Friday, September 26, 2014

Happy Friday!


It's Friday today, and you know what that means! The weekend is nearly here! If that isn't enough to make you happy, yet, then these sweepstakes should do the trick. With two ways to win a thousand bucks, and the possibility of a fishing trip with a legendary Bassmaster Pro, who wouldn't be happy today?


Project Runway Reimagine Your Life Sweepstakes

* Grand prize is $1,000.

One entry per entrant per day. Open to legal residents physically located in the 50 United States and D.C., 18 or older. Ends October 23, 2014.


Midwest Living Gameday! Sweepstakes

* Grand prize is $1,000.

One entry per person/email address per day. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 or older. Ends October 20, 2014.


The Ultimate Fish with KVD Sweepstakes

* Grand prize is a trip package for one, to a to-be-determined U.S. location to fish with Kevin Van Dam. Trip package includes:
Round-trip, coach-class airfare for one
Three nights/four days hotel accommodations based on single-occupancy
Rental car for the duration of the trip
$500 spending money;
Assorted Gear from GoPro;
Assorted Gear from Strike King ;
One Quantum Tour TKD Baitcast Reel (TKVD150hptb) matched to a Tour KVD 7’4” cranking rod;
One Hummingbird 999HD SI KVD Model Fish Finder;
One Oakley KVD Polarized Flak Jacket XLJ signature series eyewear;
One Oakley KVD Polarized Batwolf signature series eyewear;
One Bass Pro Shops $1,000 gift card;
One Motorguide Charger Pack; and
One Nitro Z-7w Boat with Mercury 150 Pro XS motor, trailer, MinnKota Maxxum 70# 24v 42” trolling motor and a Lowrance Mark 5X.
Total ARV of grand prize package is $35,155.

* 15 runners up will each receive a Plano Kevin VanDam Tackle Bag. ARV $99, each prize.

One entry per person per day. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 or older. Ends December 31, 2014.

Save 75¢ when you buy ONE (1) gallon Musselman’s® Fresh Pressed or Spiced Apple Cider.


Good Luck!

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Sweepstakes for Fall!



Fall brings breathtaking beauty, apples, festivals, falling leaves, and so much more. Today it also brings some sweet sweepstakes!


Jameson Fall Sweepstakes

You can also enter this sweeps by texting the key word WHISKEY to short code 44939.

* One winner each week will receive a Jameson custom labeled Barrel Cooler Prize Pack, consisting of: A Jameson barrel cooler, a Jameson 10 x 10 canopy tent, two Jameson folding chairs, four Jameson t-shirts and ten Jameson bottle openers. Total ARV $585, each prize package.

One entry per person per Facebook Account/email address per wireless phone number per day. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 21 or older. Ends November 30, 2014.


Shepler's $10,000 Fall Cash Giveaway

* Grand prize is $10,000.

One entry per person. Open to U.S. residents, 18 or older. Ends October 31, 2014.


Bucharest Hotel Start of Fall 2014 Sweepstakes

* Grand prize is a two day/one night stay for two at Le Boutique Hotel Moxa during the weekend (upon availability).
(This 4-Star hotel is located in Bucharest, Romania.)
No ARV is stated.

One entry per person. Open to all countries, ages 18 or older. Ends October 20, 2014.


Today's Bonus

You can enter this with a cash register receipt from Autozone, or see these rules for instructions on how to enter by mail without a purchase.
Autozone Fall 2014 Customer Satisfaction Sweepstakes

Save 25¢ when you buy any ONE (1) can of Hunt's® Manwich® Sloppy Joe Sauce.


Good Luck!

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

A Trip to the Bahamas, an ATV, a Gator, and More!


Greetings, Everyone!

I hope you are enjoying these first days of autumn. The weather in this area is beautiful! Perhaps this time of year will afford some of you more time for your sweepstakes hobby.

If you regularly follow SweepstakingDreams.com, entering an average of just three sweepstakes a day from the daily post, five days a week, you will end up with 60 entries in a month! Now, that's not a bad place to start.

Then, even if you add only another three entries a day from previous posts, you will double that to 120 entries a month! This might take ten minutes or so, if that, on the average day. That's not bad, either!

Of course, if you're seriously into sweepstakes, and scroll back through the abundance of daily sweeps that are still open in previous posts, on a near-daily basis, you will end up with practically endless chances to win each month! Now, this is exciting!

Add a few contest entries from the Sunday posts into the mix, and maybe even a few more sweeps from the twitter feed @TBarkingRaccoon, and, well, wow! You're bound to be a winner, again and again!

Here's a good place to begin...

Rumtoberfest Sweepstakes and Instant Win Game

* Grand prize is a five night trip for two to the Super-Inclusive Breezes Resort & Spa in the Bahamas. Includes air fare, accommodations, and more. Total ARV $7,085.

Instant Win prizes:

* 42 first prizes of a $25 Bahama Breeze gift Card, each. ARV $25, each prize.

* 42 second prizes of a Bahama Breeze t-shirt, each. ARV $15, each prize.

One play per person/email address per day. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 21 or older. Ends November 2, 2014.


The Mack's Prairie Wings Give-away Sweepstakes

You can also enter this sweeps by phone, at 877-622-5779.

* Grand prize is, according to the official rules, a Bombardier 2014 Can-Am Outlander 500 DPS. ARV $7,299. However, the sweeps landing page states the prize as a 2015 Can-Am Outlander L 450 DPS, with the same ARV. I'd say it is quite likely the latter, with an old set of rules.

One entry per email address per day, regardless of method of entry. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C. (excluding Arizona, Florida, New York, and Rhode Island), who are at least 18 and the legal age of majority in their state of residence. Ends December 23, 2014.


Stihl Timbersports "Gator Giveaway" Sweepstakes

* Grand prize is a John Deere "Gator" vehicle (Model number - XUV 550 S4; 4 Wheel Drive Crossover Utility Vehicle). ARV $10,000.

* Second prize is a $500 STIHL gift certificate. ARV $500.

* Third prize is a $250 STIHL gift certificate. ARV $250.

One Website entry per person. See rules for an extra entry via Twitter. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States who have reached the age of majority in their state of residence. October 5, 2014.


Today's Bonus

For the chance to win a $2,000 Walmart gift card, and more...
The Palmolive Dish Liquid Sweepstakes





Good Luck!

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Tuesday Update and New Sweeps!



Today we have some exciting news, and some catching up to do.

First, the winner has been announced for the Win a Southwest Gift Card! sweeps! Congratulations to Tammy S.! What a thrill that must have been to win! Thanks to everyone who participated!

On another note, the "Quikly" from the It's a Friday Food Day post has come and gone. Hopefully, some of you scored your Domino's gift cards from this.

I did mine via text, and was able to cash in at the $3 level. This was, overall, so very much fun. It was my first time ordering online from Domino's. They made it really fun and easy. I invited my youngest son and his best friend for pizza, and it was delicious! The whole experience, from beginning to end, was very enjoyable. Thanks to Domino's and to Quikly, both. I am certainly looking forward to more of these.

Now, on to today's sweeps...


Krusteaz Flatbread Instant Win Game

For this sweeps, the rules state that a "week" begins at 12:00:01 p.m. PST on Thursday and ends at 11:59:59 a.m. PST the following Thursday.

* Grand prize is a Weber Spirit SP-320 Gas Grill (ARV $599), and a one year supply of Krusteaz Flatbread Mix (ARV $3 each box, total ARV $36.00).

* 12 second prize winners will each receive one 3-piece Weber Original Grilling Tool Set. ARV $34.99, each prize.

* 100 third-prize winners will each receive a coupon for one box of Krusteaz Flatbread Mix. ARV $3, each prize.

One play per person per week. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 or older. Ends November 6, 2014.


Smucker’s Natural Fruit Spreads Spread A Little Sunshine Promotion

You must submit a photo to enter this sweeps, though photos are not judged. Be sure that you have no logos in your photo, as these may disqualify your entry. The only exception to this is the J.M. Smucker Company family of brands.

There are five ways to enter, including The Smucker's Website through the above link, along with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Iconosquare. See rules for instructions for entering via the latter four, if you prefer one of these methods.


Entry periods are as follows:

9/17/14, 10:00:00 a.m. ET – 9/24/14, 9:59:59 a.m. ET
9/24/14, 10:00:00 a.m. ET – 10/01/14, 9:59:59 a.m. ET
10/01/14, 10:00:00 a.m. ET – 10/08/14, 9:59:59 a.m. ET
10/08/14, 10:00:00 a.m. ET – 10/15/14, 9:59:59 a.m. ET

* Grand prize is $10,000, intended for a kitchen makeover.

* 50 Weekly prizes each week (200 total) of a Smucker’s Gift Basket - consisting of Smucker’s Natural Fruit Spreads assorted products, Smucker’s Natural Fruit Spreads Pairings Cards, and VIP coupons. ARV $48.80, each prize.

One entry per weekly entry period. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 or older. Ends October 15, 2014.


Today's Bonus

Allows 10 plays per person/email address per day, with up to 10 bonus entries per day for bag codes. Ends November 1st!
Cheetos Brand Halloween Sweepstakes

Save $5.00 when you spend $20.00 on any Glade® products.


Good Luck!

Monday, September 22, 2014

How to Avoid Sweepstakes Scams


This is an updated version of a previous post, published seven years ago. I thought it was worth updating and re-posting, as the information is important to know.


The Federal Trade Commission (chief consumer protection agency of the U.S. government) has had a "Scam Alert" on file for some time now, warning consumers of sweepstakes scammers posing as government officials who would claim that their prey had won a prize, then ask for money in order to send it. The scammers would end up being the only ones to receive any money, and the would-be prize winner would be holding the bill. The alert goes on further to state several timeless ways that these scams can be avoided.


#1 Don't pay to collect sweepstakes winnings

If you are required to pay anything, then pass it by. Legitimate sweepstakes won't ask you to pay anything in order to receive your prize. Some promotional contests do ask for a shipping and handling fee... however, in the end, it is more often than not, a lot of red tape and extra fees which could end you up with nothing.

#2 Hold on to your money

Scammers will sometimes ask you to wire them money, or to overnight them a check or money order for quick delivery of your prize. No, no, no. These are not legitimate tactics. True sweepstakes sponsors want you to have a wonderful experience with their company and product, which does not include asking you to pay for their promotion in any way.

#3 Phone numbers can deceive

Don't rely on your caller id to be a totally reliable source of information. Internet technology can allow scam artists to "disguise" their phone number so you won't know where they are calling from. Someone could have a number from Washington, D.C. show up on your telephone when they are really calling you from Siberia.

#4 Take control of the calls you receive

Place your telephone number on the do not call registry at www.donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222 to help reduce the amount of unwanted phone calls.

#5 File a complaint with the FTC

If you receive a suspicious winning phone call, file a complaint with the FTC at ftc.gov, or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP. If possible, include the date and time of the call along with the name and/or telephone number of the organization that called you. Even if it is a phony number, enforcement officials may still be able to track it.

Also see:
Prize Scams


For those who enter regularly online, I would also add to be aware of the signs of a legitimate Website, and of "phishing scams." Though phishing sites will pose as a regular Website, there are generally signs that will tell you it is a fake.

Often, you will receive an email regarding something you wouldn't remember happening (because it never did), or asking you to change your password at a particular site. It will look like an "official" email, overall, and will likely have real-looking logos from some prominent company (such as Paypal or Google, for example). In most cases, the email will contain a link for you to click through to "resolve" the issue.

Never, ever click the link without being certain the email is legitimate. If you do, whatever information you are entering is going straight to the scammer, giving them access to your accounts and other information.

There are a few ways you can check for an email's legitimacy. You can hover over the sender's email address, to check if it is the official address of the real company. Often, phishing sites will have a completely different one from the real one, though at times it may seem similar. Also, check for spelling errors, as phishers often have these. In general, anything that seems suspicious in the email, probably is.

If you are still unsure, type the URL of the legitimate site into your address bar, without clicking the link in the email. Then you can check the details with the site directly, and report the email as phishing, if necessary.

Overall, sweepstakes in general offer a wonderful experience, and scams are not as commonly successful as one would think. The large majority of sweepstakers will likely never have the misfortune of being taken by a sweepstakes scam. However, scammers do prey on the unsuspecting, so it is good to be aware that these things do exist, and to exercise caution when something seems suspicious.


Today's Bonus

McDonald's is having a "Pre-promotion Sweepstakes," leading up to the start of their regular "Monopoly" game. You can register for this once, and they give you the free code "McDMONOPOLY" to use for your entry. Prizes for this sweeps are $10,000 and $50,000. It starts on 9/23, and ends on 9/29. After this date, you can use this site to enter codes from the Monopoly game.

This sweeps has a complex set of rules. As always, your entry is your own, so you may wish to read through the rules, as well. There, you will also find instructions to request game pieces for the Monopoly game by postal mail.

2014 MONOPOLY Game at McDonald’s

Save 25¢ when you buy any ONE (1) bottle of Frank's® RedHot®.


Good Luck!

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Do You Enjoy Creating Art with Colored Pencils?



Today's contest is a monthly one, so if you don't win it the first time, or the second, or even the third, you can always enter again the next month! This is one good way to advance your skills in anything!

For this contest, Colored Pencil Magazine posts a picture, with a different theme each month. Your job is to re-create the scene using colored pencils.

There are two categories available for entry. The basic gist is that the "Advanced" category is for professionals, and the "Beginner" category is for those without professional experience.

Your artwork must be created with at least 80 percent of it in colored pencil, to qualify. Once its done, then you will need to take a photo of it to upload onto Flickr.

Prizes will vary from month to month. The current contest ends on October 10, 2014.


September CPM Art Challenge "Blue & White" #1409




Good Luck!

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