Tell your savings story, win a big prize
Posted
Jun 25 2008, 07:28 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Talk about secondary sources of income, a contest co-hosted by our sister MSN Money writer Liz Pulliam Weston offers the potential of lots of prize money and "not too much fame." All you've got to do is decide to save money and post a video about it at YouTube.
Well, it's a little more complicated than that. Let us explain.
According to a post at FiLife by Kristen Sullivan, Liz and online bank FNBO Direct are holding the Pay Yourself First Challenge. In the first round, contestants have until July 31 to upload a video of no more than one minute explaining why they want to save money. The official rules say:
FNBO Direct wants to hear about your savings obstacles. Have you been struggling to save for college tuition or a wedding, pay off medical bills, go on the vacation of a lifetime or just get out of debt? Whatever the reason, we want to hear about it. Make us laugh. Make us cry. Make us say, "Wow! This person really needs to learn how to Pay Yourself First!"
The creators of 20 videos -- judged "on the compelling nature of their stories, their originality, and their adherence to game rules," Kristen says -- will go on to Round Two. They'll each get $500. That list will be narrowed to five after interviews, and credit and criminal background checks. Criminal types need not apply.
Finally, the lucky five will compete to save the most money between October and April, and blog about their activities. FNBO Direct will match every dollar saved up to $5,000 for each finalist. Plus, "Liz will offer guidance along the way," Kristen writes. "She says she'll be nicer than Simon."
The winner will be selected based on best saving strategies, total saved and a vote by the people. The prize is a $7,500 resort vacation or cash in that amount.
To read more about the contest, and Liz's take on the new FICO 08 credit score, check out the interview "JLP" did with her at AllFinancialMatters.
