Cash Option Question

Comments: 19

Kevin (''The SiteWizard'') V. May 9, 2008, 10:55am EDT

dark faery,

You will make exactly the same amount. Instead of Gather Points however, you will accrue the cash equivalent.

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Doc, in the middle, holding on... Curmudgeon esq. May 9, 2008, 10:58am EDT

Kevin;

I'd dispute that.. I've been on the cash option for years now and found that Gather is a but tight with MONEY they have to pay out, compared to advertisers/sponsors money..

the BEST I have ever been able to do was a BUCK A DAY pouring my heart and soul out here..

be advised F.

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Kevin (''The SiteWizard'') V. May 9, 2008, 10:59am EDT

However, under the cash program it will appear as though you are accruing points at a slower rate because cash earnings are displayed in whole dollars. Thus, you need to accumulate about 65 points before you will see your cash points increase....by $1.00.

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Jennifer F. May 9, 2008, 11:01am EDT

I have never qualified for the cash option because I only publish about twice a month, but I would consider if there are any fees associated with PayPal or if you will have to pay taxes on your earnings. I find the Home Depot Cards to work just fine for me since I certainly spend more than $25 on any trip there.

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Kevin (''The SiteWizard'') V. May 9, 2008, 11:01am EDT

Lloyd,

I believe that it is perception rather than fact, as I explain above. With points, you can see when you have earned 1 or 2 points...with cash you can't.

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Kevin (''The SiteWizard'') V. May 9, 2008, 11:04am EDT

Another advantage of the cash program is the speed in which you receive your cash (if electing to use PayPal). In some cases you may receive money in your PayPal account within hours of redeeming your cash points -- it won't be that fast all the time, but is typically faster than gift cards through snail mail.

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Doc, in the middle, holding on... Curmudgeon esq. May 9, 2008, 11:08am EDT

I take your point Kevin but I stand by my perception that when it comes OUT OF GATHERS bank account in USD's it's slower..

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dark faery May 9, 2008, 11:08am EDT

Thanks guys, I appreciate your answers :)

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dark faery May 9, 2008, 11:12am EDT

Cool, Roy!!! I guess I better get ready to do some MOVING!!!

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DIANE D. May 9, 2008, 11:15am EDT

thanks, I needed to know also

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Richard B. May 9, 2008, 12:25pm EDT

Folks that get a Gift card don't always use them, or the store can go broke, therefor if you get a Gift card that only is a benefit only to the store, unless you plan on using it.

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Walker Bennett, SF Author May 9, 2008, 2:18pm EDT

Technically, you have to pay tax on the cash option and are supposed to declare the cash value of gift cards and pay tax on those, too.

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Austin Cushing May 9, 2008, 2:53pm EDT

Considering that earning 3,000 points in one month is the point equivalent of about a dollar or two a day, both Kevin AND the Doc are right. Points climb more perceivably than cash (especially since cash is not displayed in dollars and cents, but strictly in dollars), but really it works out to the same reward for the same amount of effort.

(Walker's right too -- you have to fill out a tax form for the cash option because if you're earning $50 or more per month, that means you're earning $600 or more per year from a single source, which means you're obligated to file taxes on it.)

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Chick J. May 9, 2008, 6:21pm EDT

An very interesting conversation with actual answers. thank everyone.

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Elizabeth L. May 10, 2008, 10:47pm EDT

This is all information that is good to know. Thanks!!

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Austin Cushing May 12, 2008, 5:59pm EDT

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