My month in crypto ( How i made £109.40 in May)

Motto: ''I lost some battles, but i won the war.'' (Me trying to aquire financial independence)

 

This was a good month (£109.40 compared with £6.78 in April). I cannot imagine how i was just keeping my crypto in Coinbase, instead of using some decentralised finance (DEFI apps or accounts). So, slowly slowly i start to learn about them, and i went to use Binance, until they lowered the interest rates, then i moved to Kucoin exchange, as they still have a decent offer thanks to the X-pool initiative, providing you POL token on top of the interest for the main coins. 

After this experience, i made an account with Celsius.network and BlockFi, and having enough ZEN (42 Horizen coin) i made a Secure Masternode, in order to provide some extra ZEN on top of the daily faucet (which is maximised with all the boosts, this giving me 1026% bonus, so 10 times more than the basic amount). I just made an account on MyCointainer, but i am still learning about this one (just got some BeanCash there which i got for free from cryptofaucet). I am also receiving Neo staking bonus in form of Gas tokens. 

I have also received small amounts of crypto from PublishOx, using Brave browser, various good paying faucets (all the links in my signature) and using EarnCrypto.com website (some high paying surveys when i am bored, travelling with train/bus/car or in a waiting room).

In May, on Celsius.network i got $8.16 in interest and $60 in promo codes bonus.

On BlockFi i only deposited a small amount (it was a promotion in May with more than $200 deposit and you will receive $100 on 1st of August if you Hodl the crypto until then. I received $0.71 in interest and a bonus/compensation of $25 in GUSD because i asked for it after their website had a data breach (see the articles about hacking and compensation in here and here).

On Kucoin Exchange soft staking i received $8.92 (most of it as POL tokens due to me staking on their exchange).

 

On Binance staking (i use the savings account for this) i received $1.31 in interest.

On my ZEN Masternode i received a massive $1 for staking, but i just started the masternode on the 17.05, so i will give you a more accurate reading after one full month. By the way, you only need 42 ZEN to do a masternode, and the cost for the needed coins is around $224. The return is said to be in the range of $45 per year ( check the rates in here).

I had also received $20.76 combined from using Brave, writting on Publish0x, using few faucets and websites paying in crypto for surveys. 

So, my total amount of crypto, that i got for free in May, in form of interest, staking or doing few easy tasks is:

$135.03

 

 

My crypto-related links  

 

Exchanges

Binance( good for staking/savings ) - link here

Kucoin( good for staking/savings ) - link here

Coinbase( ideal for beginners )- link here  

 

Investments

BlockFi (decent interest rates, but less choices than Celsius) - link here

Eobot (mining/wallet )- link here 

Celsius.network (good rates of interests and monthly promo codes for free cryptocurrencies, 1235256530 => my referral for $10 bonus  )- link here

Coinbundle (investing in crypto bundles) - link here  

MyCointainer (staking and masternodes for some new emerging coins) - link here

 

Wallets for multiple cryptocurrencies

Coinpot - link here (microwallet for all Moon faucets, Bitfun and Bonusbitcoin)

Atomic wallet - link here (microwallet for Publish0x DAI, BAT and Loopring)

Sphere  wallet (for Horizen, combined with the faucet for extra bonus) - link here  

 

Free crypto (faucets and more)

Bitfun( 3 min countdown - automatically deposit to Coinpot wallet ) - link here

Bonusbitcoin( 15 min countdown - automatically deposit to Coinpot wallet ) - link here

Moon Bitcoin ( 5 min countdown - automatically deposit to Coinpot wallet ) - link here

Moon Bitcoin Cash ( 5 min countdown - automatically deposit to Coinpot wallet ) - link here

Moon Litecoin ( 5 min countdown - automatically deposit to Coinpot wallet ) - link here

Moon Dogecoin ( 5 min countdown - automatically deposit to Coinpot wallet ) - link here

Moon Dash ( 5 min countdown - automatically deposit to Coinpot wallet ) - link here

Horizen faucet ( 20 hours countdown - automatically deposit to Sphere wallet ) - link here

Tezos  faucet ( 7 days countdown - automatically deposit to Coinbase or Binance wallet ) - link here

Tron and other crypto faucet (24 hours countdown) - link here  

EarnCrypto.com - paid for survey, videos and typing - link here

 

Others

Publish0x  blog (Free BAT, DAI and Loopring for reading/writing - can combine with Atomic wallet) - link here

Brave  browser (Free BAT for using it, based on paid ads, very good AdBlocker and high speed) - link here    

 

 

 

Alzheimer and Financial independence

As you made enough money to enjoy and early retirement, you will probably want to be mentally and cognitively safe until some advanced age. 

If the answer is yes, read this series of articles - How to (not) lose your mind - a (not so) original approach on Alzheimer's disease (1)

The top 12 market research agencies to join or how to make your £1000 per month in UK

 

 

Now without further ado, here are the top market research companies to sign up to. We've chosen these based on feedback from users, as well as our own experiences when we signed up.

1) Saros – a big, well-established agency

Established agency Saros typically pays £40 to £100 cash for two hours' work. We've also seen projects that involve taking part in WhatsApp groups for a few weeks pay over £200. 'Like' its Facebook page to get first dibs on the latest opportunities.

Typical payment per project: £40-£100
Where does it run groups (normally)? Most face-to-face research takes place in the major cities such as London, Manchester and Birmingham, but it runs telephone, online and in-home research too.
How is it currently running projects? People can take part remotely, including by telephone, chat forum and Zoom video call.

 

I have done a couple of things for Saros in the past, got paid on the day in cash. Whoop-peee, £40 or £50 straightaway.
- Forumite Danielle1977

2) Angelfish Opinions – good for fun online projects

With plenty of online projects (even before lockdown), Angelfish Opinions has great Trustpilot feedback. Tasks are often on fun subjects – we saw it offer £50 for an online fantasy sports task and £70 for an online forum about travel. Its Facebook page is full of current opportunities.

Typical payment per project: £40-£200
Where does it run groups (normally)? Face-to-face groups are UK-wide.
How is it currently running projects? Methods include telephone, Google Hangouts and Zoom.

3) Research Opinions – one of the higher payers

Based in Manchester, Research Opinions runs focus groups across the country – often for tasty sums. We saw £200 offered for a two-hour luxury car focus group and £120 for an online forum about chocolate spread on pancakes (sign me up...). Join its busy Facebook and Instagram pages for a heads-up on new projects.

Typical payment per project: £50-£200
Where does it run groups (normally)? UK-wide, with many online sessions.
How is it currently running projects? It's interviewing people by phone or by Zoom and Skype video calls.

 

I attended a focus group with Research Opinions for two hours (drinks and snacks provided) and was given £50 cash. All I had to do was sit in a room with five other people and give my opinion on a certain well-known brand.
- Forumite Needeasymoney

4) Market Research 4 U – good for people in the South East

When we checked, Market Research 4 U had heaps of opportunities on offer, from £50 for a one-hour chat on joining the Royal Navy, to £70 for a two-hour chat about nappies.

Typical payment per project: £50-£150
Where does it run groups (normally)? The vast majority take place in London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey.
How is it currently running projects? You can take part by telephone or video call (often Google Hangouts).

5) QMR – good for heaps of opportunities

QMR is a well-established agency that had tons of opportunities when we checked. Shout-outs included £85 for a three-hour focus group on snacks and £135 for an online project on beer.

Typical payment per project: £50-£200
Where does it run groups (normally)? UK-wide, with lots of online projects.
How is it currently running projects? Methods include phone or Zoom video calls.

6) Trend Market Research – high payer with lots of projects

Trend Market Research is another good bet, with reams of well-paying projects. We saw £230 for a three-hour discussion on cars (car discussions are often one of the top payers if you fit the bill) and £50 to taste a meal and give feedback. Join its Facebook group for alerts.

Typical payment per project: £40-£200
Where does it run groups (normally)? UK-wide, but mainly London and the Home Counties.
How is it currently running projects? It depends on the project but methods include chat forums, over the phone and by Zoom video call.

7) Focus Force – good for Londoners (plus has online projects)

Holding most of its groups in London, Focus Force typically pays £50-£100 a survey. When we signed up to test it, there were a host of projects, from £50 to test cooking a meal to £60 for a two-hour chat on 'your perceptions of Africa'.

Typical payment per project: £50-£100
Where does it run groups (normally)? Mainly in London venues, but it also offers online and telephone projects.
How is it currently running projects? It depends on the project, but often via Skype.

8) Talking Point Research – high payer with lots of projects

Another established agency, Talking Point Research is well worth a join. When we checked, projects included £60 for a one-hour group on fitness and £40 for a telephone interview if your child has a skin condition.

Typical payment per project: £40-£100
Where does it run groups (normally)? UK-wide, but mainly London and the Home Counties.
How is it currently running projects? You can take part via Whatsapp, telephone and chat forum, depending on the project.

9) Bunnyfield – good for research on fun topics

With decent feedback from MoneySavers, Bunnyfield runs focus groups, as well as many online and telephone projects. Topics are often fun – we saw £50 offered to talk about days out and £50 for an online forum about football kit.

Typical payment per project: £50-£150
Where does it run groups (normally)? London, Oxfordshire and Sheffield, but it also has online and telephone projects.
How is it currently running projects? Methods include Zoom and Google Hangouts.

 

I've done focus groups for £50-£100. Better still are the telephone/live web ones where you don't have to leave the house. Bunnyfield's good for this.
- Forumite MollyDolly

10) Focus4People – runs groups in the South East (and online)

It's possible to earn £30 to £150 per session with Focus4People. Recent projects included £40 for a one-hour video call on news and £50 for an hour's in-person chat about holidays. Like its Facebook page to see the latest projects.

Typical payment per project: £30-£150
Where does it run groups (normally)? UK-wide, though most projects are in south east England. It also runs telephone and online sessions, so it's worth everyone joining.
How is it currently running projects? Most are taking place over telephone and Zoom video call.

11) Fresh Thinkers – worth joining for belt and braces

While it had fewer projects than some of the other agencies we signed up to, Fresh Thinkers is worth signing up to for belt and braces.

Typical payment per project: £40-£100
Where does it run groups (normally)? UK-wide
How is it currently running projects? We have not seen Fresh Thinkers offer many projects recently.

12) Research Helper – join if you're keen

Another site worth joining if you're really committed is Research Helper. When we joined though there were only a couple of opportunities currently available, including £20 for a telephone interview on groceries.

Typical payment per project: £20-£50
Where does it run groups (normally)? UK-wide
How is it currently running projects? Video call and telephone.

 

(inspired by MoneyMakingExpert.com)

 

Learning about cryptocurrency

Motto:  '' I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.'' 

(Leonardo da Vinci)

I don't know about you, but i have plenty of time at the moment, and i use it to learn. As the cryptocurrency is the latest trend, i will put some interesting links for you.

ZEN coin website - very interesting courses based on your level: begginer, average and expert. 

Binace exchange - quite an expensive range - interesting bits of knowledge related to main subjects in the crypto world.

EDX.org - this is my favourite website to learn, and you can find enough computer knowledge here to keep you busy for years to come. 

ODEM website - they got many courses, and quite few of them are free. 

The strategy that i use is to look around, find something that interests me and just put the video on, usually when i do my strength training, or put some interesting music and start reading the text. I had enough of TV now, and i am not proud to say that i've seen most of Netflix by now. So this is a nice change. 

I hope i will give you some ideas on how to keep busy. Have a good week!

G.

End of the month report - 1st of May

Total portfolio: £33830 (+2582)
Debt: 0 (-800)
External funds: ZERO
Car: No
Net Worth: £33830 (+3382)

Investments UK: £26841 (+2435)
Investments overseas : £3934 (same)
Cash: £2432 (-357)
Pension: £12996(+904)

Total Income: £1510 (main job)+0 (second job) + 93= 1603
Passive income: £94 (5.87%)
Savings rate: 49.37%

Side hustle 2 profit: £0.25
Side hustle 3 profit: £ 10 (Betting in March £1508)
Side hustle 4 value: £3720 (Funds spent in crypto:5067)
Side hustle 5 profit: £6.78

This was a good month, but only on the paper. Anyway, i paid my short term loan, and i have no debts, once again. The net worth had an £3382 increase, mainly due to the market recovering and the  crypto increasing as the third halving is approaching. Cash is slightly lower than the previous month, but not with much. My side hustles and side gigs are almost inexistent, no extra work, no match betting or anything like that. Crypto is on an ascendent trend at least, but still nowhere near the 2018 levels (£3720 in May 2020 versus £5067 value in 2018). But staying at home has some benefits, as i am training 4 days a week in stregth and endurance, and i just published another book, about our gut intestinal flora and the inteligence of our beneficial microbes. I try my best, but i still spend quite a bit in front on the computer and sometimes Netflix. But, in my defence, i am learning Spanish and guitar.

Hope you are all good! Stay safe and live brightly!
G.