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Sunday, March 28, 2010

Survey Update

As I said earlier, I've become a bit obsessed with taking surveys and making money online in general.  This was sparked by several recent and unfortunate job situations.  And although things are looking up in that department (wee!), I'm still trying them out to see if I can make a little extra money.  I've signed up for over 50 different sites that do various things to various degrees of success. While I'm still trying out most of them, I've already found some winners, which I will be sharing with you so we can all hopefully make a little money.

First, though, is some advice that I have learned along the way:
1) You will not get rich.  I don't care what any site promises you, it's not going to happen.  Accept it.  Move on.
2) Do not ever pay to be able to access "special" information or to get a membership.  There are plenty of other      places (including here!) that will give it to you for free.
3) Set up a different e-mail account when you sign up.  Some sites send out a lot of mail, some don't, but you don't want all of that coming into your main account everyday.  I like Gmail, but anything will do.
4) Don't give up.  Some of these things take time to accumulate; sometimes even months.  I am finding that a little time every day or so can yield big results. Don't be discouraged if you think the payouts seem to small.  You usually don't have to spend a lot of time doing them.
5) Have fun.  This is supposed to be a hobby after all.  Don't look at it like a second job or you might be disappointed.  If you don't enjoy what you are doing, then it isn't worth it.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Caffeine Free!

I  am a caffeine monster.  I didn't used to be this way.  I don't like carbonated drinks, so I've never been a pop drinker, and until I started working in a coffee shop in 2002, I was never a coffee drinker.  Actually, I take that back.  When I first started working in a coffee shop I only occasionally had coffee, mostly because it was free. My true coffee addiction did not start until 2004 when I started work with Starbucks.

Thats right, Starbucks, I blame you.  With your "coffee master" programs and your coffee tastings and your unlimited free drinks while at work.  This is when the coffee monster reared it's ugly head.  It would not be unusual for me to have 4 or 5 cups a day when I was at work; at home, I made coffee with the free pound we were given every week.  See?  They want us addicts!  I did go without coffee once, and the headaches and nausea that soon followed were so awful I thought I was going to die.  I did't do that again for 7 years.

I don't know why I got it into my head that I needed to quit caffeine.  It is not, as far as I know, directly causing me harm.  I quite like having my morning cups of coffee (since I have left Starbucks, I usually only have two cups a day), and I really do like the taste.  Like most of my "big ideas" the thought just flew in my head one day, and wouldn't leave until I obeyed.

Remembering my little experiment 7 years ago, I started small, baby steps.  I went "half-caff" (as the kids are calling it, and by "kids" I mean me).  Oh boy!  Not small enough!  Again with the most horrific headaches I have ever experienced. I don't know why exactly I kept going, but I did.  The next few days weren't bad at all.  Then I got cocky.  Full-on, completely decaf on the fourth day.  Wow.  I'm not sure how, but it was worse than the first day.

Anyway, to make what is apparently a log story short, I have just finished my first week without caffeine.  No headaches.  It's pretty great not to HAVE to have coffee just to avoid feeling bad.  I will probably have it on occasion, but I am fully a decaf-girl from now on.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Surveys!

So recently I have become obsessed with taking surveys online, and have signed up for a zillion sites that offer money or various compensations for taking surveys or doing tasks.  Stay tuned, because I will be posting my results and honest views of these sites, so hopefully we can all make a little extra money in the hard times (Spoiler alter: there is no get-rich-quick scheme; already learned that one the hard way).  In the mean time, have a slice of cake!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Tights!

One of my favorite online stores of all time is ModCloth.  They have the best assortment of unique-looking pieces.  My current obsession is their wealth of adorable tights just in time for spring.  Check out these High Frequency Tights.  You could wear them with just about anything: rock them with a short, black number, or give your sweet flowery dress a little edge.

Hello!

Hi! and welcome to my blog.  This is my first foray into blog-dom, so bear with me.  I'm starting this blog to talk about all the things I love, which are numerous. I love fashion, food, yoga, games, crafts, and movies just to name a few.  I hope you enjoy it.