My Points

So many things in life revolve around points (earning points, making points, taking points, measuring points, pointing, etc). In many ways money is just another point system. You collect enough points, trade them in, and voila the Roles Royce is yours. In sports you get the ball into the net as often as possible to earn the maximum amount of points, in life it's not always that easy, but it's often the same idea.

Over ten years ago a business class started an online company based on points. That company is still alive and kicking today (and buys me dinner about every 3-4 months).

No I don't have anything to do with Mypoints.com, and they probably don't even realize they are buying me dinner. Here's how you can let them buy you dinner too:

The majority of my points have come from spending less than a minute a day quickly scanning emails that mypoints sends me. For every email they send I get 5pts. If I have a few minutes (usually not) I complete the surveys they send and earn 50pts. If I remember, I make my purchases online through them. I spend the same amount of money as I would otherwise, but I get a few points per dollar.

Overall, I spend very little time with mypoints, and expect very little from them. After a few months of not paying much attention, I notice that I have accumulated enough points for a gift card. I choose where I want to go out to eat, order the gift card, and enjoy.

I've streamlined mypoint emails even more by setting up a filter in gmail. I have the mypoint emails skip my inbox, and straight to a mypoints folder. Then, I take care of the emails all at once, whenever I get around to it (usually once a week).

You can sign up for Mypoints from their website, or I can invite you (members get 100pts per referral).

Just remember don't expect much, don't do much, and enjoy a free dinner every few months.