I started out by giving away silicone bracelets and quickly realized that wasn’t going to be enough if I was going to run contests all the time.

Then I added other stuff like key chains, pencils, change pouches and other novelty items, and I realized that you can only win so many of these little trinkets before you’re bored with them.

Now I’ve decided to offer the trinkets along with points you can accumulate for other prizes, as well. You can use points towards a key chain or change purse, or you can save your points to earn gift cards.

So here’s how it works:

1) Each relevant and well-thought-out comment earns you 25 points.

2) If you submit a question, and I use it, you’ll receive 50 points.

3) Earn 100 points for each typo you find in my posts. I hate typos, but some of them slip by me. Help me out and earn points.

4) Earn 25 points if you suggest an idea for ways to earn points, and I use your idea.

5) Earn 10 points each day for logging into the My Question of the Day blog. You’ll have to register to log in.

6) Almost all contests will have multiple winners. Winners 1-10 will receive between 10 and 25 points, depending on the level of difficulty of the contest. Winners 11-20 will receive between 5 and 15 points, again, depending on the level of difficulty of the contest. Each contest will have its point value listed.

There will be other ways to earn points, and I’ll add them as they come to mind.

Points never expire, and I will be awarding points retroactive to 01 February 2010. If you’ve left comments previously, won contests/drawings, submitted a question that I’ve used, you will be awarded the appropriate amount of points for each as long as you’re a registered user. That means many of you already have some points accumulated! Yay!

Want a few more points right now?

Register on the My Question of the Day blog, and receive 100 points once you confirm your email address. Your subscription information will only be used to create an account to track your points. You will receive one email with your username and password, that’s it. I won’t be sending you any spam or allowing anyone else to have access to your information.

Please note, as of 12 June 2010, you must be registered to earn and redeem points. If you have earned points already, and you are not registered, your points will be forfeit on 31 July 2010. As long as you register before 11:59pm EST on 31 July 2010, any points you’ve earned beginning 01 February 2010 will not be forfeit.

Go to the Redeem Your Prize Points page to see what you can choose from!