I have had considerable luck entering blog contests. Usually a blogger has something they can give away, a book, a computer program, or some article of clothing. The product given is dependent on the type of website. Blogs usually have small readerships, and usually the blogger chooses the winner either based on the quality of the comment entry, or randomly out of a hat. Either way, if you are competing against less than a hundred folks, your chances of winning are pretty high.
Recently I won free tax software from poorer than you And I wanted to send out a big shout out of thanks! This will help put more money in my pocket faster, as well as into the pockets of my two roommates. Cheers, let the money flow in.
I think one of my roommates had planned on going to a tax preparer to have his simple federal taxes done. He is single, with no mortgage or medical bills, and he only had one job per year. These tax preparation places charge upwards of a hundred dollars to prepare taxes. Now of course if you feel over your head and have lots of special deductions, than I understand using a service. Great thing is, this free tax software seems to be the same software some of the tax preparers use. Double win!
Childfree folks have some disadvantages doing taxes, less deductions because no dependents or children. However, don’t short yourself, a lot of the tax breaks that seem like they are for kids only apply to adults too. Do you care for an elderly relative by providing for the majority of their expenses? Are you going to college and paying for it yourself? In both cases, you should investigate possible credits and deductions that might apply to childfree families. Folks making less than 15K a year also might be eligible for earn income credits–although its a benefit usually reserved for childed families, you might be eligible, its worth looking into.
One of my friends survival mamaoften wins these sorts of contests and receives craft products.
I suggest only entering contests for things you really want, for example, often I see contests for finance books, but I only enter the contest if I actually want the book. What is the point of winning something I can’t use? I would rather stay out of it and increase the chances for someone else.
I am currently looking into having one of these sorts of contests myself, I will let you know when I find something appropriate to give away.
Childfreelife's Weblog 
Mint.com just sent me an email about an online service that will allow you to file your Federal returns for free and your state returns for a low fee… I’m wishing I hadn’t trashed it (my mother is a tax preparer and does mine)! – but I’m sure if you google you can find more info about it.
If your roommates don’t have a mortgage (which I’m assuming they don’t, since they’re… your roommates?) then, yeah, absolutely, preparing their return should be 10 minutes of work, tops. You just match the boxes on your W2s and other tax forms to the boxes on the 1040.
hi childfree
thanks for leaving me poignant message about teens and sex/rape..
of course this is the reality that scares moms of teen girls
and yet, as someone pointed out, need to speak clearly with my son too.
anyways what you said makes total sense, and of course, we will be talking about this, as openly as possible before I get the rolled eyes, and Oh mom, ….
jenn\