After pointing out that the FNBO Direct video contest (since ended) was giving out $500 to the Top 20 semi-finalists and there were only 14 entries at the time, many more people decided to give it try. Well, it turns out that my readers are much more talented at making videos than I am – at least two of them have won $500 (and still have a chance at $5,000). Here is one of the winning entries from reader Dave and his son Max:
Updated: More $500 videos from readers Dan, Danila, Alexa, ChristianPF, and William. Congrats everyone! I’m going to *sniff* sit in the corner and wait for the $10 consolation prize that everyone else gets.
Included in my “sorry, your video was lame” e-mail was an offer for a $25 bonus if you open an FNBO Direct Online BillPay account and make one bill payment. To get the bonus, you will have an opened FNBO Direct savings account, currently paying 0.85% APY (my review).
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Hahah, awesome guys! Hope you win the $25K, that’d be sweet!
You’ve got another reader that made it to the second round too!
I made the top 20 too! Now I have to wait to see if I make the top 5 – we shall see!!
Make that three! Although my first video was rated horribly (hey, I thought it was mildly funny), my last video made it to the semifinals. Thanks so much for sharing about this… wouldn’t have heard about it without you!
That is really cute. Best of luck in winning the grand prize.
Very nice. Good job, guys!
I got my $10 consolation prize the 25th of July. I did get another email today saying I’d get it w/in 48 hours. Maybe they’re going to give me $20 for my apparently crappy video 🙂
Congrats Alexa, ChristianPF, and Danila! I really do hope one of you wins that $25,000 grand prize. So far that’s 5 out of the Top 20!
@Jonathan
just to clarify, there isnt a $25,000 top prize, the top 5 get their savings matched by FNBO up to $5000 each. So it is a dollar for dollar match for 7 months. Then after that the best saver wins a $7500 vacation…
not bad at all, but not quite a $25,000 prize…
Ah, I forgot about that. I’d beg, borrow, or steal (okay maybe not steal) to get that $5,000 in matched savings though.
Even though I didn’t submit, thanks for letting us know about it.
Congratulations to those of you that did submit and are moving on to round two!!
I’m right there with ya Jonathan. I had fun making mine but apparently there’s no big Colbert fans over there at FnBO
Add another one to your list of semi-finalist readers :-).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FETsoeR1ndY
Best of luck to the other challengers too!
Jonathan,
I actually found out about the FNBO contest through you. Thank you. Thank you. I made it into the TOP 5!. Link to my post announcing I won: http://ptmoney.com/2008/08/23/fnbo-direct-pyfchallenge-that-fat-stack-of-cash-is-gonna-feel-real-nice/
Thanks again for the heads up.
Congrats PT Money! Your video was so creative — was it a lot of work??
I also made it to the top 5! Jonathan – you really deserve a referral bonus or something.
It actually sounds like it’s gonna be a bit of work for the $5000 — besides the trip to Omaha, they wanted a 5 hour a week time commitment for 6 months! Eek! But it might not take that long in reality to write blog posts and stuff.
Anyway, thanks so much!
Alexa
@Alexa – The video from concept to final edit only took us about 10 hrs. Luckily I had a friend that’s pretty handy taking and editing video. I’m splitting all the proceeds with him.
I enjoyed your video and hope you can make the $5K. See you in Omaha!
Congrats to both Alexa & PT for making the top five!
When you’re out in Omaha, let me know if you need some ideas for places to eat (if your savings budgets allow it! ;-).
Best of luck to you both!
@William — My savings budget always has room for good steak! I’d love to hear your recommendations. 🙂
COngratulations! to all winners.
If you are looking to stash your winnings in a CD, WaMu is offering 5% today (wonder if they are in trouble) and this new CD auction service is really good. Check them out: MoneyAisle.com. If any one has any thoughts about this auction site I’ll like to hear. Thanks.
@Alexa and other winners (if interested)
Sorry for not getting back right away. There are probably two local places that are worth mentioning for steaks that are known as some of the “family steakhouses”. The top of the list is Gorat’s (nationally known via Mr. Buffett). There is also Cascio’s, which has been around since the 40’s. For directions and such to all of these and a bit of a description you can use the following website: http://www.omahawiki.org/Category:Steakhouse
There are also links to the steakhouses’ websites from their respective pages on there.
Also if you like pizza, there is Valentiono’s that started in Nebraska. I’d recommend ordering for takeout or delivery as I’ve never thought the buffet tasted as good. http://www.valentinos.com/ is the website for them which of course has all their locations.
Again, best of luck with the competition!