Elisa Kotiakku

 The blog post you shared is a personal account of installing and using the Elisa Kotiakku home battery system. It describes the process from solar panel installation to battery setup, challenges during installation, and the benefits of joining Fingrid’s reserve market through Elisa. It also includes a referral code for discounts on new installations.

🔑 Key Highlights from the Blog

• Solar panels first (spring 2024): The author installed a 6.4 kWp solar panel system and chose a Growatt hybrid inverter to prepare for future battery use.

• Battery boom (winter 2024–25): After reading forums and blogs, they reserved a Teravoima battery but later switched to Elisa Kotiakku in spring 2025.

• Why Elisa Kotiakku?

  • Offered interest-free and fee-free financing.

  • Enabled participation in Fingrid’s reserve market, where households can earn compensation for providing grid flexibility.

  • Provided a large battery with expansion potential.

• Installation process (summer 2025):

  • Two battery towers were installed and connected to a Huawei inverter (replacing the Growatt).

  • Initial issues: one tower didn’t appear in the software. Multiple resets and a controller replacement didn’t solve it immediately.

  • Eventually, after support from Elisa and Huawei, both towers became fully operational.

• Referral benefit:

  • The author received a referral code (B2MQ6S0VN4).

  • New customers using this code get €200 off installation costs.

  • Offer valid until 31 May 2026.

⚡ Why This Matters

• Energy independence: Storing solar energy allows the household to use more of its own electricity instead of selling excess cheaply to the grid.

• Financial benefit: Participation in Fingrid’s reserve market helps offset the investment cost.

• Scalability: The system allows future expansion once tested and proven.

📌 Practical Takeaway

If you’re considering a home battery in Finland, Elisa Kotiakku offers financing, grid market participation, and a referral discount. The blog shows that while installation may face technical hiccups, support eventually resolves them, and the system can provide both savings and resilience.

Would you like me to break down how Fingrid’s reserve market works for households so you can see how the compensation model offsets battery costs?

A bit of hiatus on posting and some insights about earning while walking

 You can earn money or rewards simply by walking using apps like Sweatcoin, StepBet, Evidation, and WinWalk, which convert your steps into cash, cryptocurrency, or gift cards.

In today’s digital age, turning everyday activities into income streams has become increasingly popular, and walking apps that pay users are a prime example. These apps incentivize physical activity by rewarding users for steps taken, promoting both health and financial gain. Sweatcoin is one of the most well-known platforms, converting steps into a digital currency called sweatcoins, which can be redeemed for products, services, or even donated to charity. StepBet adds a gamified twist by allowing users to bet on their ability to meet step goals; successful participants split the pot, earning real money. Evidation (formerly Achievement) rewards users with points for walking, which can be exchanged for cash or charitable donations, and it integrates with various fitness trackers for seamless tracking. WinWalk offers gift cards in exchange for walking, with a daily cap on step earnings to encourage consistent activity. Other apps like Biscuit and Charity Miles provide unique incentives—Biscuit offers pet-related rewards, while Charity Miles lets users donate earnings to causes they care about. While these apps won’t replace a full-time income, they offer a fun and motivating way to earn small rewards while improving your health. Most require GPS or step-tracking permissions and work best when paired with fitness wearables or smartphones. Users can maximize earnings by using multiple apps simultaneously and staying consistent with their walking routines. These platforms often include challenges, leaderboards, and social features to keep users engaged. Whether you're commuting, exercising, or just strolling through your neighborhood, these apps transform your steps into tangible benefits. They’re especially appealing for those looking to boost their fitness habits with a little extra motivation. Ultimately, earning while walking is a low-effort, high-reward strategy that blends wellness with financial perks, making it a smart choice for anyone seeking to make the most of their daily movement.

Earning by walking part 3

 I have been using these apps now for almost for a two months now. One thing that has is clear, is that while 2 app has capped max steps per day to 10 000 steps, it is quite easy to achieve. Third app has almost 18k steps as daily limit, which I would get almost every day if it would be normal day, but since it has been a hot summer heat wave since early July I haven't made any long walks with my dog in last two weeks. Actually it has been few weeks since that, but I haven't made as many long walks with my dog, since it is still quite hot and my dog is not young anymore.

So, I had to make some calculations is this worth it. Well, it is kind of since I do walk a lot in general and I just bought the cheapest phone that is capable to do this and it really don't need your attention virtually none. Well, you spend 10 minutes per evening to collect all the coins, energy, bonus, etc.

Currently I have on Winwalk 6328 coins, and first cash out is at 19000 coins, which is 10€

And I have a bit over 5000 Energy at WeWalk, and first cash out is at 25000 Energy, which is $5.

Then on WeWard I have 900 coins, and first cash out is at 7000 coins, which is 35€

So, I have been doing this now for month and half. Which means at current rate I will be getting first cash out in 6 months from WeWalk, in 3 months from Winwalk and in 8 months from WeWard.

Okay, there is also available a bigger cash in, which usually means better conversion ratio.

Winwalk has only 1 option, but many different gift cards to choose from.

WeWard has only 2 options, 35€ and 75€ and you only need 13500 coins for that 75€ cash in, which is per coin 0,0055€, but if you cash in the first possible sum, it is 0,005. Or other way around its 180 points per € or 200 points per €.

WeWalk has 3 options, $5, $10 and $15 options. You need 25000, 45000 or 68000 Energies to achieve them. Which means $0,0002, $0,00022 or $0,00022058823 per Energy. Or other way around its 5000 or 4500 or 4533,33 Energies per $... wait a minute... best conversion is to go for $10 cash in, than for $15! 

And my phone which I purchased will be paid in less than year. 

Earning by walking part 2

 Few things that I have noticed is that you need to check the status of the apps in the morning. That they are currently running and responsive. Few times I have missed days walk on each of the apps because I relied on that the apps will work in the morning, when I checked and collected days work in the evening before I go to sleep.

Oh, and you definately should check during the day and collect what you have accumulated during the day. I missed few times collecting the what I have accumulated during the day, when the day seemed to go and go, and go, and then clock strikes 12 and its brand new day, and pedometer clocks zero steps.

I asked AI what would be helpful tips on earning money with walking, this is what AI have to say:

💡 Pro Tips

• Combine multiple apps to “double dip” on rewards
• Use a fitness tracker or smartphone to maximize step tracking
• Set realistic goals to stay motivated and earn consistently

You're not going to get rich, but it's a fun way to stay fit and earn a little extra. Want help picking the best app for your lifestyle?

Naturally I had to ask which apps AI would recommend for double dipping, while I do triple dipping currently, but I wanted to know what AI would recommend.

And what would you know, AI recommended WeWard and WeWalk.

Earning by walking

 So, I come by these apps that will pay for you to walk. And there are plenty of choices. I didn't do much of research on them and while there are some for iOS i.e. Apple iPhones, I don't want to clutter my phone with sketchy apps that might do or not do things. So, I bought the cheapest Android phone that I could buy, since a pedometer is kind of standard in all the smart phones nowadays. And furthermore, I bought a  prepaid SIM also. And I don't connect it to my home WLAN at all, I have for that purpose a whole other device to share complete different WLAN.

I  have some experience with Android phones, but have never owned one. So, I needed to learn about it a bit more. After a while, deleting some unnecessary apps, I finally gathered some recommendations for apps that let you earn while walking.

These three apps I decided to install:

WalkWork:

WalkWork is a step counter application where the more you walk, the more rewards you earn. You can exchange the rewarded energy for the rewards of your choice.

This step counter is completely free, and the activity tracker motivates you to walk. WalkWork converts your steps into 'StepEnergy' in the form of virtual energy to promote a healthier lifestyle. Everyone can use this energy to redeem various attractive rewards, such as popular gift cards.

The WalkWork app is entirely free, allowing you to obtain energy simply by walking or running. Our app's mission is to promote your health.

WeWard:

WITH WEWARD, EVERY STEP EARNS YOU REWARDS

Walk, track your steps, earn gifts & cash: your steps deserve more than just a pat on the back—and with WeWard, they get more!

Whether you're walking for your health, earn rewards, cash, gifts or give back to causes you love, every step counts. Join 20 million WeWarders already walking and earning. Ready to step up?

 

Winwalk:

Free Step Counter & Pedometer App with Gift Card Rewards

Winwalk combines the best pedometer app with real rewards! Our free step counter tracks your daily activity while you earn coins for free gift cards.

Best Step Tracking App for Fitness & Rewards

After day or two I installed fourth one, but I deleted it almost right away, since it seemed a bit too sketchy. I can't remember the name of that one.

I'll get more details, when I have used them a bit more than week or two, but right now it seems the there are possible to earn while walking. And I do walk a lot, in a work and I have a dog, so I could earn some extra while doing what I am already doing, with minimal or no effort at all. 

Back to doing surveys

 So, I was browsing my old "inactive" Get-Paid-To sites and noticed that I had accumulated some money from referral. But not enough to cashout, so I have to do some surveys to get over the limit for withdraw. 

So I have been doing some surveys and offers in the ySense for few days now to achieve reasonable payment limit.

What I have noticed is that payments per survey aren't that great or it is just that it is that time of the year that those surveys aren't being ordered that much.

So, while I was doing these, I checked my Freecash account and there were also few extra cents from my affiliates and I needed to do some points in Timewall account. 

Can you make money by Blogging?

 

Yes, you can absolutely make money by blogging! Successful bloggers often earn income through a variety of methods, such as:

1. Advertising: Display ads on your blog using platforms like Google AdSense or Mediavine. You earn revenue based on clicks or impressions.

2. Affiliate Marketing: Promote products or services and earn a commission for every sale made through your referral links.

3. Sponsored Content: Partner with brands to create blog posts that promote their products or services.

4. Selling Products: Use your blog to sell your own digital products (e.g., e-books, courses) or physical items.

5. Memberships or Subscriptions: Offer exclusive content or resources to readers in exchange for a subscription fee.

6. Freelance Opportunities: A blog can act as your portfolio, attracting clients who might hire you for writing or consulting work.

The key to making money through blogging is finding a niche you’re passionate about, building a loyal audience, and providing valuable, engaging content. It usually takes time to generate income, but with consistency and strategy, it can be a rewarding endeavor.

For optimal SEO, mentioning your other website should be done strategically rather than frequently. Here are some guidelines:

1. Relevance: Only link to your other website when it adds value to the content. Irrelevant links can harm user experience and SEO rankings.

2. Natural Placement: Integrate links seamlessly into your content. Avoid overloading your page with links, as it may appear spammy.

3. Anchor Text: Use descriptive and relevant anchor text for the link. This helps search engines understand the context of the linked page.

4. Frequency: There's no fixed rule, but linking once or twice per blog post or page is generally sufficient. Focus on quality over quantity.

The key is to ensure that the links are helpful to your audience and align with your content's purpose. Let me know if you'd like tips on crafting effective anchor text!

I write about dozen blogs, one which is my most successful is Roadscape.photography.

I try to write there at least once a month, usually twice a month. That blog is about scenary in the road and with in the road. I also have a YouTube channel, where I post "dashcam" videos of driving around. 

Then there is this blog, which is just side hustle to make some money by writing not so much about specific thing, but in general about making money.