2018 Online Income Review

My online income increased by 24% in 2018. Thank you Loooord! Overall I earned around ₱117,000 which is something I'm extremely grateful for considering I'm not actively looking for opportunities and I only have one client giving me a steady flow of tasks hahaha. As usual, let's break it down!

On the average, I got around ₱9,700 per month. But it doesn't really feel like it because I don't withdraw money on a monthly basis. I receive payments on my local bank accounts and Paypal and I don't consolidate them, so yeah the extra money I receive just goes to my allowance haha. 

This year though, I want to try keeping my Paypal funds for as long as possible just to see it grow. I tend to withdraw as soon as it reaches 10k because we can already use that for a staycation or a date night hahaha but yeah, I want to be more mindful of where my money is going starting today lol. Uhh wish me luck.

My lowest month was in July. It's not really a depressing month, it's just a normal month for me hahaha. My highest was in April, and that can be explained. That was the time I offered a branding package to one of my clients, hence the spike.

In terms of work, my Writing gig still eats majority of the pie by 56.6%. I wrote 172 articles in 2018, that's 294 so far (since 2017!). I don't know how long they intend to keep me in their roster but well, I want to keep writing because this one's stable haha.

On Blogging, I honestly wasn't able to write that much valuable content in 2018. Of the 73 blog posts I published, 26 are sponsored (ie. articles that don't rank but pay), and only 15 are actual personal reviews (ie. articles that matter), the rest are personal drama hahaha.

On Designing, nothing much. Just the usual... logos, invites, shirts, and some other layouts. Something new I learned - creating brand guides and simple graphic design animations. :)

There's a part of me that wants to lay low on accepting work this year so I could rest more and enjoy doing nothing at home when I get back from work. But there are times I still get bored so why not use my free time to earn money lol.

So yeah, here's to another productive year!

2017 Online Income Review

Photo from Pixabay

Okay, from now on I'll quit calling myself a freelancer because technically I'm not self-employed and I pay taxes, charot. What I have are merely sidelines. And here's a report on how well (or not) I fared last year.

In summary, I made around ₱94,000 or roughly $1,800. I only started monitoring income from my sidelines early last year. That was the time we were struggling to save for our wedding, so I had to list down all of my income streams and how much I could possibly get from them. Here's a chart:

Every time I get paid, I'll add a record of it in a Google sheet. Eventually the table grew and I was able to watch my income soar and dip. It's pretty motivating. I'm clearly not earning a lot, but I'm freaking earning something and that's awesome. Coming from a millennial who has illusions of being financially challenged, being able to count your money is comforting.

June was my biggest year. I sold my prize from a blogging contest and got a regular writing job. 

October was a low month as I was terribly busy adjusting to married life.

November was the time I reached my Google Adsense threshold so that held up the numbers.

The goal is to be able to earn at least ₱10,000 a month. AND HOPEFULLY include Merch by Amazon in my income stream!

From the line graph you can see that there's no steady trend to my income. The opportunities I get are random and the only long-term client I have is the one who feeds me writing tasks, which doesn't really give much. And lately I noticed they hired a couple more writers soooooo there's my competition in getting more tasks. Sadlyffff.

Anyway. I'll strive to make a better graph this year haha.

What do I do?

Here's a donut chart to explain the type of work I do on the sides.

I have a portfolio over at www.yanbirog.com in case you want to see what I design specifically. Last year I made mostly logos and wedding invites.

I don't really go all out marketing my blog. I just accept whatever sponsored post opportunities I receive. Recently, I've started accepting guest posts too. I figured that the more terrible the writing, the higher the pay. So as much as I want to return some articles for proofreading, if it's gonna cause a delay in payment, I'll just do the dirty work myself. Yep, I'm that sell-out you guys hate! Lol.

I only have 1 client for writing and I intend to apply to some more, just to get a steady request of 1 article a day. But damn the requirements for SEO/content writers are so frkn intimidating. I've capped myself to 500 words per article but most of the listings require 1000 words per day! I don't think my brain can handle that. Hopefully I find a more manageable job description!

Looking forward to this year!

Kick-start your Freelancing Career: Learn how to become a VApreneur

If you're always wondering about how online freelancing works, here's the right venue to learn about it!

This October 22, 2016, join us in a day of learning and discovery by attending #VApreneur: One Day To FREEdom! Workshop. This event aims to help aspiring and existing virtual assistants to develop their business, identify their core skills, meet more clients, and charge competitively for their services.

What is a virtual assistant and what does it have to do with freelancing? 

A virtual assistant or a VA is a person who provides services to a client remotely from home, may it be technical, creative, or administrative, it depends on what skills the VA has to offer. That said, VAs are freelancers too, offering services online and remotely to clients that are mostly overseas.

VA vs. VApreneur: the difference

The term VApreneur is a play between VA and entrepreneur, and was coined by Ms. Rochefel Rivera, one of the organizers and speakers of the event.

As a VA, you work as an independent contractor, providing services to your client, and is being paid a fixed rate or an hourly rate, depends on what is agreed upon. A VApreneur is more than that, your mindset is not just confined to a remote employee but a business owner, a service provider offering intangible products of high value to the clients. This shift from employee to entrepreneur mentality is what sets them apart, and is going to be tackled further during the event.

A lot of freelancers pride themselves as being their own bosses, but behind their desks they're slaves to their clients, overworked and underpaid. It's time to put more value to your work and package your services in a competitive manner, making your client see you as a partner and not just a cheaper alternative to a regular employee.

#VApreneur: One Day To FREEdom! Workshop

In this workshop, you will learn:

1. How to transition from employee to VApreneur
2. How to capitalize on your passion and existing skills while using the business model suited for your lifestyle
3. Possible opportunities behind online entrepreneurship
4. How to find clients that pay and appreciate the value of your work
5. How to take advantage of technology and build your dream business from home

When: October 22, 2016 9:00AM
Where: Bluefin Grill, GF, Metrowalk Commercial Complex, Ugong, Pasig City
Ticket prices (snacks and lunch included): 

• Early bird rate until October 8: ₱888
• Regular rate: ₱1,498
• BFF rate: Learn with your BFF and get the 2nd ticket 50% off - ₱1,332
• Gang rate: Gather a group of 4 and your pass is FREE - ₱2,664

For more information and ticket payments, head over to:
www.professionalvas-academy.com/vapreneur-road-tour-project/

:D

GlobalTestMarket Proof of Payment

AT LAST!!! After all the fuss about their cheques bouncing and being in a different denomination, i was finally able to get my CASH. as in CAAAAASH. How?

Twice I returned their check to their PO Box at Canada because the first time they sent me, the account has closed. and on the second time, it was printed in dollars and i had no way of withdrawing it. i had my doubts and i was so furious so i ranted about it on this post haha

When I got my points back (after 3 months!), i decided to just wait until they are able to print checks in my local currency, PhP.

But recently though, GTM has rolled out a couple of good rewards conversion alternatives, one of which is PAYPAL (there's also Lazada and Amazon!) so... REJOICE REJOICE!!! Once the feature was up and active I instantly requested for a cash out.

Here's the points conversion:

816 points = Php 1,500
543 points = Php 1,000

Note that in order to claim your Paypal rewards you must have a minimum of 1000 points. :)

So on March 6, i claimed my Paypal rewards, and exactly 7 days after, i was credited with the amount I requested on Paypal! Yeheyyy!

Now I just had to withdraw it to my local bank account. Here's how I did it, if you're wondering! And finally, after a total of 10 days (7 days from GTM to Paypal, and 3 days from Paypal to my bank account)... caaaaash! yeyy! <3

In fairness to GTM, they responded to all my inquiries. They may respond slow, but at least they're working on it.

The support channel I used to inquire to would be this email address: 

support-en@globaltestmarket.com

So if you have any concerns about your points or anything, you may want to email them there. :)

Finally finally, all my doubts about GTM have been lifted and I can now proudly promote it to all you. So in case you're looking for a profitable past time answering surveys (it's not much but it pays!), just leave your email address and i'll refer you asap! :)

Thanks GTM! :)

mail check: get paid for answering online surveys! [UPDATED]

i signed up at Global Test Market around february last year along with other sites offering paid online surveys (like survey savvy, survey head, and acop), and finally, after over a year, i was able to accumulate the minimum points required to request for a cashout amounting to $50. so i cashed out, only to make sure if it really pays before i take on more surveys. and well, it did!

but wait, what? one year and only $50?

well, yes! cos as you can see, it's not a full time job. you can do it when you're free, and bored, and when there's a survey offer! and the cool thing is it actually pays, plus registration is FREE! honestly, it's one of the best paid online survey sites since it offers around 3-6 surveys a month, depending on your profile. hehe.

so on april 30 i requested for a cashout, and on june 11, a surprise came in the mail! yeheyyy!

i wasn't expecting it to arrive that early cos it says to wait 6-8 weeks, and even though it came on the 6th week, i was expecting it by the end of june pa so i was really surprised by this. sakto pang mejo broke ako! haha

thank you Lord!

just wondering: is there danger in posting checks online?

proof of earnings! it may be small, but my point is IT PAYS!!!

so in a year, i was offered 60 surveys, 40 of which i was screened out from * but still got rewarded a few points for it. 

here's how it works:

- sign up at GMI and answer a few profiling surveys (this will determine the kind of surveys they'll offer you)

- sit back, relax, and wait for survey offers on your email :)

- every survey will earn you around 30-80 points when completed

- * when you get screened out from a survey, meaning, after taking preliminary questions they figured you're not part of the target audience needed for that study, you still get 5 points!

- minimum points required for a cashout is 1,000 points. that's $50 payable to you by check (or paypal)

- JOIN by registering on their website or BE MY REFERRAL (just leave me your email address and i'll refer you ASAP). that's 20 points for me if you're kind! 

unsolicited advice:

as with anything, BE HONEST. even if you're just taking a survey for a dime, the people who pay GMI (who in turn pays us), are conducting research valuable to the company they're representing. we're talking studies, and statistics that shape the corporate world. haha

but seriously, when you come across a preliminary question that you think will get you screened out, take a deep breath, move your mouse pointer to the truth, and click, you did the best thing. what's 30 points in exchange of your integrity?! HAHAHAHA yes.

IMPORTANT UPDATE (June 26, 2014)

whew. i just want to let you know that it took so much pride on my part to admit this, but i was too excited when i received the check that i instantly believed it was real,hence this blog post. but when i tried to encash it: THE CHECK BOUNCED. omg, you can laugh at me now. peg na peg ko pa naman ung pag-promote diba.

anyway, according to the bank where i had the check deposited, the account name on the check was already closed. when i emailed checksupport@globaltestmarket.com about it, the one who replied to me was clientcare.chx@chexxinc.com and they said that their ANZ account has unexpectedly closed, and that i should contact global test market directly using this overly non-responsive complaints bin: support-en@globaltestmarket.com

anyway, none of my inquiries have been answered by any Global Test Market staff YET, so i'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt for six months (cos i'm kind like that lol). According to our local ANZ, they stopped taking check orders from PACNET fairly recently, so maybe GTM wasn't aware of the closed account when they issued the check.

HOWEVER. i'm leaning more the SCAMMY side of this, seeing that online reviews are 50-50. i'm just glad only my time was wasted and nothing more. haha

BE CAREFUL. HAHAHAHA

and yes, you can still laugh at me. i am. 

ETA 2014-09-25: oops! GTM finally answered my emails and now things are doing quite well with my requests. will write more about it when i finally get my cash! 2 more months? :D

ETA 2015-03-19: FINALLY I GOT MY CASH! 

Here's how!

the EASIEST way to turn your paypal funds to cash (PH residents only)

nako i'm telling you, you will love this solution specially if you're from the philippines haha
given that you have a verified paypal account already but doesn't want to be bothered by the tedious steps and the loooong wait to get your money at the comfort of your atm account...

i highly recommend, PesoExchanger!!!

it's very simple really, you send your paypal funds to them, and they deposit your funds to your bank account! simple diba?

eto yung service na matagal ko nang hinahanap dahil nag-close na yung EON account ko (inactive haha), tinatamad na ko magopen ng bagong account, magbayad ng 300+ annual fee, 10 pesos withdrawal charge, at maghintay ng halos isang linggo para magcredit yung paypal funds ko sa atm. so i looked around the net kung meron bang tao na nag-ooffer ng ganitong service. and voila! PesoExchanger ranked on the search pages haha

to know more about their services, just go to their website (linked above), or contact them via facebook. mabilis sila magreply and are very professional.

to share my experience ganto yun:



1. thursday morning (may 9) i applied for online verification from their website. this is the first step you need to do in order to request for an exchange. i think they do this mainly to identify you as isang mabuting nilalang na hindi sila lolokohin at legal ang source ng income online. hahaha

2. that morning before lunch, i got scheduled for a verification session on 1:30pm. live pala nila itong ginagawa. what they do is chat with you on facebook, ask you questions, and access your PC via a remote software.

teka wait, ACCESS MY PC?! katakot ba? natakot din ako nung simula bilang alam kong delikado yung remote access. pero you can watch them naman while they surf your PAYPAL account. at pwede mo paring ng gulu-guluhin yung mouse hahaha

teka wiat, THEY WILL OPEN MY PAYPAL ACCOUNT? oo teh. bali ikaw naman-maglologin pero sila yung magb-browse browse. basically jyza (their staff) just ran through my transactions to validate my source of income. and to check if totoo yung pangalan na nasa account ko.

3. after the remote session, she continued to ask me questions about my paypal transactions. although yung iba feeling ko alam naman nya yung sagot kasi nasa details naman nung mga pinagb-bukas nyang page, i thought maybe naninigurado lang din sila. haha

4. after i passed the verification process (which i only need to do once, yeheyy!), i can now proceed to request for an exchange. here you'll tell them na how much you'll send them and the bank account you want your funds sent to. they'll also give you their paypal email address. hehe

5. i gave them my account details and they said na they have to register it first as a 3rd party account. i know this process kaya alam kong legit haha. 1 business day pa ang aabutin so pray pray lang din ako HAHA

6. KINABUKASAN mga 9am ata they told me na ready na yung account ko for transfer so blah blah blah kinakabahan pa ko mag-send ng paypal funds sa kanila.. malay ko ba? madaming beses na kong na-scam eh! anyway, i searched DTI naman and their name appeared so after sending some 3K nagreply naman naman sila agad..

7. after an hour, my money was transferred to my BPI account na!

hooray!

see that? this is much faster that applying for a new EON altogether... and partida, naka-upo ka lang. hahaha tumayo lang ako nung iwi-withdraw ko na.

thank you PesoExchanger for this awesome experience! till our next deal (pagnagka-project ulit ako haha tumal eh)

HOOORAY!! 2nd cash out from ChurpChurpPH

And i thought i won't be continuing this but look what just saved me from utter destitution (exaggerating of course)!! Thank you Lord!!! This is soooo freaking timely, I'm really kinda broke. And i just got scammed (story soon) so. yeah. I love you Lord! >XD Now i can re-stock on tuna and milk and cereals and buy deodorant (i stink LOL). Hay, this diet i signed myself into is also making me lose a lot of money. haha >XD

@churp2ph (ChurpChurpPH) My first cash out! :D

those ads familiar? >:)

see, i'm not lying when i told you guys this thing is legit. i just got my first cash out, so what are you waiting for? join in the fun, use your social networking skills to your edge and earn just by advertising promos on your pages! :)

click on THIS LINK to register and find out more!

hurray for my first cashout!

my online statement of account reflecting my earnings

haha i was only hitting for the minimum cashout amount which is 2,000 cos i thought i won't be doing this anymore as soon as i've met the target. so as soon as i hit it, i immediately cashed out my earnings. after quite a month of waiting... my net earnings was transferred to my account! >:D

Writing that pays: SponsoredReviews.com

wow, i never realized i'd be earning this much for a single article! well it may not be that big for but for a 300 word article, 20 bucks exceeded by expectations. compared to my previous writing project at odesk which pays 30 bucks for 3 articles with 500 words each + 3 rewrites for each of that article with 300 words each... this is definitely a big step up! whew.

this is crazy cool haha now i regret declining the previous writing offers from SR, hay. anyhow this is just in time... why do i have a feeling i'm reaping so much blessings this month because it's my month (if you know what i mean hihi). yeheyy! thank you so much Lord! >XD

for bloggers out there who are willing to post sponsored content on their sites, feel free to check out Sponsored Reviews.

This is how it works;
- first you create an account and register your blog and wait for it to get approved
- there are two ways to get a writing project:

1. BY BIDDING: head on to the "Find Advertisers" page for a list of active projects

if you'd like to take a certain writing assignment, you have to place a bid (by clicking on the BID link) on it and indicate the amount you want to get paid for the article. the advertiser will review your bid and decide whether he'll get you or not.

when i started at SR, i bid on a lot of assignments but none of them got approved... or at least none yet. but considering the length of time i've waited, it's safe to say my bids have already been ignored. haha

2. WHEN AN ADVERTISER PURCHASES A POST ON YOUR BLOG: sometimes you'll get an email like this...

just respond to it, do the assignment, and submit the URL of the finished article to the link provided in the email. after the deadline, they'll process your payment and tada! moolaaahh $$$

that's how i got my first earning at sponsored reviews. yeheyy! >XD

from now on i won't ignore a writing opportunity online (when the price is right haha).

writing that kinda pays

yey for 1 kiao! i won this over at OpenRice's last promo! hehehehe what's cool with this promo is that the prize is actually money! hahaha usually they give out gift cheques and stuff so i had to exchange them from my friends or from buyers from the store itself just so i could get it in cash! >XD anyway, for that amount, i wrote 20 food reviews, of at least 100 words each. see? it's thaaaat cool at openrice. i get rewarded for doing the things i like e.g eating and writing. >:)

i'm still open for suggestions on earning online EASILY. but of course, none of those pay-per-click or paid-to-click websites that never really pays. writing could also be an option but i dun wanna go back to ghost writing about topics that i have the slightest idea about. like parasails and double doors. uggggh. the horror i've gone through for a few dollars. 

anyway. i thought i could use this weekend to rest and do stuff totally unrelated to school but looks like i have to work even on sundays! >X( 

back to gossip girl then. >XD

OpenRice.ph MovieCup PROMO >:D

this day i was informed via email that i won a movie ticket and a starbucks gift certificate from OpenRice.ph
apparently, i wasn't aware of this promo so it was a really cool surprise! jeckie and i came to their office at ortigas earlier to claim my prize. >:D

thanks OpenRice! >:D

i have so freaking muuuuuch to do! >XD maybe i should get started LOL