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Note from the Editor:
This article was kindly written for the SDC by member @Deejay11 . This week, Deb is back with more savvy savings, easy entertaining ideas, and a sprinkle of prize-winning excitement. Deb again shows us how small efforts can lead to big wins, from tasty bruschetta to clever survey strategies and a cheeky win with Pringles. Make sure to check out her competition picks, survey tips, and that crowd-pleasing but straightforward recipe below!


Hi again from @Deejay11

Has anyone tried entering competitions or surveys? I saw the winner’s list for the [yellow tail] July carry-on suitcase competition that I posted in my sixth article, Promotion Winners—[yellow tail] Wines. I wondered whether any SDC members had entered and might be on the winner’s list.

In my local IGA in early June, I saw a notice for a Pringles competition: ‘Buy two Pringles and enter to win $100 Digital Prepaid 100 Mastercard® Gift Card.’ The competition offered 100 prizes.

As Pringles were half price, I thought, ‘That sounds like me. Why not?’. I bought four for about $10 (half-price), two products on each receipt, allowing me two entries (T&Cs stated: maximum one (1) entry permitted per qualifying transaction).

I gifted two tubes of Pringles, which were gratefully received. I received a winning email, which was so exciting.

I’m following on from my seventh edition (which you can read here):


Competitions:

Try your competition luck!

Here's a nice prize to win (I won after purchasing 2 Kinder Surprises, and will be gifting it to a child I know who lives in foster care. I nominated her name to appear on the case).


Colour Their World With Kinder

Purchase any Kinder product from any retailer (see T&C’s) and enter to win 1/500 exclusive personalised Faber-Castell Travel Connector Pens (40pack) valued at $40.

Ends 31/08/2025.


Christmas in July Giveaway | First Class Hampers

Win a Welcome Home Elegance Hamper for yourself, and one for a friend!

Ends 31/07/2025.


Win With Patties

Buy a Patties product listed in the T&Cs, and you can win a Movie World experience on the Gold Coast for two (2) adults and two (2) children valued at up to AUD$7,893.

Also on offer are 1/50 AUD$200 Visa eGift Cards.

Ends 31/07/2025.


Make sure you read the T&Cs for each competition.


Surveys:

When completing surveys, I find some incredibly dull ones, and if so, close them down straight away (for me, that particularly means surveys about automobiles, or my opinion about different banks).

On the other hand, I’ve had some exciting surveys lately.

These have been about new food products that companies are considering releasing, and they provide an opportunity to contribute to the ‘public opinion’ regarding proposed flavours, labelling, packaging, etc.

You’re sworn to secrecy regarding the proposed products, and it’s fun being part of it.


Cooking:

Here is a simple idea for adding to the biscuits, cheese and fruit platter when friends drop around.

Bruschetta


Ingredients:

• 1 small loaf (of whatever you fancy: sourdough, French bread stick, Pane Di Casa)
• 10 ripe cherry tomatoes (from my garden, can be substituted with cheaper ripe tomatoes)
• 1 tsp crushed garlic, or a good sprinkle of garlic flakes
• ½ red onion
• 1 spring onion
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar for splashing
• Salt & black pepper

Method:

1. Chop red onion, spring onion, and tomatoes. Mix together in a bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, splash with a small amount of balsamic vinegar, and refrigerate for 1 hour. Then stir the mixture well.
   
   
2. Thickly slice bread and toast lightly under the oven grill. Turn the bread and lightly brush with olive oil and garlic mixed together. Very lightly grill the second side.
   
   
3. Place a generous spoonful of tomato mix on each toasted bread slice, and enjoy!

From the Editor:
Have you scored a cheeky competition win or stretched a simple ingredient into something special? We’d love to hear your budget-friendly recipes, savvy savings, or surprise wins in the comments below!

Advice given in this article is general in nature and is not intended to influence readers’ decisions. Always seek professional advice that takes into account your personal circumstances before making any financial decisions. We also recommend that you consider the T&Cs of any survey sites or competitions before entering.