My buddy Greta over at Friend Family Fun offered to share her post on Reward Programs.  I personally participate in all the ones she has listed plus others!!  I have earned some pretty great perks such as free product coupons and great discounts!  I keep a box that I throw all of my caps, flaps, barcodes, etc… and once or twice per month I go through the box and work on entering codes, taping UPCs in order to get my next perk!!   So if I were to answer Greta’s question–I say YES reward programs are totally worth the effort!!
Recently, I have heard many people say they do not participate in Rewards Programs.  They are simply too time consuming, too difficult to keep track of, and not beneficial enough.  My goal is to better help you understand the benefits of Rewards Programs and why I am a strong advocate (and participant!) of these programs.  Why not get more bang for your buck on products you are going to buy anyway?  There are many reward programs out there, but I am going to highlight my favorites.
Pampers Gifts to Grow

  • Where to find codes:  You will find a code inside each package of Pampers diapers or wipes.  These codes are one-time use only and range in value from 5-132 points depending on the size of the product.  Check out participating products and their point values here. 
  • Extra Codes:  Pampers occasionally releases “universal” codes that everyone can use.  I always post these on Friend Family Fun.  You can find past codes (some of which are still active) on my blog as well. 
  • Rewards:  You can view the rewards catalog here.  There are several items from Shutterfly, such as personalized thank you cards (600 points) and prints (500 points).  You can get toys for your child and even gift cards!  My personal favorite is the $10 Diapers.com gift certificate for 1,000 points. 
  • My Rewards:  I have been a member of Gifts to Grow for about 7 months and have redeemed the Diapers.com $10 gift certificate twice! 

Huggies Enjoy the Ride Rewards 

  • Where to find codes:  You will find a code inside each package of Huggies diapers or wipes.  These codes are one-time use only and range in value from 5-20 points (approximate).  
  • Extra Codes:  You can also earn points on the Enjoy The Ride website by watching videos, participating in polls and referring friends to the program.  Huggies also occasionally releases “universal” codes that can be used by everyone, such as codes found in their email newsletter.  I always post any codes I find on Friend Family Fun.
  • Rewards:  There are various sweepstakes you can enter for 1 point each.  There are also instant win and interactive games where you can play to win prizes such as a free package of Huggies diapers, gift cards or cash (1 point).  Finally, you can save up your points for other rewards, such as toys, a $25 Gap or Kohl’s gift card (625 points) or a free jumbo pack of Huggies diapers for 300 points. 
  • My Rewards:  I have been a member of Enjoy the Ride Rewards for about 5 months.  I have not earned any rewards yet because I spent most of my points on the Instant Win game.  However, I am currently saving up for a free jumbo pack of Huggies.  

My Stonyfield Rewards

  • Where to Find Codes:  On the lid of each Stonyfield yogurt product you will find a code worth 1-4 points each.  
  • Extra Codes:  You can earn an extra point for each person you refer to the program (they must sign up).  
  • Rewards:  Rewards start at 25 points and are mostly in the form of free product coupons.  Five free cups of Stonyfield yogurt is 30 points.  Any two free HappyBaby products is 25 points, as is one free Nature’s Path product or one free multipack of YoBaby yogurt. 
  • My Rewards:  I have been a member of My Stonyfield Rewards for about two months and I have already redeemed my points for a free multipack of YoBaby yogurt.  I currently have ten points in my account.  

RecycleBank

  • About:  This is a recycling program that is active in certain cities around the U.S., however it is not limited to curbside recycling!  Anyone can join and get rewarded for taking steps toward a “greener” lifestyle.  
  • How to Earn:    You will get 40 points just for joining.  Join the Ebay Green Team (Click on “Earn Points” at the top of page) and get 50 points.  You can also join Kashless and link up your Kashless & RecyleBank accounts to receive rewards each time you list an item on Kashless.  And if you are in one of the areas that does curbside recycling with RecycleBank, you will earn points based on how many items you recycle.  There are also occasionally promo codes that you can enter to get extra points.  Right now, you can get 15 points by entering code RECYCLEYOURMAGS.
  • Rewards:  There are so many rewards to choose from!  Some of my favorites are $5 off $30 Winn Dixie purchase (50 points), free box of Kashi Cereal (50 points), free package of 7th Generation baby wipes (75 points), and free 7th Generation natural dish detergent (50 points).  Keep in mind, the rewards are constantly changing!  
  • My Rewards:  I joined this program when it first started and there were many more ways to earn points then there are now.  So far, I have received two $5 off $50 purchase Publix coupons, two $5 off $30 Winn Dixie purchase, free box of Kashi cereal, free Happy Baby rice cereal, free 7th Generation baby wipes and ten $1/1 Coca-Cola product coupons. 

My Coke Rewards

  • Where to Find Codes:  Each Coca-Cola product either has a code in the cap or inside the cardboard box.  Codes range in value from 3-25 points.  You can view participating products and point values here. 
  • Extra Codes:  There are occasionally special offers, such as a chance to earn 10 extra points if you enter 3 codes before a certain date.  These don’t come around very often.  
  • Rewards:  This program also has lots of reward options.  There are sweepstakes and instant win games, both which usually cost 3 points.  You can get merchandise, magazine subscriptions (150-300 points), and various other things.  My favorites are the free product Coca-Cola coupons.  A free 12-pack is 240 points and a free 20 oz is 30 points.  View all rewards here. 
  • My Rewards:  I have been a member of My Coke Rewards for about 8 months.  So far I have redeemed my points for a free 20 oz Coca-Cola and two free Coca-Cola 12-packs. 

I have been participating in all of these programs for less then a year and have earned approximately  $78 worth of free products and gift certificates.  I view it as a $78 “rebate” I received on products I already buy.  I hardly invest any time in these programs, so I think that’s a pretty good return!

Tips:
  1. Get reward codes from friends and family!  If you know of people who have no desire to utilize these programs, just ask if you can have their rewards codes!  My mom gives me all her Coca-Cola codes because she doesn’t wish to participate.  It never hurts to ask! 
  2. Bookmark each website and have your browser “save” your username and password.  This makes it quick and easy to find each website, log-in and enter your codes.  This is a huge time-saver for me!
  3. Give your points away!  If you still aren’t convinced to give Rewards Programs a try, consider this – most of these programs allow you to give your points to help support some really great causes!  Huggies allows you to give your points to the American Red Cross.  Coca-Cola supports many wonderful associations such as the Red Cross and the Special Olympics.  You can even donate to your school!  At Pampers, you can donate your points to UNICEF, which provides life saving vaccines. 
  4. Remember, you aren’t going to make a fortune or get a slew of free products from these programs.  However, every little bit helps!