TMS. I've never been quite sure why. Now that I've been gubbed by two of the biggest earning sites my return has dropped right down. For the time being I've suspended my subscription to PA.
- Print on Demand (POD) - I've now managed the grand total of 11 sales and 1 commission giving me a profit for the year of £10. I've now got 60 designs on 4 sites. This income stream definitely falls into the hobby category but I enjoy doing it and see any sales as a bonus.

Happy New Year to everybody and here's hoping for a profitable 2019.