Use Your Skills to Win a Beautiful Back Yard!

Today, it's time to dust off those contest skills, and to get thinking about the new back yard you could win once you do! I don't regularly enter contests, however, I like to enter them on occasion. It takes just the right one. Some can be quite time consuming, and I don't often have a lot of time.

Today, I happened to run across just the right one. For this one, you need to write, in a hundred words or less, why your home needs a back yard paradise. If you like, you can also upload a photo or video of your yard, pertaining to the theme. This is optional, not required.

Entries will be judged base upon the following criteria:

Originality of the overall description - 50%
Relevance to the Contest Theme - 50%

Five finalists will be chosen, who may then be contacted for a brief interview. The winner will be determined by the judges overall scores, which will include the above criteria and the interview.

* Grand prize winner will receive up to $10,000 (combined value of materials & labor), that may be a combination of pavers, retaining blocks, fire pit, etc. to be determined by Pavestone design team.


Win Your Own Pavestone Paradise


One entry per person/email address. Open to residents of the U.S. and D.C., 21 or older. Ends March 13, 2016.


Good Luck!

Two New Contests! Create a Video, or Show Off Your Crafting Skills!

Today offers the chance to show your skills and prowess in the competitive world of contests! These are not just any contests, mind you. With these, you will have the bragging rights for a lifetime, with which new opportunities abound!

First up, is the annual Doritos Super Bowl ad. You've likely seen these winners, and perhaps even some of their competitors, in years past. I think it is safe to say, that nearly everybody has! This conest offers an amazing prize of one million dollars! How could one not enter, with the chance to win this?

Next, is the perfect contest for crafters. This, too, is offering some cool cash prizes. Recognition for all the hard work you've put into creating your crafts is always a plus, as well. What a great honor to win something like these two!

DORITOS brand Global Crash the Super Bowl Ad Contest

* Grand prize is one million US dollars ($1,000,000 USD), and a game trip prize package (a trip for two to Super Bowl 50 in San Francisco on February 7, 2015 - see rules for details). Total ARV $1,030,000 USD.

* 2 First prize winners will each receive a game trip prize package and $100,000 USD. Total ARV $130,000, each.

Grand prize and first prize winners will also have additional opportunities to work on another project on a part-time basis.

* 47 Semi-finalist prizes, each of $2,000 USD, or the local currency equivalent for non-U.S. residents. ARV $2,000 USD.

Entries will be judged based upon the following criteria:
Originality and Creativity – 40%
Adherence to Creative Assignment – 30%
Overall Appeal (to the general public) as a DORITOS Super Bowl Ad – 30%

Up to 10 submissions per individual entrant. Open to persons who have reached the age of majority in their country of residence and who are legal residents of Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Romania, South Africa, South Korea, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the 50 United States (including D. C. and Puerto Rico), and have a valid Google YouTube account. Ends November 15, 2015.



The Craftys Craft Competition

See rules for details of entry.

* Grand prize is $1,000
* 10 category prize winners will each receive $200.
* 1 Young crafer prize - Young Crafter prize winner’s school will receive $500.

Entries will be judged based upon the following criteria:
Technical Merit – 40%
Innovative Design 30%
Artistic Intent – 30%

One entry per person/household per day. Open to legal U.S. residents with a valid email address, 13 or older, with parental consent if a minor. Ends October 25, 2015.


Today's Bonus


In case you're not into contests, ends September 22...
Big Namba Giveaway

Test Your Contest Skills!

Good Day!

I hope you are all feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after your holiday weekend. With all the mental prowess you must be feeling, I thought today would be a good day to post some contests!

Both of these contests have a top prize of $500, to make your endeavors worth investing a little time into. Each is a fun form of expression, so what time you do invest, should be just as fun!

Imagine writing a love letter to Terro. How will you express such love? Perhaps you could better express it in a photo? Maybe a video works best for you? Whichever form of expression you choose will be totally up to you. That's one of the things that makes this contest a fun one. You have the chance to win, while working with whatever medium you favor!

All You is asking for your "expressive" game day desserts. How do you show your flair, your creativity, your love of desserts and of the game? With this, you, too, will have the chance to win! No recipes necessary!


3rd Annual “I Love TERRO Because…” Contest

* 1st Prize is a $500 Visa Gift Card.
* 2nd Prize is a $250 Visa Gift Card.
* 3rd Prize is a $100 Visa Gift Card.
* 5 Runner-ups will each receive a gift basket full of TERRO pest control products.

To enter, write a story, a letter, pen a poem, share a photo or video - anything to express why you love TERRO.

For this contest, you must be a fan of the Terro Facebook page to be eligible to win. Entries will be judged by "an esteemed panel of TERRO judges," though the criteria for judging is not stated in the rules.

Up to three entries per person. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Canada, 18 or older. Ends October 28, 2015.


All You Game-Day Dessert Contest

* Grand prize is $500.

* Two runner up prizes, each of $250.

To enter, submit your photo of a game day dessert. Include instructions for how to assemble and decorate it. Recipes are not necessary, though instructions must be complete enough for someone else to replicate your creation. In other words, be sure to include all items used (i.e. chocolate chips, sugar cookies, donut, etc. Whatever it may be).

Entries will be judged based upon the following criteria:

35% - Overall charm, appeal and originality of idea
25% - Execution of idea
20% - Use of common ingredients
20% - Ease with which the average person can replicate the idea

One entry per person. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 21 or older. Ends October 1, 2015.


Good Luck!

Enter to Win Vacation Packages!

Today's sweepstakes offer the opportunity to be whisked away on a fabulous vacation! These vacation packages are all for destinations within the U.S., and accommodate two to four people. You could find yourself walking the river walk in San Antonio, or soaking up some sun in Honolulu, or doing whatever your heart desires, in a "World's Best domestic U.S. city" of your choice!

Still, if you'd prefer to stay at home to make those burgers that everyone loves, then today's bonus is for you. Your original burger recipe could bring a win of up to $25,000 to plan your own trip with, or to do whatever you wish!


The Travel + Leisure “#BestTripEver” Sweepstakes

* Grand prize is a four day/three night trip for two to any 2015 Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best domestic U.S. city. Includes round-trip airfare for winner and hotel accommodations. Total ARV $4,000.

* One first prize awarded each week, of a Polaroid PIC-300 Instant Print Camera. ARV $100.

One entry per person/email address per day, with bonus entries available. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 or older. Ends June 30, 2015.


Texas Rising Big Trivia Sweepstakes

* Grand prize is a three day/two night trip for two to San Antonio, Texas. Includes air fare, hotel accommodations, a VIP tour for two at the Alamo, a check for $1,000, and more. Total ARV $3,760.

* One weekly prize awarded each week, each consisting of two Gildan sweatshirts, and two Gildan t-shirts. Total ARV $40, each prize package.

One entry per person per day. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., at least 18 and the age of majority in their place of residence. Ends June 23, 2015.


Crystal Light Color Run Instant Win and Sweepstakes

You may alternately enter the instant win portion of the sweeps by texting the word COLOR to short code 30364.For the sweeps portion, a receipt for a Crystal Light product is required, and must be entered by text, unless you wish to enter by mail. See rules for instructions to enter by mail, for which you need no receipt.

* Grand prize is a trip for four to Honolulu, Hawaii. Includes air fare, five nights' hotel accommodations, 4 tickets to The Color Run Hawaii on 11/7/15, $600 car rental allowance, $2,500 spending money, and $4,000 towards taxes (if winner so chooses). Total ARV $16,780.

Instant Win Prizes:

* 50 First prizes, each of a FitBit. ARV $99.99, each.

* 150 Second prizes, each of a glitter water bottle. ARV $17, each.

* 850 Third prizes, each of a free Crystal Light product awarded in the form of a coupon. ARV $4, each.

One sweepstakes entry per week, and one instant win play per day per person/email address. Open to residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 or older. Ends September 7, 2015.


Today's Bonus


For the chance to win up to $25,000 with your original burger recipe...
Sutter Home’s Build a Better Burger Contest 2015





Good Luck!

Mother's Day is Just Around the Corner!

Yes, Mother's Day is just around the corner. Hence, today's sweepstakes offer prizes that are wonderfully suited to the Moms in your life!

Special treats, special treatments, and special gifts, are all here for the winning!


The Kansas City Steak Company "Mother's Day Giveaway"

* Grand prize is a $400 Gift Card from Sponsor.

* 10 First place prizes, each of a 4.5-5lb Prime Rib Roast, or a 10-12lb Herb Roasted Whole Turkey, or a 7.25-8.5lb Bone-in Hickory-Smoked Ham, or a 6-7lb Leg of Lamb Roast from Sponsor.

* 20 Second place prizes of a a $25 Gift Card from Sponsor.

No ARVs are stated.

One entry per person per week. Open to legal U.S. residents (excluding RI and D.C.), 18 or older. Ends May 3, 2015.


Thomas’ English Muffins and Bagels "135 Toasts to Mom" Promotion

* Grand prize is a trip for winner and up to three guests to the Grand Canyon National Park. ARV $7,500.

Instant win prizes:

* 2 - Two-Day Bed and Breakfast Getaway. ARV $1,000 each.

* 2 - Brunch and Spa Day. ARV $1,000, each.

* 1 - Gourmet Breakfast Prepared by an In-Home Chef. ARV $1,000.

* 1 - Maid Service. ARV $1,000.

* 10 - Morning Massage. ARV $250, each.

* 10 - Breakfast Cooking Class. ARV $250, each.

* 11 - Morning Hairstyling. ARV $100, each.

* 11 - Morning Yoga for a Week. ARV $100, each.

* 11 - Grocery Services. ARV $100, each.

Each of the above prizes also includes a Thomas' Branded Bread Basket.

* 11- A Basket of Gourmet Spreads, including Thomas' products. ARV $100, each.

* 11 - Breakfast Cookbook and Sandwich Maker, including Thomas' products. ARV $100, each.

* 5 - Thomas’ Bread Basket Delivery. ARV $50, each.

* 4,725 - Thomas' Product Prizes. ARV $5, each.

Limit of one prize per household per day.

One play per person/email address per day. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 or older. Ends May 10, 2015.


A Mother's Love is Forever Sweepstakes

* Grand prize includes an Apple Watch Sport, Engravable I Love You To The Moon and Back Heart Charm Pendant, Eve's Addiction gift card, 2 dozen roses with custom vase, and Visa gift card. Total ARV $720.

One entry per person. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 or older. Ends May 10, 2015.

Today's Bonus

If you have an inspirational story to tell about your mother, in 150 words or less...
2015 Mother's Day Contest

If you need up to 250 words to tell it...
Mom Hero Contest


Good Luck!

Contests on YouTube!

Today offers the opportunity for testing your skills, with contests that are currently running on YouTube. These are not sponsored or run by YouTube, just posted by those who are running them.

Prizes are wide and varied, yet all are relevant, and each will certainly make some lucky winner very happy.

These contests will all end by the last day of March or sooner, so be sure to get your entries in asap!



For "Sweety High"fans...


Find out more here.


For guitar soloists...



For rappers...



For Playstation 4 fans...






Good Luck!

Your Chance to Win a Million Dollars is Back!

Oooohh! This is just so exciting! Yes, one of my favorite annual contests (and certainly some of yours, too!) is back! This contest offers the chance to win a million dollars or more, and to claim the fame of winning it!

For this contest, you are asked to create a new flavor for Lay's potato chips. For your entry, you are asked to name your flavor, offer its three ingredients, and state the inspiration for it. Simple enough?

Entries will be judged based upon the following criteria:

40% Original and creative
30% Potential for delicious flavor for LAY'S potato chips on the designated chip base (Original, Wavy and/or Kettle Cooked)
30% Simple, straightforward and fun flavor, consistent with the "Tastes of America" theme

Once the judging is complete, four finalists will be chosen. The four flavors they entered will then be put on the market. Next, the general public will vote for their favorites. This will determine the winning entry.

(You may want to refresh your memory, as to which flavors were the finalists in last year's contest. If so, you can find out more through this post, Lay's Finalists Announced!.)

Prizes are as follows:

* 3 Finalist prizes of $50,000, each.

* Grand Prize Winner will receive one million dollars, or one percent of the Net Sales of the Grand Prize Winner’s Finalist Flavor for the period July 15, 2015 through July 15, 2016, whichever is greater.

(Million dollars is paid out first, then if the one percent of sales exceeds this amount, winner is paid any overage after the sales period ends.)

See rules for further details.


Lay's Do Us a Flavor Tastes of America Contest

Enter as often as you wish, though each entry must be unique (nothing too similar to your other entries, or to already existing Lay's flavors). Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, D.C., and Puerto Rico, 18 or older. Submissions are accepted until March 30, after which the finalists are chosen. Contest ends on October 17.


Good Luck!

Three Sweepstakes with Camping Prizes

With camping season finally peeking around the corner again, it's time for campers to start tweaking that collection of camping gear. You know what you needed, yet didn't have last year, or maybe it's time to start brand new. If you have the perfect setup, then maybe a free week of camping appeals to you!

In any event, these three sweepstakes will give you the chance to garner a win that will make your outdoor experiences even more enjoyable!

Coleman.com Sweepstakes

One Grand Prize of a Coleman Camping Kit, including: tent, cooler, grill, lantern, airbed, two sleeping bags, two chairs, and a table.

Entry will opt you in for email communications. Must be a U.S. Resident 18 years of age or older, excluding Rhode Island. Ends March 17, 2014

KOA Bobsled Contest

This one is by Facebook entry, and requires a Twitter account to send a cheer to the USA Bobsled and Skeleton Federation.

Grand Prize consists of seven nights of camping vouchers good at any KOA Campground in North America (ARV - $250/voucher) The approximate retail value of the grand prize is $1,750.

Open to residents of the U.S. and Canada, excluding Quebec, 18 years of age or older. Ends February 23, 2014.

KOA Wings for Spring Contest

One Grand Prize: Winner has three RV options to choose from, and must select only one of the following: Option 1: Eagle HT 27.5 RLTS (ARV: $40,136); Option 2: White Hawk (Summit Edition) 28DSBH (ARV: $29,457); or Option 3: J-Series 1207 (ARV: $11,165).

Daily entry. Open to legal U.S. residents (excluding Hawaii) and of Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 years of age or older. Ends March 31, 2014.

Beauty and the Geek is a reality show by executive producers Ashton Kutcher and Jason Goldberg, where eight "socially impaired" males and eight" academically impaired but gorgeous" females are paired for a chance to win $250,000. Each contestant is required to pass certain challenges in order to move on to the next round.

In this weeks episode, the geeks were assigned a dog, and were challenged to use it as a "chick magnet" to see how many phone numbers they could receive from ladies passing by. The winning geek scored seven. The beauties had to build a dog house in under an hour, with only the tools they were assigned, which were then judged by a professional dog house maker.

Watch Beauty and the Geek on The CW Television Network, Wednesdays at 8/7 Central, for your chance to win a three day/two night trip for two to Las Vegas. The trip will include round-trip airfare, hotel accomodations, and a gift cheque for $200 redeemable at participating restaurants, with a total approximate retail value of $1,850.

Each week, one male and one female sweepstakes participant will be chosen, for a total of ten grand prize winners.

To enter, follow this link and answer four questions surrounding the show, as per instructions. (The answers you provide need not be correct in order for your entry to be valid.) Enter weekly as entries are not held over for the next show.

You can also apply to be a contestant HERE

By Jennifer L. Thompson

Win a PS3 Superbundle!

In the world of contests and sweepstakes, there are simple ways to use skill to increase your luck in winning. Some have to do with the way you enter, others are matters of creating a positive attitude. This is the final article in our three part series. You can find part two HERE.

Enter Contests Whenever Possible

Most contests rely on some type of skill. Look at your strengths, and utilize them to help you win. If you are a trivia nut, enter trivia contests. If you love to cook, enter cooking contests. There are fishing contests for anglers, talent contests for musicians and writers, and just about anything else you can come up with, so don't doubt that there is a contest in the area where your strengths shine.

Release Expectations

This utilizes skills in building patience, which is a necessary part of the process. It also helps with enjoying what you are doing in the present, and not getting caught up in what the future results will be. Enjoying the fun and relaxation offered in what you are doing now is what will keep you going, and in keeping going you know that you will in turn increase good luck and win. Releasing expectations also releases stress. There is a difference between expecting it and knowing it. Expectations can stem from a belief that something will happen. This type of knowing comes from realizing that things are already set in place in order for it to happen. You may not know exactly when or how often it will happen, you just know that it will.

Picture Yourself With What You Wish to Receive

Stories abound about those who have won large amounts of cash and then went broke a short while later. A sudden influx of wealth into one's life will undoubtedly create some changes, and for one who isn't prepared for it, this may be followed by making some rough decisions. By preparing yourself mentally you will increase your skills in making the proper choices, and also create good luck by developing a knowing that the winning will come.

If you need a new vehicle, envision yourself as already driving it. If you want cash, picture yourself as already being debt-free. There's no need to spend an inordinate amount of time in doing it, a few short minutes when you have a chance throughout the day will suffice.

Keep in mind that these are just rules of thumb, so be creative. Sometimes you will have more time to devote than you will at others, so be easy on yourself and always remember to keep it fun. That's part of the gift of increasing luck!

By Jennifer L. Thompson

This year marks the 28th year for the Annual International Eelpout Festival on Leech Lake, located in Walker, Minnesota. This festival is one of THE biggest annual events in this area, drawing eelpouters from around the world. Thousands turn out for this weekend of thrills, spills, and chills, hoping to win the coveted awards and thousands of dollars in prizes.

What is an eelpout, you may ask? Some consider it to be the ugliest fish in Minnesota, others consider it to be a rich tasting delicacy sometimes referred to as "poor man's lobster". No matter which way you consider it, the eelpout festival is downright FUN!

Yes, fun and games are a major part of the of the weekend, with creative anglers setting up camp on the ice, disguising themselves as Hawaiian dancers, space aliens, cowboys, and just about anything else the inventive mind can conceive of. Events include a five mile run, a polar plunge, an on-ice auto race (the Eelpout 500), a rugby match, and a snowmobile radar run. Even those who do not succumb to fishing fever over the weekend can rest assured they will have a good time watching the antics and camaraderie that abound throughout the festival.

Local businesses thrive during the weekend, catering to eelpouters and non-eelpouters alike. Campgrounds, resorts, and motels fill up quickly, with a good section of anglers setting up weekend homes on the lake, in fish house "mansions" made especially for this event. Newspapers from around the country send reporters to catch the wildly comedic festivities. This is Northern fun at the peak of cabin fever.

Vendors abound for the "crafty" minded traveler. O'Fish'al Eelpout Festival Apparel is available on site, along with hundreds of other original and creative items that one will only find here. There is no limit to the imaginative expression of the loyal anglers who thrive on this type of competition.

Of course, all the latest technology and the newest fishing gear is displayed throughout the festivities, with professional sportsmen touting the best of their wares. This is a great place to get up on what's new and what's happening for the upcoming year, for anyone who loves the sport.

The 2007 festival runs February 16th through 18th, with a $10 entry fee. Award categories include largest 'Pout, smallest 'Pout, team tonnage, inspirational young angler, longest distance traveled, and more. Prizes are awarded in individual and team categories, with a Grand Prize of a custom made fish house valued at $5,000.

Find out more Here

By Jennifer L. Thompson

Cell Phone Accessories from Strapya.com!

2 Online Sweeps!

Just Got it Made Sweepstakes and Travel Trivia-a-Snow-Go

3 New Postal Sweeps!

TBS & Victoria's Secret " Very Sexy Makeover" Contest, Cosmo on Glam.com Sweepstakes, and Land O'Lakes Family Movie Night Sweepstakes.

Sweepstakes... A Unique Form of Advertising

Sweepstakes... A Unique Form of Advertising

Many of us who enjoy entering contests find it to be an enjoyable pass time, an engaging hobby, or a fun way to earn money. From the other end of the spectrum, however, there is a quite different perspective. Sweepstaking is not only beneficial to those of us who enjoy entering, it is also a boon to big business, and is "sweeping" through the advertising world. Sweepstakes are a unique form of advertising.

A sweepstakes of some type can be found in nearly any industry. Though winning something such as "HGTV's Dream Home" may be considered to be something akin to a real-life miracle to those of us with "sweepstaking dreams", the advertising and good consumer/business relations received for the sponsors and suppliers makes it all worth while from a business standpoint. The audience reached covers the breadth and width of the advertising spectrum, with people from all walks of life gaining exposure to the sponsor's products and services. The impact of a large business running a sweepstakes can be a great asset to all.

The financial savings over other forms of advertising can be substantial. Many items may be donated from other companies or individuals in order to advertise their own products and services, thus cutting the cost to the primary sponsor. Though there may still be other expenses involved, the end cost is a fraction of the actual value received. Each state has clear-cut laws governing how a sweepstakes is run, so guidelines are easily found as to how to approach the project.

Smaller businesses are also beginning to see the same "big-business" type benefits. Promoting a particular product through a free drawing can bring nationwide, or even world-wide exposure to a small business through the wonder of the world wide web. Avid sweepstakers hunting for entries will run across a promotion and it will be passed on to countless others. Sweepstaking websites and magazines will offer another type of "free" advertising in promoting a company or product. These "sweepstaking networks" are comprised not only of those who love to win prizes, they are also valuable consumers who are gaining exposure to new products and services each and every week, thus broadening the consumer base for a business.

So, if you are looking for an innovative way to promote your business, you may find it very beneficial to run a sweepstakes! In the end, it's not only "big business", it's a win-win situation for all!

By Jennifer L. Thompson

Dance Contest Winner T-Shirt

Say thanks in style with personalized thank you notes from ChelseaPaper.com!