Questions From Readers

It seems I have a lot of e-mails lately about the same two topics, so I thought I would do my best to answer them:

Q: What is the best way to earn Swag Bucks?

For those of you who don't know what Swag Bucks are, let me explain: Swagbucks is a site that you can search the internet with, getting results from Google and Ask.com. You then earn "bucks" randomly for searching which you can exchange for products, gift cards and more.

Obviously, the most common way to earn Swag Bucks is by doing your internet searches from their home page or by using their tool bar that is easily downloaded. I even like to type in things like "Facebook" when I am going to the Facebook page. It is one extra step (since I already know the web address), but often I can earn a Swag Buck through just linking to the site through the Swag Bucks site.

Also, Fridays are Mega Swag Bucks days - meaning that instead of the normal 1-3 Swag Bucks you earn for searches, you can win 5, 10, or more for searches.

Another great way to earn Swag Bucks is through getting people to sign-up under you. Tell your family and friends about it, and if they sign-up under you, you will get a Swag Buck for every Swag Buck they earn!

There are other ways to earn Swag Bucks such as doing your internet shopping through their site and trading in your old electronic devices, and you can read more about those things by clicking on "Ways to Earn" on the main page in the top left corner.

Periodically, Swag Bucks will also offer "Swag Hunts" in which they will give you clues and you have to search around the site for special codes that will give you "Swag Bucks." They will also sometimes send me e-mails with a code for Swag Bucks in it. The best way to keep up on these "extra options" is to check their Facebook fan page and their blog every once in awhile.

Hopefully, that helps some of you out. I figured with the amount of e-mails and questions I have received about this, that there were probably more people who were uncertain as well. Maybe if you haven't joined yet, this will encourage you to sign-up. It is really not complicated! I have earned about $100 in Master Cards now and $50 in Starbucks cards - all by doing the things I just described above! What do you have to lose?!

Q: What are the "rules" for getting/using Register Rewards at Walgreens?

First of all, for those of you not familiar with shopping at Walgreens, they have a program called Register Rewards. A Register Reward is a coupon that prints after you make a qualifying purchase. It is typically good for a certain dollar amount off of your next transaction. When you buy the advertised item, after paying, you will receive a coupon (Register Reward) to use on your next purchase.

Example:
True North Nut Crisps or Clusters
$3.00
Buy 1, Earn a $3 Register Reward
- $1.00 Printable Coupon
= Pay $2.00 Out of Pocket, and receive the $3.00 Register Reward!

I have had several readers who have been confused about all the "confusing" fine print regarding earning and using the Register Rewards, so let me give you a few of the "rules:"

- If you buy two (or more) DIFFERENT register reward items in one transaction, one reward will print for each different product that you have. However, if you buy two of the SAME item, only one Register Reward will print. For example, if Softsoap is giving a $2.00 Register Reward for buying one of their products, and you purchase two of the qualifying Softsoap products in one transaction, only ONE $2.00 Register Reward will print. You would have to purchase the two Softsoap products in two separate transactions in order to receive 2 - $2.00 Register Rewards.

- You can not (usually) use the Register Reward that you received from one item to buy the same item, getting more Register Rewards for that same item. This is known as “rolling” Register Rewards and usually can not be done, if you want another Register Reward to print. For example, if you used the $2.00 Register Rewards that you just got from buying a Softsoap item to purchase another Softsoap item, you will most likely not receive another $2.00 Register Rewards for the Softsoap item you just purchased. The best way to get around this, and keep your out of pocket expense low, is to find 2 different products that trigger the same value Register Reward and alternate buying those items in separate transactions, paying for the 2nd transaction with the first Register Reward, and so forth.

- You can use a manufacturers coupon and an in-ad/store coupon on one item. However, Register Rewards are considered manufacturers coupons, so you can not use a Register Reward and a manufacturers coupon when purchasing one item. Their registers only allow one coupon per item. For example, if you are buying a pack of diapers, and are wanting to use a $1.00 off manufacturers coupon and a $5.00 Register Reward, just make sure you have another item that you are purchasing (even if it is just a $ .10 pencil!)

- Always read the fine print...much frustration can be avoided with Walgreens shopping if you read the exact item description for the item that they are advertising a sale for. If it says 20-count, make sure you don't pick up the similar looking 15-count by mistake...

- Finally, if you're sure that you were supposed to receive Register Rewards, and they don't print, you can always call the Catalina company at 1-888-8coupon (the company the puts out the Register Rewards). I called them once, and they were super helpful. It turned out that one of the items I purchased should have printed a Register Reward (so they mailed me that one), and the other one was the wrong product (I could have avoided that mistake by reading the "fine print.")

My advice for anyone who is not a "Walgreens-pro" yet, is to start simply. Start with just purchasing one Register Reward item (such as a shampoo that is $3.00 and you receive $3.00 Register Rewards for buying it). Better yet, add a $1.00 off manufacturers coupon for that item. Now that you have a $3.00 Register Reward, try finding another Register Reward deal that you could put that one towards (for example, a razor that is $7.00 and you receive a $5.00 Register Reward for it). Start small, and you will get the hang of it. And, when you're feeling braver, and you decide to make your transactions a little "more complicated," always write everything out on paper first, and take it with you to the store. Then, when it rings up, you will be able to see if something is wrong on the receipt right away!

One more thing, never be too embarassed to return something if it turns out to be more expensive then you originally thought. Never let your pride interfere with saving money!!:)

If you still have questions about this or another topic, just e-mail me (my e-mail is listed under my profile - right column), and I will be glad to help you!