Times are tough right now for a lot of people. Movies and shopping excursions have been curtailed and parents are having to find creative ways to entertain their kids. You know that might not be such a bad idea when you think about it.

Why not use this time to get more connected with your families? Hey, I'm a sweeper, ever the optimist. What better way to have a family night in, then to drag out some crayons, scissors, glue, the funny papers and construction paper?

That's right, instead of you getting Carpal Tunnel Syndrome from filling out all of those envelopes, why not get the family involved in a winning activity? How wonderful would it be, when you win a great prize, to call the entire family together and you all enjoy the win, that everyone worked for.

While you find the sweepstakes and contests, have the kids decorate the envelopes and let ole' dad fill out the 3 x 5 cards. You might have to use your persuasive powers to get everyone on board,. but you can do it.

Read the sweepstake prizes out load and let everyone dream a little. When they hear you rattle off those prizes of cold cash, luxurious vacations, dreamy trips to Disney World and monster mountain bikes, you might be surprised at how much interest you can spur in them.

Before you know it, you will have tiny ears listening expectantly for the Fed Ex truck, curious eyes watching for the mailman and eager footsteps following you down the driveway to retrieve the mail. And your teenager only has to hear those words, "Congratulations, you're a winner," once, on the other end of the cell phone, to realize good news does not only mean, hearing from the love of their life.

Sometimes when you are sweepstaking, and it seems forever since you have gotten a win, some family participation is just what you need to give you that renewed vision and energy to fill out one more entry. It's always easier knowing you are not going it alone in something. With today's economy, sweepstaking gives you the opportunity to believe there may just be more than your paycheck and more than your limited budget to make some of your dreams come true.

Tomorrow could be the day you have waited and worked for…the day when you can hold up that winning affidavit, pat yourself on the back and say, "It took a long, long time, but this makes it all worthwhile."

Sweepstakes Your Guide To Winning! Get the inside scoop on how people are winning all of those sweepstakes and contests, and here's a clue, it's not all luck! This guide will give you step-by-step instructions on how to be a winner!

To read more from Editor and Author Sandy Lovern, please visit
Sandy Lovern; and Sweepstakes Success