Gooooooooooooooooood morning friends! Not only is today Pay Day, but it’s also “Give Away $200 Worth of Gift Cards Day!” Yup, SmartyPig & J. to the Motha F’in Dollar Sign is teaming up to give y’all some money and help spread the good financial word. It’s a good time to be on this blog ;)
About SmartyPig
For those not already familiar with SmartyPig, they’re a free online piggy bank for people saving for specific financial goals – perhaps something like a wedding or vacay or even flat-screen TV. But unlike other banks (and this is where it turns sexy) SmartyPig allows your friends and family members to help you save by sharing your goal! All while keeping your personal information safe and secure.
Birthdays, holidays, graduation, that baby shower coming up? Tell them to log onto SmartyPig.com, search your email address, and help you get the stuff you REALLY want. They even have a widget you can grab off your account so you can promote it on your Facebook page ;) Pretty slick, right?
The SmartyPig Giveaway
To help spread the word, SmartyPig is giving us THREE gift cards to give out today – two $50 cards, and one grand prize $100 card!!! Which means you get three chances to win! All cards are redeemable right into your own SmartyPig account (you’ll have to create one free online if you don’t already have one, but don’t worry it’s pretty easy – I actually got to test the goods with a $50 card myself and it makes the process much happier ;) And if you’ve already got an account, great! All you’ll have to do is plug in the gift code we give you and you’ll be all set.)
How to win!
This is the fun part :) All you have to do to enter is tell us WHAT you’re currently saving for – that’s it! Drop it in the comments below by this Sunday, June 20th, by 10pm EST and we’ll Random.org the winners there shortly after (and alert everyone on this very same post – so keep your eyes open!) I’ll go first: I’m saving up for another trip abroad! Can’t get enough these days… Now it’s Your turn, GOOD LUCK! I hope they go out to my 3 favorite readers ;)
PS: For more info on SmartyPig, click here.
PPS: If you hate saving for anything, click here.
——————
*GIVEAWAY OVER*
The winners of these 3 spicy HOT giftcards are….drum roll please…. Amy R. ($50), Kelsey #2 (comment #86) ($50) and our GRAND PRIZE of $100 goes to…. Brent Schenk! Congrats all!!! I will be emailing you shortly for your mailing information. Keep on saving everyone!
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Oooh! Neat! Ok, I’ll play.
I’m saving up for a trip to Australia!
Thanks for the opportunity, J. to the Dollar Sign and SmartyPig!
I just opened my SmartyPig account 2 weeks ago. I am saving for a trip to Disney World in December!
First of all J, I love your contests, they are always fun and the prize is always something worthwhile!
My wife and I are currently saving for a new bed. Not what one would generally save for but it’s the same queen size one she has had since getting out of high school in 2004 and it just needs to be replaced so any of the gift cards would help for sure!
We’re saving for the downpayment on our first house right now. Already at SmartyPig, so this would be perfect!
We’re saving to redo the upstairs bathroom that has knotty pine walls — ew! Thanks for the contest, J!
Great contest!
I’m currently saving for a new used car. I have been roaming the streets of DC in the heat and I can’t take it anymore!
I’m saving for my expenses for senior year of college – books, parking permit, booze. Ya know, the usual.However, those expenses also include life post graduation and although that’s exciting its still kinda really scary at the same time.
In a quick run down of my goals that I keep repeating to myself over and over again:
Lose Weight
Get Healthy
Pay Off Sallie Mae
Buy House
We can translate those into things I’m saving for:
New SEXY clothes for my new SEXY body
New Workout Clothes and Equipment for my new SEXY body
A HUGE extra payment at the end of each month to pay down Principle Balance!!
A little extra each month into my House Fund!!
I LOVE saving for a specific goal. Only problem…once I have that huge amount saved up…I struggle actually spending it! But I’ll take that problem over the other option….
Thanks for all the giveaways J.!!
I’m saving up for my trip to Tasmania this December. I am so looking forward to it.
We’re saving up for trips this year to D.C., Houston, Leaping Arches in Utah, and Wisconsin!
I’m saving up for another school year’s worth of textbooks =/
This is another fun and exciting giveaway. I (as well as my fiance) am saving for the wedding/honeymoon combination for next year. Thanks!
New skates! I’ve just joined a roller derby league and I’m spending a fortune on gear… bought a cheap pair of starter skates that will need to be upgraded in about a year if I stick with it!
Three week honeymoon in Europe!
This is so weird, I just found out about SmartyPig this morning while watching Good Morning America. Well, I’m saving up for my baby. We just found out that I’m due next spring. It’s very exciting. Fingers crossed!!
Thanks SmartyPig and J.Money for this great opp!
I’m saving up for a vacation to Italy in a year and a half. Can’t start too early!
First, I love SmartyPig, they’re simply the best.
Second, I’m saving up so I can take a pay cut for a job I actually want!
I’m saving for a Nikon D90 DSLR camera!
I’m saving for a real vacation (you know, one where I travel more than 2 hours away)!
Hey J-
We are in stage 2 of a long long landscaping project. We are saving up for a timber framed pergola.
Love the contest!!
Hey J,
For long time i have been saving money to buy a good e-reader.
I am tired of hearing abt the cutting of the trees and stuff………
I think e reader are the way to go…
Thanks for the oppurtunity
We’re saving to get my wife a professional-grade camera to turn into another income stream.
I’m saving for a vacation in the fall – hopefully escaping cold New England weather for a vacation to the Caribbean : )
I’m using my SmartyPig account to save up for a new laptop.
I’m saving for a trip to California to attend Blizzcon. :x
I’m saving up for a six months emergency fund. Not as fun as some of the others, but necessary.
I’m using my SmartyPig account to save for a new A/C unit for my house.
i’m aggressively paying down my debt…but am simultaneously saving up to fly to canada (surprisingly/ridiculously expensive since i live near chicago and am headed to the glittering province of saskatchewan…) to see my heart :)
Ummmm…we just found out that I am knocked up so we are saving for a new baby!
I have many tiny amounts of money saved in several places for things I can’t afford.Which is everything,ha!I am saving for a trip to New York to see my sister,she just moved there.Also,I am saving for my sons birthday.Those are my main ones right now. Thanks and have a nice week!
we’re saving in smartypig for a trip to DISNEY….to celebrate being debt free!! this would be AWESOME!!
A boob job!
JK new furniture!
I’m saving for many things – but the one dearest to my heart right now is the kitchen renovation! Counting down the days until we start that renovation later this summer.
Me? LOL . . . Im saving cuz I have never saved before! 43 years old and at age 39, I realized that I was screwed! So, right now . . .working on saving for a $10,000 EF (I’m at $6k right now) and working to save $50K in another regular savings account by time I turn 50. 50K by 50, I say! A nice long term goal, but I think i can make it. This Smarty Pig promotion gift card would be awesome as I have though about transferring my savings goal from ING to Smarty Pig.
Tis hard, I have really become aware of my cash flow since the economy tanked. It’s been a real wake up call!
I’m saving for a vacation in the fall – I think Maine, but I’m not sure yet.
I’m saving for my wedding in October.
I’m saving for a long beach trip with my family!
I signed up with Smarty Pig about 2 months. So far I love it. Right now I’m saving up for a down payment on a house, a new laptop, and Christmas gifts.
I’m saving up for college expenses for the fall semester.
I’m saving up for a vintage Triumph motorcycle. And possibly a Lambretta. I’m a rocker AND a mod.
I’m saving for my next vacation to visit my sister who lives in Chile!
im saving up for a trip to colorado to visit my dad and his family
Saving for a BBQ in our new house.
Thanks!
I’m saving for tuition for grad school and shooting to have the house paid off by graduation.
I’m saving for my wedding.
yay smartypig (and savings)! i’m saving for a brand new car, puppy expenses (for when i actually get a dog) and wedding payments (even though i’m not quite yet engaged) :)
I am on my way to losing 100lbs and I am saving for a mini shopping spree!
I’m saving for my wedding next year, but still have a long way to go!
I am saving up so I can get a new laptop! The one I’m on has glue on the bottom hinges, broken USB ports, a CD drive that hardly works, a bent and taped up a/c adapter, and something rattling inside! It is seriously time to replace this thing. Help me please :-)!!!
We’re boring at my house and we’re currently saving up to pay off our second mortgage. Only $28k to go!
I’m saving up to complete an internship at the International Criminal Tribunal in Tanzania. I’m also saving up to take a big trip after I graduate law school and take the Bar.
I’m saving up for laser hair removal… Then I can go to the beach ANY day! Well, you know, if I had a beach near me :)
Currently saving up for a 2 year anniversary trip to Florida this fall!
I am currently saving for a new car. My car has 180,000 miles on it and I don’t know when she’ll go. My goal is to save 8,000 dollars by the end of the year and be ready for a new car if I need one. I’m just saving $400 dollars every month as if it was a car payment.
Shoot me, but I’m saving for a pair of Manolo Blahniks. My debts are paid and my emergency fund is solid, I just can’t bring myself to dip into e-cash for shoes, fabulous though they are!
I am saving for a car. My husband and I have managed to share a car for the last eight years. We are now planning on having a second child and have decided that a second car would be a good thing to have. Our plan is to save up whatever we can until I get pregnant and then try to stretch it another 4 months or so after I get pregnant. Whatever we have saved by that time will be our car budget!
Nice. I’m saving for a vacation next summer. This summer we are all staying home to make sure we build up our reserves again, after we depleted them to buy a bigger house… so no money for vacay this year.
I’m saving for a new MacBook Pro after my old one gave out.
saving up for trip to Disneyworld
My husband and I have two goals on SmartyPig – a 6 month emergency fund (about 40% of the way there) and a down payment for a house (about 30% there). :)
I am saving for a family vacation! I don’t know where yet – I guess that depends on how much I can save ;)
Hey J! I’m saving to help my sister with her wedding (very sexy) AND for daughter’s next school year’s lunch money fund (definitely LESS sexy!). You rock! Thanks for the info and the opportunity :-)
Already have a smarty pig account so this would be great. We are saving for a down payment on a new house.
saving for a trip!!! to new orleans or curacao…
and yeah, already have a smarty pig account too. their avatars are the best :-) saving for a tripppppppppp!
I’m saving for an engagement ring so I can propose to my girlfriend :)
I’m saving up to move into a new apartment, not only will I have enough for first, last and a deposit by the time I’m done, but I’ll also have enough to buy a super comfy bed!
I’m saving up to replace the window motor on the drivers side of my car. It’s been a hot summer in Atlanta without working car windows….
I am currently saving up for a road bike.
I’m saving for my wedding–the reception, specifically, which we’re having at a very fancy restaurant (we’re keeping the guest list super small–excellent food is important to me!) :)
I’m saving for attorney fees. OUCH!!!!
We’re saving for a house downpayment. One day…
Saving for a house downpayment :)
Saving for a down payment! Thanks for the contest J!
Saving to convert our unused attic space into a man-cave!
I’ve got accounts at Smarty Pig for vacation and a new car
I’m saving for a treadmill! I just had a baby so I cancelled my gym membership (since I can’t take her with me). I’ve gotta find a way to exercise at home in order to keep my sanity (and maybe drop a little babyweight as well). :)
I’m saving for my honeymoon to Jamaica this October.
Loving the blog
Saving to move from Houston to Seattle so my husband can go to school at UW :) Also saving for the required Mac Book Pro he needs.
I’m saving up for the birth of my second child!
I’m saving for a trip to Scotland for my 60th birthday celebration, my Pilates sessions, and for extra paydown of my mortgage.
Woohoo! I LOVE SMARTYPIG! Talk about a truly dynamic and easy way to save for a specific goal….
I’m saving for my emergency fund :)
Saving for his ten-year anniversary present next year.
What an awesome concept! I’m heading over to check out their website right away.
I’m currently saving towards a new laptop for myself and an outdoor playset for my sons.
Saving to travel the world.
What a great contest! I’m saving for a trip I booked for August 2011 to Amsterdam, Paris and London. I set up a monthly payment plan and I’m saving a little extra for souvenirs and other expenses. :)
I’m also saving for a trip abroad – one that’s so long overdue!!
I am still saving for my boat! haha! … and of course you are more than welcome to take a ride on it one day!
I’m saving to replace my 17 year old car. It currently has 220,000 miles on it and it is still running strong. But eventually it will be time to replace my trusty Subaru and I want to have the money in the bank, ready to go.
Mark
Still saving up for a new computer so I can get my webcomic up and running again!
I’m saving up for grad school!
I’m saving up to go to business school part-time next year and a new laptop. Thanks!
I’m saving for a new bedroom set. We’re moving to San Diego next week and not taking any of our furniture!
I am saving up to pay someone to design a business template for me.
A trip to Peru after the summer!
I’m saving for my wedding with SmartyPig!
I’m saving up for a case (step two) for my new dslr (step one). While not the most frugal of purchases, I got a fantastic deal and am planning to keep doing photo work for others as an extra (and extra fun!) stream of income :) What can beat your passion AND money?!
Saving for new furniture.
my husband and I have started a “babyfund” to have 3 months of expenses saved so i can stay home for 3 months :)
We’re saving for a vacation to Florida.
Currently I’ve been saving just for the future…but also with the goal in mind of buying a new car next year.
We are saving for a new boiler for our house in the winter…i know its boring!
I was saving just to save, but now I am about to start saving for a nice anniversary trip next year since my wife and I didn’t have much extra money to do anything this year.
I’m saving for a kitchen remodel
Just opened a new account to save for yet *another* bar exam. 3 states is 3 bar exams too many.
I’m saving for a house! That’s right, my own house. Now I just need some bank for the down payment, furniture, remodeling expenses, etc etc etc.
Great contest!
Sweet! I’m saving up for my wedding and beyond! My fiancée Steve and I are getting married New Years Eve, and then I will be moving down to his Army base for the next year or so. Any bit of money to help keep us afloat as we navigate married life would be great! :)
My husband and I are saving up enough money to pay cash for our first home! :)
a new laptop and CS software for school!
We are in need of a new car desperately.
Saving up to finalize my daughter’s adoption. Just some county legal fees to pay for an then she can get a US passport and be off her green card. :)
I am saving for a new house!
Love the pig, their site is so clean! My savings goal in there is for a Piano, but seeing as I just was given one by a relative, that is now Piano accessories! (books, maybe a guitar to go along with it, etc.)
We want to take our kids to go to Disneyland in 18months with their cousins.
new ac/furnace, plantation shutters, college for the kids—all high dollar items:(
I’m saving to pay off my student loans! Take THAT Sallie Mae!!
I’m currently saving up to be able to attend my brother’s wedding without using credit.
I’m saving for an iPad. :)
I’m saving up for a Limited Slip Differential for the Miata, my LSD. :P
I’m saving for a trip to California. :)
I am currently saving for my tuition, as well as for some traveling I want to do to south America. I want to do this outreach trip at my university in which we travel to do community service down there.
i kinda also need new speakers =]
I am saving for a new oven. Mine is 30 years old and burns/doesn’t cook on any given day, and I love, love, love to bake.
I’m saving for a trip to Argentina! With my husband :)
Saving for a trip back to Maui to renew our wedding vows.
It’s not very exciting or as fun as some of the others,but I am saving for health insurance because I was laid off last summer and my COBRA coverage will run out in September!
Good luck everybody!
Saving for a week at a cabin this summer.
Saving for a REAL honeymoon, the one we didn’t take 10 years ago. :)
Right now we are saving up for our 3rd little one to arrive in December! Exciting, but expensive!!
I’m saving for a trip the Big Apple! :)
I’m saving for a bunch of things! The biggie right now is a set of good Calphalon pans. I know it’s not as exciting as a vacation, but $500 for all the pans I want is a lot of money, and I would use them every day with a great deal of joy. :)
I am saving for a trip to Brazil – to meet my in-laws for the first time!!!
we are saving for a trip to arizona to see my fil. he wont fly an we live in ohio.
Fun, fun! I wanna play!
I’m saving up for a new (used) car when I move back to the US!
Saving for graduate school tuition for my wife!
I am saving for a new house
My husband and I are saving for a down payment on a home for our family. We are in the BAD position of owning two townhomes (we’re trying to sell) and want a home big enough for four. Great contest thanks for letting everyone play!
Suzanne
Social Media Specialist
CareOne Debt Relief Services
http://twitter.com/AskCareOne
Paris, always saving a little bit in the background for the ever present “gotta visit Paris” trip. I honestly didn’t know that Smarty Pig was anything more than a savings/budgeting-type blog. Did not know you could actually setup accounts there, so I’ll have to check that out.
We’d love to go to Hawaii. I’ve been but my DH and DD have not.
cookiesandclogs@gmail.com
http://www.cookiesandclogs.com
Deals and reviews from a stay-at-home mother of 1
I am saving up for a new phone. Mine is close to 5 years old, freezes sometimes and does some pretty weird stuff (still works though)…but it’s now time for an upgrade! Iphone 4…maybe?
I’m saving for a trip back to South Jersey to see my dad and other relatives and friends in the area. Hoping to time it so that I can still enjoy the last of the tomatoes but it’s not quite so stinkin’ hot and humid. aMaybe even go “down the shore” and walk on the beach.
Awesome idea. I am saving for several things (trip to Russia with friends next summer), but my current obsession is the Expesso Fitness upright bike – it has a built in TV screen with virtual bike trails that you can ride, or my favorite – you can play a game connecting coins to “slay dragons” – it motivates you to work out more because it turns cardio into a video game. Having one in my bedroom would just be awesome. Wish me luck!
Wohoo! I’m still saving for baby numero uno.
I’m saving for a nice new set of speakers for my home entertainment center (which is still rather small and desperately needing additions!).
I’m saving for a grill accompanied with decently-priced patio furniture for summer grilling!
Smarty Pig = genius!
I am saving to replace the World’s Ugliest Ceiling Fan in my bedroom, so I don’t have to gaze upon ugliness as I drift to dreamland every night.
im saving for an hd camera!
I’m saving up so that I can move back out of my parents’ place. (Yes, I was forced to move back home due to a crazy landlord)
Congrats on all the new babies y’all are producing!!! This is really fun to read :) So many exotic vacations mixed with extremely practical goals too – so interesting. Keep ’em coming!
bikes for me and the missus!
Thanks for offering such a generous contest to your readers.
My wife and I are saving for some home improvements. Specifically, we would really like to restore or rebuild our deck. We’ve been hesitant with inviting company over since our deck feels like it’s going to fall apart any minute.
Emergency Fund!
I am currently saving for a Buick LaCrosse!!! 2 years baby and I will be paying CASH for my new ride:)
Granite countertops!
I’m saving for our wedding/honeymoon!
I’m saving to buy in as a partner in my engineering firm. Word.
Im saving so I can stop Living paycheck to paycheck
I’m saving for a 20% downpayment!
Building my emergency fund.
Nice! Thnx for the chance to win.
I’m saving so that I can simply retire early. There’s no bigger reason than saving for freedom!
Trying to add to the travel fund I’m about to put a dent in :)
I’m saving for a new car and a dining room table. Would be a vacation, but wrapped that up earlier this year and am heading out this weekend!
Saving up to invest in a marketing campaign for my business.
Cool!!! I’m saving up for a dslr and then a vacation.
I have two smartypig accounts going! One for emergencies and one for house projects and a first trip to Europe for me and my husband. Can’t wait! Love the contest.
I am only doing the boring. Saving for retirement, we are so far behind of where we should be. I will be saving on the side to return to Oklahoma to see my two beautiful grandkids again (age 12 days and 8 years). Thanks for the contest J.
I signed up for Smartypig a few weeks ago after you let us know about it! Currently saving for a Hawaii trip and for Christmas gift funds! Thanks J Money and SmartyPig!
Smarty pig rocks!
I am saving for some remodeling projects and a new car.
I’m saving to have a ton of insulation added to the house I just bought. I can’t believe it’s something none of the previous owners did since the pipes freeze regularly every winter, but to each his own, I suppose!
We are saving up our emergency fund, and some summer road trips, then it is a big trip next year!
I just signed up because of this post! (Now I need to negotiate the amounts with my husband!)
I’m saving for emergencies.
I am saving for E-Fund, Holiday Fund 2010, Car insurance. I LOVE SmartyPig!
I’m currently saving for a new mattress. When did they get so expensive?
I’m in graduate school for my doctorate and I graduate in May 2011 – in December 2011/January 2012 my boyfriend and I are going to take a trip to Australia, and I’m saving for that!
I’m currently saving for a trip to Alaska for my 25’th wedding anniversary
I created a savings goal for a new computer. I don’t ABSOLUTELY NEED a new computer but I do need it., if you know what I mean.. :P
I signed up for Smartypig a few months ago and I love it so far. At the moment, I’m saving up for Christmas gifts, a down payment on a Condo, and a trip I plan on taking this year.
I’m saving for new blinds for my house!
I’m saving for Pergo flooring in our dining and living room…although I’m willing to do a lower grade faux wood plank flooring at this point just to get it done.
I’m saving for an emergency fund. I just bought a house and am still waiting for the tax credit to come in, so my emergency fund is a little low at the moment. I like the idea of this website!
I’m saving up for Christmas for my kids.
I’m saving for hardwood floors, an bigger emergency fund & a car maintenance fund.
I’m saving for a vacation with my entire family next summer.
I’m currently saving to pay off my car!
I am currently saving for the new iphone that hopefully will come out at some point, although all the preorders are donskie.
Oh, I love Smarty Pig so!
I’m using it to build my emergency fund. I’m also saving so that I can pay for a voice over demo in cash…using my money to make more money!
We’re saving for some new couches… we decided now that the kids are older, it was time for some grown-up furniture.
Saving for a trip to Maui!
I’m saving up for two things- 1. an iPad and 2. a much needed tropical vacation
Hmmm… lots of things… our TV has died, so I suppose we are saving for a new one of those and also a second baby on the way! Thanks for hosting.
I’m saving for a trip abroad. Each year Sonia King, the mosaic artist, leads a class where you spend part of the day viewing ancient/historic mosaics and part of the day working on a mosaic of your own. I so want to go!
I’m currently saving for an HD TV and a PS3.
I am currently savings towards a trip to Seattle in September, a trip to Vegas in January and trying to start my emergency fund.
Thank you for putting this on!
My hubby and I are saving for a new car, Christmas, and Disney mainly….
Right now, I’m saving up to go to Japan!!! :D
Since we just stayed in at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge we got an itch to go to Africa. We are saving for a Mount Kilimanjaro Climb!
I am saving up for an emergency fund , a trip to europe and an 32 gb wifi + 3g ipad
I’m currently saving for a vacation to Fiji.
Great Blog!
Saving up for B-School!!
Cool idea!
I’m saving up for the new MS Office 2010! (might be able to get the ‘student’ price…just finished up my MBA :P)
I am saving up to pay off my car this year. Every bit of extra $ I get is going directly into an account that I use to make payments.
I’m saving toward my emergency funds.
I’m saving for my nestegg for retirement.
I am saving to buy my fiance his wedding ring.
I’m saving for a trip to Georgia in October for my nieces’ tae kwon do tournament.
I’m saving up for a new computer.
I’m saving like mad for a new place. We’ve outgrown this one, and the neighborhood has changed for the worse. Better school district, here we come!
My husband and I are saving up for a down payment on a new house!
I’m saving for a vacation to Vermont.
I have 2 goals set up right now…one for this year’s Christmas presents and one for a new car down payment a few years from now!
I am saving for my trip to be an au pair in germany for a year!
Right now I’m saving for a down payment for a Toyota Venza!
iPhone 4 iPhone 4 iPhone 4
I know I’m your fav reader so I’ll keep an eye out for a GC to go towards my savings to take a trip somewhere ridiculawesome next year! :)
I am saving for my retirement and my kids college. I am debt free and I want them to be debt free once they finish college.
I am saving up to pay off that woman Sallie Mae. One day one day.
I am saving for my nanny conference next year that runs total anywhere from $600 to $1000. I used Smartypig this year for my conference fees, airfare, and hotel fees. It was so awesome to have the “cash” already in the bank before I left on the plane! I <3 Smartypig and their great service! I have turned alot of nannies on them and this blog!
Emergency Fund of three months expenses, and money to see multiple shows next time my favorite band tours!
We’re saving for our trip to Washington DC next year! Also, we’re buying a house right now, and will need some stuff for it once we move in.
I am saving for an apartment!
*GIVEAWAY OVER*
And the winners are…..
The first $50: Amy R.
The second $50: Kelsey #2 (comment #86)
And the GRAND PRIZE of $100: Brent Schenk! CONGRATS EVERYONE!!! I hope this money helps each and every one of you get closer to your goals :) Keep on saving!
<3 SmartyPig and <3 this contest! I'm saving to pay off my college tuition :)