Panda Research is a total RIP-OFF!! Anything being offered "free" but you have to PAY to sign up for, like 11 memberships (seriously, I just looked into it) to get the FREE item & the memberships + purchases & fees cost close to what the "free" item would be if paid out of pocket, should not be listed as free....let me go on.
It's really a conditional advertisement & should be clearly stated in a large banner above or below the item & the word FREE should not be able to be used - it should read "CONDITIONAL" - can I get a hell yeah?
I have taken like 3 surveys on Panda Research to which I got "paid" - but let me clarify "paid." I get virtual money credited to an account I have with Panda Research, then once I accumulate $50 - I can then get paid 'for reals!' It would probably take someone a year to accumulate $50 unless they are taking surveys 7 days a week & multiple times a day & remember, a lot of their surveys (most actually), require you to sign up for other stupid shit. Here is what the Panda Research site states on its TERMS & CONDITIONS page:
"Minimum payment threshold is approved $50 USD in your account. You must have accumulated $50 USD in your account for redemption. We pay our members through PayPal once you reach the minimum payment threshold. We do not mail checks to any participants in our survey panel, 100% of the payments are processed by PayPal. You can get your free PayPal account at www.paypal.com and you can update your information anytime.
A.10) Payout Requirements: To request payout PandaResearch members must have:
(a) current contact info
(b) verified phone number
(c) correct & validated PayPal entered in account
(d) a minimum of $25 Approved from Surveys
(e) a maximum of $25 in Panda Emails is allowed per payment request. Money from Panda Emails exceeding $25 will still accumulate in the Email Treasure Chest and will be eligible for future payment requests."
Are you confused? I am too...which is it? $25 or $50 until I get paid? I don't think they know their asses from a hole in the ground.
Mind you...some of the surveys can take up 25 minutes...& you might get $.75.
I'm doing them a service & that's way less than minimum wage (just saying). I get the whole ideal from these marketing firms/companies that surveys are easy, not-too-time-consuming, etc. However some push these surveys towards stay at home moms on some of their commercials. As if we have nothing else better to do (ie, watch & care for kids); so we take these surveys. Obviously I too have fallen victim in the trap.
I must admit I have taken valid surveys but have yet to reap any rewards. You know, that virtual money sitting in an account, hanging limbo in the binary world of the forever, ever land that is the world wide web. I try to search & take surveys while Thaden is sitting happily in his high chair eating & drinking & watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. If I'm needed, I have to stop or he'll pull up a chair & sit beside me at the bar & play with his monster trucks.
For what it's worth, I'm fairly disgusted in Panda Research & those who refer or push that site. I've been involved in a lot of sweepstakes entries & giveaways recently but I am always leary of anything with the word FREE in it because we all know, nothing is really free. It's usually not too bad but sometimes some companies or persons really should be held accountable. Just my two cents!
February 22, 2012
Taxes - blah!
Doing your own taxes is never fun, infact it's down right depressing. Having to put your AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) as if you really brought home that much is ridiculous. Yes I know, you also input how much federal & state taxes were withheld but...you see on your W-2 how much you don't get back...you know, the social security, the Medicare....eek! I know it goes to a good cause but still...eek!
This was the first year I've done our own taxes (in like 10 years or more). It saved us over $200 dollars. I used H&R Block Online & I must recommend it. It was very simple & easy & step by step. I was able to import last years tax information from their system which was very convenient. Last year, we went to H&R Block (an office) & had a professional do them. Due to the fact we had so many items to input (two W-2's, a 1099, two 1099-R's, student loan interest, mortgage interest, volunteer miles driven, donations to Goodwill, items I purchased for my business, & of course the kids). A 1099-R is what you get back when you withdraw from your 401k early - you are taxed at either 25% or 10%, depending on the reason & the code they give you on the 1099-R. I was taxed at about 20% (can't explain that one but whatever). Last year, I withdrew everything from both of the 401k's I had. Which was about $4k from one and $800 from another. Yeah, not a lot but we needed the money & I don't expect to have many retirement years. Morbid? Yeah, a little but I am morbid and truthful. Honestly, my husband has 2 401k's plus I think he'll work until the day he dies. He really enjoys what he does so even if he "retires" he really won't. He'll continue to do some type of consulting work & when it's just me & him & we're old farts, we can survive off very little. Right now...with 3 kids, 2 dogs, a cat, a fish, a hamster, & a fancy rat - we have a full house & finances pushed to the max. One reason our home is for sale. Sell it & pay off debt (well, a really big chunk) & then save some for land so we can build our home. That's the plan anyway.
I hope everyone gets refunds this year! We are in both Federal & State! YAY US....& it will go towards debt - spent before received...blah!
This was the first year I've done our own taxes (in like 10 years or more). It saved us over $200 dollars. I used H&R Block Online & I must recommend it. It was very simple & easy & step by step. I was able to import last years tax information from their system which was very convenient. Last year, we went to H&R Block (an office) & had a professional do them. Due to the fact we had so many items to input (two W-2's, a 1099, two 1099-R's, student loan interest, mortgage interest, volunteer miles driven, donations to Goodwill, items I purchased for my business, & of course the kids). A 1099-R is what you get back when you withdraw from your 401k early - you are taxed at either 25% or 10%, depending on the reason & the code they give you on the 1099-R. I was taxed at about 20% (can't explain that one but whatever). Last year, I withdrew everything from both of the 401k's I had. Which was about $4k from one and $800 from another. Yeah, not a lot but we needed the money & I don't expect to have many retirement years. Morbid? Yeah, a little but I am morbid and truthful. Honestly, my husband has 2 401k's plus I think he'll work until the day he dies. He really enjoys what he does so even if he "retires" he really won't. He'll continue to do some type of consulting work & when it's just me & him & we're old farts, we can survive off very little. Right now...with 3 kids, 2 dogs, a cat, a fish, a hamster, & a fancy rat - we have a full house & finances pushed to the max. One reason our home is for sale. Sell it & pay off debt (well, a really big chunk) & then save some for land so we can build our home. That's the plan anyway.
I hope everyone gets refunds this year! We are in both Federal & State! YAY US....& it will go towards debt - spent before received...blah!
February 21, 2012
February 15, 2012
$1000 Cash Giveaway
C'mon...who couldn't use $1000 Cash? I've submitted my entry - you should too! Running Feb 15-29!
HERE
HERE
The Day After
The day after Valentine's Day....started off quite frustrating but ended up to be a pretty good day overall. I took Trinity to school, then I had to rush home to finish cleaning up before a house showing. Then remembered Thade & I hadn't eat breakfast & I would be far too busy to cook/fix anything so I'd just swing by McDonald's. Waited in the drive-thru, gave my order, & pulled around to pay only to realize I'd forgotten my wallet at home. I went home & just stayed...put Thade in his high chair & let him go to town on a muffin while me & my husband frantically wiped down all countertops, hand picked the fuzzes & little pieces of days old popcorn from the carpet, done dishes by hand as they were my pricey pots that are not dishwasher safe, & load up the dogs. The showing wasn't until noon but with a 2 yr old, once it's clean, he cannot return to the house because he will destroy it in less than 60 seconds! Thus, I had to stay gone with a 2 yr old & 2 dogs for 4 hours! I did it though - YAY!
Maybe one of these days my husband will actually receive his bonus he was promised before Christmas (granted they did state it would be after the first of the year before employees received them); they are having a company meeting tomorrow - I assume they will be handed out then (as all employees are receiving one). We could use the money, we need to pay my husband's mom back $500 & I really, REALLY want to buy Puscifer tickets!
My 1st cousin Jackie has started a blog, give her a follow at her blog HERE
Ok, I know this particular post hasn't been about 1 specific topic but c'est la vie.
Oh, I did receive another call this evening from a realtor about showing our house tomorrow!
This will be the 5th showing in 4 days! I don't know what real estate flood gates opened up but I sure do like it! Now, we need a buyer, a contract, & a sale!
Took Thade to the library today & he picked out 4 books: a Monster Truck book, one about colors, one about shapes, & the other about BMX Racing! LOL! Here is a video of him enjoying his books once we got back to the house.
Maybe one of these days my husband will actually receive his bonus he was promised before Christmas (granted they did state it would be after the first of the year before employees received them); they are having a company meeting tomorrow - I assume they will be handed out then (as all employees are receiving one). We could use the money, we need to pay my husband's mom back $500 & I really, REALLY want to buy Puscifer tickets!
My 1st cousin Jackie has started a blog, give her a follow at her blog HERE
Ok, I know this particular post hasn't been about 1 specific topic but c'est la vie.
Oh, I did receive another call this evening from a realtor about showing our house tomorrow!
This will be the 5th showing in 4 days! I don't know what real estate flood gates opened up but I sure do like it! Now, we need a buyer, a contract, & a sale!
Took Thade to the library today & he picked out 4 books: a Monster Truck book, one about colors, one about shapes, & the other about BMX Racing! LOL! Here is a video of him enjoying his books once we got back to the house.
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