OFFICIAL RULES
Frugal $ense contest

No Purchase Necessary
This contest is open only to legal United States residents (except Arizona)
United States law governs this contest

HOW TO ENTER: Beginning Feb. 1, 2002 and continuing on a monthly basis, (unless otherwise specified) Bankrate, Inc. will conduct a national contest whereby one winner will receive $100 each month for submitting a "Frugal Tip" describing the winner's favorite way to save money.

You can enter this contest either online or by regular mail.  There are no restrictions on the number of entries submitted per person or per household, but multiple submissions must contain different Frugal Tips.

Mail-In Entry:  To enter the contest via mail, mail your name, address, daytime telephone number, age and e-mail address (if any) to: Bankrate.com Frugal Contest, 11811 U.S. Highway One, N. Palm Beach, FL 33408.

Online Entry:  To enter the contest online, click here: Frugal tip.

An eligible entrant may use either entry method.

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY: Eligible entrants must enter via either the mail-in or online methods as described above. Incomplete entries are void. By entering, entrants acknowledge compliance with these Official Rules, including all eligibility requirements.    All entries become the property of Bankrate, Inc.  Neither Bankrate, Inc. nor its affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, advertising and promotion agencies, or any telephone network or service providers are responsible for incorrect or inaccurate transcription of entry information, or for any human error, technical malfunctions, lost/delayed data transmission, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, line failures of any telephone network, computer equipment, software, inability to access any Web site or online service, or any other error or malfunction, or late, lost, postage due, illegible, or misdirected entries. Entry materials that have been tampered with or altered are void.

HOW TO WIN:  On or around the end of each month, Bankrate, Inc. representatives will choose a list of finalists from among all the Frugal tips submitted during that month.  Bankrate representatives will choose finalists based on the most useful or creative submissions.  The list of finalists will then be posted and Bankrate.com readers will be asked to rate each tip based on the degree to which they find the tip useful and/or creative.  The reader who has submitted the tip that receives the highest ranking will receive the $100 prize for that month. In the event of a tie, a Bankrate representative will choose the winning tip from the top two entries. Limit one (1) $100 prize per user per 12-month period. In the event that one user receives the highest-ranked tip more than once in a 12-month period, the 2nd place tip will be chosen as that month's winner.

The winner's names will be posted on the main contest page located at: Frugal $ense.

The decision of the designated representative of Bankrate, Inc. shall be final and binding. The odds of winning will be determined by the number of eligible entries received. Each Winner must meet all eligibility requirements including the execution and return of all necessary releases and the required Affidavit of Eligibility and Release of Liability for Participation and Publicity. 

VALUE OF PRIZE:  Maximum value of each Prize:  $100.  No substitution or transfer of prizes is permitted.  Prizes are non-transferable.

WINNERS:  Each Monthly Winner will be notified via e-mail on or around the 2nd week of each month. The $100 Prize must be claimed within 3 weeks, or the 2nd highest-ranked tip will be chosen as that month's winner.

Bankrate, Inc. will issue a check to each Winner within eight (8) weeks of receipt of executed receipts, and signed releases.

Each Winner will be required to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility and Release of Liability for Participation and Publicity prior to and as condition of acceptance of the Grand Prize. Failure to return documents as specified, or if the prize notification is returned as undeliverable will result in the entry being disqualified and the 2nd highest-ranked tip selected as the winner.

By entry into this contest, each Winner consents to the use of his/her name, identity, and/or photograph for promotional purposes, including online announcements, without additional compensation, except where prohibited by law. Failure to consent to the usage of name and photograph will result in the entry being disqualified and the 2nd highest-ranked tip selected as the winner.

GRAND PRIZE WINNER NAME OR OFFICIAL RULES: For the winners list, or a copy of these Official Rules, mail a self-addressed stamped envelope (residents of Washington state and Vermont need not include return postage) to Bankrate.com Frugal Contest, 11811 U.S. Highway One, N. Palm Beach, FL 33408. Please specify whether you are requesting the name of the Grand Prize Winner or the Official Rules. 

TAMPERING:  If, in the opinion of the designated representative of Bankrate, Inc. there is any suspected or actual evidence of electronic or non-electronic tampering with any portion of the contest, or if technical difficulties compromise the integrity of the contest, Bankrate, Inc. reserves the right to terminate the online portion of the contest and choose a winning tip from among all mail-in and online entries received as of the termination date.  If the contest is terminated prior to the end of the stated Entry Period, notice will be posted at  Frugal $ense. Any attempt to deliberately damage the content or operation of this contest is unlawful and subject to legal action by Bankrate, Inc. or its agents. 

PRIVACY NOTICE: Entrants should read the "Privacy Statement."