Wanna Get Lucky?

Yesterday was my lucky day. I received the most wonderful surprise in the mail - a tax refund for $400! Apparently, I prepared my taxes incorrectly and didn't owe the IRS anything. My lucky surprise came at just the right time, too. Now I don't have to worry about how I'm going to buy groceries after all my bills are paid for the month...

That said, I'm obviously not in a position to save any money right now. Instead, I'm shifting my financial focus to how to earn more money. and my brush with good fortune has me thinking about ways I can do this simply by getting lucky. (And no, I don't mean it like...you know...)

I've decided it is time to take luck into my own hands in hopes of changing the course of my financial future. My inspiration? "Sweepstakes Salley!"

Back in 2002, I wrote an article for the Seattle Times about "Sweepstakes Salley," a woman on a winning streak whose claim to fame was winning about $50,000 in prizes in one year simply by entering local contests and sweepstakes. This winning woman has been on my mind a lot in the past few days. She got me thinking - why I can't I be the next "Sweepstakes Salley?" 

I've been noticing contests and sweepstakes everywhere lately, and the truth is, they've been right under my nose all this time. They are on the bottom of receipts I get from stores and restaurants..."just complete this customer satisfaction survey and enter to win $1,000." They are included in my email subscriptions..."win a getaway from Southwest Airlines" or "win a free trip to Disneyland from AAA." I even got a brochure from my credit union today for a Dream Room Giveaway...my chance to win a new furnishings for my dining room, living room, or bedroom.

I bet most people overlook these opportunities because they think they have no chance at winning. Hey, that's exactly what I used to think! But the truth is, you can't win if you don't play. With the minimal effort involved in completing a phone survey or filling out an entry form online, you'd be a fool not to. Also, the more you play, the better your odds are at winning at least one prize.

Will this strategy actually help me earn more money? I think so, especially if the prizes are monetary. As for the non-monetary prizes...I could keep them and consider how much I saved by getting items for free, or I bet I could get a pretty penny for some of the items on Craigslist. That is, if and when I win...

Of course, by sharing this information with you, I am slightly ruining my odds at winning, but what are the chances that you'll actually participate??? Wish me luck! :)

Don't minimize the importance of luck in determining life's course. 
- Alex Trebek