Overseas MSE-er, USA advice?

darkangel-42

Hi there fellow MSE-ers,

I've been on here a while now and really enjoy(ed) comping and the main site. The forum has been a great resource with some brilliant contributors.

A couple of weeks ago, I moved from the UK to the USA and that has meant not being able to enter much of what's posted on here.

Since there's such a wide array of people on here, I wondered if anyone could suggest a site (or sites) for the US where I can get financial guidance/resources and competition listings?

I know I could just google but I'd rather get some input from real people and hopefully find something that offers similar in terms of scam-spotting, answer finding and such like.

...until/unless MSE decides to open a branch over here that is!

Elsbells21

I'm not sure, but I think the US do more "sweepstakes" then UK style comps as you have to pay tax on them. There was a programme on recently... I can't exactly remember the name. "Extreme couponers" maybe? that would have some good tips.

Sorry if that made no sense - am tired

nelie

http://www.contestqueen.com

There's links on there to US based comping sites Hope that helps - it's down at the moment for a revamp - but she does loads of links to other comps and her FB too.

x

emmaglet

Hello!

I don't have any suggestions for sites, but remember that you will need to pay taxes on your competition wins

darkangel-42

I'll look into the tax thing but since I'm in NH which has barely any taxes, it may not matter. Even if it does, I only enter for things I actually want so I don't mind paying the tax on it since that would only be a fraction of what it would cost to buy the item.

Thankyou nelie, I'll try when the site it back up and see.

And I can't get the extreme couponers tv show

jeddentad

The tax on winnings is a federal tax, not a state income tax, so being in NH won't effect it. (NH makes it's money off of high property taxes, so you pay in the end either way)

Often it is taken either directly off the top, or you must pay before they will release the prize.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertwood/2012/12/11/all-prizes-trigger-taxes-and-you-cant-pay-irs-in-doughnuts/

It's reported on your 1040 as other income.

(sorry, expat in the other direction)

darkangel-42

That's very helpful Jeddentad.
Again, I only enter for things I want so I'm happy to pay the tax to get it as opposed to paying full price to buy the item myself (or having the tax man take a bite out of any cash prize is still better than no cash prize at all).

The contest queen site is up again now too, so that should keep me entertained for a while!

jeddentad

good luck!

and welcome to the snow

RavenRae

my friend uses these two sites for comping - one of which is currently down

HTH

http://www.sweepsadvantage.com/

http://www.sweepstakestoday.com/

2win

Hello, I'm in the same situation as you but vice versa lol. I've done very well sweepstaking in the usa, not so much here in the uk though. The best website and the website that has brought me the most luck is: slickdealsDOTnet/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=25
I also recommend snazzywinDOTcom and facebookDOTcom/sweetiessweepstakes
(I'm a new user unable to post links, replace DOT with . )

For most high value prizes you will be asked for a social security number and photo i.d. which is either for taxes and/or to verify your i.d. so if you don't have a social security number, i'd suggest entering comps using the name and birthdate of someone you know who has those things so you don't get disqualified. Feel free to pm me if you need to know anything else. Good luck!