And the Winner Is...
Drum roll please!
First off, I want to say THANKS to the over 200 of you who entered my "Best $40.00 Ever Spent" contest. As I read through your entries, I laughed, I cried, I was inspired. In fact, I had a VERY hard time not choosing every one of you. But, I forced myself to choose my top 20. Then I asked two of my best buddies, Marci Leishman and Carrie Heaphy, to also give me their top 20. I then combined our lists and the 10 entries that got the most votes (common favorites) are featured below:
So, here they are--in no particular order : )
"Ok maybe this is going to sound selfish but the best $40 I ever spent was on a pair of jeans...However these jeans were more than just denim to me. For most of my life I have struggled with my weight. It was always going up, never going down. Well about two years ago I finally did something about it, and to this day I have lost 60 lbs. About 10 lbs ago, I went shopping for new clothes. I decided some new jeans would be fun. I picked the size I was use to and one size smaller. Neither fit. I actually needed even one size smaller, a size I hadnt been in since late high school. The feeling of me wearing those jeans was so amazing, and knowing that I had really done it was overwhelming. I actually started to cry in the dressing room. Now I still have more weight to lose, but everytime I put on a pair of those jeans, Im reminded of what I have accomplished so far."
- Edie (ediegirl@mac.com)
"The best $40 I've ever spent was on a jewelery making class for my 13 year old daughter at a local bead store. My daughter was so proud of what she made and has continued to make lot's of bracelet's and earings. This was something that she wanted to do that she could call her own and she is very good at it. Now, the class was only $40. but the confidence and pride she takes in what she makes is priceless."
- Kelley Emond (momtokelsey@comcast.net)
"The best $40 I ever spent was on one of the most important people in my life. My husband had lost his job 6 months prior, and we hadn't made the cobra payment. Keeping the option open, but hoping we wouldn't have to use it. My then 5 year old daughter, Erin, had her yearly cardiology appt. in February. We were taking her in without the insurance and self paying, as all of her prior visits were very positive. Our doctor, came into me and asked what happened as soon as she saw the folder about our insurance. I explained and she proceeded to do the normal testing on my daughter. As luck would have it, Erin's murmur had progressed from moderate to severe and required intervention. All I could do was sit and cry and think where in the world am I going to come up with the money for her surgery in NY. Her doctor asked me to only pay what my normal copay would be, which was $40.00 and not to worry about the rest. My father came over with $4000 to reinstate our COBRA and 4 weeks later my daughter had her heart surgery. Also during that time, a department store my husband worked part time for for 6 years decided to put us on their health insurance so we could drop the COBRA after her surgery and continue her follow up on the new insurance.
That $40 saved my daughter's life, and taught me and my family that people are so much more compassionate and kind than they are ever given credit for. I will never be able to repay the kindness that was shown to my daughter and our family during that difficult time, but I will never forget, and will always try to live their example and give back no matter how big or small. My daughter is now 6 1/2 and completely healthy and active. She is completely unrestricted and will live a normal life.
That $40 taught me more about love and life than any money I ever spent or received."
- Kathy C. (psychomom0565@aol.com)
"The best $40 I ever spent was when my mom went back to college 15 years ago. I bought her a new backpack with all the school supplies she could ever possibly need, just like she had done for us each year. Money was tight for my parents at that time, but my mom acted like being a student again was not a "big deal." I wrote her a note and told her how proud I was that she was going after her dream. I left her backpack and supplies on the counter so she would see them as she headed off for her first day of school. She was excited and felt "complete" with all of her goodies. It wasn't the money that was spent that meant the most to her, it was the letter that I wrote. To this day, that letter sits in her safe deposit box. My mom's dream came true. Funny how a backpack filled with notebooks, pencils, pens and all the necessities made her feel complete. A new backpack every year is now a tradition in our home...it not only stands for a new start, but also as a reminder that dreams can come true."
- mom78968400
"I cannot believe I am going to comment about this (I probably won't scrapbook about it any time soon)but about a week ago my friend talked me into going to get fitted for a bra. I am not usually an impulse buyer, but she was convinced it was a "life changing" event for her=) So, with my 15 month old in hand, and a 1/2 hour before I had to pick up my preschooler, I headed to the local mall and got fitted for a bra...and spent $40!!! I've never spent that much on one bra before...but my friend admitted it was much cheaper than any sort of surgery. Anyway, after happily nursing five children, I think it has actually lifted me back to wherever I should have been. I'm not sure about the life-changing part...but I was happy enough with the new look that I figured I needed some new shirts to go with it! So if you need a little lift (no pun intended)...it's only $40 away!!!"
- S.Kime (teamkime@bellsouth.net)
"The best $40 I ever spent...... this requires a bit of thought! I would have to say that it would be the almost $40 it cost me to express post chocolate chip cookies baked by my daughter and myself to my father. We live in British Columbia but are from Nova Scotia. My father had been ill (cancer) and we had been sending letters, pictures and packages everyweek. My then 4 year old daughter wanted to bake Grampy some cookies. First I said no and then I decided, why not. So we baked the cookies, took pictures and packed everything up in a box and paid a fortune to send it express so that the cookies would be edible when they arrived. My dad passed away two weeks later but he did get the cookies and shared them with his nurses and told his granddaughter that she made the best the cookies in the whole wide world. This was three years ago and she still talks about baking the best cookies for Grampy."
- Jen Decker (jbdecker@shaw.ca)
"The best $40 I ever spent wasn't actually spent, but given away. I had just left a fast food play place with my children and was trying to "lecture" them about sharing on the drive home. We had a few problems taking turns and sharing with the other children that were playing with us. Just as I was done with my mini lecture, I pulled up to a stop light. Right outside my drivers window were two people who had a sign and were asking for money or food. My curious children in the backseat asked what the people were doing there and what the sign they were holding said. When I told them, my 5 year old son who is Autistic and usually doesn't understand need or emotion started to roll down his window and give the couple what was left of his Happy Meal. I was at that moment, proud to be his Mom. He had listened to my talk in the van and without a second thought, he was ready to give what he had to another who needed it. I told him to hold onto his lunch and instead I would give them money to buy their own Happy Meal. I handed them each a $20 bill and said God Bless as I drove away feeling ashamed to only have that to share with them. This happened about 6 months ago and my children still talk about it. They always wonder what happened to those people and where they are now. I don't know who they were or where they were from but I will never forget them or that moment. So, even though I did not "get" something monetary for my $40, I got a whole lot more than I could have imagined. Thanks for the chance to share!!"
- Krystal Barb (krystalbarb@hotmail.com)
"My favorite $40 was spent last spring break when my 2 oldest boys were 7 and 8 years old. i gave them each a $20 bill and told them that they were in charge for a whole day to provide fun. it was so cute to see how they planned/organized/decided which activities to incorporate into their special day. they had to spent as close to $20 as they could without going over and we "graded" each of them on their day. we loved how they filled time with free things, such as the playground and library, and how they made their decisions on which events so spent money on ! it was an exciting day for all - my only regret is that i didn't take any pictures that day but it doesn't matter because they still talk about it all the time!!"
- Carol (csippel@austin.rr.com)
"Have you ever thought you could get a teenage boy to still want to decorate Easter eggs? Well, mine does. Te best $40 we spend as a family are supplies to decorate eggs. I gather feathers, sequins, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, rhinestones, pom poms and anything else we can find in the craft store and three dozen eggs from the store. Out come the glue guns and we go crazy. The eggs are dyed all kinds of colors and decorated with our craft store goodies. Every year we turn our eggs into spiders, aliens, cowboys and bank robbers, football players, frogs, fancy birds, bugs, butterflies and some things that we just aren't sure what they are! Our date this year is this Friday night (March 30th nice and early since we don't actually eat them but use them as decorations only) and can you believe it, my now 18 year old, very cool, senior in highschool, football playing, going off to college son still looks forward to this every year.
We have such fun doing this it is a small price to pay for such a great time of laughs and family together time."
- lkhull@sbcglobal.net
"A few isles away in the grocery store I heard a VERY newborn baby crying real hard. I went over to make sure all was okay. A REAL young mother was trying to calm her newborn while checking out the different cans of formula. I asked if she needed any help, and as she shrugged her shoulders she mumbled something about how expensive the formula was. She made her selection - a very small can. I asked if she had a bottle; she nodded and pointed to the empty bottle in the baby carrier, one that had already been used. After she left the isle, I grabbed 2 large cans of the formula and a 3 pack of bottles, paid for them, and followed her just outside the store. I handed her the bag, telling her that I hoped this would help. I have never been in the situation where I couldn't feed one of my children, and I was so glad to be in the right place to help someone with theirs. That was definitely money that I do not regret spending - I actually wish it could have been more!"
- Tanya
Also, my friend, Andrew Johnson, also read through your entries and his favorite was this one:
"Easy...the best $40 I ever spent was for an adoption application. We now have the sweetest little redhead who is the subject of all my scrapbooking!"
- Marsha (Beausmom)
Thanks again for your entries. This was so much fun!
Lisa B.
P.S. We'll get your $40.00 of supplies from Daisyd's sent to the winners next week. Thanks, Daisyd's, for the fun contest!!!
First off, I want to say THANKS to the over 200 of you who entered my "Best $40.00 Ever Spent" contest. As I read through your entries, I laughed, I cried, I was inspired. In fact, I had a VERY hard time not choosing every one of you. But, I forced myself to choose my top 20. Then I asked two of my best buddies, Marci Leishman and Carrie Heaphy, to also give me their top 20. I then combined our lists and the 10 entries that got the most votes (common favorites) are featured below:
So, here they are--in no particular order : )
"Ok maybe this is going to sound selfish but the best $40 I ever spent was on a pair of jeans...However these jeans were more than just denim to me. For most of my life I have struggled with my weight. It was always going up, never going down. Well about two years ago I finally did something about it, and to this day I have lost 60 lbs. About 10 lbs ago, I went shopping for new clothes. I decided some new jeans would be fun. I picked the size I was use to and one size smaller. Neither fit. I actually needed even one size smaller, a size I hadnt been in since late high school. The feeling of me wearing those jeans was so amazing, and knowing that I had really done it was overwhelming. I actually started to cry in the dressing room. Now I still have more weight to lose, but everytime I put on a pair of those jeans, Im reminded of what I have accomplished so far."
- Edie (ediegirl@mac.com)
"The best $40 I've ever spent was on a jewelery making class for my 13 year old daughter at a local bead store. My daughter was so proud of what she made and has continued to make lot's of bracelet's and earings. This was something that she wanted to do that she could call her own and she is very good at it. Now, the class was only $40. but the confidence and pride she takes in what she makes is priceless."
- Kelley Emond (momtokelsey@comcast.net)
"The best $40 I ever spent was on one of the most important people in my life. My husband had lost his job 6 months prior, and we hadn't made the cobra payment. Keeping the option open, but hoping we wouldn't have to use it. My then 5 year old daughter, Erin, had her yearly cardiology appt. in February. We were taking her in without the insurance and self paying, as all of her prior visits were very positive. Our doctor, came into me and asked what happened as soon as she saw the folder about our insurance. I explained and she proceeded to do the normal testing on my daughter. As luck would have it, Erin's murmur had progressed from moderate to severe and required intervention. All I could do was sit and cry and think where in the world am I going to come up with the money for her surgery in NY. Her doctor asked me to only pay what my normal copay would be, which was $40.00 and not to worry about the rest. My father came over with $4000 to reinstate our COBRA and 4 weeks later my daughter had her heart surgery. Also during that time, a department store my husband worked part time for for 6 years decided to put us on their health insurance so we could drop the COBRA after her surgery and continue her follow up on the new insurance.
That $40 saved my daughter's life, and taught me and my family that people are so much more compassionate and kind than they are ever given credit for. I will never be able to repay the kindness that was shown to my daughter and our family during that difficult time, but I will never forget, and will always try to live their example and give back no matter how big or small. My daughter is now 6 1/2 and completely healthy and active. She is completely unrestricted and will live a normal life.
That $40 taught me more about love and life than any money I ever spent or received."
- Kathy C. (psychomom0565@aol.com)
"The best $40 I ever spent was when my mom went back to college 15 years ago. I bought her a new backpack with all the school supplies she could ever possibly need, just like she had done for us each year. Money was tight for my parents at that time, but my mom acted like being a student again was not a "big deal." I wrote her a note and told her how proud I was that she was going after her dream. I left her backpack and supplies on the counter so she would see them as she headed off for her first day of school. She was excited and felt "complete" with all of her goodies. It wasn't the money that was spent that meant the most to her, it was the letter that I wrote. To this day, that letter sits in her safe deposit box. My mom's dream came true. Funny how a backpack filled with notebooks, pencils, pens and all the necessities made her feel complete. A new backpack every year is now a tradition in our home...it not only stands for a new start, but also as a reminder that dreams can come true."
- mom78968400
"I cannot believe I am going to comment about this (I probably won't scrapbook about it any time soon)but about a week ago my friend talked me into going to get fitted for a bra. I am not usually an impulse buyer, but she was convinced it was a "life changing" event for her=) So, with my 15 month old in hand, and a 1/2 hour before I had to pick up my preschooler, I headed to the local mall and got fitted for a bra...and spent $40!!! I've never spent that much on one bra before...but my friend admitted it was much cheaper than any sort of surgery. Anyway, after happily nursing five children, I think it has actually lifted me back to wherever I should have been. I'm not sure about the life-changing part...but I was happy enough with the new look that I figured I needed some new shirts to go with it! So if you need a little lift (no pun intended)...it's only $40 away!!!"
- S.Kime (teamkime@bellsouth.net)
"The best $40 I ever spent...... this requires a bit of thought! I would have to say that it would be the almost $40 it cost me to express post chocolate chip cookies baked by my daughter and myself to my father. We live in British Columbia but are from Nova Scotia. My father had been ill (cancer) and we had been sending letters, pictures and packages everyweek. My then 4 year old daughter wanted to bake Grampy some cookies. First I said no and then I decided, why not. So we baked the cookies, took pictures and packed everything up in a box and paid a fortune to send it express so that the cookies would be edible when they arrived. My dad passed away two weeks later but he did get the cookies and shared them with his nurses and told his granddaughter that she made the best the cookies in the whole wide world. This was three years ago and she still talks about baking the best cookies for Grampy."
- Jen Decker (jbdecker@shaw.ca)
"The best $40 I ever spent wasn't actually spent, but given away. I had just left a fast food play place with my children and was trying to "lecture" them about sharing on the drive home. We had a few problems taking turns and sharing with the other children that were playing with us. Just as I was done with my mini lecture, I pulled up to a stop light. Right outside my drivers window were two people who had a sign and were asking for money or food. My curious children in the backseat asked what the people were doing there and what the sign they were holding said. When I told them, my 5 year old son who is Autistic and usually doesn't understand need or emotion started to roll down his window and give the couple what was left of his Happy Meal. I was at that moment, proud to be his Mom. He had listened to my talk in the van and without a second thought, he was ready to give what he had to another who needed it. I told him to hold onto his lunch and instead I would give them money to buy their own Happy Meal. I handed them each a $20 bill and said God Bless as I drove away feeling ashamed to only have that to share with them. This happened about 6 months ago and my children still talk about it. They always wonder what happened to those people and where they are now. I don't know who they were or where they were from but I will never forget them or that moment. So, even though I did not "get" something monetary for my $40, I got a whole lot more than I could have imagined. Thanks for the chance to share!!"
- Krystal Barb (krystalbarb@hotmail.com)
"My favorite $40 was spent last spring break when my 2 oldest boys were 7 and 8 years old. i gave them each a $20 bill and told them that they were in charge for a whole day to provide fun. it was so cute to see how they planned/organized/decided which activities to incorporate into their special day. they had to spent as close to $20 as they could without going over and we "graded" each of them on their day. we loved how they filled time with free things, such as the playground and library, and how they made their decisions on which events so spent money on ! it was an exciting day for all - my only regret is that i didn't take any pictures that day but it doesn't matter because they still talk about it all the time!!"
- Carol (csippel@austin.rr.com)
"Have you ever thought you could get a teenage boy to still want to decorate Easter eggs? Well, mine does. Te best $40 we spend as a family are supplies to decorate eggs. I gather feathers, sequins, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, rhinestones, pom poms and anything else we can find in the craft store and three dozen eggs from the store. Out come the glue guns and we go crazy. The eggs are dyed all kinds of colors and decorated with our craft store goodies. Every year we turn our eggs into spiders, aliens, cowboys and bank robbers, football players, frogs, fancy birds, bugs, butterflies and some things that we just aren't sure what they are! Our date this year is this Friday night (March 30th nice and early since we don't actually eat them but use them as decorations only) and can you believe it, my now 18 year old, very cool, senior in highschool, football playing, going off to college son still looks forward to this every year.
We have such fun doing this it is a small price to pay for such a great time of laughs and family together time."
- lkhull@sbcglobal.net
"A few isles away in the grocery store I heard a VERY newborn baby crying real hard. I went over to make sure all was okay. A REAL young mother was trying to calm her newborn while checking out the different cans of formula. I asked if she needed any help, and as she shrugged her shoulders she mumbled something about how expensive the formula was. She made her selection - a very small can. I asked if she had a bottle; she nodded and pointed to the empty bottle in the baby carrier, one that had already been used. After she left the isle, I grabbed 2 large cans of the formula and a 3 pack of bottles, paid for them, and followed her just outside the store. I handed her the bag, telling her that I hoped this would help. I have never been in the situation where I couldn't feed one of my children, and I was so glad to be in the right place to help someone with theirs. That was definitely money that I do not regret spending - I actually wish it could have been more!"
- Tanya
Also, my friend, Andrew Johnson, also read through your entries and his favorite was this one:
"Easy...the best $40 I ever spent was for an adoption application. We now have the sweetest little redhead who is the subject of all my scrapbooking!"
- Marsha (Beausmom)
Thanks again for your entries. This was so much fun!
Lisa B.
P.S. We'll get your $40.00 of supplies from Daisyd's sent to the winners next week. Thanks, Daisyd's, for the fun contest!!!
20 Comments:
Wow, really disappointed and hurt that you didn't like my story.
Congrats to all the winners! Fun reading all the entries too.
Happy Easter Lisa!!!
what great entries. to all the winners....TFS.
Hi Lisa
Can't imagine how difficult it was to pick only 10.
Congrats to the winners - enjoy the cool new products!!
Happy Easter Lisa! Enjoy the time with family!!
Cindy
Thank you, Lisa, I was one of the lucky "winners" but know that the people we helped with our $40 were the real winners. Thanks for having a contest to share such uplifting experiences!
~Tanya
stsummers@earthlink.net
What a difficult job and yet you managed to pick some of the very best. I am so glad they weren't all self-centered (I love the bra one, been there, done that) and showed a great deal of caring for others. Congrats to the winners.
I really have never won! I was so excited that I called my mom and read her my story about her and her new backpack. She was thrilled and now as I print out my story, she asked for two copies. One for her office...and one for her safe deposit box. Thank you an congratulations to all. Peace!
Thank you so much for the wonderful contest and thanks to all for sharing their life stories. It is so nice to hear such warm and loving stories.
Kathy C.
psychomom0565@aol.com
How fun to read the winners! We're all winners though, first off, because we got to share our stories. Second, because we got to read all the other stories -- some funny, some inspirational! What a fun contest, and how nice of DaisyD's to sponsor it! I loved reading them all! Happy Easter everyone!
Glad to be #11 :). Just wondering about Andrew Johnson, since my story was his favorite... is he adopted or an adoptive parent?
It is an amazing thing to be a family through the miracle of adoption!
GREAT stories... I especially loved the one about the backpack.... what a lucky mom that is!
xoxoox
Lain
Oh wow!! This is so cool!!! I honestly didnt think my story was going to get picked because there were sooo many other ones that were so special and so awesome!
I have never won anything, so this is really cool!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!
Congrats to all the winners!!I felt really compelled to share my story even though I know the contest is over. Hope this touches your heart.
Several years back, my dad, my 2 brothers and I were at a community fair. My dad and brothers were working at the concession stand to raise money for the boy scouts to take a canoe trip. When my dad finally got to take a break we looked around and my dad saw this handcrafted silver cross necklace. I could just see the gleam of his eyes as he looked at it. But we didn’t have any money to spare on it, so he put it down on the table and walked away. Several times he went back and looked at it but he knew we just couldn’t afford it. We were about to leave when I reached in my pocket and found the lunch money I had been saving for almost the whole school year. I ran back to the booth and bought that necklace. When I gave it to him he had tears in his eyes. He wore it everyday. A year later my dad passed away in a car accident. He was wearing that necklace. To see the joy and what it meant to him, that was the best $40 I ever spent in my life.
My favorite was the adoption story.
Beau you have a great Mom!
Hi Thanks for the GREAT stories!!
I have a question, my mother in-law lives in Toledo, Ohio and I was wondering how I can find out where your speaking to be able to pass it on, her?
Sorry if Iam post this in the worng spot,just trying to help a BIG fan get to see you in person:)
Thanks, Benevolence000@aol.com
Congratulations to all the winners!!! It was very fun and also very touching reading your stories!! Thank you for sharing! CIAO Lisa!
SO exciting - my daughter was just thrilled when I told her the story about Grampy's cookies had won a contest. We are leaving for the hospital this week, my daughter is having open heart surgery. I told her when we get back there will be new scrapbooking goodies waiting for us and we'll have loads of time during her recovery to use them. She was SO excited. What great timing!
Jen
Kate,
I'd love to see your mother-in-law in Toledo. I think the event is full but just have her get in touch with Melissa and tell her she's a friend of mine :)!
Here's the information:
Saturday April 28th--9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Perrysburg Chapel
11050 Avenue Rd.
Perrysburg, OH 43551
Contact Melissa at mrsethington@hotmail.com.
If anyone else wants to go, just contact Melissa as well. I'm going to talk about "Living Your Legacy," then we'll create All About Me scrapbooks. It is free of charge!
Hope to see you there!
LB
Hi Lisa....
Just got the package from the DaisyD constest, and just had to let you know how thankful I am. The papers are so pretty!!
My dad is treating the whole family, my family, six of us, my sisters family and my mom to DisneyWorld next week, for a week. He is staying home and caring for everyone's pets... I think the "family" pack will make a real nice page or two to show him how much his neverending love, kindness and generosity means to his whole family.
Thank you again for such a fun contest. Funny how $40, which in the big scheme of things isn't alot, can sure be life altering...
Hope you had a great vacation!
Kathy C.
psychomom0565@aol.com
lisa
when will the new 12 x 12 cricut be launched on qvc?
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