AC Neilsen / Homescan / National Consumer Panel is accepting new households!

Update 8/4 - They're open for new members again!

I've been a member of AC Nielsen Homescan (now National Consumer Panel) for over 5 years now.  You earn points by scanning your household purchases and answering surveys -  which are redeemable for a ton of things! Here are the categories in which you can redeem points: Appliances, Children, Donations, Eco-Friendly, Electronics, Experiences/Trips, Gift Certificates & Cards, Home Furnishings, Home Office & Business, Kitchen, Lawn & Garden, Pets, Recreation, Style, Tools, Travel & Spotlighted Items. 

The longer you are a member, the more points your transmissions are worth.  Since I've been a member for over 5 years, every time I submit a transmission, I get 280 points. I'm also a "triple platinum" member...whatever that means. :)

If you're interested, click here to join the panel. Some states may not qualify depending on the demographics they're allowing into the panel right now.  Be sure to read everything before you decide to join, because I admit, sometimes I really don't feel like scanning everything before putting it away when I get home.  

When you're accepted, they will send you a scanner, a charger, a cable to connect to your computer and a list of stores and a scanner sheet.  

They're interested in your household purchases (groceries, gas, clothing, etc.)  Your scanner comes loaded with a list of stores, but you will have to connect the scanner to the internet to make sure the list is up to date.  They want you to scan everything you buy.  Some stores (like Smith's in my area) are already loaded in their system, so I don't have to enter the prices of the things I buy.  Others (most stores in my area) aren't loaded, so you have to scan the product and enter the price.

Both of my kids love to use the scanner, and they're finally getting to the point where I'll pretty much let them do it!

The points can add up pretty quickly if you scan & transmit regularly - if you scan every week you get "super scanner" bonus points as well as your regular points.  I've redeemed my points for the Fisher-Price Crawl & Cruise Playground, a few sets of Fisher-Price Peek-a-Blocks, the Fisher-Price Digital Arts & Crafts Studio, a pool for the kids and a really nice Samsonite travel backpack for me.  Funny...almost everything is for the kids...  Anyway, I'm sure there's more I haven't listed since I've been a member for so long.  My point is that the points add up quickly enough that you can redeem them at a fairly quick pace.

Good luck and happy shopping! :)