IN Late November I was notified by phone from Promotion Mechanics that I had won my choice of a $5000 trip to anywhere I wanted to go, or a check for $4500...well since I have won and taken 6 trip wins in the last 2 years, and Christmas was so close (and hubby has run out of vacation time), we decided on the cash!
They were very fast at sending out the check too!
I received the 1099 form on the first, sent it back and by the following Saturday I had cash in hand!!!!
With the cash I found a 51" rear projection HDTV on sale for $850 (shipping included), so that was my first purchase (It will arrive on Dec 18th). (not on sale any longer but is still under $1000 if anyone else is interested
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7846502&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat95100050031&id=1142299121359 )
I then bought 3 30" used TVs for the kids (will be part of their Christmas presents) for a total of $80.
Then I found 3 used game cubes (For part of the kids Christmas presents) for a total of $75. and a dozen games each for the boys (also used) for $5 a game (as well as 5 brand new games each for them).
Hubby bought me a diamond anniversary band, as our 10 year anniversary will be next year (another GREAT deal!)
http://www.jewelryexchange.com/productdetails.asp?webid=WEB-111101668I found a portable DVD player for $50 on sale at Wal-Mart
I bought Hubby his dream Computer
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/ultracf.asp?v=dI bought a Camcorder with a hard drive from best buy
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7623048&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat91400050051&id=1130985858389 (now I can enter things like "deal or no deal"!!)
and I made reservation for 2 nights at an indoor waterpark/hotel
http://www.lodgeatcedarcreek.com/specials.htm?id=32My plan is this....
The kids all know the 51" TV is coming, and I let them think this was the only present the family was getting!
Christmas morning, they will open their own TV's and game cubes and be THRILLED, then suggest after Lunch that we take a drive and when they get in the car, the new DVD player will be hooked up in the backseat, with a movie in it all ready to go.....they will be so excited and watching the movie they will not pay attention to where we are going, until we pull up in front of the hotel, and when we open the trunk, we will have bags all packed for them already (including bathing suits) and check in the hotel for 2 whole days of playing!!!!
I will take movies of the kids at the water park, and when I can I will post those as well!
I have a few other surprises up my sleeve yet for the family, but as my Husband is a member here and reads my posts, so I cannot divulge those quite yet!
All this and still enough money left over to pay off a couple bills!
