Today’s Swagbucks success story is from Kelly
I know many of my fellow MoneySavingMom.com readers can relate to this statement: our family is on a (tight) budget.
We’re working to pay off student loans, saving for a down payment on a home, and managing all of the usual day-to-day expenses — food, transportation, and dog supplies.
Normally our situation doesn’t bother me, because thankfully our needs are covered and we know we’re fortunate to have any money left over to save for a future home. But having the money left over to save has meant sacrificing in other areas. We eat out less and have eliminated all purchases that would fall under the category of “splurge.”
In 2013, we established a Christmas budget early in the year to allow ourselves time to set aside those funds each month. I was excited, because even as early as last January, I knew what I wanted to get for my husband (this never happens, and usually I’m scrambling in November to come up with ideas.)
For a long time, he has admired a set of Bose speakers, but because they fall staunchly in the “splurge” arena, they have been out of the question. As we worked through our budgeting process, my heart sunk as I realized there was no way to make the numbers mesh for this one $200+ purchase.
I thought about our situation for days afterwards. My husband is a hardworking and generous person who has worked countless extra hours to help us get closer to our dreams. I felt that he was so deserving of this gift that I just HAD to make it work.
Enter Swagbucks!
I had started using Swagbucks a few years ago but lapsed when I went to graduate school and hadn’t thought too much about the site until a friend mentioned she was a new user. I decided to log back on and was excited to see I had a few hundred points still left in my account.
I wasn’t convinced I could earn enough to purchase the speakers, but thought my worst case scenario was earning a couple of Amazon gift cards — which wouldn’t be bad either!
I was glad to see some additions to the site that made it much easier to earn points since the last time I had used it. After many hours of surveys, videos, NOSOs, and polls, I am excited to tell you I cashed in all of my Amazon gift cards earned from Swagbucks for the speakers, with time to spare!
I am overjoyed to be able to give my husband this gift, and even more so, that I can do it without it messing up our budget in the least. It was so exciting to see his face on Christmas morning and am so thankful to Swagbucks for making that happen!
Sharont says
Love the swag! I earn $50 a month in amazon cards which is used towards our subscribe and save items. I never do the surveys because I always disqualify out. Boooo! I just do the NOSO, daily poll, SBTV and any trial offers I can. I also check if I can earn swag bucks before shopping online. Recently earned 480 swag bucks when we bought an electric grill. Most of the videos in NOSO are easy enough to just start and check back every ten minutes to start a new set in between household chores. I found swag bucks through this site and I’m very thankful! I’m trying to earn more than the $50 a month because I’d also like some Home Depot or Lowes cards for gardening items and patio chairs.
Kimberly says
I just joined swag bucks tonight. Any tips for this brand new user? Is it safe to enter all the demographic stuff they ask for obtaining access to surveys? It seemed and sounded essay enough, but niw that I’m on the swag bucks site, it’s a little overwhelming. Thanks!!
Jerusha says
I love Swagbucks! It’s a great way to save up for gifts without having to touch any other budget categories – very helpful when things are tight!
A Frugal Family's Journey says
What a great reward for swagging (searching)! My wife and I, through swagging and a few friend referrals, have received $130 in Amazon gift cards!! Since Amazon has practically everything, its contributed to buying diapers, small appliances, garden lights, to name a few things. Its Super easy…your basically getting paid for something you’re already doing anyway. 🙂
Nancy says
Can someone tell me if you can do Swagbucks AND Bing Rewards, where I’m working for an Amazon gift card now. Are they mutually exclusive or can you do both? Can you combine reward points?
MSM Team says
Here’s a tip from a reader about this question: https://moneysavingmom.com/2014/02/reader-tip-earn-extra-500-swagbucks-per-month-bing.html
Kelly says
My husband and I swagged our way to a free iPad 3rd generation and a case for it last year. Just love swag bucks and all the extra dough we use for various gifts and now gift cards for home remodeling. 🙂
Victoria says
I love the Swagbucks success story features. They remind me that with a little bit of out of the box thinking and work you really can do something pretty neat!