There are so many legitimate ways to make and save money online- there are also a whole bunch of scams and options that just really aren't worth your time. If your budget is tight, then you have two options:

1. Find a way to cut back on your expenses

2. Find a way to add to your income

Often the best way to loosen up a little room in the budget is two combine these two approaches. Spend a little less and earn a little more. If you don't have time or energy to take on an extra job, then finding low-stress ways to make money online is a great option. Think about how much time you spend scrolling on your phone or even playing games? What if you could make money with that dead time?

How much will I get paid for surveys?

How much money you make depends a lot on how much time you can dedicate to taking surveys. There are some exceptions, but in general, you can expect to earn around $0.40 to $2 per hour. You're not going to get rich taking surveys, but you can certainly create a little extra room in your budget. Surveys pay way less than an actual job would, but they also give you a lot of flexibility and are super low-stress. Beware though, there are scams out there, so please only use trusted sites when you're doing online surveys for money and be careful about what personal information you give out.

Where can I find online surveys for money?

There are loads of scams out there, but thankfully, there are also some great, legitimate sites. Even if you're on a trusted site, you'll want to carefully consider how much personal information you are comfortable giving out. Here's a list of well-known sites that you can check out to find surveys that pay.

How do survey sites make their money?

Survey sites are basically gathering information for market research. Companies pay them to get the surveys to the right people. The survey sites in turn pay you to take the surveys and then pass the information on to their clients. Once the companies have the information they can use it to make their products better suited to their market (that's you!) When you're taking surveys, be sure to keep this goal in mind and don't overshare your personal information.

Is it easy to find paid surveys?

It can actually be trickier than you'd expect. There are a lot of survey sites to choose from and the best ones will try to match you with surveys that are a good fit. Here's the thing though- each survey comes with a set of requirements about the type of person they would like to fill out their survey. This could be simple things like age and gender, or more complex factors like which brands you use or where you shop, or even where you live.

Sometimes they're able to pre-screen people, but if the factors are really specific, then you often have to answer at least some of the questions before you know if you'll qualify. If you don't qualify, you won't get paid, so it can end up costing you a lot of time if you're not being well matched. 

How many surveys can I do?

Most survey sites don't have an over-supply of surveys. In fact, most of them limit how many surveys you can complete a month. If you want to do surveys regularly, then you're going to need to sign yourself up at a few sites. It's a little time-consuming, but the good news is that many of these sites (especially those that offer more comprehensive rewards programs) will give you a small signing-up bonus. What's not to love about that?

How do I get paid?

You'll get paid as you complete surveys. Most of these sites pay you in points. You can use the points to buy various deals and rewards that are available on their sites. Thankfully, most of the sites have options that help you turn your points into cash. The most common ways are by transferring your points to PayPal or using them to purchase pre-loaded debit cards. If you can't get actual cash, you can almost always get really close by choosing gift cards for large stores like Amazon or Walmart. Do read through their deals and rewards before you choose a voucher though - there are often some good savings up for grabs!

Most sites have a minimum amount that you can cash out. That means you'll need to earn their minimum amount (sometimes just $3 or $4) before you can turn your points into actual rewards. It's usually pretty easy to find this information on their websites.

Before you start taking surveys on a site, make sure you understand exactly how you'll be paid and what options are available when it comes to spending your points. You don't want a nasty surprise after all your hard work!

How can I save more?

Cutting your spending is another great way to get some more wriggle room in your budget. Living with a budget doesn't mean that life needs to be boring and hard. Save has some great ideas to help you live a beautiful life that is full of joy - without overspending. Have a look at these tips to save on your energy bill in the summer, learn the basics of canning, or try these budget breakfast ideas. And always remember to check your Save mailer to make sure you're getting the best deals!