Completing surveys is another work from home opportunity that can add to income.   If you're like me, you've  seen the advertisements offering $25.00 to $75.00 an hour for completing surveys.  Then, after clicking on the link, it takes me to "buy this book for and let me tell you about the companies that offer paid surveys."  hmmmm...

Backing up about secret shopping for a moment...I spent over 15 years working the restaurant industry and had heard about secret shopping, but when I asked around, no one knew how to get invloved with it.  When my daughter was born, the most important thing to me was to raise her myself rather than her being with babysitters full time.  Surfing the internet for an opportunity that would allow this, I came across one of those "buy a directory of secret shopping companies" and I purchased it.  Here it is almost seven years later, and I have to say, it was the best money I ever spent; however,  I don't ever recommend anyone purchasing a secret shopping directory (not  to be confused with books about the industry) because soon after I started secret shopping, I found the most reputable directories are free.  The other thing I have learned over the years is almost all info for other directories such as surveys, car wraps, etc. is also free if I look for it. 

So, that said, I personally won't buy a directory for taking surveys, but if anyone has or does, I'd be very interested in knowing how reputable it is.  

As for taking surveys, I have taken some paid surveys, but so far, the pay has been nowhere near the $25.00 per hour mark...more like $10.00 an hour after averaging out....still, working from home with freedom and flexibilty, I don't consider $10.00 an hour to be bad.  Now, a few things I have noticed about "true" survey companies are first, I don't always "qualify" to take the surveys and secondly, there are some surveys that will put my name into a drawing for the monthly giveaway.  Personally, I avoid the drawings.....the chance to win $25,000 sounds great, but if there are thousands of people in the drawing, the odds of winning are just too great for my taste....I prefer the $2.00-$3.00 guaranteed money...but that's me. 

Anyway, if you would like to check out surveys as an income opp, below is a link for Ipsos....I have also blogged ZoomPanel (you can find this under "Work from Home Opps."