Search This Blog

I have been a teacher since 2004. I have a dream to travel more with my family. This is how!

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Cash Back for Receipts?

 **this article contains affiliate links, commission is earned.


Do you feel like you need extra cash? Maybe just a little reward for all of the things you purchase throughout the year? Now, you can! One simple ap, called Fetch. This short post will tell you how I have been using it over the past 6 months. 

When I began looking for a few extra dollars, I came across many apps that promised money back if you did certain tasks. First, I used an app, that said you could scan receipts, but you only got 1 point for a receipt unless you shopped at a place that was a "bonus store" for the day. Well, that was irritating. Plus, you had to take survey's, play games or download games for extra points. For real, who has time for this?  I sure did not, so I kept searching. 

Now, introduce Fetch! 

 Fetch logo Fetch.com

Within a few days, I had my first $5 dollar gift card. Not much, but hey, if this could happen every few days or a few times a month, it could help. Fetch is so easy to use. Whenever I go shopping, I open the app, hit the picture button, and take a picture of my receipt. 

 Their app, automatically would scan the receipt for points. 

Fetch gives you 25 points for just the receipt and then if there are products that are a bonus that day, on your receipt, Fetch will reward you with extra points. I have had receipts that would reward me with 200-300 points, just for taking a picture. I didn't even have to think that hard! When I have a few extra minutes, I may scan through their app and see if there are products I buy that I can keep an eye on when I am at the store. If someone was very savvy, I know you would earn more than 200-300 points. Also, they have fun programs to help your schools and charities. But, if you love the fun games and contests, you are able to join them with Fetch. They have contests for who can earn the most points and little games within the app. 

When you reach a minimum of 5,000 points, you can trade your points in for gift cards. Fetch has so many different companies they partner with from Amazon, T-shirts to donating to a local foundation. 

Do I find this helpful to earn a few bucks each month, yes! My family has now caught on to give me any receipt when they go out, even without me! When we go to gas stations or a small convenient store, we grab a receipt, it is an easy 25 points! I have Fetch right on my home screen so it is quick and easy to enter.  So take a second, go to your app store, type in Fetch and join Fetch for FREE and start earning money back right now! 

And to help you get started, here is a link, when you scan your first receipt with Fetch you will get an extra 500 Points! What do you have to loose? Sign up for Fetch today! 



Live the life you love!

Michelle 

Sunday, July 16, 2023

Who Can Host Your Domain?

 **this post contains affiliate links where a commission is earned. 


In today's digital age, establishing an online presence is essential for individuals and businesses alike. Whether you're an aspiring blogger, a beginning entrepreneur, or a small business owner, creating a website is a step towards reaching your target audience and achieving your goals. To begin on this exciting journey, you need a reliable partner that offers seamless domain registration, affordable hosting plans, and exceptional customer support. Look no further than Namecheap—the trusted name in the industry. In this blog post, we'll explore how Namecheap can help you kickstart your website and unlock your online potential.


1. Domain Registration Made Easy:

The first step towards building your online presence is securing a unique domain name that represents your brand or niche. Namecheap simplifies the process by providing an intuitive domain registration platform. With a vast selection of domain extensions and a user-friendly search function, you can quickly find the perfect domain that aligns with your vision. Namecheap's competitive pricing ensures you get exceptional value, with affordable annual renewals and the option to purchase domain privacy protection for added security.


Check out what they have to offer:

Register Your Domain

0.99 Domain Today


2. Reliable and Affordable Hosting:

Once you've secured your domain name, you'll need a reliable hosting service to ensure your website is accessible to visitors around the clock. Namecheap offers a range of hosting solutions tailored to different needs, including shared hosting, WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated servers. Their hosting plans are designed to provide excellent performance, high uptime, and user-friendly control panels, making it easy for beginners to manage their websites. Furthermore, Namecheap's affordability means you can start small and easily scale up as your website grows.


Deals related to affordable hosting:

Domain and Hosting Bundles



3. Powerful Website Builders:

Not everyone has coding or design skills, and that's where Namecheap's website builders come to the rescue. They offer intuitive, drag-and-drop interfaces that empower you to create stunning websites without any technical expertise. Whether you prefer the simplicity of the Namecheap Website Builder or the flexibility of WordPress with Namecheap's Managed WordPress platform, you can bring your vision to life with ease. These tools provide customizable templates, mobile responsiveness, and seamless integration with popular apps and plugins.


Products to help you build your website:

Build your website with Namecheap



4. Enhanced Security and SSL Certificates:

Ensuring the security of your website and protecting sensitive user data is paramount. Namecheap offers a range of security features, including SSL certificates, which encrypt data transmission and inspire trust among your visitors. SSL certificates are vital for building customer confidence and improving your website's search engine rankings. With Namecheap's affordable SSL options, you can safeguard your website without breaking the bank.


A few products to keep you safe from Namecheap: 

Protect with SSL

Domain Privacy



5. Unparalleled Customer Support:

Namecheap prides itself on delivering exceptional customer support. Their knowledgeable team is available 24/7 to assist you with any technical or general inquiries. Whether you need help with domain transfers, setting up email accounts, or troubleshooting website issues, Namecheap's support staff is just a click, chat or phone call away. Their extensive knowledge base and community forum are also valuable resources for finding answers to common questions and learning from others' experiences.


Launching a website can be an exciting and fulfilling experience, especially when you have the right tools and support. Namecheap offers services that streamline the process of building and managing your website, from domain registration to reliable hosting, intuitive website builders, enhanced security, and unparalleled customer support. With Namecheap by your side, you can embark on your online journey with confidence, knowing you have a trusted partner that prioritizes your success. Start your website today with Namecheap and unlock your full online potential!


Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Can Rakuten Actually Save and Make You Money?

 

**This post contains affiliate links where a commission is earned.

In our fast-paced digital age, smartphones have become essential tools for managing our daily lives. With the advancement of mobile applications, we can now access a wealth of services and benefits right at our fingertips. The Rakuten app, with its user-friendly interface and extensive features, stands out as a must-have tool for savvy shoppers and deal hunters. In this post, we will explore three exciting things you can do on the Rakuten app to maximize convenience and savings.


1. Shop and Earn Cash Back:


The Rakuten app changes the way you shop by offering a seamless and rewarding cashback experience. By simply accessing your favorite online stores through the app, you can earn a percentage of your purchase amount as cash back. With over 2,500 partnering retailers, including popular brands like Amazon, Macy's, Walmart, and more, Rakuten offers an enormous selection of opportunities to save.


Using the Rakuten app, you can browse through different categories, search for specific products, and compare prices to find the best deals. Once you make a purchase, Rakuten tracks your transaction and automatically credits your account with cash back. It's like getting paid to shop! Accumulated cash back can be redeemed via PayPal or check, allowing you to earn extra money while indulging in your favorite online shopping experiences.


Claim deals such as:



2. Discover Deals, Coupons, and Promo Codes:


The Rakuten app acts as a treasure chest full  of exclusive deals, coupons, and promo codes, ensuring you never miss out on potential savings. From limited-time offers to seasonal discounts, the app keeps you updated with the latest promotions from various retailers. By exploring the app's "Deals" section, you can uncover hidden deals, flash sales, and special offers that meet your needs. 


The app also provides personalized recommendations based on your shopping preferences, ensuring you discover exciting deals relevant to your needs. Furthermore, the Rakuten app simplifies the process of applying coupons and promo codes during checkout, saving you time and effort. With the app's comprehensive savings features, you can stretch your budget further and make every purchase a rewarding experience.


Coupons can be used at popular stores:


3. Rakuten Travel Deals


The Rakuten app even offers travel deals! Not only does it connect to your money saving sites such as: Groupon, Cheap Air, Priceline, etc. you will also earn a percentage back from Rakuten as well. Take a look below:

The money back you earn is not a small 1%, but gives you the opportunity to earn 10% or more back. These are money saving deals you do not want to miss.


The Rakuten app is a game-changer for savvy shoppers and deal hunters, offering a multitude of benefits and savings opportunities. Whether you want to earn cash back while shopping, discover exclusive deals, or manage your Rakuten Cash Back Visa® Credit Card, the app provides a user-friendly platform to unlock convenience and maximize savings. Embrace the power of the Rakuten app, and let it become your trusted companion in navigating the world of online shopping with ease and efficiency. My advice, sign up for Rakuten today, install the Rakuten button to your browser and begin to save today!


Thursday, July 6, 2023

Amazon Side Hustle? Yes, Please!

 In today's digital world, affiliate marketing has become a popular work from home opportunity for individuals looking to monetize their online presence or that want to make a few extra dollars on their “free” time.  Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, offers an affiliate program known as Amazon Associates. With millions of products available, it presents an excellent opportunity for aspiring marketers to earn passive income. If you're keen to explore affiliate marketing, this beginner's guide will help you get started.


Step 1: Understand the Basics of Affiliate Marketing

Before diving into the specifics of Amazon Associates, it's essential to grasp the fundamentals of affiliate marketing.  Affiliate marketing involves promoting products or services and earning a commission for each sale made through your referral. It's crucial to develop a solid understanding of the concepts, strategies, and best practices associated with affiliate marketing to set yourself up for success. Keep in mind, You Tube makes it look simple. There is so much more behind it.  But, don’t spend months digging before beginning anything. 


Step 2: Sign Up for Amazon Associates

To begin your journey with Amazon affiliate marketing, visit the Amazon Associates website and sign up for a free account. You will need an existing Amazon account or create one if you don't have it already. Follow the registration process, providing accurate information about your website or online platform where you intend to promote affiliate products. I did find it easier to just google Amazon Associates to sign up. 


Step 3: Choose Your Niche

Selecting a niche is a crucial step in affiliate marketing. It's advisable to focus on a specific topic or industry that aligns with your interests and expertise. By specializing in a niche, you can establish yourself as an authority in that area and build a targeted audience. Consider factors like market demand, competition, and potential profitability while choosing your niche. A few examples could be: cooking, teaching, books, tools, etc. With Amazon, I have been sharing products I love, but I don't have a main focus. I have saved the main focus for my blog sites. 


Step 4: Build a Website or Blog

Having a platform to promote Amazon's products is essential for success in affiliate marketing. Create a website or blog centered around your chosen niche. Opt for a user-friendly content management system (CMS) like WordPress, as it offers flexibility and numerous plugins to enhance your website's functionality. Ensure your website is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and optimized for search engines. If you are like me, at this moment, I am building things on the side, but using free resources to figure it out. Yes, it might be more work in the end, but I don’t want to use all of my “free” trials trying to figure it all out. Honestly, Blogger and Sites from Google are a good start. Very simple and easy to use. 


Step 5: Create Quality Content

Content is the backbone of any successful affiliate marketing strategy. Produce high-quality, engaging, and informative content that adds value to your readers' lives. Write product reviews, buying guides, comparison articles, and blog posts that address the pain points and interests of your target audience. Incorporate relevant keywords to optimize your content for search engines and attract organic traffic.


Step 6: Incorporate Affiliate Links

Once your website is up and running, it's time to start incorporating Amazon affiliate links into your content. Amazon Associates provides various linking options, including text links, image links, and banners. Strategically place these links within your content to encourage clicks and drive conversions. Ensure your affiliate links are properly disclosed as per the guidelines and regulations set by Amazon and relevant advertising bodies.


Step 7: Drive Traffic to Your Website

To generate affiliate commissions, you need to drive targeted traffic to your website. Implement effective digital marketing strategies such as search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, email marketing, and content promotion to attract visitors. Engage with your audience through social media channels, guest posting, and participating in relevant online communities to expand your reach and increase brand visibility. Start with 2 maybe 3 platforms to begin with. Do not go out and do a blog, facebook, Instagram, and a TicTok. You will become overwhelmed so quickly and ready to quit. I found it easy to start a page on Facebook and put my links there. Then, I am working on designing the path I want everything to take. I slowly introduced Instagram and am currently discovering a few ideas there. 


Step 8: Analyze, Optimize, and Scale

Regularly analyze your website's performance using tools like Google Analytics. Track your affiliate links, monitor conversion rates, and identify the most successful strategies. Optimize your content and marketing efforts based on the insights gained, tweaking your approach to maximize results. As you gain experience and see positive outcomes, consider scaling your efforts by expanding your content, exploring new niches, or diversifying your affiliate partnerships. Do not watch daily, pick a time each week- especially at first. Know that traffic will be slow and will pick up the more you learn. Honestly, I have bookmarked a few analytic sites and will dive into those as I get further along. Right now, I need to focus on my mind map. 



Starting your journey with Amazon affiliate marketing requires dedication, patience, and a strategic approach. By following the steps outlined in this beginner's guide, you'll lay a solid foundation for success. Remember, success in affiliate marketing takes time, effort, and continuous learning. Stay updated with industry trends, experiment with different strategies, and consistently provide value to your audience. With persistence, you can build a sustainable income stream through Amazon Associates and enjoy the benefits of affiliate marketing.

Below are a few tools to help you get your dream going! 

            

A white board will help you make a list and erase as you go.

You can also use it to write quick notes you hear as you learn. 

                                                                                                                                                                 

This notebook is actually on sale! Down to $8.99 and will help you organize your work. 


                                                                                                                                                                  Really, any pen works, but I am a teacher! These are my favorite-especially if it is a full box of purple Flair pens! Believe me, if you are a pen snob, these are the ones! What makes them better is they are now on sale $9.42 (reg. 17.99) However, these are excluded from affiliate sales. Because we all know how much we love them!

                                                                                                                                                                 

This is affiliate marketing! Leave me a comment of what you want know more about! 

If you enjoyed this article please hit the subscribe button and get notified of my new posts!



Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Work From Home and Make Money?

Read the updated article here 



In today's digital age, there are numerous opportunities to earn money online. Two popular platforms that offer such opportunities are Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) and Branded Surveys. These platforms connect individuals with various online tasks and surveys, allowing them to earn money from the comfort of their homes. In this blog post, we will compare Amazon MTurk and Branded Surveys, highlighting their pros and cons to help you make an informed decision about which platform might be the right fit for you.


Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk):

Amazon Mechanical Turk, commonly known as MTurk, is a crowdsourcing marketplace that enables individuals or businesses to outsource tasks(jobs) to a distributed workforce(you). Here are some pros and cons of using MTurk to make money online:


Pros:

1. Task Variety: MTurk offers a wide range of tasks, including data entry, content moderation, surveys, and more. This variety allows users to choose tasks that align with their skills and interests.

2. Flexibility: MTurk allows users to work at their own pace and select tasks based on their availability. You can work whenever you want, making it a great option for individuals with unpredictable schedules.

3. Global Reach: MTurk has a large international user base, which means there is a constant demand for tasks. This offers a higher likelihood of finding work opportunities compared to other platforms.

4. Payment Options: MTurk provides multiple payment options, including direct bank deposit, Amazon gift cards, and more. This flexibility allows users to choose the method that suits them best.


Cons:

1. Low Pay Rates: While MTurk offers a variety of tasks, the pay rates for many tasks can be relatively low. Some tasks may not compensate adequately for the time and effort invested.

2. Lack of Quality Control: As a crowdsourcing platform, MTurk may have a varying quality of tasks. It's essential to research the requesters and read reviews before accepting a task to ensure fair compensation for your work.

3. Limited Eligibility: MTurk is available primarily to users in the United States. Users from other countries may have limited access to tasks, reducing their earning potential.

4. Competitive Environment: Due to the large user base, certain high-paying tasks can be highly competitive, making it challenging to secure them.


Branded Surveys:

Branded Surveys is an online platform that rewards users for completing surveys and participating in market research. Let's examine the pros and cons of using Branded Surveys to make money online:


Pros:

1. User-Friendly Interface: Branded Surveys provides a user-friendly interface, making it easy to navigate and find surveys that match your profile. This saves time and enhances the overall user experience.

2. Higher Pay Rates: Compared to some other survey platforms, Branded Surveys tends to offer relatively higher pay rates for completed surveys, providing better compensation for your time and effort.

3. Reward Options: Branded Surveys offers various redemption options, including cash via PayPal, gift cards, and charitable donations. The flexibility in reward choices allows users to find options that align with their preferences.

4. Loyalty Program: Branded Surveys has a loyalty program that rewards users with additional benefits, such as bonus points and increased survey opportunities. This encourages users to stay active and earn more rewards over time.


Cons:

1. Limited Availability: Branded Surveys may not be available in all countries, reducing the earning potential for users outside the supported regions.

2. Survey Screening: Users may spend time answering initial screening questions only to find out that they don't qualify for a particular survey. This can be frustrating and time-consuming.

3. Survey Frequency


Which stay at home opportunity is best? 

Since diving in and using both myself for a few months now, I have my opinion…well somewhat. Both MTurk and Branded Surveys are simple to use. I found that with MTurk, you did have to dig for what you are eligible for and find what ones have a good payout besides $0.01. Branded Surveys, I found that the survey would say 5 minutes, but by the time you did the pre-questioning, you could be 30 minutes in and still working on the survey. Do they both pay out? Yes, MTurk went right into my bank account every week. I do believe I set MTurk up to pay out at $0.50. Branded Survey, yes the pay was there, but I have not had it transferred to my account yet. I also found that if you didn’t keep up with Branded Surveys, you would lose your “standings”, and would need to rework your way to a specific rank. I had to do 12 survey’s a week, but you had to qualify for them. If you did  not qualify, the survey did not count. 


Final Thoughts!

If you are sitting at home and want to make a few extra dollars, this is great. Is it going to make you rich? No, maybe over time, I mean, one survey said I did so well for them, they sent me an extra $0.64! I loved being able to find out what transcribing was all about and learning about some research projects going on. I will probably keep playing around with both stay at home opportunities and play around some more. But, for now, I will continue to work on finding my perfect “work from home, for passive income,” adventure!