I just got a MyPoints e-mail that promised 5 points for clicking onto eBay, and 50 for either registering or making a bid once you're there. Well, if you're not registered, registering is free and you've got an easy 50 points.

But if you're already registered, you can do what I did: Make an early, cheap bid (between 1 cent and 1 dollar) on something that has just gone on sale, and will clearly be sold for much more. You can go to Search, then click "Advanced Search," search any category, and look for a price range between 1 cent and $1. Then scroll down to the most recent bids, and pick one that looks hot. Place your 1 cent bid, wait to be outbid by someone else, then enjoy your 50 points!

(For extra protection, look for something that has a "reserve price." Your 1 cent or $1 bid certainly won't meet the reserve, and as I understand it you can then sit back, collect your points, and rest easy.)