Tracking my snowflake money

Love getting money in my mailbox!--though only a little bit is a snowflake, the rest is reimbursement

The term "snowflake money" has different meanings to different folks, but, at its simplest, is just extra money.
This year I've decided to keep track of my snowflakes, with a goal of earning $800-$1,000. I think this is a great way to save up money for travel/future expenses OR pay off debt (as is commonly associated with snowflakes).

Here's what I consider "snowflakes" and what I'm doing to earn them:

• Rebate overages--I previously mentioned I buy free after rebate items at Staples to help meet minimum spends and how you can often combine with a coupon to make the deal a "moneymaker" or MM. Here's the post explaining Staples rebates and here's a post with an example of a moneymaker. So, I only consider the MM amount or overage part of my snowflake. The rest goes to paying off the credit card bill when due.
• Bank deals--last year I signed up for a couple new bank accounts to get cash bonuses (ie Chase's checking promo). I plan to do at least two this year as well. Only drawback is that the bonus is reported as interest--thus I'll get a 1099.
• Amazon selling--recently I dipped my feet into the Amazon Seller world and have listed and sold a few items. I'm selling those free after rebate items (see above) and other things around the house I don't need. This has the added benefit of helping me declutter as well. The drawbacks are packing/shipping fees and that Amazon takes a chunk of your profit.
• Free money promos--last year I made a few bucks from signing up for some prepaid cards (Visa Buxx, Amex Serve, Amex Prepaid), and I won a gift card. I'm hoping I'll find similar deals this year.

What I don't consider snowflakes, but others might

• Credit card sign ups for miles/points bonuses--since I don't take the cash back option, I can't exactly convert these bonuses to money to deposit in my bank account. Besides, the point of those bonuses is to travel for cheap!
• Cash/gift cards from friends/family--I like to spend cash/gift cards to splurge on things I wouldn't normally buy for myself.
• Statement credits--Such as Amex Twitter/Facebook/Foursquare promos and Small Business Saturday, again not really cold hard cash that I can deposit in the bank.

Now that you know how I define snowflakes, here's how I did in January
Amazon sales $22.33
Duracell rebate gift card $25 (bought $100 worth of free batteries from Staples)
Staples MM $5.99
Total $53.32
YTD: $53.32

Free money? Yes, please!

Update 7/5/12

I funded my account with the minimum amount needed to keep it free on June 29. The $150 bonus posted on July 3. Easy peasy!

For the longest time, Chase Bank has sent me offers for $100, $125 or $150 bonus if I opened a checking account with them. After weighing the pros and cons, I finally decided to take them up on one of their $150 offers.

Pros

• Free $150-Duh! I will be putting this toward my replacement car down payment fund.
• Chase Exclusives program—offers some extra Ultimate Rewards points for Chase Freedom cardholders (I am one). According to the fine print, you will earn 1 base point for each $1 of net purchases. You will earn an additional 1 point for each $1 of eligible airfare net purchases made online through the program booking tool. As a Chase checking customer, you will also earn 1 bonus point for each $10 of net purchases (which equates to 10% of base points earned), and an additional 10 bonus points for each individual net purchase. This doesn’t really make a lot of sense to me, but all I know is it means more points I can use for cheap travel! Also, I will be shopping for a car loan in the future and this program offers up to .75% off, so something to take into consideration.
• I don’t have to change my direct deposit to get the bonus.

Cons

• I already have three other checking accounts (!)
• Have to jump through hoops to keep the account fee-free (direct deposit or minimum balance requirements).
• Can’t close the account for six months or Chase will take back the $150 dollars.
• Bonus is considered interest and I will have to pay taxes on it.

So, I opened the account and will keep it for at least six months, maybe longer. Many people seem to keep the account open for six months, close it, and then open a new one the next year for a new bonus. Maybe I will do that.