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Synovate & Pinecone Research OPEN for new panelists

People have asked in the past about ways to earn money online. One way is through online surveys – you will not get rich quick, but it is an easy way to earn money and products.

Here are 2 that are open for panelists right now:


Pinecone Research is a closed group that only opens a few times a year for new panelists.  It is open now for certain demographics - see if you you qualify HERE.  People are always looking to get in, so now is your chance.

Do you already participate with Pinecone?  Let us know what you think.

Synovate is also open again for new members.

Synovate is one of the largest market research firms in the world, with more than 60 years of experience connecting people with top brands worldwide. You can help shape the next product to market, improve existing products and have your voice heard by some of the largest brands.

By taking a little time each month to answer some questions and provide your opinion (while getting FREE full sized samples), you can earn points that are redeemable for cash in by participating in the Synovate Rewards Program.

Do you already participate with Synovate? What cool stuff have you gotten?

This post contains my referral link. Please read my DISCLOSURE POLICY here.

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Filed Under: financial

Upromise: 10th Anniversary – Share your Dreams $20,000 giveaway

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of UPromise for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

UPromise_Brand_300x250_static.jpg (3 documents)

Upromise is celebrating its 10th Anniversary in September during National College Savings Month.  Upromise is a wonderful program that has awarded their members over $600 million in college savings over the years, but they also want to celebrate the dreams that sparked these children’s interests.

Right now you can submit your dream for you children at www.upromisetodream.com for a chance to win one of 10 – $1000 prizes or the $10,000 grand prize.  What have you got to lose?  That $10,000 grand prize is a HUGE step towards someone’s dream coming true!

My dream for my children is simple – BE HAPPY.  Whether it is an Ivy League school or being an artist, I hope to give my children the education, guidance and confidence to be able to fulfill THEIR dreams - whatever they maybe.

Upromise helps fulfill some of those dreams for people by helping us earn college savings with our everyday purchases.  I hope you are already a member and earning for you children’s future.

Do not forget to head on over and share YOUR STORY/DREAM today at www.upromisetodream.com and then vote for your favorites by “liking” them.  You can see the dream wall official rules for more details.

I hope you win and continue to encourage your DREAMS!

Visit Sponsor's Site

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Filed Under: financial, Mail In Rebates

FREE Suzie Orman Money Navigator Newsletter

You have all seen Suzie Orman on Oprah – right?  Right now you can get a one year subscription to Suzie Orman’s Money Navigator newsletter for FREE.  Just use the giftcode WENDY.

I am not sure how long the code will be active, but if it stops working, you can still get a FREE 30 day trial.

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Filed Under: financial, Freebies

FREE 1-2-3 Money Plan kindle download

Are you looking to clean up your finances this year? Right now you can get a FREE kindle download of The 1-2-3 Money Plan: The Three Most Important Steps to Saving and Spending Smart by Gregory Karp.  Regardless of what financial advice fits you best, I love reading all kinds of perspectives – I always learn something.

thanks CommonSenseWithMoney

If you do not have a Kindle, do not worry, you can download Kindle for PC, Mac, Blackberry, Android, iPhone, and iPad for FREE!!  Check out other FREE kindle downloads HERE.

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Filed Under: Downloads, financial, Freebies

Is it the same?

I have a BAD HABIT – Dunkin Donuts. I stop by for an iced tea – and of course I cannot help myself and get a donut.  Well, my waistline or lack of one shows it!  I HAVE TO STOP!!  I will not even talk about the fact that the Triple Chocolate Muffin is back!

Not only that, paying $2.25 for an iced tea is silly when I can make it myself.  However, there is a morning ritual about it – getting out of the house… going through the drive through… people knowing exactly what you want because you are a regular.  There is a comfort about it – connection to the outside world that is necessary when you are a stay-at-home mom.

AND the cup and ice – do not get me started.  I am sorry, but having the cup, straw and ice makes it taste different… better.  I know I am nuts, but even with soda – I cannot drink soda from a can.  IT MUST be in a cup with ice – preferably from a fountain with a straw.  NO ICE – NO SODA!  If i thought I could fit a soda/iced tea fountain machine in my kitchen I would.

OK – so for the benefit of my wallet and waistline, I have decided to make my own iced tea.  BUT I kept my last Dunkin Donuts cup so I can still “pretend”.  I have tried this before, but not kept it up – hoping I can this time.

So what do you think… IS IT THE SAME?

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Filed Under: financial

Understand your Medical Coverage = save money

For the next 2 weeks I am the guest spokesperson over at P&G Everyday Solutions facebook page.I will be sharing all kinds of tips and tricks.  Come on over and say hello and be sure to “LIKE” them so you can get up to date information on when new samples and coupons are available.

Today’s tip is about checking your medical bills! Read some of my past experiences and tips in my post – Save Money: Check your Medical Bills. You would be amazed at the money you can save, just by understanding your medical coverage.

NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME to get a handle on it – some plans change with the new year and all deductibles are reset. So take this opportunity to figure out your coverage and stay on top of your bills to ensure you are being charged properly.

Remember, most times it is a simple mistake, but medical billing is so complicated that a simple mistake can cost hundreds of dollars.

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Filed Under: financial

REMINDER – Save Money | Check your Medical Bills

This is a partial re-post from May, but since we have many more readers and I recently had another medical bill error – the information is important enough to be shared again.  We just got an ER copay for $250 because my daughter was not admitted – she was not admitted because she was transferred to a different hospital to be admitted.  HELLO, they are the ones who sent her!  Anyway, I hope this helps you…

Medical BillsDo you match-up your medical bills to your insurance coverage?

Do you make sure you are not double billed for items or paying twice for a copay?

Do you even know what your coverage is?

These are critical questions you should be asking yourself.  There is so much medical jargon and code it is very easy for there to be accidental errors in medical billing.

I have always “kept and eye” on my insurance statements and then match up what they say I am liable for and what I actually get billed, but I recently found out that I need to watch even closer!

My insurance plan changed as of this year so I have been watching my bills more closely than ever.  It is important that you understand your coverage so you can make informed decisions about your care.  Knowing how much it will cost to go to the ER may make your decision about things that COULD wait until Dr’s hours easier.  DO NOT TAKE THIS AS PUTTING OFF NEEDED CARE to save a buck – THAT IS NOT WHAT I AM SAYING!  But for example, last years plan had ER visits FREE so if we had not paid our Dr. visit deductible yet for the year, it was actually CHEAPER to go to the ER than schedule a visit to the Dr.  That has now changed (bummer!) – see what I mean.

It is easy to get overwhelmed and just pay bills as they come in – especially if it is small – but $15 here or there adds up quickly.  As I was paying my medical bills yesterday I noticed a flu shot had no insurance coverage and they split a single Dr’s well visit into 2 and it appeared they wanted 2 co pays.  A simple phone call to the Dr’s office gave me some interesting info.

They neglected to submit the flu shot for insurance.  That was $54 I might have just paid assuming it was not covered anymore.  Good thing I asked.

That double copay was not that at all.  There was actually a $35 fee that was rejected by insurance stating it was “not covered with a routine diagnosis”  – you know all that insurance lingo.  I had no idea what the $35 charge was even for.  Come to find out, they stated it was for a “developmental assessment”.  I asked what that was.  They asked if I filled out a questionnaire at the visit and signed it.  I had.  I was given a clipboard when I registered that had routine – “do you have any concerns over your child’s development, behavior, etc” type questions.  The normal things you would speak to your pediatrician about during your well visit – right?  Well not only did I have no concerns and check N/A for most of them, the Dr. did nothing other than the normal stats checks and shots at the visit – it was my 12 month old.  Well that form they asked for info on, that questionnaire is a Developmental Assessment and it costs an extra $35 and is NOT covered by most insurance companies!  Needless to say I did not even have to ask twice to have it removed from my bill.  I am guessing they have had lots of issues with that one.

So what started out as a $79 bill that I may have just scanned and paid turned out to be ZERO after a simple phone call!  I can only imagine the medical bill errors that are getting paid by accident.

  • Get to know and understand your medical coverage, including prescriptions.
  • Shop around for the best prescription prices and do not be afraid to move them from pharmacy to pharmacy – especially when they have the $25 giftcard promos!  *note – you may NOT want to move them around if you are on multiple prescriptions as your pharmacist will not be able to advice about dangerous drug interactions.  However you can ask them to price match.
  • Always compare your bills to the insurance claim statements (EOB – explanation of benefits) and compare the insurance claim statements to your statement of benefits!

If you do not have medical insurance there are also ways you can reduce costs by negotiating your charges (ahead of time if possible) or at least setting up a payment plan.

What other tips do you have around managing your medical finances?



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Filed Under: financial, Organization

144 Days Til Christmas – OH MY!

Can you believe I got a newsletter in my email that said 145 Days Til Christmas – OMG!!!  I know retail stores have gotten us thinking early about it with all the Christmas in July specials they ran last week.

I remember as a kid, we did not get ramped up for Christmas until after Thanksgiving.  Now the retail stores start earlier and earlier – it frankly is a sad state of affairs that we are all so retail driven.  We can talk more about the real meaning of Christmas, later, closer to Christmas when it is appropriate.

What IS appropriate to talk about NOW is planning for Christmas.  I do not mean the actual plans, but the budget and saving for Christmas.  Do you have a Christmas club at your bank where you put money away each week OR are you like a lot of Americans who charge their Christmas and spend the rest of the year trying to pay it off?

Now is the time to start planning and saving for Christmas, if you have not already. Only you can decide what your budget for Christmas should be, but let me pose this question -

DO WE GET TOO MANY GIFTS AT CHRISTMAS?

I know we do in my house. Regardless of how much I decide to spend, I usually get caught up in trying to make sure I have the same number of gifts for each child – without deciding on a number in the first place. Then I find one more thing and that leads to another one for each of my kids so they are even. What is even more ridiculous is that they will be getting tons more from family and friends – so when should we stop?

Do you have gifts/toys that remain unused and even unopened many months after the holidays – I know we have those on the shelves in the playroom and closets. You know…  the ones that get tucked away as we are cleaning up from all the festivities.  This year I am making a change.  I posted about it last year, but this is the year to implement….

photo from dandee

WANT, NEED, WEAR, READ

I got the tradition from Dandee.  In order to simplify Christmas for her children who were getting older and “becoming capable to ask for more, and heaven forbid, expect more. She felt the desire to teach them that more is not better. More is just… more.” Their tradition is now to have each child receive 4 gifts – something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. They also get one gift from Santa and homemade gifts from the kids.  I am not sure Santa will be limited to 1, but we will see.  I love the idea!

It enables me to get things they really want and will use vs. loading up the tree with crap that ends up being used for a day or not used at all.  So I have already told my kids and am hoping to not only have a more meaningful Christmas, but a more frugal one as well.  I will set a dollar budget, but more importantly I will set a gift quota.  What do you think?

For cousins and family – consider a grab to help minimize the expense when you have many nieces and nephews.  This is also helpful as they get older and the token $10 gift does not cut it anymore.

What other FRUGAL Christmas ideas and traditions do you have??

Have you started saving fro the holidays?

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Filed Under: Family-Fun, financial

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