Making MyPoint

Do you get email? If not, how are you even reading this page?

Do you have a separate account that you use when signing up for something you know will generate spam? You should.

Do you wind up getting a lot of junk anyway?  Of COURSE you do.

So why aren’t you getting paid to open some of it?

Yes, yes, the concept of reading mail for money is one of the oldest scams on the internet. Lots of sites tried and failed through the internet boom to make it real. Only one, the great granddaddy of them all, is still up and running, and yes, GIVING YOU FREE STUFF for reading their emails.

It’s called MyPoints. The premise is as old as the internet itself: Get an email. Open it. Click on the link at the bottom. Get points. If you use the offer in the link (anything from taking a survey to changing your car insurance), you may get more points. You can also get points per dollar spent shopping through links to sponsored sites. When you get enough points, you turn them into rewards in the form of gift cards, from an impressive list of over 70 companies. And not just from lame e-tailers you never heard of, but from Amazon and Macy’s and Williams-Sonoma. I’ve cashed out about $400 worth of those points, and I’ve been REALLY lazy about opening the emails over the years.

I’m making this my first Free Stuff post because right now is the best time of year to rack up points. Entering into the holiday season, depending on the interests you’ve given them, you’ll get 5-10 emails a day that will deliver about 5 points apiece. Shop through the site (as long as you’re shopping online anyway) and you’ll get even more. You may not get enough points to cash in this holiday season, but considering that, say, you can get a Red Lobster $10 gift card for 1400 points, a yuletide redemption just may be possible.

Joining is easy. Just go to MyPoints and sign up. Or, if you’re grateful for the suggestion, email me at alderaan@gmail.com, give me your name and email, and I’ll refer you (Hey, I’m collecting points too! Referring up to five friends a month also nets you points. Make sure they’re friends who want it.).

Caveats about MyPoints:

• Don’t feel you NEED to take them up on their offers if you aren’t interested. Scam sites try to force you into it. MyPoints offers you lots of points, but chances are you’ll spend a lot more than you save. Clicking on the box in the email and visiting the site is all you need to do, and those 5-point clicks add up fast.
• DON’T play MyPoints Games. They require real money. You aren’t that dumb. I know you. By the way, your mother says you never call.

If you’re reading this at work, you have more than enough time to open several emails a day and get free stuff. Now go forth and click.

The Term “Cheap” Is So… Well… Cheap.

I’m a pretty normal person. Married, mortgage, one child. But I have a dark secret. I’m thrifty.

I’ve clipped coupons, taken surveys, shopped at scratch-‘n’-dent groceries, and even dived into dumpsters. I’m by no means the tightest wad out there, but while I’ve never really pinched a penny until it screamed, I’ve certainly taken great pleasure in making one whimper on occasion.

I am a thrifty person. Just don’t call me cheap.

I’m doing this blog to share the best ways I’ve found to save money, to save effort, and to get stuff for free. If any given entry I write makes you roll your eyes and go “Well, duh,” then congratulations! You’re thrifty too, and probably internet-savvy as well.  I’m trying to do this for everybody, especially people who may be jumping on the thrifty bandwagon for the first time due to recent economic unpleasantness. So join me on my gently-used magic carpet ($35 on Craigslist, and I only had to have it cleaned twice to get rid of all the cat dander), and let’s go on a thrifting adventure! Bring small bills. Your debit card carries too many hidden charges, but that’s a different post.