You see them everywhere - paid to surf and paid to read email programs that turn out to be pyramid scams or earn only pennies a year. Are any of these programs worthwhile? Well, I already mentioned My Points, which is a fantastic program I use to get a bunch of gift cards for stocking stuffers each year. You can earn enough points just by reading emails and completing a few free offers, but I try to shop through My Points when it is a business I am buying from anyway and that is how the points really add up.

Another program that is pretty successful for many people is Cash Crate. I’ve just signed up with this program recently. Frankly, if you are short on time, you may want to skip it. Getting 80 cents for a survey or two dollars to complete a free offer isn’t awful, but it isn’t great, either. I’ve heard of people earning several hundred dollars a month through Cash Crate, but they probably put in some serious time.