Well maybe not so much purgatory... but maybe limbo? I went down to my caravan this week to finish getting it set up for the season, and took half an hour to sit by the sea front. I was hit by a wave of wistfulness, the sun was out and there was the smell of the sea, and that beautiful view. I'm having a few moments of late where I resent the time that work takes up in my life. #firstworldproblems of course, hey we all have to eat and money doesn't grow on trees, so those of us who didn't inherit Uncle Bertrand's millions have to go to work. But anyway, of late I've been contemplating that someone ELSE is going to need to clean and manage this caravan for me, meaning I'll rarely be here unless I happen to be Not Working on a Monday or a Friday. Essentially I'm not able to "accept" this job because of my full-time job commitments and it will also cost me money to pay a cleaner. I also passed up a part-time Sunday job due to my workplace not being able to guarantee I'd be free on Sundays. Another job I couldn't accept because of my full-time job, and this time it cost me £80 a week.
I like what I do... sure we would all probably rather not work given the choice, but as far as my actual job function goes, I enjoy it. Once I get there I almost universally have a good day. But I've also spent so many days either working or thinking about work this year that I've had zero time for a life. I literally do nothing else but work. I've spent a grand total of 45 minutes since new year doing anything social other than working, and actually, sitting in a truck stop eating a Greggs takeaway with a mate doesn't really count as having a social life.
I will admit that after the "can't take the Sunday job" incident I contemplated looking for another job, one that had set working shift patterns. I don't even necessarily need a "better" job or more pay, just something that doesn't demand I'm available 7am-11pm, 7 days a week. But I didn't put any real effort into job searching. And then this week while looking out at the glorious English Channel and eating my brioche, my brain slammed into gear and yelled at me: you moved to England to have a life of your own, you're now not achieving anything but barely paying bills, you haven't actually got any life at all, so why are you doing this to yourself?
I have been shaken.
It hasn't helped that I've been reading a fascinating FIRE blog lately (Financially Independent / Retiring Early) and it's been so relentless in its description of working taking up valuable human-time. But it's the truth. And it's hard not to resent something that almost wholly prevents you having any life at all. I had promised myself that in England I would meet new people and make some friends. So far I socialised outside work three times in a year. Obviously I could have tried harder, gone to meetups, join a course or class. But when your work days change every week, how can you go to a regular class anyway?
The route my mind wants to take me is in leaving this job and finding something part-time so that I can take my Sunday job too, and manage the rental van, and also have time to do something on a Saturday. But I recognise that making all the stars align in such a way is really quite difficult, and so I hesitate. "What if I quit then can't find flexible part-time work? What if I can't pay my bills? What if I lose the caravan? What if that Sunday job is gone? What if I can't manage my rent? What if it doesn't turn out perfectly, what then, what then?"
I realise I have to get my ducks in a row. Let's hope that my brain can handle this because right now it all seems a bit too much.
Saturday 24 March 2018
Tuesday 13 March 2018
The Price Was Right
I'm also AirBnBing again. I have a lovely couple staying in my bedroom at the moment while travelling. A builder stayed on the weekend and tomorrow a university lecturer arrives. Every extra penny counts, as they say! My bedroom is definitely not the level of luxury that my AirBnB apartment was, so I don't charge nearly as much, but it seems there are still people who'd rather save on accommodation and spend on other things. I can't say I blame them, I'm exactly the same. I'd rather spend on nice meals and seeing the sights while on holidays. Who cares about the place you lay your head, as long as it's quiet, clean and warm? I mean, you're asleep...
I managed to pick up an extra shift at work this week too. That's a rarity right now. I know May will be good for extra work hours, so until then I'll take anything I can get. (Someone needs to invent bills which pay for themselves.)
Tuesday 6 March 2018
The Master Survey List
This is a list of the UK survey sites where I'm an active member (as of March 2018). Since so many blogs list them all without disclosing whether it's really a good site or whether they just get a good bonus for referring you... I'm going to note how I consider them in terms of rewards and let you decide which are worth joining. This includes referral links, meaning I possibly get a small reward for you joining.
The Awesome List:
1. Prolific (referral link)
This one is different to all the others as they are not surveys. Almost all of these are actual scientific studies, and they keep an excellent list of your questions & answers, meaning you don't get screened out - they only invite you to the studies you're a match for. The rewards for these are far, far better than survey sites, and in general, you will find that these are far more interesting. You may be asked to decide whether a cartoon character is being dishonest, or watch a balloon and guess how long it will take to pop! In fairness, there are not a huge number offered. But if you check daily you might be able to cash out fairly quickly. I have been paid by Prolific (payout is by PayPal or via Circle, which charges no fees for withdrawal).
2. YouGov (referral link)
Many of YouGov's surveys are polls on behalf of government, public interest surveys, or by large corporations. While it doesn't send too many surveys, I personally find that this is the survey site that screens me out the least. This makes it the best survey site for using my time. I have been paid by this site, although it will take a long time to reach cashout for most people. Payment is by bank transfer.
3. Crowdology
No referral link here, since they don't have a referral programme. So you know that I'm including it because it's genuinely worthwhile. Payment is via PayPal or Amazon gift card. You can reach payout very quickly (it's only £4.00) and I have been paid many times.
The Good List:
1. e-Rewards
Another one without a referral link. Their payout is only in Nectar Points, which is the only reason they haven't made the Awesome List :D Surveys come fairly regularly and I've cashed out with this site several times.
2. Opinion Outpost
Easy to navigate the site and it sends a good number of surveys. You can cashout with PayPal or choose a voucher. I've been paid by this site several times - the threshold is quite low so you won't have to wait long to reach it.
3. Mingle
I stick with this one even though it's hit-and-miss, because I have been paid by them. But be prepared to be screened out of quite a few surveys, and quite often the link tells you to try later (save those emails and try them the next day). Mingle mentions a referral programme in the terms, but I couldn't find anywhere to locate the link to share, so I've asked them for more information. Payment is via bank transfer or you can choose from various gift vouchers.
4. My Survey
I loved, loved, loved this site until recently. I have been paid many times, they send plenty of surveys and the payout threshold is easy to reach (PayPal or gift cards). Unfortunately their website seems to have become suddenly slow and unpredictable. You sometimes need to log in more than once to start a survey or see your account. MySurvey does not have a referral programme in the UK.
5. Global Test Market
Belongs to the same company group as MySurvey, and if you only join MySurvey you'll notice you often get surveys that redirect you to GTM. You can be a member of both, however. Like MySurvey there is no referral programme in the UK and the payout system is the same.
The Ho-Hum:
5. New Vista Live
Sends a decent number of surveys and has decent rewards for them. Unfortunately they pay only by cheque and only when you reach £50 (um, it's 2018, this is not very user-friendly). The large payout threshold is pretty off-putting, so in my opinion, this is only for very patient people who have already signed up with better sites which pay much faster. I haven't reached payout with them myself. This one has no referral programme.
6. Toluna (referral link)
Lots of surveys. Rewards for them are decent. Unfortunately it has an obscenely high payout threshold so you might go grey before you get there! This is for the patient people who also do other surveys. I have not reached payout yet.
7. American Consumer Opinion
This one used to send a lot of surveys and was fairly reliable. I've reached payout with them and they pay by PayPal. But I'm currently having a major technical issue with them where they haven't updated my country correctly so I screen out of every link, thus, they have been shoved down into the Ho-Hum list. This isn't a referral link as they didn't accept my application, apparently my blog isn't good enough for them to want you to join. Anyway, I can't recommend them unless you're prepared to accept the risk of possibly completely wasting your time.
The Mystery List:
1. Opinion Inn (referral link)
Well, I joined them, filled out all their screeners, and so far no surveys. Good? Bad? Who can tell? They still might be worth joining because you're not losing anything, they give you a US$10 signup bonus, and payout is via PayPal once you reach $25. Perhaps they need people in your area and family situation but not mine :)
2. 20 Cogs (referral link)
This site pays you for completing offers. Some require a purchase and some are free. It pays a £1 welcome bonus and payout is via either bank transfer or PayPal, starting from when you have completed 20 offers. Some of these offers pay over ten pounds each.
3. Oh My Dosh! (referral link)
This is a brand new site similar to 20 Cogs above. It also has a competitions section. There's a £1 welcome bonus when you join and payout is at £10, by either bank transfer or PayPal.
The New-To-Me List:
1. Surveyeah
Payment is via PayPal or gift vouchers once you reach £10. There is no referral programme.
2. Inbox Pounds (referral link)
You can complete offers, do surveys or play games. Payment is by cheque, Amazon card or prepaid Mastercard and the threshold is £20. This one is sending quite a lot of surveys so far and seems pretty promising.
3. iPoll
Cashout at £25. This one has no referral link.
4. Market Agent (referral link)
Payout by PayPal when you reach US$2.46, which is quite low! (Reach $18.45 for no withdrawal fee.)
5. GfK MediaView
I joined this and waited for my activation code by SMS, which didn't come even after checking my number was correct and hitting "resend" three times. I tried again a week later and finally got it to arrive. Then I logged in and did the screener survey, but it's still telling me I need to do the screener, and when I try to do it, I'm told it's done. Stuck in limbo here, I think their system seems a bit ill... so I will update if I'm ever allowed into my account or receive any surveys.
The Awesome List:
1. Prolific (referral link)
This one is different to all the others as they are not surveys. Almost all of these are actual scientific studies, and they keep an excellent list of your questions & answers, meaning you don't get screened out - they only invite you to the studies you're a match for. The rewards for these are far, far better than survey sites, and in general, you will find that these are far more interesting. You may be asked to decide whether a cartoon character is being dishonest, or watch a balloon and guess how long it will take to pop! In fairness, there are not a huge number offered. But if you check daily you might be able to cash out fairly quickly. I have been paid by Prolific (payout is by PayPal or via Circle, which charges no fees for withdrawal).
2. YouGov (referral link)
Many of YouGov's surveys are polls on behalf of government, public interest surveys, or by large corporations. While it doesn't send too many surveys, I personally find that this is the survey site that screens me out the least. This makes it the best survey site for using my time. I have been paid by this site, although it will take a long time to reach cashout for most people. Payment is by bank transfer.
3. Crowdology
No referral link here, since they don't have a referral programme. So you know that I'm including it because it's genuinely worthwhile. Payment is via PayPal or Amazon gift card. You can reach payout very quickly (it's only £4.00) and I have been paid many times.
The Good List:
1. e-Rewards
Another one without a referral link. Their payout is only in Nectar Points, which is the only reason they haven't made the Awesome List :D Surveys come fairly regularly and I've cashed out with this site several times.
2. Opinion Outpost
Easy to navigate the site and it sends a good number of surveys. You can cashout with PayPal or choose a voucher. I've been paid by this site several times - the threshold is quite low so you won't have to wait long to reach it.
3. Mingle
I stick with this one even though it's hit-and-miss, because I have been paid by them. But be prepared to be screened out of quite a few surveys, and quite often the link tells you to try later (save those emails and try them the next day). Mingle mentions a referral programme in the terms, but I couldn't find anywhere to locate the link to share, so I've asked them for more information. Payment is via bank transfer or you can choose from various gift vouchers.
4. My Survey
I loved, loved, loved this site until recently. I have been paid many times, they send plenty of surveys and the payout threshold is easy to reach (PayPal or gift cards). Unfortunately their website seems to have become suddenly slow and unpredictable. You sometimes need to log in more than once to start a survey or see your account. MySurvey does not have a referral programme in the UK.
5. Global Test Market
Belongs to the same company group as MySurvey, and if you only join MySurvey you'll notice you often get surveys that redirect you to GTM. You can be a member of both, however. Like MySurvey there is no referral programme in the UK and the payout system is the same.
The Ho-Hum:
5. New Vista Live
Sends a decent number of surveys and has decent rewards for them. Unfortunately they pay only by cheque and only when you reach £50 (um, it's 2018, this is not very user-friendly). The large payout threshold is pretty off-putting, so in my opinion, this is only for very patient people who have already signed up with better sites which pay much faster. I haven't reached payout with them myself. This one has no referral programme.
6. Toluna (referral link)
Lots of surveys. Rewards for them are decent. Unfortunately it has an obscenely high payout threshold so you might go grey before you get there! This is for the patient people who also do other surveys. I have not reached payout yet.
7. American Consumer Opinion
This one used to send a lot of surveys and was fairly reliable. I've reached payout with them and they pay by PayPal. But I'm currently having a major technical issue with them where they haven't updated my country correctly so I screen out of every link, thus, they have been shoved down into the Ho-Hum list. This isn't a referral link as they didn't accept my application, apparently my blog isn't good enough for them to want you to join. Anyway, I can't recommend them unless you're prepared to accept the risk of possibly completely wasting your time.
The Mystery List:
1. Opinion Inn (referral link)
Well, I joined them, filled out all their screeners, and so far no surveys. Good? Bad? Who can tell? They still might be worth joining because you're not losing anything, they give you a US$10 signup bonus, and payout is via PayPal once you reach $25. Perhaps they need people in your area and family situation but not mine :)
2. 20 Cogs (referral link)
This site pays you for completing offers. Some require a purchase and some are free. It pays a £1 welcome bonus and payout is via either bank transfer or PayPal, starting from when you have completed 20 offers. Some of these offers pay over ten pounds each.
3. Oh My Dosh! (referral link)
This is a brand new site similar to 20 Cogs above. It also has a competitions section. There's a £1 welcome bonus when you join and payout is at £10, by either bank transfer or PayPal.
The New-To-Me List:
1. Surveyeah
Payment is via PayPal or gift vouchers once you reach £10. There is no referral programme.
2. Inbox Pounds (referral link)
You can complete offers, do surveys or play games. Payment is by cheque, Amazon card or prepaid Mastercard and the threshold is £20. This one is sending quite a lot of surveys so far and seems pretty promising.
3. iPoll
Cashout at £25. This one has no referral link.
4. Market Agent (referral link)
Payout by PayPal when you reach US$2.46, which is quite low! (Reach $18.45 for no withdrawal fee.)
5. GfK MediaView
I joined this and waited for my activation code by SMS, which didn't come even after checking my number was correct and hitting "resend" three times. I tried again a week later and finally got it to arrive. Then I logged in and did the screener survey, but it's still telling me I need to do the screener, and when I try to do it, I'm told it's done. Stuck in limbo here, I think their system seems a bit ill... so I will update if I'm ever allowed into my account or receive any surveys.
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