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

2,013-point new member bonus for Priority Club Dining

Now that you (might) need more Priority Club points for those free hotel stays this year, this is a perfect opportunity to sign up for the dining program while there is an increased new member bonus of 2,013 points instead of the usual 1,000 points. In addition to the new member bonus, as an online member you get 5 Priority Club points per dollar spent at participating restaurants. Then once you have 12 qualified transaction in the calendar year, you are considered an elite member and will receive 8 points per dollar. This is on top of whatever points/miles you're getting from the issuer of your credit card (Chase, Citi, AMEX, etc).

Here's some of the fine print:

This bonus offer is open to new Priority Club^® Dining members or existing members without a dining profile at the time of registration. A dining profile includes creating a web login and opting in and remaining opted in to receive emails from Priority Club^® Dining with a valid, deliverable email address. To qualify, your profile must originate through one of the links on this page and be completed by February 28, 2013. You must continue to satisfy other Online and/or Elite Member level criteria to earn this bonus. To earn this bonus, you must spend a total of $40 or more (including tax and tip) in one dine at a participating restaurant, bar or club within 30 days from the day of your registration. You must also submit a dining review within 30 days of dining.

So basically you:

• Sign up for the program (this requires registering the credit card(s) you plan to use while dining out)
• Spend $40 or more at a participating restaurant, bar or club within 30 days of registering (can't spend $40 on a single meal? buy a gift card!)
• Then submit a review of your dine within 30 days (they'll email you a link to complete the review)
• Get points!

Most of the major airlines and hotel programs have their own dining programs with sign up bonuses, so watch out for limited time new member bonuses like this that are larger than usual. I'm already enrolled with the dining program for Priority Club (and American Airlines), so I can't take advantage of this offer. I'm waiting for an increased new member bonus to show up for United or Southwest!

Get 500 Rapid Rewards points for shopping online with your Southwest credit card

I got the above offer in my email inbox yesterday from Southwest offering 500 bonus points for making a purchase through Southwest's online shopping portal with my Rapid Rewards credit card.

Here's the direct link to the offer that expires Dec. 31.

Shopping portals are a great way to earn points (over and above your typical rewards) for any online purchases that you would normally make. Typically, I use Chase's Ultimate Rewards Mall or American's AAdvantage eshopping portal for online purchases. However, 500 points is certainly enough to entice me to buy something cheap ($1!) by clicking through the Rapid Rewards portal.

And, as a general tip, I always check evreward.com before shopping online to see which portal is offering the largest bonus at that time (though sometimes their info can be off).

Get 500 AAdvantage miles+up to 1,000 United miles

500 AAdvantage Miles

American Airlines is giving away 500 AAdvantage bonus miles on Facebook. First, like both the American Airlines and AAdvantage Facebook pages – then answer a simple few questions. Participants will also be entered for a chance to win one of four possible prizes (three second place 25,000-mile prizes and one grand prize of 50,000 miles) in a random sweepstakes drawings.

This promotion/sweepstakes is open to the first 200,000 eligible entrants or until Dec. 17, whichever comes first.

Up to 1,000 United Miles

Register with bckstgr.com and link to your Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare accounts to earn up to 1,000 United Airlines miles. Registration is 400 miles, and linking each account adds an additional 200 miles. I only registered and linked my Twitter (that I only use for promotions like this), so I got 600 miles. I didn't feel comfortable linking my personal Facebook and I don't even have a Foursquare account at the moment, though I may in the future. This site does ask for your MileagePlus PIN/password, so those concerned with safety may want to change it after your United miles post.

I consider opportunities like this good for adding activity to extend the expiration dates of my miles.

Click here to check out my ongoing list of free and easy frequent flyer mile offers from all airlines.

Lots of freebies at CVS this week

I paid $5.94 for $23.05 worth of products AND I have $8.49 to use on my next visit to CVS.

This is a great week to shop at CVS. Their 4-day sale ad is jam packed with freebies and there will be another sale that begins on Thursday with even more freebies.

Here are two great sites that have compiled all of the deals and matched the available coupons.

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/2012/11/17/cvs-coupon-deals-week-of-1118/
http://www.iheartcvs.com/2012/11/1118-1121-black-friday-part-1-4-day-ad.html

Here is my haul from today
Notes: I did three separate transactions, "eb" means extrabucks, green bag tag=every four scans, I get $1 back (can only scan once per day).

Transaction 1

• 3m command hook sample pk $.99 get $.99 eb limit 1  -Used $1 Command Product coupon=free
• glade plugins scented oil warmer 1 ct $1.25 get $1.25 eb limit 1-Used $1 Glade® PlugIns® Scented Oil warmer or starter kit coupon=$.25
• air wick scented oil warmer 1 ct $.99 get $.99 eb limit 1-Used $1.50 off 2 coupon =.48 for two
• haviland thin mints or nips 3.5-4 oz $.88 get $.88 eb limit 1
• charmin basic single roll $.99 get $.99 eb limit 1
• kleenex slim pack facial tissue 3 pk or sparkle paper towels single roll $1 get $1 eb limit 2 (bought 1)
• carmex lip balm (select) $1 get $1 eb limit 1

pay $4.60+tax=$4.90, get back $7.10+ $1 for my green bag tag=$8.10

Transaction 2

• "as seen on tv" easy feet $4.99 get $4.99 eb limit 1
• kleenex slim pack facial tissue 3 pk or sparkle paper towels single roll $1 get $1 eb limit 2 (bought 1)
• betty crocker scooby-doo fruit snacks 8 oz $2 get $2 eb limit 1
• coke 1.25 liter $.99 get $.99 eb limit 1

total $8.98, use $8.10 from transaction 1, pay $.88+tax=$.94, get back $8.98

Transaction 3

• thermacare lower back & hip heat wrap 1 ct (trial size) $3.49 get $3.49 eb limit 1
• kotex u barely there liners 18 ct $1.49 get $1 eb limit 1
• cepacol sensations 4 ct $1 get $1 eb limit 1

total $5.98,  use $5.98 from transaction 2 ($4.99, $.99), eb left $1+$3.49+$1+$2+$1=8.49

So to sum up, I paid $5.94 for $23.05 worth of products AND I have $8.49 to use on my next visit to CVS (on Thursday!). Happy shopping!

1,500 Rapid Rewards points for new enrollees+early Black Friday sale

If you're a miles and points collector, you probably have a Southwest Rapid Rewards account, but if you're new to the game, be sure to get in on their latest, limited-time offer for 1,500 bonus points.

Fine print: Offer is only valid for new-Member enrollment. Enrollment offer expires 12/1/2012. Automatically receive 1,000 Bonus Points for enrolling in Rapid Rewards. Opt in to receive both Rapid Rewards e-mail communications, stay subscribed for at least three months, and then 500 Bonus Points will be deposited automatically into your account. Applies to points transactions. *Points don’t expire as long as you have flight or Partner earning activity every 24 months.

And if you're shopping for flights, Southwest is offering 40 percent off its Wanna Get Away Fares today only.

Use the code EARLYDEAL to book a Tuesday or Wednesday flight between Dec. 11 and Feb. 12 for 40& off. Blackout dates include Dec. 26, Jan. 1, Jan. 2 and Jan. 22.

There are hotel, vacation package and rental car specials as well.

I won $25! And don't forget to Shop Small for your own free $25

I was so excited to check my email today and see the following:

I didn't blog about this, but I saw a post on Slickdeals about a FedEx gift card giveaway taking place from Nov. 1 to 3 on Facebook, so I entered. They had 40,000 gift cards to give away and shockingly, I won!

Now that I'm done bragging, I'd also like to mention the upcoming Small Business Saturday event coming up on Nov. 24 (that's the Saturday after Thanksgiving). Basically, American Express will give you a $25 statement credit for spending at least $25 on your AmEx card at a small business on that day. I did this last year and it was easy money!

The event does require registration, which opens on Nov. 18, so mark your calendar for that date. And for an even sweeter deal, if you have multiple AmEx cards or card(s) with authorized users, you can register them all for a $25 credit. Note: AmEx prepaid cards, such as Serve or Bluebird, don't qualify for the credit.

750 Rapid Rewards points for Southwest credit card holders...YMMV

Saw this posted on Slickdeals yesterday...not sure if it is targeted to specific credit card holders or open to anyone, but only takes a few seconds to sign up just in case.

http://www.southwest.com/cmemail/

Sign up for the Rapid Rewards E-mail Update before Nov. 30, 2012. You’ll get the inside scoop on the latest news and offers from Southwest Airlines plus a special bonus...750 points after being subscribed for 60 days.

According to the terms and conditions: *750 Bonus Point Offer is valid only for the Rapid Rewards account listed on the e-mail. This offer is not transferable. Subscription to Rapid Rewards Email Update must be for at least 60 consecutive days. Bonus points will post directly to your Rapid Rewards Account four to six weeks after 60 days subscription.

I have the Southwest credit card, but am already signed up for the E-mail Update. So I signed up for the update using a different email address. If I don't get the points, I've only wasted a few seconds out of my life signing up. This offer seems YMMV (Your mileage may vary).

Freebie Roundup: $7 in Amazon MP3s, 8x10 photo, Eucerin lotion

Get up to $7 in free music from Amazon.com

Click here and share a post on your Facebook wall and receive a $2 MP3 credit to your Amazon account

Note: this gives Amazon permission to access your Facebook data, so you may want to use (or create) an account without personal information attached.

Fine print: Upon successful completion of the Share & Claim action, a $2 Amazon MP3 credit will be automatically applied to your Amazon account. Promotional credits must be redeemed by 11:59 p.m. PST on November 30, 2012. Amazon MP3 music is available to customers located and with billing addresses in the United States. You must have an Amazon.com account and accept the Amazon MP3 Service Terms of Use to redeem your credit. Limit one promotional credit per customer.

Get a $5 Amazon MP3 credit when you join Scott Shared Values for free, or if you are already a member. Credit expires January 31, 2013

https://www.scottbrand.com/offer/amazon

Free 8×10 photo print at Walgreens

Go to walgreens.com and make an 8×10 print and enter coupon code: TRULYFREE at checkout. Select in store pickup to make it free -Expires Saturday, October 20.

 

Free Cepacol Throat Lozenge Sample

http://www.cepacol.com/free_sample_form.php

Free Eucerin Professional Repair Lotion Sample

http://www.eucerinus.com/products/repair/eucerin-professional-repair-extremely-dry-skin-lotion.html?freeSample=true

Free Eucerin Smoothing Repair Dry Skin Lotion Sample

http://m.eucerinus.com/pledge/index

*Some of the links in this post are my referral links. Read my disclosure policy here

Freebies in the mail: late August & September

I may have a taken a short break from blogging, but the freebies didn’t stop hitting my mailbox while I was gone. Here are some of the goodies I have received since my last report.

Late August

Woolite Extra Dark Care

Dark and Lovely Anti Reversion Cream Serum

CVS brand travel size sunscreen

September

Another Woolite Extra Dark Care

Bio-true Multi-Purpose Contact Lens Solution

Opti-free Pure Moist Contact Lens Solution—this came from CVS, but I don’t remember signing up for it. I think sometimes they send unsolicited free samples based on past purchases.

Shout Color Catcher

$2 check from Newcastle Brown Ale

$2 rebate check for Lysol Dual Action Wipes

$10 American Express Gift card