Dive Into Paid Surveys This Summer

With just a week or so until school is out for the summer, mothers everywhere will be adjusting their schedules to accommodate having children at home all day. From swimming in family errands to swimming at the neighborhood pool and running on full-steam to just running up to the park, the daily summer schedule can be quite different from the normal school-year routine. While summer break is a welcomed event for most, it can leave financially strapped parents in a bind for balancing earning potential with play.

For families where both parents work outside the home or families where one parent stays home, taking surveys online can be a legitimate way to earn extra cash to supplement the family income. Summer camps, vacations, increased childcare costs and incidental expenses incurred throughout the months of June, July and August can be paid for, in part, by the proceeds from cash surveys taken at home during free time.

Future survey takers can hunt down paid survey opportunities on their own, but it is much more efficient to join a free online survey site that catalogue hundreds and hundreds of survey, focus group and other marketing research opportunities that pay in cash or rewards. Pick out the survey sites that appeal to your interests the most and apply for membership with each; typically, all that is required to join is your basic contact information and interests.

After registering with a handful of survey sites, start checking your email inbox within a few days. This is where you will start to receive invitations to participate in paid surveys, focus groups or other marketing projects. Compensation to take surveys varies based on the company and the project at hand. Usually, members are reimbursed in cash, reward points to redeem for prizes, entries into sweepstakes or some combination of the three.

No need to feel cooped up in the house during summer break with only your paid online surveys and kids climbing the walls. Take your laptop or smartphone to the pool, park or indoor playground, connect to Wi-fi and continue to take surveys and earn rewards. By the time summer ends, you'll have saved up a nice nest egg to spend on back-to-school supplies, tuition, or whatever you please!

Todd Denning
Survey Adventure is the world's largest paid survey and market research directory.
Take a paid survey today and make $10 at http://www.surveyadventure.com

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Looking Ahead to the 2012 Summer Olympics

Sometime around the 8th century B. C., athletes came from Sparta, Croton, Rhodes, Athens and other city-states of the ancient world to compete in competitions on Greece. Some of these events were chariot racing, boxing and running. This gathering of strong and fast competitors would become the forerunner to today's summer Olympic Games. The Olympics of today is considered the top athletic stage in the world with more than 70 countries sending their athletes to try to take home a medal. The 2012 Summer Olympics will take place in London, United Kingdom. The games will run from July 27 through August 12.

The selection of London as host city for the 2012 games goes back to 2003. Nine cities were vying for the honor of being chosen. These cities were London, Madrid, New York, Havana, Moscow, Istanbul, Paris, Rio de Janeiro and Leipzig. By 2004, the number of contenders had been narrowed to five: London, Paris, Madrid, New York and Moscow. In 2005, on July 6, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) announced that London would be the city to host the games in 2012.

Competition to be named host was heavy. Each of the cities did all they could to impress the judges. During the selection time, many people believed that Paris had an upper hand. The attempt for the 2012 games was Paris' third attempt in a few decades and it was also thought that they were "due" to win. But, London had an ace up its sleeve.

In the 1980 summer games in Moscow, and again in Los Angeles in 1984, a young British athlete won gold in the 1500 meter race. Both times, his wins were dramatic and unexpected, as he beat out another British competitor who was regarded by many as the dominating force in the race. The winning athlete was Sebastian Coe and the man whom he defeated was Steve Ovett, the favorite in the race. Twenty years after his amazing upset, Coe would play a big role in winning the nomination for the 2012 games for London.

Barbara Cassani, chairperson for London's Olympic bid committee, resigned in 2004, after the first phase of the bidding process was complete. She strongly believed that a person with close experience in the Olympics should head up phase 2.

Cassani recommended Sebastian Coe as leader of the second phase. In July 2005, Coe made a presentation to the IOC at one of its important meetings. This presentation was viewed as very successful and possibly a key deciding factor for the award going to London.

The games of 2012 will include 26 sports. Baseball and softball will not be played in London; however they do remain Olympic sports. Women's boxing has been added for 2012. The Paralympics will also take place and will feature 20 different areas of competition.

The Summer Olympic Games have a rich and fascinating history. Through the years, spectators have been awed as they watch men and women reach higher highs and faster speeds. People have marveled at seeing one nation go all out and do the impossible to upset the favored nation's team and become the victor. Let's hope the same kind of excitement is in store for 2012.

As a recognized leader in sports travel and tours, we provide 2012 Summer Olympics packages and Summer Olympics hotels and accommodations, with preferred seating and guaranteed tickets. Also available are the Rugby World Cup packages, accommodation, and tickets for the perfect experience in New Zealand in 2011!

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