My intention with this poll is less about your need for cash, but more about your faith in the stability of the agencies.  I know that some here have lost earnings when an agency has collapsed.  Often the Internet won't allow me onto a site or two and I think "Oh no, I shoulda cashed out when I had the chance!"  And earlier in October some were worried about delayed payouts from a certain site.

I've also heard that some full-timers treat their stock earnings like a payroll.

Myself, I normally collect "what I can" at the end of the month, but now that we are in busy season and earnings are somewhat higher, I wonder if I should cash out "when I can".

Twice a month. 

I cash out once per month. I usually request my payments on the 21st or 22nd so that the money will be in my bank account by the end of the month. It bothers me that I can't get my SS money until the first week of the following month.

Although I chose the first option, I don't actually collect earnings "as soon as...". I wait a bit until I have money from other sites to collect and make a good enough amount to transfer from MB to my bank account.  Right now for instance I have more than US$50 at FT, but I'm waiting a bit to get IS and StockXpert pay-outs too.

Another aspect I consider is in StockXpert and BigStock, where they pay whatever we have in credits as we ask for a payment.  In other sites I may have 120, ask 100 and leave the 10 to help make the next payment closer, but in BigStock and StockXpert I don't have that choice.

Regards,
Adelaide

Usually as soon as I hit the magic number...

I didn't choose any of the options because there really isn't much rhyme or reason to my payouts.  It really depends.  Sometimes I will just leave my earnings in there as a pseudo savings plan and cash out when I reach the amount of whatever I'm wanting to buy.  I usually only do this for big-ticket items.  It seems to keep me honest and prevents me from dipping into the pot, so to speak.  Then there are times when I cash out as soon as I hit the magic number.

i keep it as a bit of a pay roll and cash out once a month

I try to time them so I get them around the same time, hopefully before my credit card bill, seeing as I've already spent the money.

Weekly. (fotolia).

Once per month provides the efficiency of 'batching'. Unless you have a compelling circumstance, there's no point doing something twice if you can do it once.

As for the currency, I'm lucky in that I spend money on other things in USD and can usually pay directly from PayPal.  This way I'm partially hedged against the currency fluctuations. 

If you operate in a currency other than USD, have the USD currency added to your bank account. Most banks will do this, and if not, find one that will.

This gives you three advantages:

1. You can earn interest on your money while it's still in USD

2. You can take advantage of the bank's better exchange rates (always better than PayPal and Moneybookers)

3. You can wait for the foreign currency cycle to be in your favour before exchanging your money. Even if you need to have your money right away, you can leave a little behind each month so when the dollar finally bounces back you'll be able to take advantage.

Of course there are always complications with personal situations, but you can potentially save yourself a fair percentage of your earnings by doing it this way.

Bugger!  I thought I was on a winner there.  I'm going to petition PayPal! 

Thanks for letting me know.