Roslyn (love the name by the way),
Here is my speech that I like to give all newbies, which is mostly stuff I wish that I was told when I started sweeping: First, you don't need to look for any other sweepstakes site. This is it, it has wonderful links to legitimate sweepstakes with responsible sponsors. All the sweeps on this site are checked out and scanned by Mr.S and Crew, so I don't think you can find anywhere else to beat it. However, you still need to read the rules for each sweepstakes, and make sure that you qualify in the small rules that Mr.S and Crew put on there. If you aren't going to thoroughly read the rules, at least skim them and then read the comments under the sweep. There is often times valuable information there like codes, things to opt out of, reminders to check boxes, rules that others think are important and other comments about the sweeps that might help you navigate the page. (It's also a nice place to socialize yourself since you will find yourself sitting behind the computer for an hour to three hours at a time sweeping!) Use your LL, use autofill, stay positive, ask any question you have, use the search box in the upper right hand corner of the forums page and most of all, HAVE FUN! I can't wait to read about your first win! **Okay so I copied this from another post of mine, sorry (first time I have done that, feel a little guilty for not giving personal attention), I am getting sleepy fast tonight** As for entering the "i'm in" and "one, two, three, etc...." are just people being social. Don't take it in a negative way, it is supposed to be fun, or even funny to read sometimes. Like I said, this might be the only socialization that you get once you become addicted to ST, we will all be your personal cheerleaders, sweepstakes family and friends. It can't all possibly be about sweeping all the time. We have members like LittleToyMan who post uplifting things, and others who post prayer requests and other things that are important at that time in their life. I hope that you enjoy yourself, and I hope that you get your GP win sooner than later!
Peace, Love and Sweepstakes Today Wins,
Mindy
ps- LL lucky list, GP grand prize, ARV average retail value (you are expected to pay around 33% taxes on this if it is over $599; Wait to worry about that until you do win big, don't let it deter you too much from entering. Besides some of these have high ARVs that you can match for lower prices on your taxes, but that is a whole other subject) IW instant win, etc. Self explanatory, kind of. It took me a couple of weeks to get it all down.
"Man is the only animal that laughs and weeps; for he is the only animal that is struck with the difference between what things are, and what he thinks they ought to be." -William Hazlitt
If you get the chance, visit this webpage: http://contests.about.com/ there is a lot of good information there all about sweeping! (tax info, 'lucky' tips, how to avoid sweepers burn-out and being DQ'd, scams and safety tips.....and the list goes on!) Great place to visit if you get a break from sweeping or need some awesome information!