One thing I didn’t anticipate when I started freelancing was that work would dry up from early December to mid January because of the holidays. So now I’m scrambling to make up for lost pay. Since time is limited--and so is cash for a babysitter--I’ve had to get creative.
Last week, I made $225 just for keeping a journal for three days. I had answered an ad on craiglist seeking moms to test out products. A screener called me up and asked me questions along the lines of "Describe a product you can’t live without" and "If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?"
I must have picked the right kind of tree, because I qualified for a study.
They sent me a disposable camera to take a few photos of my home, family, and friends—and a little booklet with some questions to answer. I filled out the booklet and Fed Ex’d it in a posted envelope they’d provided. The entire task took about two hours. The questions weren’t particularly intrusive--and the answers are to remain confidential to the study--so I didn’t feel too weird about responding.
They got the package on Monday. On Wednesday, I opened my mailbox--and to my amazement, there was the check for $225.
With my freelance clients, I’m usually lucky if I get paid a month after I turn in a story. I guess there’s something to be said for sharing a speck of your life with the soul-sucking capitalist machine—especially if it means paying the gas bill this month.
If they call again, I'll probably answer. Now that we don't have to worry about heat, I've got my eye on a three-month pool membership. Laps, anyone?