Sweeps Support System

[openmind101]

So, at first I think my husband took the whole sweeping thing as a joke. Yesterday I surprised him with a new wallet I'd bought with Amazon codes I had won, and it seems like at least 3 times a week now I'm telling him, "I won another book, or I won this or that"...and I can see in his face that he's impressed (just wait 'til I win BIG). I love hearing him say, "wow baby that's so great!"

So my question for you all is this:

How does your spouse/kids/family/friends feel about your sweeping hobby? Do they think it's a joke/ridicule you or do they support you?

 

[amyshulk]

My guys saw I was winning, so they tried for a while, but even though they would win, they prefer gaming, so they quit ages ago.

DS *loves* my hobby - he got an ipod {which I'd never have bought} and a replacement xbox, awesome BOSE speakers, etc.

DH is cool - I'm disabled and can't work - since I can cover my book costs with my Amazon codes

 

[saraclare1]

After a while, a person in your life does realize it is for real! I have a doubting daughter who did not enter any links I sent her last year even though her odds were good (one state only contests, etc.) but just a couple weeks ago, she finally took it more seriously and has started to sweep! Some people don't keep with it, but it pays off!

 

[allysonblake]

My hubby is very supportive- when I was out with a broken ankle for 3 months and going stir crazy sitting at home he knows it really 'got me thru' - he also thinks it pretty cool that we won a trip and $5k in my first year sweeping so he is very encouraging now LOL! I really don't share it with many other people though bc sometimes ppl kind of belittle it, or make it seem silly - not sure if anyone else experiences that or not, but I just choose to only share with close family lately, I don't really like trying to explain my hobby to other people or justify it - then they see me going on a free trip and its not so silly anymore!! hahaha

 

[openmind101]

My hubby is very supportive- when I was out with a broken ankle for 3 months and going stir crazy sitting at home he knows it really 'got me thru' - he also thinks it pretty cool that we won a trip and $5k in my first year sweeping so he is very encouraging now LOL! I really don't share it with many other people though bc sometimes ppl kind of belittle it, or make it seem silly - not sure if anyone else experiences that or not, but I just choose to only share with close family lately, I don't really like trying to explain my hobby to other people or justify it - then they see me going on a free trip and its not so silly anymore!! hahaha

Yeah, I've really only told one other person in detail (close family member) and she seems very interested. Other than that, it seems people do belittle it or think you're weird or nuts or even lazy... I don't think folks realize just how large sweepstaking is though, it's like its own sub-culture or something...I had no clue until I really got into it. Even now I don't think of myself as a super hardcore sweeper (yet, we'll see!), but I'm pretty into it.

 

[amyshulk]

My hubby is very supportive- when I was out with a broken ankle for 3 months and going stir crazy sitting at home he knows it really 'got me thru' - he also thinks it pretty cool that we won a trip and $5k in my first year sweeping so he is very encouraging now LOL! I really don't share it with many other people though bc sometimes ppl kind of belittle it, or make it seem silly - not sure if anyone else experiences that or not, but I just choose to only share with close family lately, I don't really like trying to explain my hobby to other people or justify it - then they see me going on a free trip and its not so silly anymore!! hahaha

It's because of PCH - back in snail mail only days, they used "weasel words" to infer/imply that people had ALREADY won to get them to purchase magazines, and they were publicly called out.

Since then, everyone who has used a computer has gotten the !!!YOU WON!!! type popups that either infected their computer, convinced them to purchase a product/service, or worse, so people are skeptical.

They just don't understand our hobby - those few that you CAN convince that this is real? They will either waste your time when you lay it all out/walk them through the process, or they'll want you to enter FOR them because they won't want to expend the energy!

 

[slyfox33]

My wife can't believe I invest the time I do in sweeps, but she never seems to complain when I shower her with wins.

 

[pmeek]

People that I tell think it is an odd hobby until I tell them all the things that I have won over the years. Many want to learn and join in, but no one wants to put the time in. My husband was doubtful until the first home entertainment center complete with a big flat screen arrived many years ago. Now he tells me what to look for to win. My grandkids and I have all the latest electronics and they love all the giftcards I send them for birthdays and Christmas. We enjoy all the great trips I have won and the cash prizes sure come in handy. After all these years, my husband loves to tell people about all the great stuff I have won. Once you have been at it for years and have a houseful of prizes people won't think it's so odd.

 

[amyshulk]

People that I tell think it is an odd hobby until I tell them all the things that I have won over the years. Many want to learn and join in, but no one wants to put the time in. My husband was doubtful until the first home entertainment center complete with a big flat screen arrived many years ago. Now he tells me what to look for to win. My grandkids and I have all the latest electronics and they love all the giftcards I send them for birthdays and Christmas. We enjoy all the great trips I have won and the cash prizes sure come in handy. After all these years, my husband loves to tell people about all the great stuff I have won. Once you have been at it for years and have a houseful of prizes people won't think it's so odd.

Yep - I spent a week or so setting things up for my mom, walking her through it, giving her all the tips I'd learned through trial & error, and she didn't even last a week!

 

[allysonblake]

I got my dad all set up to start sweeping and then he told me he was on a roll and entering FOUR to FIVE sweeps a day! <Insert my blank stare here> - I then tried to explain to him how many i enter, which led to me sounding completely obsessed, so i gave up LOL

I say...let them think its silly - helps our odds to win

 

[amyshulk]

I got my dad all set up to start sweeping and then he told me he was on a roll and entering FOUR to FIVE sweeps a day! <Insert my blank stare here> - I then tried to explain to him how many i enter, which led to me sounding completely obsessed, so i gave up LOL

I say...let them think its silly - helps our odds to win

Once you win a tangible win, that you can show the naysayers, then they'll get it.

And don't laugh at dad - my guys entered a fraction of what I did, and they *both* had higher wins ratios than I did at times!!!

Entering a lot makes us feel like we've accomplished things, but the most important thing is just to enter - it only takes 1 entry!!!

 

[openmind101]

I got my dad all set up to start sweeping and then he told me he was on a roll and entering FOUR to FIVE sweeps a day! <Insert my blank stare here> - I then tried to explain to him how many i enter, which led to me sounding completely obsessed, so i gave up LOL

I say...let them think its silly - helps our odds to win

LOL that is hilarious...I used to be like that and I thought I was hot stuff lol

 

[desil815]

LOL loved reading all of your stories. I have gotten just about every response you all have--many doubters, many think its cool think they should give it a try but never stick with it, etc. Usually those close to me are just happy that I enjoy it and are even happier sharing/receiving my wins. I just got to take three in my family to Las Vegas for free, they were happy

 

[arrtup3]

This is a great thread you started, openmind101! Good question and good replies! Like desil815 just said, I can relate to everyone's experience. It is good to know you are not alone!

 

[sweepstercoach]

My kids think it is great, because they get all sorts of goodies. My husband wasn't a believer until I took him with me on a two week trip to Thailand that I won...he became more supportive, but I try to only enter when he's not around or when he's doing something else. He thought that I should be using my time working in a real job, but instead I decided to write a book about sweeping and turn this into more of a job and hobby combined! Now everyone knows how I spend my time!