2013 Contest Winnings Totals

As a follow up to my post in July on my 2013 Contest Winnings at that point, I thought I should post the winnings for the rest of the year.

In July, I had won a total of $940 worth of prizes.

2013 Winnings (2nd Half of Year)

Google Nexus 7 Tablet x 2 (both my husband & I won one)  Kitkat Contest  Value $450
Google Play Codes from Kitkat Contest Value $30
$100 VISA Giftcard from Royal Bank Small Biz Twitter chat  Value $100
$100 Giftcard to Glamagirls from Tweenhood  Value $100
2 Books Muse & Secret Shared from @BookaliciousCA Value $30
$10 iTunes Giftcard from @PTPA  Value $10

2nd Half of Year Total: $710

Total for 2013: $1650

My 2013 Winnings So Far This Year

As promised from yesterday, I said I would put together a list of the items I have won so far this year.  My yearly totals the last 3 years have been approximately $3000, $2000, and $1000 in value of items won.

What Have I Won?

 

Two NFL footballs from @SamsungCanada on Twitter $50 value
$25 gift card to Chapters on Twitter from @ThomasCookca
Book "The Spark" on Twitter from @BookaliciousCA $15 value
Book "S.E.C.R.E.T." on Twitter from @BookaliciousCA $15 value
Bottle of Canada Dry from Canada Dry Surprizes Contest $2 value
Box of Minute Rice from Minute Rice Take a Minute Contest $8 value
Box of Post Cereal from Post Flip the Flap Contest $5 value
$300 Gift Card from Gelaskins from a Twitter chat
$200 Voucher for UPS Store from Twitter Chat from @UPS_Canada
Weekend stay at Ottawa Marriott from contest on their Facebook Page value $320

What's The Total So Far?? 

 

So, for the first half of 2013, my total winnings so far total $940.00!!

Looks like I'm on my way to beating last years total of $1000.  Have you ever won anything?  What was it?

Are Contest Wins Taxable In Canada?

Are Contest Wins Taxable in Canada?

In Canada, anything you win through a contest is NOT taxable!  You do not have to claim it as income on your income tax.  However, if you earn money, and invest it, the interest you earn on the principal are taxable, unless you invest in a Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA).  

Increase Your Income Through Contests!

You probably won't win straight up cash (but you might!), but you can win gift cards, products and experiences!  These "extras" are a great way to increase your income, especially if the prize is for something you would have already spent money on!  You can then allocate that money to somewhere else in your budget.  

You can also win for things that are above and beyond what your normal spending habits would entail.  For example, I have won tickets to concerts (eg one of favorite Canadian jazz bands Manteca) and sporting events (eg FIFA U19 when it was in Toronto) that I love to attend, but can't justify spending money on regularly.

But...I Never Win Anything.

So many people don't enter contests because they assume that they won't win anything.  But you CAN'T win anything if you don't enter!  So enter! Enter contests for that have prizes of things that you would use or would like. (Or that you know someone who would use the prize!)  Don't enter for things that you don't want.  Leave those contests to be entered by those who will actually appreciate the prize if they win!

What Have You Won? What Would You Like to Win?

What have you won?  I want to know! Tomorrow I will share with you a list of things that I have won in the last six months.