Today’s Swagbucks success story is from Brandi:
I first heard about Swagbucks here on MSM about a year and a half ago — right after my first daughter was born. At first, I used Swagbucks to pay for a new ebook for my husband or I, but in May of this year, we welcomed our second daughter, and I was unable to nurse her.
Like her sister, she has a formula allergy, which meant her formula was pretty expensive (over $30 for one small can at my local grocery store). With all the medical bills coming in during June and July, those months were pretty tight for us financially and the formula was another added expense.
One evening in July, I was scouring the web looking for coupons for Samantha’s formula when I ran across an excellent deal on a case of formula on Amazon. After shipping and tax, each can was going to cost me a little over $21 and the case would last a month. That’s a saving of over $10 a can for me so, of course, I jumped at the chance to buy it.
Then I got another surprise! I had just over $30 in Amazon gift cards from Swagbucks sitting in my account — which dropped the price per can to about $17! Woohoo!
As a stay-at-home mom of two under 2, I do not have a lot of computer time, but I’ve spent the rest of July and August racking up Swagbucks by doing the daily poll (1 Swagbuck), NOSO (2 Swagbucks), watching Swagbuck TV (3 Swagbucks for every 10 videos), and searching the web (anywhere from 6-15 Swagbucks). I also do all internet searching on my phone through Swagbucks which scores me an additional 6-15 Swagbucks randomly. By doing these things I reach (and often exceed) my daily goal of 25 Swagbucks.
Now that it is getting time to reorder her formula, I’m hoping to get a better deal because of all the Swagbucks I’ve racked up! Swagbucks hasn’t made me rich but it has allowed me to treat ourselves to a new ebook every month or so and allowed us to buy more formula for less money! -Brandi
Guest says
My insurance now covers this formula….something look into!! Just need a prescription from the pediatrician…
Nicole says
Another tip on saving money on formula is to call the formula company itself and ask about any coupons, rebates or free products they have available. I’ve done this with Enfamil and they were very friendly mailing me high dollar coupons and samples.
ellen says
My daughter was on this formula also. Yikes expensive! thank goodness she only had to be on for 6 months!
Susie B says
Great job! My kiddos both also had to go on these formulas, and it was really rough fitting the formula into our budget too. I feel for ya. We also had help with some gift cards earned through swagbucks and online surveys–kudos for doing all you can to contribute to making ends meet at home! Its not easy.
I just also wanted to mention that you may be able to get a free sample can or two if you indicate that you are looking to formula feed more and wanted to try out various hypoallergenic formulas. I was able to get one free can from Enfamil (nutramigen) and 1 free can of alimentum. I’ve also requested for extra coupons with success as well. Its not much, but that’s about $60 bucks total for two cans, and $3-5 bucks savings here and there for the coupons.
I know its not for everyone, but we have also gotten some sealed cans off of craigslist. Because the formula is so pricey, I think ppl often buy in bulk and there are a number of people who are trying to get rid of it when their kids suddenly outgrow their allergies or just refuse to drink the stuff anymore. Sure, there are risks involved in buying formula off craigslist–so its not for everyone. We felt fine with getting sealed cans locally from a momma who also had kids with allergies.
amie says
I’ve been on maternity leave and earned about $45 in gift cards last month. I did put some time into it though. I have been cashing in for Wal-Mart cards for groceries the past few weeks. I often cash in for CVS cards to combine with coupons and sales to pay for diapers. My lawn mower broke and my husband and I worked hard to get amazon cards from swagbucks and another point program. We paid for more than half of the lawn mower with gift cards. I love using point programs to help stretch my money.
Amanda says
Great job on getting creative to save on formula! The hypoallergenic stuff is SO expensive. My son is on Nutramigen which costs us $300 a month. Fortunately, after talking to 5 different people with his insurance, we got it covered. They are paying 100%. They don’t always make it easy, but the cost savings are worth all the legwork. We didn’t anticipate having to use formula at all, but food allergies that we just couldn’t seem to identify or eliminate through my diet made formula necessary.
Also, I signed up for the Nutramigen program through Enfamil and they sent me rebates and some form letters to help petition for coverage from your insurance company. I’m not sure if Similac does the same thing for Alimentum.
Anne says
Way to go! I had to stop nursing my daughter at 1 month, but she can use regular formula so Costco and the Target gift card deals worked well for us. I’m so inspired by your story that I will try to rack up enough Swagbucks to buy a breast pump for our future babies (or formula, using subscribe and save, if they have the same jaw and tongue issues and thus, sucking problem as this baby). Thanks for sharing your story!
Jennifer says
Anne, More and more health insurance systems/companies are letting moms get breast pumps for free or very little money now. We were able to get a top of the line one for just $50 cash because our insurance reimbursed us. It’s worth looking into since it helps so much in both milk production and extra backup milk or even exclusive pumping.
Elizabeth says
Insurance companies MUST provide breast pumps with doctor’s prescription under the Affordable Care Act. Which pump they provide varies, but I got a $200+ Madela Pump In Style, delivered to my home, for nothing out of pocket.
amie says
This is kind of off topic… I used swagbucks amazon & another points program gift cards to buy a breast pump and then learned from a lactation consultant that most insurance companies pay for breast pumps. I checked and mine does. I was already in the process of exchanging my pump because the power button is defective – it works, but I have to push it repeatedly. I received the new pump from Amazon, but haven’t opened it. My insurance paid pump should come in any day and I will try to return the ones from Amazon. Long story short – check with your insurance company first. You may be able to use those points for something else.
Amanda says
All insurance companies have to cover a breast pump now, it just doesn’t have to be an electric one. Mine covered a double electric at no cost to me or I could choose an upgraded model and pay the extra. It’s always worth a phone call.
Stephanie says
Great Job!! I totally feel for you with having two little ones so close! I can’t remember what it was like to have only one in diapers! 🙂 Currently, I have a 4 year old, 2 year old (refusing to potty), 14 month old and will get another bundle in February 2014. I tried cloth diapers for a while, but was just suffering with the amount of laundry and keeping up with 3 little ones that are 3 years apart. So, I had the idea of using my swagbucks for diapers. I get great deals with subscribe and save! They offer them on LUVS. I spend less on diapers then I was spending on laundry soap for cloth diapers. I learned early on to put swagbucks on all the computers. My 13 year old daughter helps by playing games, searching for swagcodes and using the swag search. Even my husband has been reprogrammed to use swagbucks for search. I’ve found that we sometimes have too many swagbucks that we max out on the $5 amazon cards in a month! 🙂
amie says
My five and three year-olds will one day do the same. Lol.
Danielle B says
Great job! Every little bit adds up! 🙂