Do you need help balancing your budget? Are the gas prices driving you insane? Do you need more money?!!! Desperate times call for desperate measures! However, if you think about it there is no desperation in wanting to earn some extra cash, whether it is to put food on your table, pay for childcare, help pay down your debt, take up a costly hobby, enjoy a luxury vacation, or even if it is to ease your pain at the pump!

Yes, we realize there is no consolation in making more money only to spend it on something that you HAVE to rather then something you WANT to! However, such is the state of affairs and we are left with no other choice but to embrace our current economic situation and help ourselves survive it.

The great thing is that while we as a society battle this craving for oil, looking for alternative ways to energize the planet; you can do something to make extra money to cover the ever-growing fuel expenses. The following opportunities have proven to be the fastest, highly effective and legitimate ways to earn extra cash.

Online surveys is the name of the game and it can work for you! In fact, it's really simple. Paid surveys are not new, despite the new thrill. Marketing research firms have been paying consumers to participate in surveys, focus groups and such for some time, but the internet has granted them a more-efficient and widespread way to collect data. They are interested in getting the most information about the consumer market in order to incorporate it into product. It’s a crucial step in marketing, that's why they are so willing to spend the big bucks!

Think about it, many of us who have access to the internet, spend at least 1-3 hours a day surfing the web, searching for information, shopping, or simply browsing sites looking for deals or ideas. If that is how you enjoy spending some of your leisure time, then why not incorporate an extra step into your routine and make some extra money?!

Of course, there is work involved, no one will just give you free money - you must earn it and stay with it as a routine. Remember, these marketing companies need and want your help, and they are more then willing to reward you for giving them your time and honest opinion.

If you are a Stay at Home Mom, or a Stay at Home Mom to be, or maybe you currently have a job AND a newborn baby, or you are a part time/full time student, or elderly, disabled, or just looking to make more; set up your own hours and choose as many surveys as you want to fill per day. There are no limits to how many surveys you can fill out, since the need for marketing research is everlasting. Start taking surveys and making money today!

SurveyScout.com - Best In Class survey provider site out there today. Great user friendly website filled with useful information about the actual paid survey process and explains in detail what is required of you as a new member to be successful in this work at home business opportunity. There are always tips and tricks with every business, and Survey Scout captures the bulk so that their members can be worry-free of any traps and could concentrate solely on producing results.

PaidSurveysOnline.com - Huge database of survey companies (over 420 marketing surveys available). Easy step-by-step guide that explains in detail how to start making money. Excellent customer service.

Whether you're a college student, soccer mom, working dad, busy commuter, sports enthusiast, personal driver, or just enjoy driving, you can be on the road to receiving a FREE CAR or getting PAID to drive your own car!

The ads are designed by professionals on paint-safe vinyl film or decal. They can be complete-car wraps, partial wraps, or window decals. Ad decals can be easily removed or changed without harming the paint finish on your car.

Get paid to drive, while you commute to work, visit your friends or family who live out of town, take a drive to the beach, or just run your daily errands.

TheFreeCar.com - This site offers a great "Car Finder" tool that allows you to see if there are marketers in your area before you invest in the “Get Paid to Drive” program. The online application process saves you time and TheFreeCar.com offers a bonus product for every applicant along with a money-back guarantee.

FreeCarIndex.com - FreeCarIndex.com is a portal to a database of sponsors that offer these “Get Paid to Drive” programs. There are over 100,000 new vehicles wrapped in ads ready to be driven. This comprehensive directory applies to residents of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, and Australia. This company has a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee.

Here are some Important Tips on How to Qualify for the Get Paid to drive program:

1. You must be 18 years of age or older, have a valid driver’s license.
2. You must be a citizen or permanent resident of one of the following countries: The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Spain or Japan, Australia.
3. Your driving record, driving habit, location, etc. will be taken into consideration by the advertiser during the selection process. Most companies require a minimum monthly driving mileage and a clean driving record (no violations within the past 12 month period).
4. In the event you have been convicted of a felony, driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, or had more than two serious moving violations in the last two years, there’s no guarantee that your application will be accepted.
5. You must sign an agreement that specifies how and where you will drive, for how long, and under what conditions. You usually pay for your own insurance and maintenance. If you fail to comply, your agreement can be terminated.
6. Many companies place a GPS location system in your car so that they can periodically verify that you have driven where you said you would drive, and determine the number of miles you've driven. Occasional inspections may also be necessary to check the condition of the ad.
7. Remember that the advertisement remains on your car 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You are not permitted to remove it.
8. You must be willing to drive the car everywhere you normally drive — to the mall, to your job, to school, to church, and everywhere else.
9. You may or may not be able to select the type of advertisement that goes on your car, depending on the company and the type of ads it handles. Of course, if you don't like an ad, you can turn it down and wait for a better one, however most ads are professionally designed so don’t worry about “the look” of your car after all you are the winner who’s making money!
10. There's no guarantee that you'll be accepted into a "Get Paid to Drive" program, but simply filling out an application is a small investment with a potentially significant payoff.