For the last year or so, I’ve been taking part in internet research with a couple of online companies, which basically involves filling in the odd survey they email to me. It’s not bad work – for five minutes here and there, I’ve earned over £35 in the last year – not bad going, I think! Which is why it surprises me that I’ve never blogged about it before. So, as I’ve just requested another £5 voucher for surveys answered, I thought now was as good a time as any to recommend the idea to you.

The two companies who’ve sent most surveys my way are Valued Opinions and YouGov. The former tend to be more generous than the latter – Valued Opinions tend to pay between £1 and £2 per survey (though some offer much, much more), and they’re generally quite short and sweet. They also pay out once your account balance reaches £5, which it obviously does quite quickly at that rate. YouGov tend to be a little more stingy, usually offering about 50p per survey, or just entry into a prize draw. Their surveys often take quite a while to complete, too, and you only get paid when your account balance reaches £50. However, surveys tend to land in your inbox more often with them, and you get paid by cheque whereas Valued Opinions pay you in shopping vouchers of your choice.

Of course, you’re never obliged to take part in any surveys if you don’t have the time or inclination to do so, but the more you take part in, the higher the account balance gets. Some of the surveys are quite interesting too, particularly when it’s research where companies are looking at launching new products, or adverts are being tested out – It’s fun to then see the results of the research hit the real world.

So there you go – it’s a good, easy, and relatively painless way of getting paid (admittedly not huge amounts) for doing relatively little. And isn’t that what we all want?