Spam is unsolicited emails.  I really don't get any spam.  Most emails I get are as a result of entering sweepstakes that require a newsletter signup.  This is not spam.  I can recognize a win notification, but I also continuously delete email as it comes in while I'm on the computer.  I use my regular email address for everything.  I just keep Outlook Express open at all times.

I use the "filter" or "message rules" options on my e-mail program.  First I made a folder called "WINS" in the e-mail program (so I now have "Inbox" "Sent" "WINS", etc.).  Then I made message rules which will send any e-mail with the following words to the "WINS" folder:  winner, winning, congratulations, notification, e-prize, etc.    Then I check this folder first.  This way, if I have limited time, at least I have the most likely winning notifications in one place.  Granted, I still get junk in the "WINS" folder, but it narrows it down.  At first I had the word "win" in my filter, and I would get e-mails about "winter" "winds", etc, so I changed it to winner).  Then, when I have time, I go through and read the other e-mails in my inbox.  Most you can tell by the subject line if they are ads, and those I just delete right away, without reading (a win notification isn't going to have "Save 75%" in the subject line).  I also try to be very careful when entering the sweeps to make sure I opt out of as many of the ads, etc. that I can so I don't have as much junk to wade through.

I hope that makes sense, I kinda rambled on there, hehe.