Sunday, December 29, 2013
Jolly Wallet: Holiday savings Tips & Tricks| #2 Shop Smart/Shop early
Start shopping for next year now. Items such as ornaments, wrapping paper, Christmas cards etc. They are easy to store and cheaper to buy during the after Christmas sales.
Right now is also the best time to buy clearance toys. Stick to the classics as what is in right now, wont necessarily be the hot item next year.
Perfumes/Body washes and health and beauty items typically go on sale right before Mother's day. (Shop clearance after for best prices) and electronics around Father's day.
Friday, November 15, 2013
Holiday Discount on all Gift Cards!
If your still trying to find a way to make a few dollars before the holiday, it is the perfect time for you to sign up to InstaGC. They are currently giving a holiday discount to all of its users, making gift card redemptions better then ever. With over 100 gift card choices from places such as Amazon, Ebay, Etsy, Gamespot, JcPenny, and Walmart, you really cannot go wrong.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Jolly Wallet: Holiday savings Tips & Tricks| #1The all mighty change jar
Saving your change throughout the year is an easy way to put aside Christmas funds without really sacrificing anything. Maybe, its that dime you get back when you buy cup of coffee or the 2 cents change from the supermarket, throwing it in a jar when you home really adds up.
Give it a test run for one week, and see how much you put aside? I'd almost be willing to bet that you will come ahead a few bucks and not even miss it.
Give it a test run for one week, and see how much you put aside? I'd almost be willing to bet that you will come ahead a few bucks and not even miss it.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Sweeping for Christmas presents
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| No... I am not talking about the floors! |
One of the funnest things I do to make Christmas affordable is by Winning Prizes to give as Christmas gifts. Also referred as SWEEPING! In years past, this was my main form of supplying presents to my family and friends. I would enter hundreds of sweepstakes daily all year round and clean up by the holidays.
Since my kids are wanting specific things such as an XBOXone and tablets this year I have been concentrating more on the GPT/ earning sides of things and not so much on entering contest. (I have already earned enough to pre-order and pay for the XBOXone as well as money banked for the tablets.) So, I'll pick back up here in a few weeks and devote a little more time to it as it really does pay off.
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| $40 out of pocket(paid for in bottles that I had saved) for wrapping paper and a few odds and ends. $140 spent on Amazon earned from Swagbucks everything else won. This picture doesn't include presents for extended family. |
One thing to know about this hobby is that patience is a virtue, you may not see a win right away or you might see several. If your not a patient person, this probably isn't the hobby for you. My favorite site to find sweepstakes and other contest is Online-Sweepstakes, it isn't the best run site but it is the best laid out and the one I use the majority of the time.
Pay for Christmas by Earning Free Gift Cards
With the way the economy has been the last few years, more and more people are struggling to pay their bills much less splurge come Christmas. Whether you're looking for ways to make a few extra dollars for Christmas or to just supplement your day to day income one of easiest, albeit time consuming ways that I have found is using several Point Reward/GPT sites.
What is a Point Reward site you ask? (O.k so maybe you didn't ask but I'm going to tell ya anyway)- These are the sites that pay you to do a certain task,it could be watching a video, taking a survey, or even just searching the web. These sites typically pay in points, that can be turned in for rewards such as gift cards, paypal,and some that will even mail you a check.
Now you may be thinking to yourself that working online is a scam, and you'd be partially right. There are scams out there, some sites will never pay you a penny, and then some that will close up shop before you get a chance to cash out. However, there are legitimate reward sites out there, you really can make money.
I'm not going to lie to you, you are not going to get rich by using a GPT site. You're probably going to start off just making a few cents here and there. As you get the hang of it, with commitment you will start seeing the gift cards roll in.
Before you start racking in those gift cards there are few things that you are really going to want to do first.
1. Grab a free email address- (Trust me on this) You are going to get bombarded with junk in your inbox; Unfortuantely, it's the nature of the beast. Else of course, you love wading through pages upon pages of spam in your inbox everyday!
2. Find the best earning option for you- There are a ton of different earning opportunities out there.
Search and Earn- Companies that pay you to use their search engine Pay per Click/Aka PPC- Websites pay you to click on company webpages/ads Online Surveys- Paid to watch (Watching Video's online) Paid to play (playing games) Affiliate Marketing
3. Set up a Paypal and Amazon account- You're going to want a way to collect your earnings (so you can get started on all of the Christmas shopping)Most sites will offer several forms of payment, but Amazon and Paypal are the two of the most popular.
Online Point Reward Programs
Swagbucks- Reward program that pays in digital currency,("Swag Bucks" ) that can in return be traded for a huge variety of gift cards. You can pretty much find something for everyone on your list with choice like Amazon, PayPal, Walmart, Target, Gamestop, iTunes, Lowes etc...
You can earn Swag Bucks from participating in wide range of activities such as searching the web, taking surveys, watching videos, filling out offers, printing and using coupons in store, shopping at specific online stores and playing games.
My experience, Swagbucks is listed first for a reason, I have been a member since 2009, and have never had a problem. The earning is steady,and pretty dependable. Every once in a while you'll get a survey/offer that doesn't credit but don't get discouraged.
Instant Gift Cards (InstaGC)- Earn rewards fast and cash in instantly, as low as a dollar. You earn points by taking surveys, offers, videos and tasks.
My experience, I joined this site the last day on Feb and it quickly became one of my favorites. I average a little over $100 a month here. There isn't a large range of activities, but there is always something to do. It takes very little to cash out Amazon gift codes start at $1 for 100 points, and they are awarded instantly. This is very nice if you are wanting to purchase last minute gifts as you do not have to wait on the code to come. The only downside that I have found is that they do not have PayPal,however they will send you a check in the mail and have many, many options for gift cards.
My Points- Reputable site accredited by the BBB, Earn points for Gifts cards through Shop & earn, searching,games and surveys.
My experience, I have been a member since 2008, and have never had a problem. On the other hand, since I do not shop online all that much, I have also earned very little. Once you earn enough points, it takes a while for the reward to show up, so you have to order early. If you plan on doing your Christmas shopping online this year, this would be a great way on getting started for Christmas next year. (hey..its never to early)
ZoomBucks, Reward program that pays in digital dollars,("Zoom Bucks" ) that can in return be traded for gift cards. You can earn by participating in wide range of activities such as searching the web, taking surveys, watching videos, filling out offers, and playing games.
My experience, this isn't at the top of my list. but it isn't at the bottom either. I also do not utilize this site very often as I am too busy with my two favorites.I do manage to cash out for a $3 Amazon gift card monthly and it takes a few weeks to come.
Gift Hulk, Reward program that pays in digital dollars, search, video, games surveys, daily polls and tasks. I log in every day and do the daily bonus guess a card game but not much else. It has most of the same offers that are listed at other sites and the points take a while to rack up but they do pay up.
iRazoo, Reward program that pays in digital dollars, Coupons, search, video, shop & earn, games surveys and tasks. Not worth it in my opinion, not many offers and takes a while to save up enough points for anything. Must be invited to join, if you would like a invite code post below.
Other Reward programs worth mentioning...
Viggle- Get rewarded for watching T.V with the Viggle app, this is probably the simplest form of point earning. You literally just check in with your smartphone and rack up the points.
My experience. The rewards vary, and are always changing. I have enough points to cash in but am holding out for a better reward.If you are a Direct TV customer you get bonus points.
e-Rewards- Survey site, This is one of the few survey sites that I belong to. The rewards are not the greatest but they do pay.
Pinecone research, This is by far the best survey site out there. I have only been a member a short time and have made a nice bit of change, they pay good and they pay fast. They are not taking new members right now but from time to time they allow members to invite guest. If you want to join leave a comment below and when invites become available I'll send you one.
MyCokeRewards, This is one I am sure everyone has heard of, You collect points from coke product packaging and bottle caps, and turn them in for awesome rewards. They are constantly updating there catalog, and there is always something fun. I cash out gift cards throughout the year to tuck away for Christmas . Usually in November they will have special prices on gift cards.
My experience, Been a member for at least 4 yrs, have had account hacked (followed a link from an external site, thinking it was coke) once in that time and Coke rectified the problem right away. Right before Christmas, I was able to cash out 2 $25 gift cards, 2 $5 gift cards and received 4 free 12pk- cola coupons, I have also cashed in for electronics, t-shirts, Club Pogo passes, and collectibles throughout the years.
(Please note: If there is a link to a site in this post, that link is most likely a referral link, if you would like a referral link to those without one, send an email with, your name, and site interested in. I'll send one to you ASAP)
What is a Point Reward site you ask? (O.k so maybe you didn't ask but I'm going to tell ya anyway)- These are the sites that pay you to do a certain task,it could be watching a video, taking a survey, or even just searching the web. These sites typically pay in points, that can be turned in for rewards such as gift cards, paypal,and some that will even mail you a check.
Now you may be thinking to yourself that working online is a scam, and you'd be partially right. There are scams out there, some sites will never pay you a penny, and then some that will close up shop before you get a chance to cash out. However, there are legitimate reward sites out there, you really can make money.
I'm not going to lie to you, you are not going to get rich by using a GPT site. You're probably going to start off just making a few cents here and there. As you get the hang of it, with commitment you will start seeing the gift cards roll in.
Before you start racking in those gift cards there are few things that you are really going to want to do first.
1. Grab a free email address- (Trust me on this) You are going to get bombarded with junk in your inbox; Unfortuantely, it's the nature of the beast. Else of course, you love wading through pages upon pages of spam in your inbox everyday!
2. Find the best earning option for you- There are a ton of different earning opportunities out there.
Search and Earn- Companies that pay you to use their search engine Pay per Click/Aka PPC- Websites pay you to click on company webpages/ads Online Surveys- Paid to watch (Watching Video's online) Paid to play (playing games) Affiliate Marketing
3. Set up a Paypal and Amazon account- You're going to want a way to collect your earnings (so you can get started on all of the Christmas shopping)Most sites will offer several forms of payment, but Amazon and Paypal are the two of the most popular.
Online Point Reward Programs
Swagbucks- Reward program that pays in digital currency,("Swag Bucks" ) that can in return be traded for a huge variety of gift cards. You can pretty much find something for everyone on your list with choice like Amazon, PayPal, Walmart, Target, Gamestop, iTunes, Lowes etc...
You can earn Swag Bucks from participating in wide range of activities such as searching the web, taking surveys, watching videos, filling out offers, printing and using coupons in store, shopping at specific online stores and playing games.
My experience, Swagbucks is listed first for a reason, I have been a member since 2009, and have never had a problem. The earning is steady,and pretty dependable. Every once in a while you'll get a survey/offer that doesn't credit but don't get discouraged.
Instant Gift Cards (InstaGC)- Earn rewards fast and cash in instantly, as low as a dollar. You earn points by taking surveys, offers, videos and tasks.
My experience, I joined this site the last day on Feb and it quickly became one of my favorites. I average a little over $100 a month here. There isn't a large range of activities, but there is always something to do. It takes very little to cash out Amazon gift codes start at $1 for 100 points, and they are awarded instantly. This is very nice if you are wanting to purchase last minute gifts as you do not have to wait on the code to come. The only downside that I have found is that they do not have PayPal,however they will send you a check in the mail and have many, many options for gift cards.
My Points- Reputable site accredited by the BBB, Earn points for Gifts cards through Shop & earn, searching,games and surveys.
My experience, I have been a member since 2008, and have never had a problem. On the other hand, since I do not shop online all that much, I have also earned very little. Once you earn enough points, it takes a while for the reward to show up, so you have to order early. If you plan on doing your Christmas shopping online this year, this would be a great way on getting started for Christmas next year. (hey..its never to early)
ZoomBucks, Reward program that pays in digital dollars,("Zoom Bucks" ) that can in return be traded for gift cards. You can earn by participating in wide range of activities such as searching the web, taking surveys, watching videos, filling out offers, and playing games.
My experience, this isn't at the top of my list. but it isn't at the bottom either. I also do not utilize this site very often as I am too busy with my two favorites.I do manage to cash out for a $3 Amazon gift card monthly and it takes a few weeks to come.
Gift Hulk, Reward program that pays in digital dollars, search, video, games surveys, daily polls and tasks. I log in every day and do the daily bonus guess a card game but not much else. It has most of the same offers that are listed at other sites and the points take a while to rack up but they do pay up.
iRazoo, Reward program that pays in digital dollars, Coupons, search, video, shop & earn, games surveys and tasks. Not worth it in my opinion, not many offers and takes a while to save up enough points for anything. Must be invited to join, if you would like a invite code post below.
Other Reward programs worth mentioning...
Viggle- Get rewarded for watching T.V with the Viggle app, this is probably the simplest form of point earning. You literally just check in with your smartphone and rack up the points.
My experience. The rewards vary, and are always changing. I have enough points to cash in but am holding out for a better reward.If you are a Direct TV customer you get bonus points.
e-Rewards- Survey site, This is one of the few survey sites that I belong to. The rewards are not the greatest but they do pay.
Pinecone research, This is by far the best survey site out there. I have only been a member a short time and have made a nice bit of change, they pay good and they pay fast. They are not taking new members right now but from time to time they allow members to invite guest. If you want to join leave a comment below and when invites become available I'll send you one.
MyCokeRewards, This is one I am sure everyone has heard of, You collect points from coke product packaging and bottle caps, and turn them in for awesome rewards. They are constantly updating there catalog, and there is always something fun. I cash out gift cards throughout the year to tuck away for Christmas . Usually in November they will have special prices on gift cards.
My experience, Been a member for at least 4 yrs, have had account hacked (followed a link from an external site, thinking it was coke) once in that time and Coke rectified the problem right away. Right before Christmas, I was able to cash out 2 $25 gift cards, 2 $5 gift cards and received 4 free 12pk- cola coupons, I have also cashed in for electronics, t-shirts, Club Pogo passes, and collectibles throughout the years.
(Please note: If there is a link to a site in this post, that link is most likely a referral link, if you would like a referral link to those without one, send an email with, your name, and site interested in. I'll send one to you ASAP)
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