Sixty Swagbucks for the taking!

Today is Swagbucks' second birthday and the company plans to celebrate in style over the coming days.


Perhaps the biggest change is in denominations. Before, you would generally get 1 or 2 SBs. Sometimes, there would be a 3, 5, 10 or even more. But it was rare.


Starting today, though, Swagbucks will be in 10s, 20s and several other denominations. It also seems we're being promised more wins. (See today's Swagbucks blog for a more thorough explanation.) That means your account will grow faster! (If you already have an account, your current total will be increased by a factor of 10. So 100 SBs becomes 1,000.)


This means that anyone starting an account today can start with SIXTY Swagbucks!


From 6 a.m. PST, February 25th til 6 a.m. March 4th, you can enter "ABBYSCODE" and start your account off on the right foot.


For those of you already registered, don't worry -- there's still new SB-earning opportunities for you:

• There will be a ton of codes given away today. Check the blog, Facebook and Twitter throughout the day!

• Download the new Swagbucks toolbar (3.0) and enjoy the new features. There will be new ways to win with the toolbar -- but you have to be logged in.
  

• Be sure to check out the revamped homepage. It is supposed to be an easier interface.
  

• Swagstakes galore! Okay, that's not Swagbucks, per se. But it's free stuff -- which is pretty much the whole point of Swagbucks! Check out the new Swagstakes portal. It will offer more contests and even feature some limited-entry formatted contests. That will help insure each entrant's odds of winning.
  

Normally, I'd say save up your Swagbucks for Amazon gift cards, but there are a LOT of great prizes being offered. So I say go and grab up as many codes as you can. Then use them to enter to win $100 Amazon Gift Cards, Sony Bravia 32" TV, Amazon Kindle, Apple iPod Touch, Flip Ultra HD Camera, Panasonic Blu Ray with Remote, Apple iPad, Sopranos Complete Series Box Set, Rachel Ray 10 piece cookware set, Playstation 3 system + games bundle, Canon Powershot Camera, Seinfeld Complete Series DVD box Set, Viziio 22" LCD TV, and lots, lots more.


So what are you waiting for? Download the toolbar, start searching and get entered in some contests!


Happy Swaggin'!

Swag-MANIA!

As promised, folks, today I'm bringing you a special offer from Swag Bucks!


In deference to some big changes at the program (all good, I promise), they are offering my readers the chance to sign up and get SIX Swag Bucks. That's double the normal amount!



All you have to do is go here to the registration form. Fill out your personal information and, when you get to the blue highlighted box at the bottom of the form, input the Swag Code "PENNYPICKING" -- be sure to use all caps. (The code will work until 11:59 PM PST on Tuesday, June 16th.)



Voila! You will have 6 Swag Bucks tucked safely in your account.



Of course, you can save up for the bigger stuff. But maybe you want to go on a spending spree! Well, then try your luck in one of the many "Swagstakes" to try your luck at winning prize packs, vintage posters, guitars, or even 100 - 1,000 Swagbucks.



If you're more interested in a sure thing, the Swag Store has prizes starting as low as 3 Swagbucks.

• Need some tunes? Get an MP3 for as little as 3 Swagbucks.
  

• Feeling nostalgic? Go get a Return of the Jedi trading card for 20 Swagbucks. (Or save up for some Star Wars collectible figures.)
  

• Saving up for something on Amazon? You can get a $5 gift card for only 45 Swagbucks!

• You can also get electronics, airline miles, and more!

Whatever you decide you want, check out the Swag Store and take advantage of the special gift with purchase offered on certain items! Just in case giving us free stuff wasn't enough, these guys want to give us free stuff for getting free stuff!



And you'll have plenty to look at. Starting today, Tuesday, June 9th, the video game section is going to get a lot bigger. As in thousands of new & used titles, many on special sales.



On Wednesday, you will see a new feature, "Shop & Earn Favorites." Just choose your favorite Shop & Earn stores. After that, you'll automatically be notified when the stores have new coupons and deals.



On Thursday, go check out the new homepage -- Swagbucks 2.5. I've been told it's cleaner, easier to navigate, has new special elements and is, in general, snazzier than ever!



Finally, throughout the week, the Swag Bucks team will be bringing you "Swag Code Hunts" on the site's blog, as well as on Facebook and Twitter pages. I've done several of these hunts, and they're a little frantic but tons of fun! And there's nothing like a gratuitous Swag Buck in your account to make you smile!



Once you're signed up, don't forget to kick your Swag Bucks earning into high gear with the Swag Bucks Widget. This 300 px by 301 px box will have:

• A referral tab (how else will you recruit your Swag-Bucks-searching minions?!)
  

• A search box (A good reminder for you -- and said minions -- to do their searches)
  

• Swag code alerts (Keeps you from having to constantly check in)
  

• Pictures of Swag Store items (Gives a new meaning to "Keep your eyes on the prize!")
  

Put it on your blog, on social bookmarking pages and profiles... Wherever you think you can recruit more people to the cult-y goodness that is Swag Bucks. (But better than a cult, because rather than giving up your worldly possession, you get more!)


So go, sign up, and start earning!