Friday, February 28, 2014

Increase Your Luck in Winning, Part 1 of 3



Sweepstaking has evolved from ancient games of chance, played by the upper classes of ancient Greek, Egyptian, and other cultures. Games combining luck with skill have been found in such places as King Tut's tomb, and in numerous other ancient ruins and civilizations. As with the ancients, the modern-day form combines luck with skill in order to win. In this way, it can be considered as somewhat of a science, or an art form, if you will. It just depends on what way you play it.

If you play for luck, then you rely on the chance that you will be receiving that winning sweepstakes letter some day. If you play to win, then you will do whatever you can to increase the odds, which is where the skill part comes in. In this sense it is still the same as it was in its ancient art form.

So, what skills are used to increase the odds? Aside from simple things such as brightly colored envelopes for mail-in entries, utilizing alternate forms of entry, and entering often, there are still more and even simpler ways to bring on good luck.

Enter the Second Chance Drawings

This has to do with search-and-find skills... searching for and finding instant win drawings. Many instant win games will have a second chance drawing with new and improved versions of prizes offered in the original sweepstakes, and will even include prizes that were not offered in the original in order to use up the sweepstakes budget. The odds of winning will generally be increased because they may not include using the original game pieces, (some are done by mail-in entries), they will just as often as not allow an increased amount of entries, and many times the second chance drawings are just overlooked by potential entrants. These drawings can sometimes be found in the official rules of the original instant win game.

Fill Out Entry Forms Neatly and Completely

This skill is based in form. When filling out a form that requests your name, address, and zip code, don't forget to fill out your complete address. This most often will mean your official street address, spelled out fully (for instance, use "Street" instead of the abbreviated "St."). For delivery purposes, a P.O. box is often not allowed, though if it is (check the rules), use it, too as some prizes are mailed.

If a day and evening phone number requested, be sure to use an entry for both, even if they are the same one. If an email address is an option, fill it in. These things not only help to avoid disqualification, they can give an added bonus of "good luck" by someone noticing that you put the extra time and effort into filling these things in neatly and completely. Also, with both a phone number and email address, you give them multiple ways to contact you for a win.

Next Friday we will look at more ways to use skill to increase your luck in winning sweepstakes.




Continue to Part 2 here

Good Luck!

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Win a New Smartphone!




Did you know that you can get full access to Sweepstaking Dreams on your smartphone and/or tablet? Just navigate your browser to www.sweepstakingdreams.com.

Navigational buttons on the bottom of the site allow you to peruse all of the posts. On the bottom far right is an arrow that will take you to previous posts, so you don't have to miss any. On the bottom far left is another arrow, to return to more recent posts again. In the center on the bottom is the "home" button, which will take you back to the top of the blog. You can also simply tap on a post, then swipe the screen with your finger, to the left or to the right, to browse through individual posts.

If you prefer viewing the desktop version over the mobile version, or vice versa, you can switch between the two with the link under the "home" button.

Though some sweepstakes sites may not be compatible to mobile entry, some sites are. So, you can still get a few sweeps in, if you have some time to kill while you're away from your computer.

With this, here are today's smartphone sweeps!


T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S5 Sweepstakes

*7 prizes will be awarded for entry periods one through five, and two will be awarded for entry period six. Each winner will receive a Galaxy S5 device with an S-View Flip Cover. ARV $668.99.

One entry per person/email address per promotional period. Promotional periods are as follows:

1 Starts February 24, 2014 - Ends March 2, 2014
2 Starts March 3, 2014 - Ends March 9, 2014
3 Starts March 10, 2014 - Ends March 16, 2014
4 Starts March 17, 2014 - Ends March 23, 2014
5 Starts March 24, 2014 - Ends March 30, 2014
6 Starts March 31, 2014 - Ends April 1, 2014

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, D.C., and Puerto Rico, 18 or older. Ends April 1, 2014.


Win What Everyone's Talking About Sweepstakes

This sweeps has several opportunities to win.

*24 “Daily Prizes” will be awarded of one Samsung Galaxy S5 Device. ARV of each is $700.

*4 “Five-Day Prizes” will be awarded, each including one Samsung Galaxy S5 Device, one Galaxy Note Pro 12.2, and one 55” LED 9000 Series 4k Ultra HD Smart TV. Total ARV of each award is $4,550.

*1 Grand Prize will be awarded. It includes two Samsung Galaxy S5 Devices, two Galaxy Note Pro 12.2s, two Galaxy Gears, one 65” LED 9000 Series 4k Ultra HD Smart TV, one Smart 3D Blu-Ray Player with UHD 4k
Upscaling, one HW-F850 2.1 Channel Sound Bar, and one HomeSync. ARV of the grand prize is $9,719.96.

In lieu of awarding the items listed in the grand prize, the Sponsor may award a cash prize of $9,719.96 or any combination of cash and items.

This Sweeps is a single entry sweeps, which will enter you for all subsequent drawings. This means, the earlier you enter, the better your chances to win. In order to enter for the daily drawing, you must enter by March 19, 2014. To be entered for the five-day drawing, you must enter by March 15, 2014. Ends March 20, though entries on that day are only for the grand prize.

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 or older, 19 or older in Alabama and Nebraska, and 21 or older in Mississippi.


Bonus Sweeps

Win the instant win for a power pack to charge up your phone on the go, or win the grand prize for a laptop...
2014 ACDelco Garage Sweepstakes and Instant Win Game

For residents of France...
Send Money With Western Union and Win!




Good Luck!

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Dresses and Jewelry and Bags, Oh My! (Plus a Wad of Cash)


Oh, the joy of scoring that perfect piece! Beautiful, unique, expressive, high quality... Whether it's a dress, a new bag, shoes, or jewelry, or some good old fashioned cash to shop-till-you-drop with, you'll find them all here.


Stylewatch Giveaways

This giveaway has six separate prizes. Just check the box next to each prize you'd like to win, then enter your information once, for an entry into each of your chosen giveaways.

One online entry per person/email address per day. For mail-in entry, enter as often as you wish. Check the rules for the mailing address and instructions. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 or older. Ends March 3, 2014.

Lucky Mag Giveaways

This is a collection of 40 different sweeps, all with fabulous fashion prizes. Just flip through the slideshow to pick and choose which things you'd like to enter for. Most have multiple winners.

One entry per person/email address. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 or older. Ends April 7, 2014.

Bazaar Bag-a-Month Giveaway, otherwise known as the $10,000 Save the Day Sweepstakes

There is one prize of $10,000 for this sweepstakes. It is "shared" by multiple brands, so everyone who enters from each site will all be vying for one prize. Still, you only need one entry to win! On the plus side, you can enter once daily to increase your chances. If you come across the same sweeps on a different site, you can enter there for the same day, too.

One entry per household/per email address/per unique brand presentation/per day. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 13 or older. Ends January 31, 2015.

Bonus

Though this one happens to be from California, it is a nationwide event.
State 4-H Fashion Review





Good Luck!

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Win NASCAR Prizes!




There can be no denying it, NASCAR races are a blast! It is an experience that everyone should have, at least once. If you've never been to a race, here's your chance to go. If you're a die hard NASCAR fan already, here's your chance to go again. Maybe you'd win some nice prizes, in any event!


Ultimate Fan Access Weekend

Grand prize is a fun-filled V.I.P. weekend for two on April 25 and 26, 2014, at Richmond International Raceway, for the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race events. Includes pit passes, pace car rides, hotel, and more. ARV $700.

Winner is responsible for transportation.

One entry per person/household/email address. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., excluding Rhode Island, who are of the legal age of majority at their locale. Ends March 28, 2014.


Nabisco Snack and Go Sweepstakes and Instant Win Game


*Five grand prize winners will each receive a trip for two to Miami in November, 2014, for a season finale race. Each prize includes transportation, hotel, gifts, a $1,600 check, and more. ARV $6,920.

*20 first prize instant win prizes are being awarded of a $100 Nascar.com Superstore e-certificate. ARV $100 each.

*80 monthly prizes are being awarded, 10 each month, of a A NASCAR themed bag filled with a hat, shirt, coozie and snacks. ARV $100 each. These are awarded for the 10 highest scores in the instant win game each month, so this is the "contest" part.

There is a limit of one instant win prize, one sweepstakes prize, and one contest prize per person, so you could potentially win one of each prize.


Daily entry. Open to residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 or older. Ends September 30, 2014.


Aaron's Win the Weekend of Your Dreams Sweepstakes


*Grand prize Grand is a trip for two to the Aaron’s Dream Weekend at Talladega Superspeedway on May 2-5, 2014. Includes transportation, hotel, the opportunity to "wave" the green flag at the race on May 3, $499 spending cash, and more. ARV $3,000.

*First prize is a 55" LG LED TV. ARV $1,000.

One entry per person/email/household. Open to legal residents of the 48 United States and D.C., excluding Minnesota and Wisconsin, 21 or older. Ends March 7, 2014.


Bonus Sweeps


For Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans...
Wrangler "Gentleman, Start Your Engines Sweepstakes"


For a slew of cool prizes from Lionel Racing...
You can either purchase specially marked Lionel Racing products to receive your game piece, or you can mail a request to have a free game piece mailed to you. Check rule #2 for the address to mail your request to, and instructions. Send as many requests as you like, though each request must be mailed separately. Requests must be received by December 22, 2014.

Lionel Racing Golden Ticket Instant Win Game



Good Luck!

Monday, February 24, 2014

Sweepstakes for History Buffs!




History can be so darn interesting. If you or someone you know has an insatiable appetite for it, then these sweepstakes are for you!

Gehl Historical R190 Skid Loader Sweepstakes

Grand prize is a Gehl R190 Skid Loader, painted in the original Gehl skid loader colors of maize (yellow) and blaze (red), with the following: joystick controls, 2-speed, enclosed cab with heat and air, 70-inch bucket. ARV $53,095.

One entry per person. Open to legal residents of the 48 contiguous United States and D.C. Excludes Hawaii, Alaska, and Rhode Island. Must be 21 or older to enter. Ends June 30, 2014.


Win an Alaska Heritage Cruise

Grand prize is one Commander Stateroom for two people aboard the 88-guest S.S. Legacy sailing Ketchikan, Alaska to Juneau, Alaska, or reverse from June-August 2014. ARV $11,990.

Though there is plenty included with this prize, winner is responsible for airfare and crew gratuities.

This is "Alaska's Golden History Cruise." Read more about it here. It sounds like such fun!

Facebook Entry. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 21 or older. Ends March 28, 2014.


Macy's Celebrates Black History Month Sweepstakes

Grand prize is a two night trip for two to New York, and a $1,000 electronic Macy's gift card.

One entry per person. Open to legal residents of the 48 contiguous United States, 18 or older. Ends February 28, 2014.

Bonus Sweeps

For School nutrition professionals and employees...
How Have You Made History in School Nutrition? Sweepstakes

For students...
National History Day Contest

For family heritage... ends soon!
Branch Out Sweepstakes



Good Luck!

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Make a One Minute "Bad Guy" Video for the Chance to Win $1,000!



It's time for another Sunday Quickie! Didn't the week fly by? Well, if not, you could liven it up a bit today, by creating your take on a "bad guy," in a one-minute video.

Video Contest: Bad Guys


For this contest, you must choose a word from their list of seven (opportunist, corruptor, villain, churl, foe, braggart, tyrant), then craft a story based on the definition (tips are posted on the website). Next, convey your story in a video, lasting no longer than one minute.

What you are essentially aiming to do for this video contest, is to convey the depicted meaning of your chosen word, in story form, in order to educate. Hence, your video must be appropriate to that angle (I'm thinking along the generalized lines of a "Sesame Street" skit, but made to appeal to a broader audience, and, of course, designed in your own original way).

*Two grand prizes of $1,000 will be awarded, one in the youth category (under 18), and one in the adult category (18 and older).

*Finalists will be awarded $200
*T-shirts will be awarded for "Viewer's Choice"
(I found no mention of how many of the latter two will be awarded)

Entries will be evaluated based equally on the following criteria:

Educational merit and accuracy
Creativity and engagement
Quality of video production
Appropriate content

In the event of a tie, the contestant with the higher score in "Educational merit and accuracy" will be deemed the winner.

My suggestion is to read through everything they have to offer about the contest before you begin. It's fairly simple, yet, at the same time, it's still relatively complex.

One entry per person/email address. Open to legal residents of the U.S. and Canada, excluding Quebec. Must be 13 or older to enter, with parental consent if under 18. Individuals only (no group entries). Ends March 18, 2014.



Bonus Contests

For high school students and teachers...
2014 “Living on the Ocean Planet” Video Contest


For those who love their jobs...
We Love Our Workplace Video Contest


Good Luck!

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