Frugal Forum Column March 4, 2012

Let’s talk about sweepstakes and contests.
Many people feel they’re scams, and you’ll never win the extravagant vacations, money or other prizes. While I’ve never won a vacation, I have received many products, magazines and lots of free coupons. I also have a friend who’s won cruises, plane tickets and more, so I know you can win big.
Unfortunately, there are some online sweepstakes that are just out to get your information. Legitimate contests often have the following:
■ A stated plan on how they will use your information and a privacy policy.
■ Rules that govern them.
■ No fees to enter.
If the site suggests you purchase something to improve your chance of winning, don’t sign up. And remember, no legitimate sweepstakes will ask for your Social Security or credit card numbers.
They will certainly ask for an email address and phone number. Companies will often call to tell you that you’ve won, so enter an accurate phone number. It’s probable you’ll get some telemarketing calls, too, so be ready. If you want to avoid a lot of e-mails, sign up using an alternative e-mail address instead of your regular one.
If you plan to enter lots of contests, check out Roboform, a program that fills out forms for you with the click of your mouse. The basic service is available for free at Roboform.com.
One way to improve your chance of winning contests is to enter ones that require a little extra effort, such as writing an essay or submitting a recipe. Those tend to have fewer entrants.
Here are details on some current contests. Good luck.

If Ryan Newman, driver of No. 39 Chevrolet, places in the top 10 in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, you get a FREE Bloomin’ Onion from Outback Restaurants the Monday immediately following that Sprint Cup race. http://contact.outback.com/obslanding/outbackracing_2_20120131.aspx

Enter Emeril’s Mother’s Day Breakfast in Bed Contest. Just write an essay 100 words or less explaining why your Mom deserves Emeril serving her breakfast. http://www.emerils.com/newsroom/484/emerils-mothers-day-breakfast-in-bed-contest/

Join the American Family community and have a chance to win the $50,000 giveaway. https://www.americanfamily.com/lp/PermData/?tcode=AF-CPM-8010010258

The makers of Freshchetta products are asking fans to take a stand for Fresch pizza! Fans are able to submit a photo to a Rally Mosaic on their Facebook page for a chance to win a Freshcetta pizza. Each week, they will select 100 winners to receive 5 Freshcetta pizzas. On March 30, they will select 10 winners who will receive a year supply of Freshcetta pizza. https://www.facebook.com/freschettapizza

The first 100 people each day that click the four items on People Magazine page will get a free swag goodie bag worth $200. This is valid daily through March 15, and goes live each day at noon. https://peopleswagsuite.com/people/swag/index.jsp

Barcardi is celebrating their 150 Anniversary. Watch a short video to learn more about BACARDI and to find your first clue. Follow the trail of clues to find the right answer then enter for your chance to win a limited edition BACARDI t-shirt. https://www.facebook.com/bacardi?sk=app_201141206636045

Celebrate March Madness with Reese’s. They are giving away 278 prizes daily until April 30. Lots of free coupons and t-shirts prizes. https://www.hersheys.com/reeses/promotions/perfectpick/login.aspx

If you purchase any specially marked Universal Studio 100th Anniversary DVD movie look for your unique code everyone will win an exclusive discount plus a chance for a trip to Universale Studios Hollywood for a shot at $1 million dollars. http://universal.promo.eprize.com/100thanniversary/

Like Paper Mate on their facebook page then upload one photo, generate a short incident description and create a wanted poster for entry. One hundred winners of a Paper Mate pen every day until March 25. https://www.facebook.com/PaperMate?sk=app_113236618793859

Silk Fruit & Protein will randomly pick 60 entrants per day to receive a coupon for a free quart or half gallon coupon until March 28. https://www.facebook.com/SilkUS?sk=app_121121694568521

Purex detergent is giving away 50 bottles a day for 50 days. Sign up daily to win a bottle until March 31. http://www.purex.com/50-days

Register with Dole Crisps for your chance to win one of over 1,000 instant win prizes and for a chance to win the grand prize ultimate vacation to Fiji. Lots of coupons for free package of Dole Fruit Crisp. http://warmup.dole.com/

Sign up at Dole Salad Saladtude Sweepstakes and you could win a getaway to Monterey, CA with 4 friends to dine with Felicity Huffman. Ten daily winners mostly a recipe booklet and free package of Dole salad coupon. https://www.facebook.com/DOLESaladGuide?sk=app_100881600038298

Celebrate Spring with Family Dollar for a chance to win 1 of 3 family vacations. You also could instantly win one of these prizes - $97 Stock-Up Care Package, $50 Gas Car, and $10 Family Dollar Gift Cards. http://www.familydollar.com/pages/get-the-goods-get-away.aspx?=sweepstakes-get-the-goods-get-away-banner-1203lp

Sign up to win a trip to Dublin, Ireland from Irish Springs. Plus, you could instantly win an American Express, Walgreens or music gift card. http://www.legendarygiveaway.com/:b=ie9/

Enter for a chance to win a John Frieda Hair Care Gift Basket including an assortment of John Frieda Hair Care products. For a limited time, when you enter the sweepstakes, you'll receive a coupon for $1.50 off any Full Repair Hair Care product. http://www.johnfrieda.com/en-US/fullrepair/RedCarpet.aspx

Enjoy the delicious recipes from Velveeta and Rotel with your friends or create your own to win $15,000. http://velveetarotel.promo.eprize.com/weeknightwow/

Sign up for Kellogg’s newsletter and receive coupons, special offers and promotions and be entered to win a trip for two to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, England. http://www2.kelloggs.com/2012GetReadyforGold/?src=acquisition2012_default_display_channel&utm_source=default&utm_medium=display&utm_content=default_olympicsweeps_300x250&utm_campaign=acquisition2012

Receive $5 off Logan’s Roadhouse plus a chance to win a trip for two to the 2012 Men’s College Basketball Championship in New Orleans. https://www.logansroadhousetripfor2.com/?tag=heaf&a_aid=4574b825&a_bid=45eb9eb2&data1=7719

Win $10,000 from Land’s End for a Spring Break Escape or one of ten $100 Land’s End Gift Cards.
https://www.facebook.com/landsend?sk=app_207858032598671

Two winners a day will win $250 in free gas from Advance Auto Parts
https://www.facebook.com/advanceautoparts?sk=app_187349648040876

Valspar is giving away 750 free samples a day until March 31 to bring the power of color into your life. https://www.facebook.com/events/195172530587369/

Share Kentucky Fried Chicken and Dr. Pepper Sounds So Good sweepstakes on your facebook page and receive a code and you could win a trip to the Academy of Country Music Awards show. https://kfcsoundssogood.brandmovers.net/

Sign up for the Thortons Men’s Basketball Bracket Challenge for a chance to win free gas for a year. http://www.thorntonsinc.com/bracket/



RiteAid Deal:

Clairol Nice n’ Easy Hair Color on sale for $7.99 use in ad $2 coupon plus $2 Sunday paper coupon making the final price just $3.99.

Gillette Venus Razor on sale for $7.49 receive $1 +UP rewards plus $2 Sunday coupon making the final price just $3.99.

Buy $25 worth of Gillette Venus, Satin Care, or Gillette Venus cartridges and get $5 +UP rewards (combine it with above sale)

Secret Outlast for $3.99 receive $1 in +UP rewards plus $1 Sunday paper coupon making final price just $1.99.

Buy $30 of Gillette Proglide razor, Old Spice deodorant, Gillette Body Wash and receive $10 +UP rewards match with Sunday coupons making this a great deal.