Free Money: Part 3

Free Money: Part 3
By Wilma Ann Anderson

Many companies are paying YOU to try their products. You might get paid in cash, product or service.

I've come across a great company that allows you to try out their services for only $1. What's in it for you? Well, a $10 or $20 gift card to major retailers like Bed, Bath & Beyond, The Home Depot, Lowes, and more!

Now, I don't know about you, but I'll spend a $1 to make $20.

What's the catch? Here it is: You sign up to try the service free for 30 days. The $1 is a handling charge. If you like the service, you can keep it and the monthly fee starts kicking in or you can cancel within the trial period (usually 30-90 days) and NOT BE CHARGED anything.

Many people tell me they're not interested because they would forget to call. Well, no offense, but that's why folks use calendars. This is as good a reason as any to start using that calendar or date book that you got at the beginning of the year. Was one of your resolutions to get organized? Make a note of the "cancel-by date" on the calendar. I actually like to do it a day or two ahead. And wouldn't you know that when I've called to cancel, the company wanted to send me another gift card and coupons, enticing me to stay a while longer! The representative on the phone even extended the trial period so that I could use the company's money-saving service even longer. Sweet.

I learned about many of these offers via emails from MyPoints (Read Part 1) but, I've since discovered the mother ship: www.ecustservice.com.

Visit and sign up for an offer today. You might get your gift card as soon as two weeks. Trynna make a dolla' outta 15 cents? Well, this is pretty close.

Wilma Ann Anderson is the Editor-in-Chief and Cofounder of Mahogany Baby. She's also an accomplished singer, and works as a model and film executive. This mother of four has freelanced for ESSENCE and Working Mother magazines, enjoys crafting, and is based in New Jersey.