Several readers have asked me how to win Swag Bucks. I know there are still many of you who don’t think it works, I was skeptical in the beginning too.
Then, last year I was able to pay for all our Christmas presents using swag bucks to purchase Amazon gift cards, and the gift cards to purchase gifts.
After Christmas was paid for I started saving my swag bucks for these:
And last week, I bought an iMac computer for my children using Swag Bucks!
Now, you can’t earn enough swag bucks to buy a computer overnight, (well some of you probably can) but over time they do add up.
Here are ways you can earn Swag Bucks:
1. Use Swag Bucks to search the web.
Instead of using google I use swag bucks. I almost always find what I am looking for, and if I don’t, I just switch back to google. When you search using swag bucks you randomly win bucks.
2. Install the swag bucks toolbar.
I can’t believe I didn’t do this sooner. I installed the toolbar and I usually win several swag bucks a day for doing nothing! It just pops up on my computer screen.
3. Purchase items through the Swag Bucks website.
The swag bucks website usually has incentive programs if you buy through their affiliate links. Currently, if you order flowers through their link you earn 700 bucks.
4. Find the Swag Codes.
Swag Codes are released about once a day. They can appear anywhere, and at any time, throughout the Swag Bucks network. This includes, Swagbucks.com; the newsletter, any Swag Bucks powered Search&Win Site; the Official Swag Bucks blog, Facebook Fan Page, Twitter page, Flickr page; and affiliated partner sites. When you find the code, enter it in the swag code box on the site and earn bucks.
5. Trade in your old electronics.
You can earn bucks for trading in your old cell phones, video games and electronics.
6. Vote in the Daily Polls.
Each day the Swag Bucks website runs a poll. They are only one question and random participants earn a swag buck or two after they submit their answer.
7. Refer Friends.
This is the best way to earn swag bucks. When you log in to your account you will find your referral code. Even if you don’t have a blog you can share this code with your friends via email, facebook, etc. When your friends sign up using your code you earn swag bucks. You are awarded matching Swag Bucks only for the Bucks they win while searching (up to a total of 1,000).
A few more Swag Buck tips.
Recently Swag Bucks changed the value of the swag bucks. While you use to win 1, 2, or 5 bucks when you searched, now it is usually 10, 20, or 50 bucks. When they changed the value of the bucks, they also increased the cost of the prizes. A $5 Amazon gift card cost 45 Swag Bucks under the old system, now it costs 450 bucks. So if you had 300 Swag Bucks in your account, and now you have 3,000 it is because of the new system.
Redeem your Swag Bucks rather than hold on them. There is a limit on how many prizes you can buy each month so don’t hold all your bucks until you want something, cash them in as you go.
Friday is Mega Swag Bucks day. That means you have the chance to earn more Swag Bucks on Friday than other days of the week.
If you aren’t using Swag Bucks I would encourage you to give it a try and see if it works for you. If you signed up a long time ago, but stopped using it, try it again. It has been a financial blessing for our family and a great way to stretch the budget!
abba12 says
They’re still not in Australia :'( I’d sign up as american but in my experience, when it comes to financial prizes they aren’t so keen or easy to redeem if the country you are in isn’t listed. I’m so desperate to use it!
Michelle says
I wish it had worked for me, as it does for you. It tooks months and months for me to earn just the $5.00 gift card and I never got it. I know it works well for a friend of mine, just not for me.
TheHappyHousewife says
I know, I emailed them about the overseas stuff and they said not yet. Maybe one day?
Holly says
I love swag bucks especially with the new system. I have just recently joined and my amount keeps jumping and jumping. I would also encourage people to try it again or just to try it period.
An iMac computer…that is impressive!
Thank you for the advice on cashing in your swagbucks as you go. That is really helpful information.
Sturgmom says
It seems like the people who “make” the most swagbucks are those who have tons of people sign up under them. Do you find that to be the case?
TheHappyHousewife says
I think referrals are definitely important, and the best way to accumulate a lot of swag bucks quickly. But, I try to earn swag bucks from every option, not just referrals.
becky says
I signed up for it a while back, and I can’t stand it. It changes the search engine, and it stinks! I can’t find anything anymore, and I end up opening a new browser so I can google. Don’t you miss googling? I dunno about this. I earn about 13 bucks a day.
TheHappyHousewife says
Well, I always use Swag Bucks first, if I don’t find what I want I switch to google. It is a little inconvenient, but it is worth it for me.
Tamatha says
I think you’ve convinced me to at least give it a try…I don’t know anyone personally who has used this, though, so if you e-mail your swagbucks code (or whatever identifier used) I’ll use it when I sign up so you can benefit, as well.
Tamatha
Andrea says
Can you tell me—if you get the amazon gift cards, can you use more than one per order? As in, if my order totals $25 can I use 5 $5 gift cards? Or should I save them up for the $50 or whatever? I did the math and I think it costs less swagbucks to get a bunch of the $5 ones rather than one larger one.
Tonya says
Thanks for the great tips. I have been wondering what the swag codes were all about and how to get one. In just 2 weeks since downloading the toolbar I have over 700 SwagBucks. 🙂
leigh ann says
curious as to how you earn so many swagbucks so quickly? i have been doing this for 5 months and only have around 3000. i have the toolbar and i search for EVERYTHING using swagbucks. what am i doing wrong?
Rachel says
You can use as many gift cards as you want. I recently spent $30.03 on Amazon.com. I had 6 $5 gift cards so I used them all and all I ended up paying was $0.03. It was so great to be able to get something for my daughter and it not really cost us anything at all. I love Swagbucks.
Julie @ CalleLillyCafe says
I’d like to try this too! As often as I’m on my laptop, it would be great to benefit from it! =) Can I also have your code to register for Swagbucks? Thx so much!
ali @ an ordinary mom says
Wow, I guess I’d better keep trying… 🙂
Kelli says
How do you get your referral code for family and friends to sign up with swagbucks. I can’t see to locate one. Thank you
karen says
Always was curious about swagbucks but always had one question? Do you have to report any of the prizes or anything on your taxes. Just curious. This has been thew one thing that has stopped me from doing swagbucks.
TheHappyHousewife says
I do report the prizes on my taxes. Sorry :(.
Toni
Marsha says
This is the best explanation of swag bucks I’ve run across so far. Thanks! I’ll have to look into it.
Fishinastorm says
Michelle…I don’t know if you know this, but the gift card is not sent to you…The amazon coupon code appears in “My gifts” section after u click on ur “account” link…It appears only on the 1st and 17th of each month (if the dates happen to be weekends, then they display the code the earlier weekday….
I just used my gift card to get a sony ericsson w580i accessories kit…:)
Fishinastorm says
Becky,
You can still use google without having to change browser or open new window……Here’s how to do it….
1) Install swagbucks toolbar from the main website…U can use the swag bucks toolbar’s search box to earn points……
2) If u want to use google (assuming u r using firefox), u can select google as ur search engine by clicking on a small downward triangle in the top right of ur firefox window and then choosing “google”…u only have to do it once….
Even if u r using another browser, u can use google….let me know which browser u r using so that i can better help u…
Cheers.
becky says
I am using Firefox. I changed the setting in the search box in the upper right hand corner. In gray it now says “Google” instead of “Swag Bucks Customized Web Search.” Is this what you were referring to? If I understand correctly, using my google search will not earn points. I need to get the toolbar again…
Thanks for the tips. I might get to do this after all…
Michelle says
Thanks. I knew that I wasn’t going to get a “card”. I went back and searched again and found it. I have started using swagbucks search again. I am still not getting very far on the earnings, but decided to keep using it and maybe get something at Christmas time. 🙂
fishinastorm says
Becky…since you are using firefox, here is what you have to do…
1) Go to http://swagbucks.com/?cmd=sb-plugins. Here you can download a whole new toolbar specifically for searchign with swagbucks. After you download the toolbar, you have to restart your browser once. In that toolbar you have a login button where you can enter you account. click remember password so that you don’t have to type your password everytime.
2) now go to the top right corner (just like you did) and make google appear in gray.
Yes, google search will not give you swag points. So if you want to earn swagbuck points, use the toolbar mentioned above. If you want to do some google searching , use the upper right box. So now, u don’t have to open a new browser or do anything….in the same tab, you can do earn swagbuck points by searching and also use google toolbar for better search results…
becky says
I got it all set up again. Thanks!
Paula Morgan says
I have no problem getting the swag buck every day that I open my browser (FireFox). what i have a problem with is when i do a search with the swag tool bar, a window opens saying i have XX number of swag bucks. all i have to do is enter the 3 digit letters in the box so they know i am not a robot …
Paula Morgan says
I lost the first note.,. here it is again: i use the SB tool bar to search, they then send me to a page where i have to enter a 3 digit letter to show i’m not a robot. i enter the letters EXACTLY and they keep telling me i didn’t get it right. i enter capital letters and then i enter lower case letters … NEITHER ONE WORKS. i have asked the swag bucks people many times to help out with this, but they are stumped too apparently. I am presently using FireFox to browse. i have tried it also with Windows Internet Explorer. NOTHING WORKS. i am really getting frustrated.
TheHappyHousewife says
Paula-
I am sorry you have having trouble. 🙁
Mayra says
I’m going to try it to cash something while being at the laptop. Do you know if it works with the iphone?
Rita says
I use Swagbucks all the time to get the $5 Amazon gift cards. Just in case nobody noticed: the Amazon gift cards are cheapest when you buy them in $5 increments. For example, a $25 Amazon card costs 3,150 Swag Bucks. But if you were to buy five $5 Amazon cards, it would only cost you 2,250 Swag Bucks total. I always buy the $5 card as soon as I have enough SB in my account, then I just hold onto them until I have enough to buy what I want.
truc says
can anyone tell me how can i do swagbuck? i just register, but i dont know how to do it….please help me please….i dont know which site can be earned money, how to win a swagbuck from swagbuck taken, and the store.
thank s so much
Honest Swagbucks Strategies says
Hi Happy Housewife, Wow! That’s amazing that you earned and saved so many swag bucks to redeem Apple gift cards. Mega Swagbucks Fridays are exciting, but the most I’ve won is 12 swag bucks. How about you? Have you ever heard of anyone winning 1,000 or 100 swag bucks in a search?
BTW, I started a blog to share insights during my journey with Swagbucks. I also share honest strategies to help people earn swag bucks. Check it out and let me know what you think by commenting on my blog. Enjoy!
Hannah says
It seems like I am always on SwagBucks but I’m hardly accumulating any swagbucks! I’m trying to get 12,000 for the iPod touch. How can this work faster?
TheHappyHousewife says
Try getting some referrals, but having your friends sign up with your affiliate link. You should earn bucks faster that way.
Swaggy McDoo says
This site REALLY does work, it just takes about a month or so to get used to how it works and everything. I’ve been doing this for over 1 1/2 years now and LOVE it.
I am like $50 away from getting a 32″ flat screen tv from amazon. Once you do find a “groove” stick with it because they add up fast after that. All of my swagbucks I have earned 18,000 in a 6 month span averaging around 3,000 a month, but have way more than that now with NO HELP from referrals at all,all 24 of them. (LOL).
I do other site like swagbucks,but am not as involved in them as I am with swagbucks.
Kim says
You said you have earned 3,000 a month without referrals. Do you purchase stuff online that earns your bucks? I can’t see that as getting stuff for free, if I have to buy something for it. What’s your secret?
Swaggy McDoo says
I do 4-5 searches a day, all the surveys I can do from trusted surveys & from the S/O’s section and maybe a a few other offers, and no,I do not buy anything through through shop & earn section at all.
swagger dew says
You also can do “tasks” that SB has just started.
You can print grocery store coupons from the SB website and use them. It will take a couple of months ( or more ) for the coupon points to be credited to your account. For each coupon you print and use at your store, you get 10 swagbucks.
Watch the videos and play the games as well to earn SB.
Especially watch the blog, the SB twitter page and the SB facebook page for codes to earn more swagbucks. Also fridays are mega fridays and the swagbucks awarded are pretty awesome.
Hope this helps some.
Swaggy McDoo says
I would like to add that I have a personal quota of getting about 75-100 SB’s a day which averages out to around 2,250-3,000 a month.So it is possible to acquire the amount that I did in the 6 month span or more.
Kim says
How are you able to complete the surveys? Every time I start one, no matter what, it always tells me that the survey is not for me? What is your secret??
I am not very successful at this either! It takes me at least two months before I have enough SB for a 5 gift card for Amazon….
Any advice you can give is greatly appreciated!!!
Kiersten says
Thank you for this post! I just started my website and came across swag bucks when searching about giveaways. Your site looks great! I’ll be back to visit again soon!
elisabeth (bovagoods) says
i recently cashed in and got three $10 starbucks gift cards! it took me a while but i am getting better. i am making a point to search every time i’m on the computer. i usually win within the first 3-5 searches. the most i have won doing a search is 25 swagbucks. i have two referrals but don’t make too much from them. i am eager to try the coupons and the store……thanks for an awesome post!
SWAGGY DOO says
Did you fill out the “profile” surveys yet? if not, you need to do that first before you start receiving surveys.
yin says
OH u take such long time to earn 5 $ card.frankly speaking ,i used two days for getting the 5$card after signing account
Meg says
does any1 know how 2 get the codes on the swagbucks toolbar?
Rachel says
I know this is a late reply, so it may not benefit leigh ann, but I have been using swag bucks for almost 2 weeks now and I am already up to 2228 swag bucks. I use the search engine every day, I watch the short video clips, (10 clips=3SB), do the daily poll for 1SB per day, same for visiting the survey page, if you qualify for surveys, that’s even better! Even if you don’t qualify for the survey, you can do a whole bunch of profile surveys worth 5 or 10 SB each.
Lilly says
i am using an ipad2…is there another way to be able to have the toolbar?
Trish says
I definitely get the most out of Swagbucks by using Swagbucks TV! I figured out that I can mute the commercials and videos once, then all videos I click after that will be muted too. And you don’t have to watch the whole video, only about 50 seconds of it. So I click a video, set a timer for 50 sec., and go about the rest of my business on the internet (or read a book, do homework, etc.) until the timer goes off. Then I click back to the TV page, click another video, rinse and repeat! I can usually earn at least one $5 Amazon card a week doing this, unless I’m unusually busy.
Judi says
I didn’t read all the comments but I did see a question about taxes. SB is just like any other income prize. If your prizes total to more than $600 per year, Swagbucks is obligated to send you a 1099 form which must be claimed on your taxes. 99% of Swaggers do not reach $600 in one year. I think I made about $175 in 6 months last year so I doubt I’ll make it to $600 this year. However, states are cracking down on getting people to pay their sales/use taxes for online purchases. Amazon sent me an e-mail with my total for the year and I did pay my $15 in Sales Tax. Just like with any other “job” you get out of it what you put into it. Earning Swagbucks does take time. Since I started Swagbucks in July 2011, I have only had to pay out of pocket for 1 box of diapers and I got Birthday and Christmas gifts also. Without Swagbucks my boys would not have gotten a birthday present.
Judi says
Quote from KIM “You said you have earned 3,000 a month without referrals. Do you purchase stuff online that earns your bucks? I can’t see that as getting stuff for free, if I have to buy something for it. What’s your secret?”
Earning SB for purchases is only a good idea if you would have purchased that item anyway. I only do FREE Special Offers but if you are going to shop Online at say Target, why not do it through SB earn for your purchase? I have earned some SB for online purchases but I mostly try to do all the FREE stuff before resorting to something I have to pay for.
Sonja says
I never get qualified for a survey…and I get only 1 or 2 swagbucks when I do complete them. I earn a few here and there, but then I am told I can’t use them in the swag store. I’ve gotten small prizes like kids toys I could buy at the Dollar Tree. How do you get the swagbucks for the larger prizes?
Colton Moon says
Hey guys! I though I would interject my thoughts about Swagbucks! I absolutely love it! I get mine very very slowly because I have no referrals but it is still a great way to get free stuff! Also please check out my new blog at coltonmoon.wordpress.com
Jody says
I just started Swab Bucks a little over 3 weeks ago and have already earned enough for three $5 Amazon gift cards. It’s easy and fun. . . though I did get a bit obsessed about it at first. Thanks for the advice about cashing in regularly due to a limit in redeeming Swag Bucks. Hadn’t considered that and am now looking at cameras on Amazon.com!
David Greene says
Thanks for sharing, I found out about SwagBucks from this site since I’m trying to get started making money online, and have been trying to find ways to earn more ever since I came across it, this post is definitely helping!
Sonia (Swagname: Abstractioncat) says
i just started swagbucks about 3 or so months ago . . . got a connection win money for a game i was playing if i signed up for swagbucks. at first i hated it but now i love it but i havent gotten anything yet. still saving up almost have 2000. a lot of times i dont qualifly for surveys becuase of not having certain electronics or being to young. its not as easy to win swagbucks when you have a slower computer. i like this site it has useful info. i didnt know that you could use swag codes and download a toolbar(heard of them but didnt know what they were. thank you
Sonia (Swagname: Abstractioncat) says
whoever said earlier in comment it seams thoose who have lot of swagbucks have ppl sign up under them. . . i have almost 2000 idk if you count that as a lot but i do and i dont have any ppl sined up under me it just took a lot of videos, special events(e.g. holloween zombie v.s. vampires),surveys, and others. i did get disqualified for a lot of surveys too that why i try the best to complete surveys with 100 or more swagbucks rewarded
Jeremy says
i just started today and by doing a few things i already have 80. i think this is a useful site and i appreciate the info.
gerald says
i joined swagbucks about a week ago, i have entered several offers and most of them have not paid out even though i have emailed them with proof, i now have 8 outstanding iquiries that remain unanswered and unrewarded. i am very disappointed as all my time and effort has been in vain, i have tried every email address and still only get auto responses. this is now a site i would tell everyone to avoid like the plague.
Michelle says
I used to do swag bucks back in 2011 but quit because I never really could win many bucks at a time. I recently (January 2013) got back into it. When I logged in initially, I realized I had 2000 points, so I quickly (after a few days) was able to get up to 2500 and get the $25 Amazon card. Year to date (January 1 to February 13), I am now up to $50 in Amazon money (which I used ALL the time). And, I’m only about 200 points away from another $5. I redeem every single time I get 450 points because that is actually cheaper than 2500 for $25. I do my very best to reach my “goal” everyday so that I get bonus points. 🙂 Year to date, I’m up to 250 bonus points without doing anything except reaching my daily goal! This is much better than Bing which I can usually get only about $5 per month (but I still do that!).
Vicky says
Best deal is 450 swagbucks for $5 amazon gift card and you can redeem for that I think 5x a month – so 2250 swagbucks used to equal $25 amazon!!!!
JR says
Great list!! I also like SB TV… since I am on the computer anyway, it is an easy way to rack up some swagbucks for just clicking some videos!!
Robert says
Inorder to win swagbucks I have to search for stupid things. Like where are the voyagers in space. Would the earth start over with humans after all things are gone. That is how I win a few at a time.
Chris Myers (@cwm747) says
I love Swagbucks for earning, and redeem my swagbucks for Amazon giftcards. I have been a member for 3 years. I have earned $40 a month just watching videos, completing tasks, short surveys, visiting websites, searching, and more in my spare time. It’s a bit harder to earn now then it use to be, you know back in the days..lol but, its still my TOP choice site to earn from. I made my own affiliate site for it if you want to see it in the link above. Swagbucks is highly recommended, adn is NOT at all a scam, if you follow the rules they always pay..Guaranteed! Have a good day. ***** http://swags.devhub.com/ *****
Bonita says
I love Swagbucks! I average $100.00 a month in Paypal cash. I have my routine down. I meet my goal 1 and total goal daily. And I get all the bonus points for reaching my 7 days, 14 days, 21 days and 31 days. I use the toolbar, extension, I do polls daily, Noso daily, watch videos on the offers, the videos earn you 2 points and it can go on all day. I watch sbtv on my smart phone while doing house chores. I do those no purchase required and use the search when I need to purchase online and earn sb’s on my purchases like home depot, I just earned sb’s on purchasing from Avon. I heard about an effective bug repellant made by Avon so, I researched using Swagbucks. It says, I earn 3 sb’s per dollar on my purchases. when it says it will credit your sb points in 4-7 days. It actually does! I have used it when I booked a room from Hotels.com and I used the search bar to take me to the site. They paid me 6 sb’s per dollar spent on the hotel room booking. It did take 7 days to get the credit, which is fine to me. Swagbucks pays sb points for just about any online shopping you have to do. Just use their search bar for whatever company you are shopping from. It all adds up! I reach 2500 every 7 days. And I cash them in for 25 paypal cash. It has helped my family a lot. It isn’t for everybody. I started up in 2011, I made a little back then and quit. Just this year 2014. I decided to give a go again and went hardcore. Read some people’s views and took notes. So, I went ahead and tried it myself. What did I know? It can actually work if you put effort. Thanks to #Swagbucks! Good luck to you all!
Bonita says
Oh another ways that I earn my points is doing the daily crave and encrave on special offers. Watch for the read ones under special offer. They 5 sb’s for each read, it will instruct you on what you need to do to earn the 5 sb’s or 2 sb. Sometimes they want you to view the quick video or read the excerpts. Simple as that!
Sarah says
I’ve had great luck with Swagbucks! I. Average about $50 /month in Amazon gift cards. So far this month though, I’m up to $65. They have many ways to earn “swagbucks” so there’s something for everyone. I’d love to have you sign up under me.- I don’t have any referrals yet, & I’d be happy to teach you everything I know about being successful. Give it a go: http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/micha164
Thara says
I love swagbucks! I’ve earned enough for 2 nice cell phones from best buy, christmas gifts for my children and a few other small gift cards through amazon. It’s not a site where you will earn hundreds a day but you definitely earn a hundred or more in a month just putting in an hour or 2 here every day or so. Nothing comes for free. This is my favorite site right now though.
Michael Smith says
I have been using Swag Bucks for a few months now and ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!! It’s 100% LEGIT, straight forward, easy, etc….. The only drawback is the time u have 2 put in to make any real money!!! I live in an area that has the worst network ever so I can only do 1 or 2 things @ a time…..I can’t even run the “Toolbar” so there r no Bonus “Bucks” for me!! I’m a disabled, single father who was screwed out of my SSD benefits and trying to find some way to make a living, anyone have any other ideas?? Don’t get me wrong I love the idea, and will continue to use it for a lot of things but it just isn’t cutting it @ $0.10-$0,20 per hour!!!!
Kathleen says
I just started using Swagbucks again after almost two years of not using it. I find that I missed the Amazon gift cards. So back on and trying to build up my swagbucks and found your post. Are you still using it?
Toni Anderson says
Yes, I’m still using it! I just used one of my Amazon gift cards this month for Christmas purchases.