Save $100's off Your 2013 Holiday Shopping!

People are always amazed when I say that I save about a thousand dollars each year on my Christmas shopping.  Their first question is always, "How?"

I know that it is just February, but if you're looking to save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars off your next holiday shopping, you  really need to be thinking about it all year, not just November and December.

I spend about 20 minutes each day doing my "things" around the internet to accumulate points to redeem for gift cards.  I know the list that I'm about to give you will be long, but when I spend just pennies per dollar on Christmas gifts, you'll see it is SO worth it!

First, many items I purchase for presents I purchase from only a handful of stores.  The largest place I shop, believe it or not is Amazon.  Why?

Because the majority of gift cards I redeem from my points, is for Amazon.  Usually by November, I have roughly $700 in Amazon bucks that I can redeem for anything found on the site.

SwagBucks:

Each day I earn Swagbucks.  There are more than a dozen ways to earn Swagbucks, everything from watching videos, to playing games to searching the Internet.  Swagbucks also regular releases free swag codes, that you can enter for a FREE swagbuck or two.

• Search the Internet ( earnings vary each day)
• Play Games, (earn 2 bucks for every 2 games you play 10 bucks a day)
• Watch SwagBacks TV, (10 short videos will earn you 3 bucks a day)
•  Earn your daily goal for a SwagBuck Bonus of 5 - 13 a day
• Earn your daily goals for 7 straight days, and earn another 25 buck bonus
• Print coupons, and earn 10 bucks for each coupon you redeem
• trade in your electronics
• Do your shopping through Swagbucks and earn up to 10 Swagbucks per dollar spent.  
• Participate in their surveys, which I rarely do, unless I have some extra time
• Look through their free offers and earn when you sign up for different things.  (This is where it pays to have a separate email for items like this.)
• Refer Friends, and earn what they earn!  ( Up to 1000 swagbucks.)

It only takes 450 SwagBucks to snag a $5 Amazon Gift Card

MyPoints:

Not all reward sites have the same stores, which is why, I am a member of several sites, not just one.  MyPoints is one of those sites that I have been a member of for years.  Whenever I have had a problem, and really I think there has only been one or two times over the last several years, they have always been quick to rectify it.  

• Shop to earn points, anywhere from 1 to 10 points per dollar spent
• Print coupons and earn 10 points per coupon printed and redeemed
• Sign up to receive their emails, and you'll score 5 points for each email you open

Less than 4000 points will earn you a $25 Amazon gift card

CrowdTap:

CrowdTap is a little different from the previous two.  Answer questions for points, you generally earn between 10 and 25 points for each question they have for you.  There are sampling oppurtunities to try new products, and you're review of those items can earn you some hefty points!  This is one of those point earning opps that literally takes about 3 minutes a day or every couple of days to do.  

40,000 points will earn you a $10 Amazon gift Card

RecycleBank:

RecycleBank is another favorite of mine.  Earn points for answering short questions, while learning to become more green!  Earn points by recycling Kashi Cereal boxes and more!

1750 points will score you a $5 Amazon gift card

SavingStar:

SavingStar is an ecoupon site, that instead of saving you money off your bill, you get your savings deposited into an account.  Once you reach just $5 in Savings, you can cash out for Amazon gift cards!  $5 in savings = $5 Amazon Gift Card, $10 in Savings = $10 Amazon Gift Card

$5 of ecoupon savings will earn you a $5 Amazon Gift Card

Groupon:

Groupon is a daily deal site.  Another one of my favorites.  I can often find a great deal on holiday cards, or items that I can purchase for a huge discount to give as a gift.  My only advice here, is to ALWAYS read the fine print.  Often times, you will see a great deal, but it will expire before you're able to give it as a gift.  So again, always read the fine print!   Also, when you refer friends to Groupon, with your unique code, you will earn $10 torwards future purchases!  

You won't earn points, but you can score a gift at up to 90% off retail prices!  

Ibotta:

Ibotta is a great new way to earn some extra cash!  If you've got a smart phone, (Android or iPhone) you can earn up to $20 each time you go shopping!  Watch a short video, learn facts or recipes on select items, and take short 1 question surveys.  Once you purchase the product simple take a photo of your receipt, upload it, and scan the barcode on the item to get your cash!  

Once you have $5 or more in your account, you can transfer your earnings directly into your Paypal account!  

So there's my top 7 ways to earn holiday cash!  Remember it may only be February, but it's NEVER too early to think about saving!  

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