HOW IT STARTED
Twenty years ago I lay in bed reading Reader’s Digest. There was an article by Barb Taylor, who was a stay-at-home mom who entered sweepstakes as a hobby. She enhanced her life with prizes and adventures that she would never have had in her everyday life.
Big things. Trips to Italy, Scotland, Mexico, and Hawaii. Appliances. Furniture. Barbeques.
Small things. Gift cards for local restaurants. New bikes and skateboards for her children. Tickets to movies or local theatre.
Adventures. Doing rolls in a stunt plane.
At the time I was unemployed and thought, “I don’t have to work. I’ll just win stuff.”
Sadly, I have never been able to earn my living winning, but it has certainly changed my life. Like Barb, I have afforded things, not in my budget. I have gone on adventures I never would have dreamed of. Most importantly, I made friends I never would have met if it weren’t for this hobby.
ANNIVERSARY
In 2019, Di Coke, aka Super Lucky Di, and author of Super Lucky Secrets hosted her 10th Anniversary of blogging.
Why didn’t I think of that?! My 10th anniversary of blogging was 2018! I decided I wasn’t going to let this milestone pass without celebrating and sharing the fun and excitement!
CELEBRATING
For some reason, I remember the date I read the article. It was August 11th. To celebrate my 20th Sweepstakes Win-niversary I am hosting a giveaway-a-day for 20 days! Plus this Grand Prize giveaway!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
SHORT RULES
Win one (1) of twenty (20) Amazon gift cards–in the currency in the country in which you reside (ARV $20 each. Total value of all prizes $400.) Open to the United States and Canada. Ends at 11:59 pm ET on Tuesday, August 31st, 2021. One prize per person.
Come back tomorrow, August 11th, for another chance to win.
WINNERS
CONGRATULATIONS to Kelly T., Charlene W., Lillian B., Steve M., Michael H., Catherine F., Carol D., David E., Melanie A., Laura M., Sara Z., Mary P., Angelo A., Bobbi P., Sherri T., Elaine G., Lisa D., Christopher L., Kay B.!!
lill
When did you start entering sweepstakes?
I started in the 60’s while in high school….many years ago.
I’ve been contesting on and off for about 6 years.
I started contesting in 1999.
My sweeping began 1980.. with radio call ins as a teen I would use my Mom’s name since I was too young to win. My whole life I have entered & heard many negative comments from various people. Which I reply smiling & go home & enter & win more. So I should Thank them for their negativity..ha THANX!! MY LIFE HAS BEEN BLESSED WITH MANY SMALL WINS WHICH I WOULD NOT TRADE FOR MONEY BECAUSE WINS APPEAR when I need them most.
I started in q998
I just started and i have lots to learn. Won once a Raptors jersey. Started about 6 mouths ago
I started 20 years ago and I love it!!! enter a lot of contests and win often.
I have been sweeping since around 2012 and lovin’ it!
I started sweeping when I lost my job in 2011. My friend said she entered sweepstakes.. and although I used to enter a few here and there as a kid and a young adult, I didn’t spend a lot of time… but then I started googling sweepstakes. Within 2 months I won a trip to Hawaii and I was hooked. Since then I’ve won 23 trips, a Corvette ZR1 and much much more.
I start contesting when I was on mat leave 7+ years ago. The landscape has changed since then!
Jan/2021 Very late to the game But hey better later than never right?
I started contesting about 5 years ago
4 years
I started 3 years ago.
My first win was a workout VHS I put my name in a fishbowl in Walmart (around the year 2000) and at that time I started doing mail ins from magazines and won a ton. I did a few online sweeps in the mid 2000s as well as mail ins. I started doing online sweeps daily in 2008.
I started entering sweep stakes a few years ago my daughters were and they would send me ones.
I started sweeping about 3-4 years ago.
I have contested on and off for more than 20 years. We had a raffle system in elementary school where you could earn tickets and win small prizes like notebooks. I entered postcard contests in my teens to win boy band posters, cassettes and buttons. The win that opened my eyes to there being a huge contesting world out there was a digital camera that I won from Hilroy. I didn’t know I had won a camera so it was a very happy surprise when it showed up at my door.
I started in 2003 give or take!
Not that long, maybe 5 years
I started in December 2020! Still a newbie ?
I started in 1989. Trying to understand how sweepstake works. I did remember when I won a kiddie go kart. I was thrilled. Got hooked after that.
I’ve been doing this for about 20 years.
I started in 2001 I actually won your book You Can’t win if you don;t enter and the wonderful tips got me hooked
Been contesting for about 5 years, and I love it!
Congratulations Carolyn! I started entering 8-9 years ago.
I am a newbie to entering sweepstakes. I just started at the end of 2020. I never thought I could win. After winning a few contests I feel more confident and lucky
I won my first contest in 1976. My first year in the Military. I went home for Christmas. My brother and I stopped at the local store. I put my name in for the Turkey. My parents stopped at the same store on the way home. They gave them the Turkey and said .I won it. That’s the Turkey we had that year for Christmas. I started 25 years ago entering contests big time.
Started when i was 18 so 20 years ago!
I can remember a colouring contest as a young child at the local grocery store & winning cookies. Then as a teenager doing the radio call ins. I always sort of entered but didn’t get serious until my fiance at the time won a trip to Puerto Vallarta at a basketball game from a radio station. We used it for our honeymoon in 2001. That kickstarted me into entering every day.
I started in the early 90s.
I started entering contests in college with a local paper giveaway and radio contests. The local paper was a big winner for me with movies tickets, free food and other small prizes that I won throughout the year.
I started many years ago, raised a family, and restarted in 2007.
I’ve been using your tip’s and suggestions in your books to help me to be a winner.
I started sweeping in 1989.
I started entering in 1991 then had a long period of not entering 20 years. Then started up again in 2011.
I think I started sweeping around 2004! I’ve won so many trips and things I never would have had if not for sweeping! Love it!
I think I started in 2011
I’ve been doing it for almost 30 years. early years were good ones. not so much any more I would settle for just about anything at this point. BIG dry spell.
I started contesting when I was in junior high. I would use my parents name and enter on their behalf!
I started 20 years ago, dropped it and have now re-entered the digital electronic age of contesting.
I started about 20 years ago (has it been that long!) wow- through your influence 🙂
I remember reading the back of a cereal box when I was little and asking my mom of I could enter. She told me no! It was that moment when I told myself I would enter when ai was older. I started entering radio contests when I moved to Southern ontario back in 99.
I started entering and winning contests on social media about 3 years ago, when I had my first child.
I cannot even remember when I started entering contests and sweepstakes. It’s been a while!
I entered different things occasionally over many years, but never consistently – just one here or there. About 1.5 – 2 years ago I became really interested more consistent at entering sweeps & giveaways. I fizzled out around last Christmas but now am getting going again. Enjoy your site!
I started after seeing you and Ron on tv talking about sweepstaking. Changed my life. I have won a little bit of everything
I started about 11 years ago and love it!!!
I started contesting in 2010 and have been hooked every since!
20+ years ago when I subscribed to Contest Newsletter.
I started in 2009!
Just last year while on maternity leave!
I started by mail in the early 90’s. I read the same article in Reader digest as you and started contesting online then.
Oh my, I can’t remember the exact year, but I think it has been about 50 years now. I have had breaks during that time though. Happy 20th!
I’ve been contesting for 43 years. and have never quit.
I started around nine years ago. I was quickly hooked. The show you did where we got to see you actually winning, the prizes laid out in your living room, the unboxing, and when you won the shower were so exciting. I wanted to win too. Thanks for inspiring me.
I started entering contests when I was a kid. I was excited to turn 18 so that I could enter more contests as myself rather than having to enter my parents.
I started contesting online a couple years ago but used to enter contest as a kid like colouring contests, radio station contests, kid contests etc
I started entering 3 years ago but only one or two. Now it’s kind of a hobby and I enter as many as I can.
I started sweepstaking when pregnant with my first son back in 1988 (33 years ago) when it was just mail ins and drop boxes. The good old days!!
I started contesting in mid 2005! Congrats on the 20th anniversary!!!
Wow! Some here have been sweeping/contesting for quite a while. I entered radio call in contests when I was a teenager and won several records over that time. But it wasn’t til Christmas 2014 that I started consistently entering contests. This is a hobby that has been worth my time.
Congratulations to all and continued good luck!
I started sweeping back in 1988. I won quite a few prizes and entered sweeps for three years. I then went back to work and stopped entering until six years ago. It sure changed a lot in all those years.
I started about 6 months ago. I needed something to do other than stare at the TV, read, and play solitaire. I I am working to become more mobile after an illness and dealing with RA. I thought if I could win something’s it could bring joy to those I would gift and thus increase my happiness.
I started in 1995 when mail in were king!
I started entering sweepstakes in 2005 and won a lot of great prizes.
It must have been about 15 years ago. I remember going to Conventions.
I just started sweeping three years ago.
I started about 20 years ago I won a pair of blue jay tickets and Ive never stopped, i go through phases but I am trying to be more dedicated. You can win if you don’t enter.
I believe it was 2007 – My first prize was a 52 inch Aquos sharp tv.
I started contesting after reading your article in the newspaper about your contesting!
I started back in 2005, but really got serious about 3 years ago
I started contesting in late 2008.
I started about 20 years ago … I have had some amazing wins over the years … so thankful for this hobby!
I started entering in 1961 and won the first two I entered. One was a contest where I had to name a robot and the 2nd was a sweepstake.
Love the books and videos! They make me try harder to win! Thank you for your hard work to help us all!
I loved entering contests as far back as I can remember. But now, my daughter’s wins have motivated me to enter on a regular basis for the last 15 years.
I started about 15 years ago but only did it on occasion. I have gotten back into it in the last 2 years.
When I was 9! I entered a colouring contest and won.
I started over 10 years ago and won a lot of contests and prizes!
All my life I have loved winning but I really started to focus and reap the benefits in 2014.
I really started entering draws , sweepstakes & contests around 1995. Since then, I’ve won a lot but I’m in a bit of a lull. Can’t wait to get tips from the Contest Queen.
I started entering contests in 2018 after a coworker won a trip to Antigua from the local radio station. I was working with her when she got the call. She told me about all the amazing wins she had had from entering contests. I started entering myself from there and I have won some cool things since then. Concert tickets, gift cards, food, wine, clothes, etc. No big trips yet but I know it’s coming. The winning feeling is amazing and I call myself a contest junkie as I am addicted.
I started sweeping online in 2002, but I dabbled in mail-ins and phone-ins since the mid 1970s
I started in 2003 while pregnant with my daughter, I was looking online for coupons to save money on diapers and formula and found a forum dedicated to savings and contests! Up until that point I had entered contests in stores with ballot boxes but didn’t know about online entries. Just like you I was looking for a way to stretch the family budget and win experiences and items that I wouldn’t otherwise afford.
Once I set up a routine and learned the basics, prizes started showing up regularly. I would sit for my downtime while my daughter napped or while I held her to feed and enter enter enter.
That first year I won over $10,000 in prizes!
I started about 15 years ago and have enjoyed a number of trips and much more. Still winning but takes up way more time.
I won my first drawing back in 1968!
I started contesting in the 80’s and that was one of the best decision I have ever made.
I started contesting about 10 years ago.
almost 25 years ago on the radio
I started doing radio station sweepstakes when I was 12 years old. I won so many times they had to make new rules that you could only win every six weeks. I also got a date with the disc jockey!
I’ve probably been contesting somewhere around 1990’s after I my son was in high school and I had more time for myself to do contesting and to enjoy it.
I started back around 1998 as a hobby.
I started “seriously” in 1994. I was working part-time in a library where NO ONE came in on Saturdays. I somehow stumbled onto online sweepstakes (this was in the days of DOS!) and not long afterwards I won my first trip. I was hooked!
I started in 1983, and kept track of my winnings. It was great. Then I stopped around 2000 and just started up again. We won trips and a car and everything in between. So far this year all I won is a bottle of water
I started in 2009, and I sure do wish I could remember what got me started!
I started last year. Mostly because of the pandemic and I have access to the internet and so much free time. One of the best decisions I have made 🙂
It was a very long time ago, the time of much music era lol. Maybe 2001 or even sooner
I started nearly 20 years ago.
About 20 years now
When I was 14, I wanted a silk blouse offered as a prize by the sponsor of a Miss Canada contest. Pleaded with Mom to purchase this expensive hair spray to get an entry (Mom said no one wins these things). She bought the hairspray. I entered and won that silk blouse.!!! Never looked back.
I started entering sweepstakes 10 years ago.
I started last December and have won almost $15000 in prizes between me and my boyfriend
It’s been a while. I started when I went to a talk you gave down in Toronto at a hotel on Gerrard.
I think it was 2004.
I started in 2003.
I started sweeping about 9 or 10 years ago 🙂
I started in the 80’s since I was little I have always been lucky at winning and my mom won a car before through the Pepsi rock dreams contest.
Started this great hobby about 15 years ago and still having a blast
I started contesting back in 2014 (7 years) when I called the radio station to request a song for my son and won an xbox
I started when I was 16 in 2006 and it was on MySpace at the time!
I started back in the late 80’s when I would enter my parents in In-store contests I ever won them any thing. Later in the 90’s I discovered Contest newsletter when I entered the publishers clearinghouse sweepstakes I been sweeping on and off since then.
Congrats and thank you for giving back to fellow contesters. I started when I was on mat leave with my eldest daughter (2015). I had a hard time falling asleep and I would go on the computer just browsing through pages and would see contest ads. Curiosity got into me and entered some local contest. After a few weeks, found an email congratulating me on a win and that started me getting hooked to winning stuff.
My contesting fixation started when my boys were younger. I entered a local fun raiser for their school. I won a prize of a gc from a local business. Then a local shopping centre had a promotion of saving ones receipts to win a thousand dollars. Because I won this awesome prize. I was hooked to this life changing hobby. Yes, I remember you from a believe a online blog group. (Unsure of the name but it was so helpful for finding contest. You graciously gave me tips on how to enter and to organize ones entries. Thanks, again and congrats on your anniverary.
I also started about 20 years ago. Then I saw you and Ron Miller on a show. I have won some awesome prizes! Congrats on your anniversary
It’s funny, when I really really want to win my luck gets kind of thin. When I enter for the giggles my chances seem to multiply.
I’ve also loved contests, even as a kid I was drawn to them. I think I won my first colouring contest at Shoppers Drug Mart when I was 10. Ever since then, I’ve been hooked!
I started entering contests in 1984 and won my first big win in 1986 when I won a trip to the MTV VMA Awards in Los Angeles, CA. I was limited because I couldn’t enter that many contests due to my age so I was excited when I turned 18 and 21 years of age or older I could enter more sweepstakes. It has been such a fun hobby! I have won three cards, five Super Bowl trips, cash, and numerous other prizes.
The first contest I remember entering and winning was when I was in grade 1 or 2. We wrote Christmas stories for the local paper and mine got published!
I started taking it more Seriously about 8 yrs ago.
I started back in 2017. Didn’t do too much that year and really got into it in 2018 after meeting fellow contesters in a Shoppers Drug Mart Party.
I started 2019. My first win was on Instagram.
I started in 2013…and I’m still at it! I really do enjoy my hobby!
I started sweeping in 2001
I started back in the 1980’s yet yet really got into more 2008 enjoy doing sweeps
I started sweeping about 6 yrs ago-i only entered a few at a time and have only gotten more into it since I retired 3 yrs ago
I started about 35 years ago
Around 1998
I’ve been entering on a regular basis for almost two years now but I’ve really been entering things here and there since I was a kid.
I started so that I could maybe win what I couldn’t easily afford, I started a few years ago casually.
I started approximately about 10 years ago entering contests/
I started entering radio contests in high school, but I didn’t really start “sweeping” until one day when I was bored at a temp job and was surfing the internet. I discovered a whole new world!
I started in 1996 when I first got on the internet.
I used to do sweeps years ago. It was a release from stress for me. Of course the prizes were great. Then my son passed away and I stopped. I just couldn’t function anymore. Now, I have started and I am winning! #happywiththelittlewins
I started in 1998. So I’ve been sweeping for 23 years now! See you at the convention in NH in July I hope!
Ohhhh – good question. I entered a couple of IWs and call ins maybe around 2003 but didn’t start truly sweeping until 2012 ish I’d say. I remember watching you on TLC with my husband – we were really intrigued and started dabbling looking for products with promotional info etc but I didn’t jump in until the following year.
I starred sweeping in November of 2019.
I started entering sweepstakes in October 2010 when I was put on bed rest for my last pregnancy. I saw an episode of Oprah where a woman was talking about all the things she won by entering contests. I had just bought a laptop and wasn’t really using it for anything else so I figured why not.
i start contest sweeping in morning ty
Wow, I really don’t remember. Seriously contesting, only a couple years. You inspired me!
I started sweeping online in 2009 other contests in 2007
I started in 2008 online.
I started when I was a young teenager I love entering contest & trying my luck at winning prizes
I have been contesting for 44 years!!!!
I started entering contests as a child. However have been an off/on sweeper for over 25 years! What a dream come true to meet you Carolyn via sweeps chat etc!
I started entering about 6 years ago. My first win was a Samsung tablet from Nabisco, I was hooked!
Oh my I ‘ve been sweeping for years. Well over 35 years on & off, but the web put a whole new spin on it,
CLose to 20 yrs!
I started in 2006, took a couple of years off as life got busy, but always came back. Best hobby ever!
i started around 2018
It has been over 30 years!
I was unemployed ad had recently had back surgery and was spending a lot of time on the internet. I kept seeing ads for sweepstakes. I was skeptical. I came upon Best Publications. He had had members of his newsletter, who were willing to be contacted to answer questions about this sweepstakes hobby. I contacted 2 members and 1 of them got back to me. She was from GA. She told me about her wins, how to get started and reassured me that sweeping wasn’t a scam. I began winning and I have been entering sweepstakes ever since and that was about 2009/2010 .
I did mail in entries when I was child and only got back into sweeping after I won a trip to the Kentucky Derby. The very nice lady who let me know I was the winner, and kept me informed, said I should really do more online sweeping. So, because of her, I did….about 10 years ago.
I started my Sweeping with the occassional freebie and a giveaway or two in 2017 and now, I feel incomplete if I don’t enter 10-20 contests a day!!
I started ages ago, entering sporadically. More recently I got into surveys with rewards, but still entering sweeps. I have only won once- a lovely frying pan, Time to get more serious.
I started in 2009 after my sister had a big win of a cash prize.
i am a newbie, i started last year
I started sweeping 5 years ago!
Few years now
I started about 12 years ago. I wish contests were like they were back then.
I enjoy going camping
I started contesting abour 15 years ago.
I started at age 30. Contest newsletter. But as a kid, I entered and won a poster contest from Kellogg’s
thanks for all the information
I started in early 2000 and enjoy it as a hobby.
I started in the fall of 2006.
I started contesting a few years ago after seeing one of your posts.
I started contesting in 2011! I’ve been hooked since!
I’ve been contesting for two years now.
I started mid 2020!
About 20 years ago is my best guess.
I have been entering contests since I was 9 years old. I won tickets to see Michael Jackson live in concert from Beckers convenience store. That was 38 years ago!
I started entering contests in 2015
As a young Mom, I read an article in either Family Circle or Womans Day about The Contest Newsletter & I couldn’t subscribe fast enough! In the 6th grade, I won a Record Player (yep-no stereo…this was in the 60’s!) & two weeks later, I won a small Kodak camera! I was hooked!! I was on the TV Game Show “Concentration” at age 20; another TV Game Show “Jackpot” a few years later & finally, I was on “The $20,000 Pyramid” (the night time version) in 1983. By that time, I had become an avid fan of the Contest Newsletter & had subscribed to another Newsletter that sadly, did not last very long. I was subscribing to other Newsletters as they emerged but as time passed, I didn’t have the time to enter as I once did. Now that I find time once again to enter Sweeps, it’s like another world with the Computer!. Still, I’m looking forward to returning to this fun & rewarding hobby! However, I can already tell that I have much to learn this time around!!
I started entering contests in 1996 and the first prize I won was to spend a day with the Blue Jays.
I have entered sweepstakes and giveaways since the mid 80’s. There used to be a paper newsletter that listed snail mail sweeps back then. I bought stamps and entered when I could afford to. I got a computer and the internet around 1999 and it opened up a whole new sweeps world for me.
I have been doing contests for about 10 years.
25 years ago. I love it even more now than ever and with Twitter and Instagram, I’m having to learn new things and keep my mind a little sharper.
I started about 20 years ago and have been entering contests and sweepstakes, on and off, over the years.
Elementary school and would call in to radio stations to try and win prizes.
I started when I was 15 on the school computers hehe
I started entering sweepstakes in 2007. It’s my favorite hobby and I have won some nice prizes!