I was just cleaning off my desk in an attempt to unearth my financial info so that I can get back on track and I came across a gift certificate for a wooden garden arbor that I won in a raffle back in October 2005. I never claimed it! This got me thinking about prizes (free stuff!) I’ve won over the years. Here are a few that I remember:

Early 1980s – I won a Billy Joel album from a Snicker’s Bar wrapper (it was an LP as that was the latest technology of the day). (No cost - well, I guess I would have paid about 50 cents for the candy bar!)

1984 – won $10 in a boxer short contest at college (for a pair of non-boxer shorts). I didn’t know anything about the contest, I had just gone to the event quickly to get the free pizza and was asked to stay as I was leaving because I had won. I stayed – $10 was a lot back in the day, plus how could I resist the fame and glory? They were a great pair of shorts! (No cost)

1990 – I won $10,000 in a church raffle (yea)! Unfortunately, I had to split it with my two brothers (boo), so we each received 3333.00 before taxes (had to claim it on our income tax returns). Each summer my mom would buy each of us a ticket in the church fundraising raffle (I think they were $100 each), with the deal that if any of us won we would split it with the other two (her rule, not ours!) My name was drawn for 2nd prize (would have loved first prize, if I remember correctly it was either $25K or a new Cadillac or something – I guess I would have sold it!) Was obviously glad to have the $3K, but would have preferred the entire 10K (hee – sorry bros)! (No cost to me, since my mom bought the ticket – thanks Mom!)

2004 – won a $50 gift certificate to a local restaurant in a drawing at my credit union. I just came across that one, too (I’m a procrastinator!). Luckily, it says it never expires, so I guess I’ll treat myself and a friend to dinner one night! I’m not that keen on the place, but they have some decent food and free food is free food! (No cost)

2005 – won the garden arbor in a town fundraiser. It was either second or third prize. I really wanted the $3000 cash first prize! I’m going to swallow my embarrassment and swing by the company this week to see if I can still claim my prize. There’s no expiration date on the certificate, so I’ll hope for the best. I wasn’t sure where in my yard to put it, so I kept putting it off. Then I couldn’t decide if I wanted it or if I should just try to sell the gift certificate at a discount (the arbor is worth about $250) and now two years have passed. (I probably bought 4 raffle tickets for a total of $20)

2007 – this summer I won a framed small print of one of my favorite local artists in a drawing at her studio open house. There were 7 separate pieces of work that she was giving away and my name was drawn for one of them (No cost).

It would be cool if I could claim that I won a million or so dollars in a lottery, but, alas, I don’t play. Well, once I did buy a cute $1 scratch ticket at a local store and won $20! But, I wouldn't ever play regularly – I hate to support something that people waste money on trying to win a dream, rather than just saving their nickels and dimes toward their actual dreams. Sad.

What fun booty have you won??