If you are looking to add value and contribution to your household, and have some time to spare whether on the go or at home and are happy to share your opinion on a variety of topics, from consumable items to government initiatives then surveys can be a good option. Survey companies are basically free to join and pay via paypal, gift cards, sometimes free products and even into investment apps such as Raiz.

Having utilised and tested survey companies in the lead up to Christmas, we can report that we were able to purchase many of our gifts through the use of survey work – even major gifts like a flat screen tv! Which was fantastic, as it meant no credit card hangover after the silly season was over.

Some companies have great apps that you can complete work on the go, whilst others require a laptop or PC to complete. A lot of companies also have a loyalty ranking, where you can be paid an additional percentage based on what rank you are (and how many surveys you’ve done in the past). Note that all companies we have encountered have a minimum value amount that you need to achieve before you can redeem your rewards. Some also have a cap on how much you can redeem over a period of time.

Here are a list of some of the companies we have tried, tested and successfully redeemed value from:

• Pure Profile https://www.pureprofile.com/au/

Pure Profile pays in the form of gift cards, hoyts movie passes, cash deposit and Raiz investment deposit. They do have a minimum redemption of $15-$20 depending on the reward you choose, and they also cap your redemption at $70 value per 60 days.

• Valued Opinions https://www.valuedopinions.com.au/

Valued Opinions pays in the form of gift cards and has a minimum redemption of $20. There is no cap on redemption. Some gift cards are posted so be aware that your reward may take some time to deliver to you.

• Opinion World https://www.opinionworld.com.au/en-au

Opinion World pays in the form of gift cards and Paypal. The beauty of this company is that they have a minimum redemption of $5 and a large selection of retailers. Delivery does take a little longer to process with recent peak holiday times quoted at 20 days for delivery. They also have competition entries when you complete each survey for major prizes.

• My Survey https://www.mysurvey.net.au

My Survey is another company that also pays in gift cards, Paypal and charitable donations. They have an app which makes survey entry easy and they also have a $5 minimum redemption. Delivery time experienced for us was typically a week.

Survey work has certainly enhanced our lives, but be aware that the surveys themselves can be a bit monotonous at times and its important to have regular screen time breaks as surveys can range from anywhere between 3 minutes to 5 hours. However, it is a great free option to earn rewards and therefore keep your cash in your purse! Happy Shopping!!