Fall Giveaway Offers $25,000 To Someone Ready To Fix The House, Pay Down Debt, Or Fund A Dream
Townsquare Media, the third-largest AM-FM radio operator in the United States with approximately 349 stations across 74 markets, is offering Montana residents a chance to win $25,000 cash this fall. The company asked Facebook followers what they would do with the money, and the responses paint a revealing picture of financial priorities across the state.
The prize represents roughly one-third of Montana's median household income of approximately $75,300, making it a substantial sum that could meaningfully impact winners' financial situations.
Debt Relief Tops the List
Paying off bills emerged as the overwhelming favorite response. With the average American carrying $105,444 in total debt and non-mortgage debt averaging $21,603, this priority reflects a national trend. Outstanding credit card debt in the United States has reached approximately $1.0 trillion, helping explain why eliminating car payments, credit card balances, medical bills, and student loans dominated the conversation.
One respondent's comment captured the sentiment: not having a car payment is one of the best feelings in the world. Others mentioned the persistent burden of medical collection agencies and the appeal of following financial advice to pay down credit cards.
Housing Needs Drive Many Responses
Housing-related expenses featured prominently in responses, reflecting Montana's affordability crisis. With median home prices ranging from approximately $467,000 to $523,000—a 66% increase from $228,000 in 2020—and the median income needed to purchase a home reaching $141,000 in 2023, only the top 20% of Montana households can afford the median-priced house.
Respondents mentioned putting down payments on houses, paying down mortgages, buying reliable vehicles, and completing essential home repairs including roofs, siding, bathrooms, and windows. Some hoped to purchase land.
Building Financial Security
Many commenters emphasized building emergency funds and investing the money, addressing a widespread American vulnerability. One in three Americans have no emergency savings, and 29% cannot afford an unexpected expense over $400. Only 27% of Americans have enough emergency savings to cover six months of expenses, while 60% report feeling uncomfortable with their savings levels.
Several respondents mentioned the rising cost of groceries as a factor in their financial calculations, noting that even $25,000 cannot escape inflation at the supermarket.
Family and Dreams
Helping family members appeared repeatedly in responses. Commenters wanted to support their parents, assist their children, start college funds for grandchildren, and help relatives with medical expenses. The generational support reflected both family values and recognition that financial struggles extend across age groups.
Travel dreams featured prominently, with respondents mentioning trips to Hawaii, Disney World vacations with children or grandchildren, month-long European adventures, and long-delayed honeymoons. One person noted that with $25,000, they could finally afford to stay at a quality hotel rather than booking the cheapest option.
Entrepreneurial ambitions also surfaced, with food trucks, retail shops, and other small business ventures making the list.
The Occasional Splurge
While most responses focused on practical necessities, some commenters embraced the windfall's potential for pure enjoyment. Suggestions ranged from buying horses and boats to acquiring lightsabers, Pokémon cards, and Bitcoin. One respondent's tongue-in-cheek suggestion involved decidedly adult entertainment, while another specifically noted that a boat was the one major purchase they refused to finance.
How to Enter
The giveaway begins Thursday, September 17, with the first code announced during the eight o'clock hour. Townsquare Media will release ten codes daily, Monday through Friday, between 8 AM and 6 PM. Participants do not need to enter every code, but each submission represents another chance to win the $25,000 grand prize.
The variety and practicality of responses suggest that for most Montana families, a $25,000 windfall would not fund extravagant purchases but would instead provide meaningful relief from financial pressures, help achieve deferred goals, and offer a measure of security in uncertain economic times.
