The Best $1,000 Idea Contest

Official Rules

In conjunction with "What $1,000 Can Do" article in the October 2008 issue of Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. ("Kiplinger's") is sponsoring "The Best $1,000 Idea" Contest.

1. How to Enter: Tell us your best idea for spending $1,000. Your entry must be 200 words or less in length. Submit a completed entry form to enter (all fields are required). By submitting an entry, you agree to allow Kiplinger.com to publish your submission, including your name, on the Kiplinger Web site. (Kiplinger.com reserves the right to edit published entries for length and clarity.)

2. Description of Prizes: Kiplinger's will pay the grand-prize winner $1,000 in cash. Prize is not transferable.

3. Requirements for Each Entry: To be considered, an entry must describe an activity that is legal and must be suitable for description in a family magazine of general circulation. Entries must be legible and complete. Entries must be received by Kiplinger's on or before October 31, 2008. By entering the contest, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and by the sole decision of Kiplinger's, which is final.

4. Eligibility. To be eligible to win, an entrant must be a legal resident of the United States who is 21 years of age or over at the time of entry and who has a valid social security number. Employees of The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. and its subsidiaries and their immediate families are not eligible. The contest is void where prohibited or restricted by law.

5. Selection of the Winner: Kiplinger's will choose the winning entry in its sole discretion. In cases of similar submissions, the first one received will be considered. Kiplinger's decision as to the winner and as to the interpretation of the official contest rules shall be final. Kiplinger's is not responsible for lost, late, illegible, mutilated or misdirected entries, regardless of the cause.

6. No Purchase Necessary: Entrants are not required to make any purchase to enter or win the contest.

7. Requirements for the Winner: The winner is required to do the following to claim and receive their prizes:

• The winner must provide proof of identity and a valid social security number.

• The winner must sign a release releasing Kiplinger's from any and all liability arising from the winner's acceptance and/or use of the prize.

• The winner must sign a publicity release permitting Kiplinger's to use the winner's name, likeness and additional information in a magazine article, advertising promotion, news coverage and the like without additional compensation, unless prohibited by law.

• The winner must claim the prize within ten business days after notification by Kiplinger's and must return any signed release, tax and other forms within ten business days of receipt of such forms from Kiplinger's.

• The winner is solely responsible for the payment of all applicable federal, state and local taxes.

• Failure of the winner to comply with these requirements may result in the forfeiture of the prize in Kiplinger's sole discretion.

8. Odds of Winning: The odds of winning will depend on the number of valid entries submitted.

9. Miscellaneous: The name of the winner will be announced in Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine and will also be announced on Kiplinger's Web site. For a copy of the name of each winner, send a self-addressed, stamped #10 envelope to "The Best $1,000 Idea" Contest, The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc.; 1729 H Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20006.