My criteria for participation was that I would only accept offers that paid cash and I would not accept an offer (even a limited free membership) if the offer would demand a payment from me at some point. After all, if I am supposed to be paid than I should have to return the favor simply for the privilege of working, right?

In four months of reading three or more emails a day, taking advantage of all free offers and participating in every survey I was sent and qualified for with the first company I have made $14.94. The first five dollars was a bonus so that means I have made a total of about $2.50 per month for my participation.

In the second scenario I was offered a few more surveys and have accumulated $18.66 in four months. This too had a $5.00 sign up bonus.

Between the two I have made over $5 a month, but I haven't actually seen a dime of it. You see, in order to request payment I will need to have a minimum of $30 in the individual accounts. At the present rate of return it will take me more than a year to earn $60.

You need to know that I have not simply followed through when I felt like it. I have opened hundred of paid emails and I have worked through dozens of surveys. My guess is that I have made about thirty cents per hour to date.

Why do I do this? Because I want to prove that what I have been saying is true. Even the best-paid survey companies will not be able to provide a positive income from participation.

Something else you should know is that the two companies I chose to participate with have a positive rating with the Better Business Bureau. I did not choose companies with a bad reputation. I chose two of those considered best.

Now to discuss the flip side of the coin. I could make a significant amount of money from both sites if I wanted. What I mean by that is I would need to relax my standards. I would need to be willing to spend money to make money. I would need to pay to play games in order to receive money in return. I would need to pay for memberships or products to receive a monetary bonus.

It is possible to gain enough residuals to request $30 every few days, but logically you will spend much more than that when paying for the items you will receive. Some say it's a fair trade, but the point is you may be tempted to accept offers for the cash when you don't really need what's being offered.

Yes, that is good marketing, but it is also a time and wealth consuming way to try to make a little money. Not to mention an incredible flood of emails that will inevitably invade your inbox.