So, I have to say the contest has been both great and disappointing at the same time.

The disappointing:
5000+ visitors in the past two weeks, yet only 17 picture entries. Basically half of the minimum.

The great:
Most of the people that wrote in had great, touching stories. The people that did respond really really made me feel good and Im glad to see that this contest actually had an impact on some people.

So with all that out of the way, lets get down to business! Before I announce the winners as promised, here is my video:

You can get it here or you can watch it on youtube

In case you are wondering, yes that is the poop eater in the background. Ok, Ok so on to the winners!

Since there were not enough entries for the iPods I am not giving those away. However, because I was so impressed with the entries I picked winners and I have some individualized prizes for them on top of the normal ones and I added a couple extra winners as well. Oh and that surprise prize I was going to give to 10 people? It is my new ebook that I am going to release next week entitled “Earning Power.” Instead, I am going to give it to everyone who sent in a picture entry as well as a few people who wrote excellent entries but were unable to send a picture. I have to say that this was one of the hardest things to do: pick winners. I went ahead and did a weighted system of one point for every card cut up shown and up to 10 points for story. All of the stories were just plain awesome…so much so that instead of posting a select few I am going to feature every good story in their individual posts in the upcoming weeks. The first prize entry I will post today. All winners will be notified by email and are welcome to post comments here. Also any victory photos are welcome

First Place: Ramits ebook, Trents ebook, AND a $20 gift certificate to anywhere she would like. Gails from Ohio’s entry:

I am a reader of your blog and wanted to enter the contest. I cut up many cards recently, some old and some current. Picture attached! I have been working the Dave Ramsey Plan officially since October 1, 2007, so that’s the last time I used any of my cards. I have been in credit card debt for many years but it really escalated about 4.5 years ago when the company I worked for closed down. I accepted my current job but with a $300.00 a week pay cut!!!! Ouch! I did however know that this would be the perfect job for me, and since that time I have received raises and bonuses and am now making more money than I was before. I also have been working 4 part time jobs in addition to my day job, so luckily I have no time to shop anyway! I am an avid reader of PF blogs and have learned so much from them, and am so inspired by all the stories. Thanks for the contest, I hope I win…I never win this kind of stuff, but what the heck I entered anyway.

Second Place: Ramits ebook, Trents ebook, free advertising for his blog on my site

Mr DebtBeaters entry (thats 16 cards total amongst some paper) I wanted to show this pile because its huge:

Third – Fifth Place: Ramits ebook, and $5 gift cards

Joseph from somewhere, Scott from Jersey, and Mary from Colorado

Random winners: Linda P from unknown and Max from California

Until each person gets their own post, I made a collage of all of the cut ups.

Thanks to everyone for entering!

Fatal error: Call to undefined function digg_this_button() in /hsphere/local/home/unstoppa/thepennysaved.com/wp-content/themes/terrafirma2/single.php on line 20