(I’m taking part in the “Tell Your Swagbucks Story” promotion at the Swagbucks rewards program site.)
When my daughter first told me about Swagbucks, I figured it was just another frugal hack, i.e., a way to earn a few rewards cards and boost my budget.
It was. But it’s become so much more.
Over the years, the Swagbucks rewards program has become a way for me to eat better, slash my gift-giving costs, travel more affordably, send items to people in need and enjoy fresh tomatoes in Alaska – frugally.
Here’s how.
Eating better. Quinoa, olive oil and flaxseed – all are nice-to-have items that are pretty pricey up here in the Great Land. I’ve gotten them for free from Amazon, using my Swagbucks rewards.
Earlier this year I ordered two packages of quinoa seeds from Amazon using my Swagbucks rewards. We started some indoors and some directly in the soil outside, and they’re making a good stand already. (The leftovers went to two other gardeners we know.)
Since DF and I are very interested in growing our own food, we’re hoping that this super-nutritious grain does well in our yard. If not, at least we’ll enjoy their tall, colorful flowers. And again: It cost us nothing to try.
Sharing with others. A friend has fallen on some tough times. Using gift cards from Swagbucks, I’ve been able to have grocery items, paper products and diapers shipped to her new place. I’ve also bought books for a former classmate’s schoolroom, and contributed GCs to an acquaintance’s humanitarian aid program.
More ways that Swagbucks helps me
Giving made easier. Being able to give birthday and holiday gifts is important to me. While I employ a ton of hacks, Swagbucks is my favorite way to save. I cash in for Amazon gift cards and watch for sales on gifts for family and friends, or give the Amazon cards outright.
(Funny thing: No one has ever said, “I wish you’d buy me socks or underwear instead of giving me $25 worth of purchasing power on Amazon.”)
At times when paying my nephews for chores, I give them the option of cash in hand or buying something they want. More often than not, they choose the latter.
Sometimes I cash in for gift cards other than Amazon, such as Sephora and iTunes scrip for my daughter and son-in-law. Speaking of which…
Traveling more affordably. When I visit Abby and Tim it’s my habit to order some restaurant gift cards from Swagbucks. That way I can take them out to eat without stressing my frugal travel budget.
Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes! Home Depot and Lowe’s are among the numerous gift card options in the program. I’ve cashed in for cards to help build our greenhouse and, more recently, for a project to improve the walkway connecting us to the greenhouse.
Alaskans are known to be a bit excitable when it comes to really fresh produce, since almost all the fruits and vegetables we eat are flown or barged in. Tomatoes that actually taste like tomatoes are a rarity, and extremely expensive; they were going for as much as $10 a pound at a local farm market.
Plus there’s the fact that I’m a Jersey girl, which makes me ultra-exhilarated when it comes to love apples grown on our own property. You know how some feline fanciers are referred to as crazy cat people? DF says we’re crazy tomato people. Thanks, Swagbucks.
Readers: How has using Swagbucks helped you? Got any great stories to share? (And if you don’t use it, I hope you’ll join using my referral link. A solvent blogger is a happy blogger.)
Donna, when I saw the headline I was hoping for a lesson on how to earn/use Swagbucks. I have heard the name but never tried to earn. Can you please educate me?
Sending you an e-mail. If you don’t receive it, check your spam folder.
Thanks for reading, and for leaving a comment.
Donna, I’m in the same boat, could you please send me the educational email too.
Thanks for sharing all your sage advice.
I just sent it. Thanks for reading.
Can you please send me the email as well? Thank you so much
It’s all yours.
Can you send that email to me too?
I would love to learn how to use swagbucks as well.
Coming your way. Thanks for your interest.
Me too please, I’m from the uk does it still work over here?
I used Swagbucks for purchasing gift cards. Then I realized it was a better deal for me to buy them at Safeway and get gas discount points. And now we never, ever go to Home Depot for one of our seemingly constant home projects without first buying Home Depot gift cards—thus earning more gas points. Ditto for Pet Smart and other restaurants. I live in Fairbanks and the gas is about $2.99 a gallon. By being very careful and using gift cards purchased at Safeway, we have not paid more than $1.99 a gallon for gas for months now.
Nice! And do you pay for them with a rewards credit card?
Also: What do you do with your Swagbucks points now? If we had AMC Theaters here in Alaska I’d be trading in for those.
I get Amazon cards with Swagbucks.
I always get Walmart gift cards with Swagbucks, they are the most practical choice for me right now.
I had just cashed in a bunch of Boscov’s and got eye glasses for me and my hubby. Before that, I mostly cashed in for restaurants or home depot. Last year I did a hotels.com for an overnighter for our anniversary. I have $50 setting there now, but can’t make up my mind. There are so many things we could use it for. Oh, I also get a lot of Walmart too, as we are there once a week!
Glasses — now that’s a practical choice! As in, a real boost to the budget.
But as noted, I feel that gift-giving is important even though it’s a want rather than a need. Cashing in gift cards lets me do this thing that I want (need!) to do.
I have used it for Christmas and Birthday gifts!! Love it!
I heard about swagbucks from this blog and Abby’s blog. I get amazon giftcards and it helps with my textbook purchases. Lately some of my family had me do some online shopping for them, and my swagbuck earning grew exponentially.
Nice. Now: Can you get them to sign up using your referral link?
I wish! Everyone in my immediate family is too intimidated by technology to have any kind of online account. They still think I’m being scammed by swagbucks.
Is there a secret to make the Watch short videos work? I use the Search in Swagbucks without a problem but the Watch brings up an “Ooops” reply. All Swagbucks earned go towards Amazon gift cards.
I haven’t been watching many videos lately. When I did try a couple of weeks back, they wouldn’t work properly until I changed browsers (from Firefox to Chrome).
If it’s a recurring problem vs. a one-day glitch, I’d contact Swagbucks support.
Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.
I joined swagbucks under you a long time ago. I get paypal, it’s paid part of my student loan payments for the last several years. I also belong to other sites and have used these sites for extra money. I appreciate all you did and are doing helping people. You’ve been a big help to me.
I’m glad to hear that it’s worked out so well for you. Maybe you should submit your story to the Swagbucks “Rewarding Moments” series. From the website:
What is your rewarding moment?
Send your rewarding moment to goodpeople@swagbucks.com and include your
1. Name,
2. Swag Name,
3. Where you’re from: city/state
4. How you first came to Swagbucks
5. Your favorite ways of earning SB
6. A photo.
Members who get their rewarding moment published receive 1,000 SB. Plus your referral link will be used whenever Swagbucks is mentioned in the post!
In addition, your story might also be featured on our Instagram account @swagbucksofficial or other social channels including Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Pinterest!
Me again: I hope you’ll consider contributing your story.
Thanks for reading, and for leaving a comment.
Dear Donna I Was Just Sent to Your/This Site 15 min Ago. I Sure am Glad I Was Sent 🙂 Come to Find Out that EVERYONE In My Family has Been Doing SB for YEARS! BUT ME! A Super Nice Home School Mom Sent Me an e-mail about You and Your Site. I Was Told. Ask Donna About SB. She Is So Nice 🙂 And Care’s About Other’s. Donna Will You :-)Donna can You Please Send Me the Educational Part and Anything Else You Think I Will Need about SWAG BUCK’S? This may be the light at the end of the tunnel to get my child and i awat from the control/abuse. Thank you again 🙂