Just got this press release in my inbox and almost peed my pants:
Applications are now open for the second annual 401(k) Champion Award, the only award of its kind given to individuals who demonstrate the importance of retirement saving. Three $1,000 prizes will be awarded to 401(k) participants who complete an application and essay about their 401(k) experiences by Feb. 14.
$1,000 cash!! For basically just LOVING your 401(k)!! AHHH!!! Rub it in my face that I no longer have one, why don’t you!! Where’s that SEP IRA Champion Award??! (**Goes to buy the domain**)
But while I can’t enter this glorious competition, hopefully you or someone you know can! And then we can split the winnings and get half an iPhone each 😂
But seriously, you have to enter –> 401kchampion.com
From Julie Jason of Jackson, Grant Investment Advisers, Inc:
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The 401(k) Champion Award honors employees who “love” their 401(k)s. A 401(k) Champion leads by example. He or she is committed to act now to secure a retirement someday in the future.
Purpose of the 401(k) Champion Award:
- To energize 401(k) participants to learn more about 401(k)s
- To identify and share the stories of 401(k) Champions
- To encourage a dialogue about 401(k) and retirement security
- To help employers share the benefits of 401(k)s, especially for youthful employees who may not realize how to maximize the benefits of long time horizons
To compete for the award, please complete this application form before the deadline. (February 14, 2020) Three award-winners will be announced in April 2020. Each will be recognized as a 401(k) Champion and awarded a cash prize of $1,000.
To be eligible to be considered, you must be 21 or over, and be currently participating in your 401(k).
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It’ll take you some good time to fill it out, but all the better since most people are too lazy to try. Think about what a difference your 401(k) has made in your life, and how you see your future because of it!! Did it completely light a spark for you like it did for me??! Do you get an insane match that would make you an idiot NOT to take up?!
(True story: one of my old employers used to match 100% of 100% you put in up to the legal limit – vested right on the spot. And I was STILL only one of a few to sign up!!)
Think about it for a few and then enter here –> 401kchampion.com
I really want one of you to win it!! Just picture your face here for the 2020 awards!! ;)
PS: Not affiliated with them at all or anything… Just a HUGE believer in 401(k)s and FREE MONEY!! Make sure you’re getting YOURS from your employer!
UPDATE: Two BudgetsAreSexy readers won the $1,000 award!! Wow!! Congrats to Bari Scheinbach and Laura Dobbins!! You can read Laura’s entry here – it really is fabulous.
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Oof… I was all set to enter (and had written up some fun stuff to contribute) when I went over the rules. I realize it’s boilerplate, but man that’s a lot to sign away, even for a shot at a thousand bucks:
Each entrant further agrees that Sponsor has the unrestricted, irrevocable right, but not the obligation, to use entrant’s name, address, photograph, picture, likeness, moving image, voice, biographical material, and personal information, whether in their original form or as altered, edited, lifted or reproduced by Sponsor or its parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, contractors and representatives (collectively, a entrant’s “Likeness”), in perpetuity throughout the world, whether in connection with the Contest or not, in any and all media for any and all purposes without additional consideration to, or further authorization by, the entrant.
oh wow – yeah, that last part is hardcore!
you end up still submitting or change your mind?
i feel like at this point you either have to be off grid completely or come to the realization that our info is already out there – or will be at some point – whether we know it or not. But maybe that’s just my way of coping with it all, haha..
I did not, but I’ve still got those paragraphs in a text editor on my desktop in case I change my mind!
I’m not interested in my address and likeness being blown across the interwebs by whomever they might sell their database to, so it all comes down to “do you trust that we won’t perform these actions to which we’re laying legal claim?” You’re right, tricky questions.
If you want you can share your essay here so it doesn’t go to waste ;)
UPDATE: Got a note back from their team re: that language:
“The award organizers will only use the information, images, etc. in connection with the contest and future contest-related publications or advertisements.”
I submitted! Thanks for the heads-up J.
Awesome!
Please let us know if you’re one of the winners!! :)
Adam’s comment aside (with which I fully agree), boo hoo. I participate in my employer’s 403b. Some years there’s a match, and some years there isn’t. But it doesn’t stop me investing because it’s so easy to just shoot those $$$ out of my paycheck before I even see them. Great eye Adam; I love the idea and will still consider…after much thought.
Smart to get in the habit of contributing either way :) It’s nice when you don’t notice the money being gone anymore!