FinCon24 is in the books, and I’ve decided to go back to a tradition that fell by the wayside: giving away conference tchotchkes. Because who doesn’t need more reusable shopping bags or a new T-shirt for when it’s time to paint the kitchen?
This giveaway is a little different, though, because it will also contain a gift card.
For the uninitiated, FinCon is a professional conference for those who write, podcast, advise or are otherwise affiliated with personal finance. There’s always an expo hall for sponsors and vendors to show attendees what they do.
Two things get our attention – and it isn’t signage or name recognition. No, it’s candy and swag.
The swag is what I’m giving away, because I’m still nibbling on the fun-size candy bars and soft peppermints. But it’s useful swag. Most of it has some kind of corporate branding, but heck, as a nation we’ve been conditioned to pay for the privilege of advertising someone else’s business. (Lookin’ at you, Nike swoosh.)
Here’s what the winner will get:
Lined journal and attached pen bearing the logo of Bluehost, a web hosting company. If you have a relative or friend who is green-minded, this might be a good gift because the first page says, “My story begins as plastic waste from the ocean, but I came back to take your notes. The best part of me is made from marine (wastes), recycled paper and soy ink.” (The reason I put “wastes” in parentheses is that the manufacturer needed a proofreader. It says “marine wasted.” Hee hee.)
Two T-shirts. One of them is from Debt.com (see below) and the other is from WorthyBonds.com. My theory is that free T-shirts are God’s way of saying, “You can put off the laundry for at least one more day.”
Travel pillow. One of those half-ring pillows that you inflate to keep your neck stable during a long trip, it’s courtesy of a tech marketing company called Brainsome.
A 24-count box of Crayolas. This has nothing to do with FinCon24; it’s a gift from my daughter, who bought a dozen or more boxes at the back-to-school sale. She’s sending them home with me to give to a woman I know who does Christmas boxes for kids.
Microfiber screen cloth. De-smudge your phone or tablet with this fabric square bearing the logo of Mediavine, an ad management company.
Two golf balls. The XYPN logo stands for “XY Planning Network,” a company that helps match fee-only financial advisors – specifically, fiduciaries with CFP certification.
“Create Every Day” cap. That’s what it says on the front; on the back, there’s a discreet “Kit” logo. Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is an email marketing platform.
Sugar-free peppermints. Two cute li’l tins of these, from Plynk (an investing app for beginners) and The Shred Method (an early mortgage payoff system).
Stress egg. WorthyBonds.com gave out small, squishable foam ovals embossed with the slogan, “Build a nest egg with Worthy.” The company offers no-fee bonds that earn a guaranteed 7% and cost just $10 each. (You can buy more than one!)
Wooden cube blossom kit. This one’s also from Bluehost and it, too, is awfully cute. The box coconut coir pellets, a pot and some seeds.
Clip-on ring light. This teeny-tiny tool is used by content (ugh) creators who make reels or short videos with their phones. I expect it could also be used as a travel help if you want to look through your suitcase without turning on the overhead light and waking up other people in the room.
Water bottle. Plynk donated this one, too. It’s pale-blue aluminum and holds just under 21 oz. of liquid.
A few other FinCon24 items
I was getting as tired of listing those items as you might have become tired of reading them. Suffice it to say there will be a few other conference items in the box.
You might be thinking, “What about the gift card she mentioned?” After spinning a little prize wheel in the expo hall, I earned a $10 Target card. It will go into someone’s Christmas stocking, but I thought it might be nice to offer a GC as a lagniappe to this giveaway.
Therefore: I will add a $10 e-card of the winner’s choice to sweeten the pot.
Want to enter to win? Use one or more of the following entry options:
- Leave a general comment below (one per customer)
- Follow me via Feedly
- E-follow me by using the “get new posts by email” box at the top right of this page (towards the bottom of the page if you’re on mobile), or using the little green envelope icon at the end of this article)
- Sign up to follow me on Twitter
- Sign up to follow me on Facebook
For each entry you’ll need to leave a separate for each entry (e.g., “Follow you on Twitter” or “Subscribed by e-mail”).
The deadline to enter is 6 p.m. PDT Saturday, Nov. 2. I will contact the winner by e-mail that day or the next, so be sure to check yours. If I don’t hear back by 6 p.m. PDT Sunday, Nov. 3, I’ll have the random number generator choose a new name.
Due to the high cost of international shipping, this giveaway is limited to U.S. residents.
Wow, Donna! Swag & a GC – you are amazingly generous. Thanks once again for a creative giveaway. I follow via email.
Those all sound really cool, and it’s always good to see your emails in my inbox! Thanks for the opportunity!
Thanks for sharing this giveaway Donna!
I feel like this is my year to win finally!
Thanks Donna. I always appreciate your emails!
Hoo Hah! It’s about time I got me some o’ your swag, and I’m betting this is my lucky comment! Thoroughly enjoy your blog and everything else you limn. Have a spoooooky Halloween!
I won a giveaway from you 12 or more years ago so maybe I’ll get lucky again?! I am a longtime follower who has been making yogurt regularly from your post many years ago!
Follow and love to! Email.
Would love to be a winner!
Paula
You’re so kind to think of us! Thank you once again. Sounds like some cool swag.
Love free items. I have been following you by email for several years.
I have missed your annual SWAG giveaways, maybe it’s my year to win? Hope springs eternal!
Email subscriber
Pinterest follower
Twitter-er follower….Yikes, its like I am stalking you! LOLOL
I follow you on Facebook and email!
Thanks for all the fun goodies.
Thank you for another great giveaway!
I have been following you since your divorce and return to college.
Thank you for sharing your swag.
Please continue to share money saving tips for seniors.
Thank you.
Your blog is always delightful….Especially your creative giveaways!
I do hope you enjoyed FinCon. I could make good use of some of the swag and great use of the gift card
I receive posts by email.
Follow on X (Twitter). May I suggest you join Threads?
I follow on FB
This is a wonderful giveaway! You are so kind and generous.
Very nice giveaway and always happy to see a new post!
I’ve been reading your blog for years. May the rest of this year and all of next year be wonderful for you and yours.
Your posts are always a pleasure to read and this one will add a little cheer to someone’s day. Thank you, Donna.
Love this giveaway! Thank you for being so generous with your swag. I subscribe by email, Facebook, and Twitter
Follow on Facebook and email and your site.
Sounds like a great haul to win.
Can we look forward to fincon stories?
Yea! FinCon swag is back! Thanks for the giveaway, Donna.
I follow you on Pinterest.
I follow you on Facebook.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom – and swag.
Not related to post BUT:
What is going on with Abby’s blog, I Pick Up Pennies?
I keep being redirected to GoDaddy.
Can you point me in the right direction?
Thanks.
Technical issue that she’s trying to fix. Thanks for your patience.
I follow on feedly.
I e-follow your posts.
I follow on twitter/x.
I follow on fb.
Thank you! This would make my day.
I subscribe via email.
Hey, Donna! Hope you had a great time at FinCon. Please enter me in the draw, and thank you for the opportunity.
Thanks.
Fantastic give away!! Thanks Donna!
Follow by email and pinterest
Lots of fun items. I follow via e-mail.