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I wanted to start off by thanking those of you who showed an interest in and commented on my first post, which was basically an introduction to what could be accomplished by entering online sweepstakes.  Since there were several readers who seemed like they would enjoy this topic, I decided to begin a series of posts dedicated to successful sweeping.

After much debate and thought about what my first post in this series should be, I concluded that it would be best to actually let my readers know the MANY different types of sweepstakes and online contests out there.  The rest of this post, then, will define and explain the different kinds of sweeps you'll run into and my personal opinions on odds, successful strategies, etc.

If any of you have any opinions about these types of sweeps that I'll discuss here, please feel free to comment at length.  I've found that the more people talk amongst themselves about their winnings, experience, etc., the more we all learn and benefit.

(Also, please keep in mind, that this weekend I will start my weekly posts which will list my top sweepstakes picks.  The way I choose my top picks is based on prize, contest length, number of possible entrants, etc.  Only the most winnable sweepstakes will be given the label, "A MOMMY MUST!"  These are the sweeps that I would DEFINITELY MAKE TIME TO ENTER!  Remember to check back soon for my Winning It Weekends posts.)

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This year, our holiday feasts will cost more than ever, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Food prices jumped a whopping 4 to 5 percent in 2011 and are expected to continue climbing next year.

But you can have your fruitcake and eat it, too, without breaking the bank, says Toni House, author of Savvy Shopping: How to Reduce Your Weekly Grocery Bill to $85 Per Week – or Less! (www.SaveYourMoneySaveYourFamily.com).  A mom with executive-level experience in accounting and the restaurant industry, House pared the monthly grocery bill for her family of four to $250.  And nobody complained.

"It takes savvy shopping," she says. "Worried about going broke serving big holiday meals? Forget it. You can save on the Christmas trimmings and trim the 2012 household budget with planning, patience and grocery shopping 'guardrails' to keep your cart in line."  House offers these tips:

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Oh tannenbaum, oh tannenbaum, how lovely is thy tax situation.

Less than 24 hours after the Department of Agriculture announced they were slapping a 15-cents per tree tax on Christmas tree growers, the Obama administration backed off on the plan.  The idea, hatched by the tree growers themselves was to fund a promotional push similar to the successful "Got Milk?" campaign from dairy producers.  Naturally, consumers would get stuck paying any such tax, bloating tree prices even further.

Maybe it's time to try that Festivus aluminum pole from "Seinfeld," instead of a tree?  Or maybe it's time to consider these guidelines for buying that Christmas fir:

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For Cycle House fitness guru and head spin instructor, Nichelle Hines, staying fit and healthy is a way of life.  While many think getting in shape is impossible, Nichelle’s five simple steps can change even the laziest person’s view.

Nichelle’s DIY Steps to a healthy lifestyle:

1. SLEEP: At least 8 hours of sleep a night! Your weight is directly related to how much rest you get. With 8 hours of sleep a night cortisol and stress levels decrease while your energy level increases!

2.It’s true, breakfast is the most important meal of the day:  Eat a healthy breakfast with a mix of complex carbohydrates, protein and fat! (eat the yolk, it's the least of your fat concerns!) Nichelle’s personal favorite: whole wheat English muffin, egg, turkey bacon, and low-fat cheese with an apple. It will sustain you till lunch!

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Aunt Jean is coming to town.  You've known about it for months, but you're days away from her camping out in your guest room with a plethora of denture accessories.  And she knows just how to cook your turkey.  Face reality and get a game plan, because compensating with bourbon refills can get pricey.

Sharing your home can be an awesome experience, even for folks who prefer themselves to non-resident relatives.  But it just wouldn't be the holidays without stuffed turkeys or stuffed houses--so cozy up with these sanity-saving tips.

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