Nielsen Company is now accepting a limited number of volunteers for their product rating Homescan division.  I wanted to give my you the opportunity to apply due to the fact that if you are selected then you will receive special rewards and incentives which is something I love to find for my blog readers.

In addition to the bonuses that you’ll receive from Nielsen Ratings, you’ll also receive recognition as one of their select panel members.  The reason why that is so special is because your personal opinions on consumer products will not only represent millions of Americans, but you will also be influencing some of the worlds largest retailers and product manufacturers.  How often do we get a chance at doing that?

Instead of being a restaurant critic, you get the opportunity to be a product rating critic. You don’t have to possess any special skills except an opinion on what you feel are the best products on the market today.  Nielsen will send you a special electronic device for you to record the choices you make with the products you personally buy.

If you’d like to become a member of Nielsen Ratings Homescan family, I’ve provided a banner link below to check it out.  Just click on the banner and you’ll be taken to their application page.  I hope this gets you a lot of great goodies and some recognition!!!

Technorati Tags: AC Nielsen, Nielsen Company, Nielsen Homescan, Nielsen media, Nielsen Ratings, product critic, product rating

I love the fact that everyday people are finally getting over their camera shyness and taking the time to film what they know about what they’re experts in.

One such individual is the One Pot Chef who has a video series of budget cooking shows on Youtube.  He also included a top 10 money saving tips for saving money at home.  He includes such tips as:

1.)  How to get your bread for less

2.)  How to recycle packaging

3.) How to save on electricity

4.) How to save with a list (not what you’re thinking)

These are just some of the ideas and I though you might enjoy picking up some worthwhile ideas for saving extra money.

Technorati Tags: Top Ten Money Saving Ideas groceries for less sale item

The Credit Card Holders Bill of Rights has now been passed by the Senate.  Here’s a rundown of how these changes will affect the terms of service for cardholders.

1.)  Existing balances - Card Issuers will not be able to change the rate on your existing balances unless you are 60 days delinquent in your account.

2.) Payments - If you make more than the minimum payment on your credit card, the payment applies first to the balance that holds the highest interest rate on your card.  (For example if you took a cash advance at a higher rate than the rest of your purchases were set at, your higher than minimum payment would apply to the higher interest rate charge on your outstanding balance not only towards the lower rate that credit card companies get away with currently)

3.)  Teaser Rates - Credit Card Issuers cannot raise rates for the first year after you opened your account.  All promotional rates must last for at least 6 months.

4.)  Bills - Credit Card companies must give you your credit card bill 21 days before the due date.

5.)  Over Limit Fees - Credit Card companies cannot charge you over the limit fees on your cards unless you have actually signed up to allow such type of transactions.

6.)  Minors - If you are under 21 years of age, a credit card company must also obtain the signature of a parent or responsible adult who agrees to take responsibility for the debt unless the credit card company is given proof that the under 21 recipient can actually repay the credit charges.

7.)  Change of Terms - If a Credit Card company changes the terms of their cardholder terms they must give you a 45 day advance notice.

8.) Payment Option Fees - Credit Card companies cannot charge you fees to make your payment by mail, phone, bank transfer, or online payment except if it is an expediated service.

9.) Gift Cards - Any gift cards that are purchased must be available for use for a minimum of 5 years from the time of purchase of said card.

Likely the Credit Card companies will respond by charging higher merchant fees and take away levels of rewards in the case of reward cards that offer frequent flyer mileage and other rewards.  Banks love to make money and it is sure to take the changes out on the consumer and merchants.

Now more than ever is a time to review which companies truly have the best credit programs available.  It will also encourage a new round of consumers looking for the right credit card to use.  One way to make money off of this new trend is by setting up a Credit Card Broker business.  Click on the banner below and learn more.

Technorati Tags: credit card changes bill of rights consumer protection

You’ve no doubt heard of people making money off of completing surveys.  Unfortunately, there are less than honest businesses out there that have given legitimate survey sites a bad rap.  Many of these imitators have simply compiled a list of random survey companies that have not been investigated and give that list to those who are willing to pay them a fee in exchange for the information on what survey sites are available.

I suppose some consumers don’t want to go through the hassle of finding legitimate survey sites so they opt to pay into one of these services to get a list of companies that will pay them for taking the time to fill in questionaires and other such demographic studies.

The purpose of this post is to save you your hard earned money and give you legitimate survey companies that will pay you for your opinion.  The first is a company called Clearvoice Surveys.  Clearvoice has you fill out a questionaire form to determine what demographic you fall in.  When corporations hire them, they look for people who have signed up with them that fit that demographic and pay them to answer questions that help corporations determine whether or not a service or product should be brought to market or how they can improve on an existing product or service.

Keep in mind that you can’t expect to make a fortune off of survey sites as some websites would have you believe.  However you might be able to make enough to make your car payment, or put money away for a vacation or savings.  I’ll post other legitimate survey companies as I investigate them.  For now Clearvoice Surveys is a legitimate survey company that pays you for your time.

Technorati Tags: Clearvoice Surveys Review, how to make money with surveys, legit survey sites, legitimate survey websites, make money with surveys, survey companies

With more and more people losing their jobs, with money getting tighter and expenses at every turn, is going back to college the answer?  Americans are one of the few developed nations that leave those wanting to go to college to foot their own bill.

It never ceases to amaze me in my world travels how even poorer nations, oftentimes have government programs that assist their citizens with the financial cost of going to college. 

With our economy upside down and things looking like they won’t turn around soon, how sound is the idea that going to college is going to provide you with a more financially secure life?

I admit after graduating High School, I chose not to go to college.  Instead I purchased a business and began running it.  I later made the jump into Office Management with nothing more than the computer and accounting skills I learned in High School. 

From there I migrated to Real Estate.  One thing that has always been ironic is learning that I have made more money than most of my fellow High School graduates who went on to college.

I’ve found that real work experience has provided me with more door openings than a college degree would have.  Evidently I’m not the only one who thinks it might have been the best choice.  20/20 recently did an in depth study on whether or not it makes sense to go to College. (see video below)

To sum up its recommendation, if you are a top honor student, you may want to consider a full blown college degree.  If not, you may very well be wasting your money and have been better off to start in an entry level job in the field your interested in or take some specific training via a trade school or community college that will give you the skills you need to get your foot into the door of the field you are interested in.

College is a huge expense by anyone’s standards and since we live in a time where America is rethinking what is truly important…the whole college thing might be something to reconsider as well.

One last things I’ll throw out there, it never ceases to amaze me how many college graduates end up in a career that had nothing to do with what they majored in, in college.  What do you think?

Technorati Tags: College, College Expense, Degree, Is College worth it?, University

It is during tough times like these where we are all forced to examine ourselves and look for areas where we can improve as a person.  Whether it’s to become a more valued employee, have what it takes to start a business, be a better person to those around us or just become a more effective person.  Steven Covey’s book which was a runaway success entitled, ‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’ can now be downloaded here for FREE.  This book helps put you at the top of your game and encourages you to shed any of those lazy habits that might be bringing you down.  How did this book affect your life?

Technorati Tags: free books, improve, self help, Stephen R Covey, The 7 Habits of highly effective people

Here are two ideas for earning extra money.  The first is being a ‘Convenience Mover.’  People buy furniture, appliances and other larger items that require a truck to move.  Many families don’t have access to a truck.  Why not earn some extra money being a ‘Convenience Mover.’  Place a low cost ad in your local papers classifieds, and/or a free ad in www.Craigslist.com and www.Backpage.com under Labor/Moving categories.  If you charge reasonable rates for the moving, you should be able to earn extra money for sure.  Be sure to pass out some homemade business cards (you can use free templates at www.avery.com) to the people and businesses you are picking the items up from, to get the word out on your little side business.

The second way you could earn extra money would be Dog Walking and Pet Sitting.  Let’s face it, Americans love their precious pets…even when they’re not so precious.  People can’t always take their kitty with them when they travel.  Why not advertise in the same sources mentioned above as a Pet sitter.  Depending on the needs of the Pet, you might stay in the home where the pet is located, or if you’re personal home is set up for it, you could watch the pet at your place. 

In addition, lots of people know that Fido should be walked but don’t quite get around to it.  By advertising your services as a ‘Dog Walker’ you could be putting some extra money in your wallet.  Copy some inexpensive flyers and pass it around in neighborhoods that you live nearby for even easier convenience.  Don’t forget to chat up the neighbors in the neighborhood you’re walking or sitting pets and have some homemade business cards ready to give out.  Neighbors are more likely to trust people who are working for their neighbors in the same neighborhood.

Sometimes the easiest money we can make is doing the simplest tasks.

Technorati Tags: Convenience Mover, Dog Walking, Part time jobs, Side Jobs

The new year is upon us which means there is going to be one thought burning into our brain….WEIGHT LOSS!  Here’s a little something to make the whole experience of excercise a little more fun.  Get a free pedometer that keeps track of your total steps that you take.  It’s fun to see how many steps you actually take in a day or during your exercise routine.  Here is the Free Pedometer link.

Technorati Tags: free pedometer, pedometer

I’m writing this post because there are so many who want an Apple Itouch for free.  It would be great if we could all get one of these for free by simply asking.  But you and I both know that isn’t going to happen.  The next best thing is to be given a free Itouch by doing something other than shelling out cold, hard cash.  You’ve probably heard of giveaway sites that you sign up for and then refer a few friends and sign up for trial offers to things like Ebay, Blockbuster, Credit Cards etc. In return for doing these things you are rewarded with a piece of electronic heaven.

I decided to do some intensive research into which of these companies is not only legit, but also has the least amount of hoops to jump through in order for you to get your free reward.  After several months of study, I recommend the Gratis Network.  The reasons are as follows:

1.)They pretty much invented the concept

2.) They have lots of testimonials from multiple sources of having delivered on their promise

3.) They had the most reasonable demands on what is required in order to get your Free Ipod

So what do you need to do to get your free Itouch?  After registering, you need to sign up to one of their sponsor services. (You can cancel…just make sure you read the fine print on canceling so that you don’t do it prematurely before you are credited for your signup)  Next you must have 5 friends sign up using your referral link and they must each sign up for one offer too.  That’s it!

So here are some tips to help you get your reward.  Number 1 - Make sure you have five friends that will sign up to get their own free Itouch.  Number 2 - Don’t have your friends sign up on your computer, otherwise their registration may be seen by Gratis as a fake registration.  Number 3 - Make sure all this happens within 90 days of your signing up.  Number 4 - You must send a request form into Gratis when you’ve completed your tasks, so that you can get your free Itouch.

While this is not truly free, it is one of, if not the best program to getting one of those Itouch bad boys without paying hundreds of dollars for one.  If you’d like to get a free Zune or a free Xbox 360 by playing games, then be sure and check that post out.

Technorati Tags: Free Iphone, Free Itouch, Free Itouch 8g, Gratis Network review

Well, we’ve all had it happen.  We’re sitting down with our favorite beverage and a snack, when all of a sudden the phone begins ringing at an urgent pace.  For some reason this ring seems louder than all the rest.  We say aloud, “Now What???”  We leave our comfortable spot on the couch and look at the caller ID to see who it is.  UNKNOWN along with some mysterious number is all you are given.  You quickly grunt in irritation and go back to your comfy spot.  The next night, you get another call….and another….and another.  “Who are these people?” you say to yourself.  If only there was a way to find out.

Well friends I’m happy to report that there is a FREE way, in fact three free ways to find out.  Next time your quiet evening is rudely interupted by one of those mysterious calls, you can take the number and plug it into one of these free services:

800notes

whocalled

whocallsme

These services will provide you with info that others just like you have reported.  It should give you clear enough idea as to who it was and what their intentions were.

There are however, times where mysterious calls take on a more ominous tone.  The kind that come in the form of pranks or much more serious threats.  In those instances, there are services that do a good job of tracking a number even when it is a cell phone or an unlisted number.  Here’s one which has a low cost to join.  Reverse Phone Detective!

Technorati Tags: Find a unlisted number, free reverse phone directory, phone number detective, Prank Phone Calls