Friday, 16 January 2009 16:05 Last Updated on Friday, 16 January 2009 17:20 Written by cent_saving_mom

Since you are online anyways why not be rewarded for that time by earning prizes, even cash? There are numerous legitimate opportunities out there that you can participate in, you just need to figure out which one(s) you are interested in and would be easy for you to use during your usual online routine. I've written a brief overview of several online opportunities below, each one I am a member of and thus far have enjoyed the benefits of being a member.

Click "Read More" to finish reading this blog entry.

SwagBucks is an online community where you earn swag bucks, consider it a digital currency only valid at swagbucks.com. There are several ways to earn swag bucks including online searches or shopping, inviting friends or recycling an old phone or mp3 player. Also swag codes can be found on Facebook, Twitter, the Swag Guys blog or in the SwagBucks newsletter.

Become a Swaggernaut today and you'll start off with 3 free swag bucks!

Prizes that stick out to me in the Swag Store include popular gift cards like Amazon, Starbucks and many others. Other prizes you may choose from include autographed memorabilia, high dollar electronics, sports cards, apparel and a plethora of other items.

I personally perform a lot of searches using the Swagbucks toolbar because it is a search engine powered by Google and Ask.com. In just a few days I have accrued 12 swag bucks and I have my eye on an Amazon.com Gift Certificate.

Instant Cash Sweepstakes is the latest rewards site I have joined. You are allowed to play (answer) a total of 5 surveys during every 6 hour block of the day. You accrue lottery tickets for the weekly grand prize drawing for each play as well as have the chance to win smaller cash prizes that are awarded daily. Survey answers have nothing to do with whether or not you will win so just answer the questions honestly. Most of the survey questions are just fun and fluff so they are super simple and quick to answer. In my last 6 hour play block I accrued 97 lotto tickets. You become vested when you earn $2 and can cash out via Paypal any time after you have earned $2 but are required to cash at if you hit the $100 marker. Invite your friends and family to sign up under you so if they win so will you as they offer 100% matching wins!

Finally don't forget to check out these cashback offers before you make your next purchase online.

Live Search Cashback offers a percentage of your product(s) purchase price back. Live Search Cashback rewards are paid out by your choice of one of the following payment methods: PayPal, direct deposit to your bank account or a paper check via snail mail. You can search for cashback offers by store or item here. Live Search Cashback is paid out usually around 60 days after your purchase so long as your balance is $5 or greater.

Ebates is another cashback site very similar to Live Cashback however sometimes they offer different percentages back or cover different stores. It only takes a minute to check both Ebates and Live Search Cashback to see which one is offering the best deal. Currently Ebates has a $5 signup bonus so if you've yet to sign up take advantage of it now. Ebates cuts big fat checks every three months based upon a schedule posted on their website. You have the option of receiving your big fat check via snail mail or Paypal provided that you have your full and valid name and address on your account profile. My last big fat check was for $32.50 and I have $11.18 pending the next cash out on February 15th!

MyPoints is another rewards site that offers a points based rewards system that you can use to redeem for rewards from a variety of merchants. Earning points here is rather easy and relatively quick.

Currently MyPoints is offering a FREE $15 FTD Gift Card with every redemption through January 31st! So if you have been a MyPoints member for awhile and raking up your points now may be the time to consider cashing in so you can double dip on the rewards! You can earn MyPoints for shopping online, reading emails, playing games, searching the web, taking surveys, printing coupons and participating in Bzz Agent. I currently have a total of 2,284 points and I'm undecided on whether to get an Amazon GC, a CVS GC or a Target GC.

Last but not least is Upromise. Upromise is a program where your earnings are saved for College. This is a great program for parents with young children. You can get a percentage back of your purchase price for online purchases, up to 8% back at over 8,000 restaurants by paying with a credit or debit card linked to your account, going to the grocery and or drug store and scanning your rewards card linked to your Upromise account or using your credit or debit card that is on file, inviting friend and/or family to join and redeeming eCoupons. While my Upromise account has a small balance it has significantly increased since they launched the eCoupons.

Get out there and sign up for these rewards programs today so you too can begin to reap the rewards for the time you are already spending online.