Win Cool Stuff: $200 AmEx Gift Card from SALTMoney.org

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May 8, 2013

UPDATE 5/21/13: Didn't hear back from our initial winner so we've picked an alternate and that lucky reader is #117 Tabathia B! Congrats! Please check your email for details on claiming your prize.

UPDATE 5/15/13: And the winner is— #45 Angie! Congrats to our winner and thanks to everyone who participated.

Please note: This giveaway has ended and is now closed to further entries.

I've teamed up with SALTMoney.org to offer one lucky reader a chance to win a $200 AmEx gift card, so you can start spending less time worrying about debt and more time on the things you really care about (like fashion!)

To give you a bit of background, SALTMoney.org was founded by the nonprofit organization, American Student Assistance (ASA) in December 2011. SALT's mission is to educate students and families on how to navigate financing a higher education, successfully manage any resulting debt, and build money skills for life. Because the ASA is a nonprofit organization, SALT is entirely FREE for users.

SALT has in depth information on a wide range of financial topics like:

Simple online tools to track and plan your student loans

Tips and guidance to help you make smart decisions about tricky loan stuff

Help finding scholarships, internships, and jobs

Deals and discounts that put more money in your pocket

Know-how that empowers you to be money smart

I would have loooved to have had a resource like this back when I was in college and after graduation. But I'm finding SALT useful even now for money-saving articles like "How to eat at Whole Foods for less than $5." Good stuff, right?

On to our giveaway!

To enter (required):

Visit SaltMoney.org then share something cool/helpful you learned while checking out SALT in the comments section below.

For additional entries (leave one comment for each):

Follow @SALT_money on Twitter.

Like SALT on Facebook.

Giveaway ends 12 noon ET on May 15, 2013. Good luck!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by SaltMoney.org. All opinions are my own.

Comments (129)

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Comments

I learned how to eat at Whole Foods for less than $5.00!

#1 Allison W. on 2013-05-08 11:23

watched the "dont fear the red face it" video, so interesting and sad but a scary reality for so many:( glad there's hope and that salt can help!

#2 sarah l on 2013-05-08 11:35

I learned about the Rule of 72. 72/Interest rate = # years it will take for your money to double.

#3 Lynette on 2013-05-08 11:39

The Learn the Basics was very helpful!

#4 Laura on 2013-05-08 11:42

Following @SALT_money on twitter

#5 Laura on 2013-05-08 11:43

I learned that overpaying goes a long way when paying back student loans. "Overpay to Reduce Your Principal... This may sound impossible when you’re already strapped for cash, but this a case where a little bit truly goes a long way."

#6 MAC on 2013-05-08 11:50

I learned about the 50-30-20 rule! 50% of your income goes to necessities, 30% to fun, and 20% to savings. Great website! I'll definitely be bookmarking it.

#7 Katherine on 2013-05-08 12:17

Following on Twitter! (@stretchjean)

#8 Tamara M. (Homepage) on 2013-05-08 12:32

I learned $1,982 is the average scholarship amount.

#9 Ming Chiu on 2013-05-08 12:47

Thanks for introducing me to this website! It's great since I'm going back to grad school and I've been worried about repaying loans. Luckily, I learned about forgiveness loans available for certain jobs so it's great to know for when I graduate!

#10 annie on 2013-05-08 12:57

I can get a scholarship for being a feminist. That makes me happy! Heck, I once heard about left-handed scholarships!

I am trying to go back to school myself. So this site looks like it may be helpful to me after all!

#11 Roxanne on 2013-05-08 13:09

Following on Twitter (@roxysays)

#12 Roxanne on 2013-05-08 13:10

And liked on Facebook

#13 Roxanne on 2013-05-08 13:11

Called the golden rule of personal finance, “paying yourself first” is basically your “Present Self” making small, monthly payments to your “Future Self” through a savings account.

#14 Mami2jcn on 2013-05-08 13:35

I thought that the article about eating at whole foods on a budget was very informative!

#15 BRB on 2013-05-08 13:40

I have been trying to be more money-saavy lately...moving in with my very financially-minded and responsible accountant boyfriend next month. Love the Whole Foods article, and the article about graduation parties is great...I am planning my little sister's college grad party currently!

#16 Sam @ The Balance Artist (Homepage) on 2013-05-08 13:45

Didn't realize there was an "intership season". Interesting.

#17 Gina (Homepage) on 2013-05-08 13:53

I liked the Whole Foods article as well! Thanks for the contest

#18 Katie on 2013-05-08 14:36

I learned you can appeal a financial award letter that is pretty cool to know

#19 Orazie Slayton on 2013-05-08 14:41

I learned: if you have federal student loans, you can pretty much choose your own repayment schedule, and even postpone your payments temporarily if you can’t afford them.

#20 lisa brown on 2013-05-08 14:42

I liked breaking bad money habits!! Organization is KEY!

#21 Mindy on 2013-05-08 14:52

I also liked salt on facebook:)

#22 sarah l on 2013-05-08 15:24

Eating on the cheap when I'm too busy to cook at home: http://blog.saltmoney.org/how-to-avoid-fast-food-while-eating-on-the-go/

#23 Meg on 2013-05-08 15:30

I'm fascinated by the $75,000 household income number that represents the point at which more money doesn't affect happiness.
https://www.saltmoney.org/content/media/Article/can-money-buy-happiness/_/R-101-2229

#24 Laura (Homepage) on 2013-05-08 15:42

I follow Salt on Twitter.

#25 Laura (Homepage) on 2013-05-08 15:43

I like Salt on FB.

#26 Laura (Homepage) on 2013-05-08 15:44

I liked the article Repaying Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, I've apparently already made the mistake of deferring them

https://www.saltmoney.org/content/media/article/repaying-unsubsidized-stafford-loans/_/R-101-2577

#27 Lee'a on 2013-05-08 16:00

Also following on Twitter

#28 Lee'a on 2013-05-08 16:02

What an awesome resource! I just learned how to calculate my net worth. Thanks for the opportunity!

#29 Rowena (Homepage) on 2013-05-08 16:07

Following Salt on Twitter (@rolalaloves)

#30 Rowena (Homepage) on 2013-05-08 16:09

I learned that I'm not the only one that gives into emotions when making certain purchases. Taking a look at what emotions are behind your desire to purchase something can help a lot.
https://www.saltmoney.org/content/media/Article/making-large-purchases-responsibly/_/R-101-2405

I also really like the article about designing your budget..
https://www.saltmoney.org/content/media/Article/making-large-purchases-responsibly/_/R-101-2405

#31 Mary Beth (Homepage) on 2013-05-08 16:21

I started following SALT on twitter..

#32 Mary Beth (Homepage) on 2013-05-08 16:22

I also liked SALT on FB.

#33 Mary Beth (Homepage) on 2013-05-08 16:23

I liked SALT on FB

#34 Felicity on 2013-05-08 16:36

Something awesome i learned from SALT website is how truly important it is to KEEP a budget! For me, when it came to finances, it is so easy to stray away from your budget. You spend a liitle money here, a little money there, then when you add up all your receipts, you realize how majorly youve gone over and arent saving money. Salt's article on creating a budget, gave me great ideas and methods that i can use to stay on that budget and save the money! Loved the article!

#35 Alyssa B. on 2013-05-08 16:37

I learned about the 50-30-20 rule! 50% of your income goes to necessities, 30% to fun, and 20% to savings.

#36 Lynda on 2013-05-08 16:39

I loved the 50-30-20 rule! 50% of your income goes to necessities, 30% to fun, and 20% to savings.

#37 Felicity on 2013-05-08 16:39

I followed on twitter! Thank you.

#38 Diane on 2013-05-08 16:56

Repaying student loans was a helpful section!

#39 Diane on 2013-05-08 16:57

Whole foods on a budget was great!!

#40 Natalie G on 2013-05-08 17:35

I read the student loans repayment lesson. I hope I'm not paying my loans back ten years from now - but at least I know I can!

#41 Christina W. (Homepage) on 2013-05-08 17:40

I learned that I can potentially have my student loans forgiven depending on my occupation and that I can even volunteer and have some of my loans paid for

#42 E.C. on 2013-05-08 17:48

I learned how to change bad spending habits at their root and how to get organized in order to save money.

#43 Eileen Z. on 2013-05-08 18:11

The bit on repaying student loans was super helpful! I wish I had this in college!

#44 Vickai on 2013-05-08 18:16

I learned Perkins Loans can sometimes be forgiven through volunteer service.

#45 Angie on 2013-05-08 18:17

I liked the Whole Foods article.

#46 maria on 2013-05-08 18:27

following on twitter @oshkoshbgosh321

#47 Lynda on 2013-05-08 18:45

i like on facebook

#48 Lynda on 2013-05-08 18:46

That article on Whole Foods was really interesting and should come in handy!

#49 Ashley_Grace on 2013-05-08 19:08

tips on making sure you're putting money away in your emergency fund

#50 Lindsay on 2013-05-08 19:16

I learned a lot about properly talking to parents about loans

This gift card would be amazing for buying my parents a little gift for helping me out with loans!

#51 Courtney on 2013-05-08 19:19

I learned how to use the savings calculator so I can see the yield of potential investments as well as see how often to deposit money (and how much) to get the end results I want.

#52 Donna F. on 2013-05-08 20:01

Following @SALT_money on Twitter
@DonnaJustine

#53 Donna F. on 2013-05-08 20:02

Following SALT on FB too!

#54 Donna F. on 2013-05-08 20:03

I learned tips on talking to parents about money, including what to say in addition to what not to say!

#55 Adele on 2013-05-08 20:05

I "like" SALT on Facebook.

#56 Adele on 2013-05-08 20:06

The "Is college worth it" infographic was interesting. Yet depressing: teaching at nearly any age level appeared on the list of the lowest paid jobs that require a college education.

#57 Dawn on 2013-05-08 20:27

Something cool I learned: how to estimate how much money to take out in student loans (https://www.saltmoney.org/content/media/Article/prudent-loans/_/R-101-2328).

#58 Lily F. (Homepage) on 2013-05-08 21:15

I'm following @SALT_Money on twitter (@cherrycitrep).

#59 Lily F. (Homepage) on 2013-05-08 21:16

I liked SALT on facebook.

#60 Lily F. (Homepage) on 2013-05-08 21:17

i learned how to set a budget.

#61 pam on 2013-05-08 21:45

I learned parenting tips, Each parent is different, but you can start the conversation the right way by saying exactly what you want to talk about in a clear, confident way.

#62 Stefanie Gladden on 2013-05-08 21:56

following on twitter - steffie516

#63 Stefanie Gladden on 2013-05-08 21:56

liked on facebook - Steph Coupns

#64 Stefanie Gladden on 2013-05-08 21:57

I liked how to avoid eating fast food when on a budget. I always hit the drive thru because its cheap and easy but now I have options!

#65 Michelle D on 2013-05-08 22:10

I learned how to realistically stay on budget but still have room for small splurges.

#66 Brittani (Homepage) on 2013-05-09 00:16

Love, love, love hearing other people's stories and learned a lot from Phylecia.

shanahattis at gmail dot com

#67 Shana on 2013-05-09 06:27

I follow SM on Twitter (@shertz1981)

shanahattis at gmail dot com

#68 Shana on 2013-05-09 06:28

I liked SM on FB (Shana Hattis)

shanahattis at gmail dot com

#69 Shana on 2013-05-09 06:29

I learned how to eat at whole foods for less than $5.
@styleezta

#70 Styleezta on 2013-05-09 06:56

Following salt on twitter

#71 Styleezta on 2013-05-09 06:58

Liked salt On facebook

#72 Styleezta on 2013-05-09 06:59

I learned that owning your student loans means "knowing all of your options and taking advantage of the ones that work for you". And there are many options to be learned by taking reviewing the Lesson they have on Salt.org

#73 cdk life|stylist on 2013-05-09 07:28

@travipa is now following @salt_money

#74 paige asady on 2013-05-09 07:33

love the article on eating at whole foods on a budget!

#75 sarah (Homepage) on 2013-05-09 07:56

I gotta go with everyone else on this one -- I loved that Whole Foods article!

#76 Meghan (Homepage) on 2013-05-09 08:02

I am a Facebook fan as well!

#77 Meghan S. (Homepage) on 2013-05-09 08:04

I follow on Twitter as well

#78 Meghan on 2013-05-09 08:04

follow SALT on twitter!

#79 sarah (Homepage) on 2013-05-09 08:05

like SALT on facebook

#80 sarah (Homepage) on 2013-05-09 08:05

I learned about shopping at whole foods for about ~$5 prior to this article I was a total skeptic!

Im following $ALT on Facebook and twitter!!

#81 Randal on 2013-05-09 09:01

Oh wow, I've never heard of this and thinking about my student loans takes up about 80% of my days! Just read the article on reducing student loan debt and "owning" my student loans. I'm signing up, this is a good resource - thanks!

#82 Alyssa on 2013-05-09 12:57

Following on Twitter as well!

#83 Alyssa on 2013-05-09 13:00

I am enjoying reading all of the different articles on budgeting. I liked the article differentiating "what we need" versus "what we want" when shopping.

#84 Laura on 2013-05-09 14:30

I am following Salt on Twitter also.

#85 Laura on 2013-05-09 14:34

That 50-30-20 rule is pretty much exactly what I've been looking for to begin attempting some sort of budgeting, so that was really great and helpful!

#86 Izalika on 2013-05-09 16:27

I learned that its good to talk to your patents about loans and paying them, because its alwsys important to have that communications with them!

#87 Iris Popescu (Homepage) on 2013-05-09 18:48

I follow them on twiiter username:irisisradtastic
Followed on facebook username: iris popescu

#88 Iris Popescu (Homepage) on 2013-05-09 18:51

I learned that more than 10 million people under 30 years old have student loans, and many of them are so overwhelmed by their debt that they choose to ignore it.

#89 Colleen Boudreau on 2013-05-09 19:07

I like SALT on Facebook (Colleen Boudreau)

#90 Colleen Boudreau on 2013-05-09 19:08

read about the basics of designing your budget - love how simple they make it

#91 cyndi on 2013-05-09 23:11

I like that they have fun infographics. I enjoyed the "WHERE TO FIND SCHOLARSHIPS"

#92 pinky sade on 2013-05-10 08:01

Like them on fb - pinky sade

#93 pinky sade on 2013-05-10 08:04

twitter follower - @pinksade

#94 pinky sade on 2013-05-10 08:05

I am now planning a graduation party for myself in August, something I had not considered before visiting the site.

#95 Elizabeth Z on 2013-05-10 10:40

Following $alt on Twitter (@BitseyZ)

#96 Elizabeth Z on 2013-05-10 10:41

I like SALT on Facebook!

#97 Elizabeth Z on 2013-05-10 10:42

The Savings Calculator Tool was super helpful in seeing how my annual interest rate and savings turn out in the long run, and what will happen if I adjust them.

#98 Jessica H on 2013-05-10 10:56

I follow SALT on Twitter! (@jherschberger)

#99 Jessica H on 2013-05-10 10:58

I like SALT on Facebook! (jessica.herschberger)

#100 Jessica H on 2013-05-10 11:00

I learned that SALT has an awesome Savings Calculator tool, along with other helpful tools. Thanks for the chance to win.

#101 Deirdre on 2013-05-10 14:56

You can increase your credit score by paying off debt gradually (vs. all at once) so you show a sign of steady income.

#102 wgfoodie (Homepage) on 2013-05-10 16:55

I learned about budgeting for healthcare costs!

#103 KS on 2013-05-10 18:10

I am always having issues on what to write on cover letters. I liked that they broke it down and explained what should be in each paragraph. Makes things easier.

#104 Esperanza on 2013-05-10 18:14

I follow them on twitter

#105 Esperanza on 2013-05-10 18:16

Followed them on Twitter

#106 KS on 2013-05-10 18:17

Like them on Facebook

#107 Esperanza on 2013-05-10 18:18

Loved the tale of two budgets article!

#108 Rose on 2013-05-10 20:36

Following on twitter! @shortstuff3533

#109 Jenni Kate on 2013-05-11 12:02

Liked them on FB!

#110 Jenni Kate on 2013-05-11 12:05

I really liked the Savings calculator tool.

#111 Jenni Kate on 2013-05-11 12:06

I learned that I can find info on all my student loans using the NSLDS!

#112 Mike Dalton on 2013-05-11 12:58

Following Salt on twitter @Mikedalton24

#113 Mike Dalton on 2013-05-11 13:00

Liked Salt on Facebook!

#114 Mike Dalton on 2013-05-11 13:03

I learned how to eat at Whole Foods for less than $5!

#115 Bianca T (Homepage) on 2013-05-11 17:37

I learned how to eat at Whole Foods for less than $5... but not really because you have to go home to make the food...

#116 Mitra (Homepage) on 2013-05-11 23:53

I learned that to prepare for internship no matter the time of year you can always be doing something to improve and add to your resume

#117 Tabathia B on 2013-05-12 15:50

Small purchases like a latte every morning can add up to several hundred dollars over a year's time.

#118 Marcia Goss on 2013-05-12 17:05

I follow on Twitter @mgoss123.

#119 Marcia Goss on 2013-05-12 17:07

I like SALT on Facebook.
(Marcia Goss)

#120 Marcia Goss on 2013-05-12 17:08

I learned about the importance of the NSLDS, and that it provides the information for all of your loans at one place.

#121 Jessica on 2013-05-12 20:43

i learned that little purchases can add up to a lot over time.

#122 janet h on 2013-05-12 21:21

i like salt on facebook

#123 janet h on 2013-05-12 21:28

i follow salt on twitter

#124 janet h on 2013-05-12 21:31

I learned I could volunteer and possibly have some of my debt forgiven. I had no idea.

#125 Mariam on 2013-05-12 22:17

Also liked salt on facebook.

#126 Mariam on 2013-05-12 22:21

It wasn't so much an article as it was their infographic on our daily rituals. We consider buying that morning latte no big deal, but when we're told we need to spend $300 on college books we're appalled.. applies to many different scenarios.

#127 Andreea on 2013-05-13 14:43

Loved the article about how to write an effective cover letter. Loved everything about this website though! This information is so valuable, especially because a lot of people don't openly talk about these things (i.e. appealing financial aid letters). Salt is a great tool to anyone interested in learning about taking control of finances!

#128 Ally N. on 2013-05-14 12:57

I like the article about being money savvy for zombies. Note to self do no open a credit just to get a discount.

#129 Phoebe on 2013-05-14 14:45

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