CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - Jun 15, 2011) - Today, TransUnion announced that Matt Smith and Cody Malone from Wichita, Kansas have won its Fiancés and Finances Facebook Photo Contest and $10,000 in cash to help them begin their new life together on the right financial footing.
The contest, launched May 10 on the TransUnion Facebook page, centered around the importance of couples to take the time to discuss financial goals prior to walking down the aisle. The TransUnion Facebook page also provided credit tips to all who visited and voted for their favorite couple. More than 3,500 couples participated and together received a grand total of 161,810 votes during the four-week contest.
To enter the contest, couples uploaded a picture of themselves to www.Facebook.com/TransUnion between May 10 and June 6. Couples then asked their friends and family to toast their financial happiness by logging into TransUnion's Facebook page to vote for them by midnight (CDT) on June 6.
"TransUnion is happy to award Matt and Cody with this $10,000 grand prize and we look forward to hearing how the prize helps them achieve their financial goals together," said Heather Battison, senior education director for TransUnion's consumer products. "Congratulations to each couple that participated in the contest for their hard work, both in achieving so many votes, but also in vowing to commit to a healthy financial start together. And a big 'thank you' to all of the entrants' friends and family for supporting them in the contest."
By earning 4,378 votes, Matt Smith and Cody Malone received the grand prize of $10,000 in cash. A $1,000 cash prize was awarded to second place winners Shannon Innamorato and Anthony Brancaccio of Highlands, New Jersey who received 4,120 votes and a $500 cash prize to third place winners Sarah Forbes and Garrett Carpenter of Newbury Park, California who received 3,260 votes. The top five finalists each received a year subscription to TransUnion products.
"We are excited to have won TransUnion's Fiancés and Finances Facebook Photo Contest," said Smith and Malone. "We appreciate TransUnion hosting this contest and awarding us this prize to help us start our new life together. Not only was it fun for both of us, and our friends and family, we will now be able to pay off some existing debt we have, save for our wedding so we don't take on additional debt, and save the remainder in case we find ourselves dealing with an unexpected financial situation."
TransUnion.com provides tips, tools and resources for all consumers, married or single, to help them make friends with their finances. Consumers can also visit www.Facebook.com/TransUnion and become a fan to receive regular tips and stories to help them on their way to their financial goals.
The following tips from TransUnion can help consumers get on the path to healthy credit and financial security:
- Be punctual - Pay all your bills on time each month. Late payments, collections, and bankruptcies have the greatest negative effect on your credit scores.
- Check your credit reports regularly - Review your credit reports throughout the year to ensure you know they accurately reflect the credit history you've earned. It is your right to question information on your credit report that you don't recognize or that might not be accurate. Contact the creditor associated with the account or go to TransUnion.com to file an online dispute form.
- Manage your debts - Keep your credit card account balances below 30% of your available credit limits. For instance, if you have a credit card with a $1,000 limit, you should try to keep the balance owed below $300.
- Give yourself time - Time is one of the most significant factors that can build healthy credit. Establish a long history of paying your bills on time and using credit responsibly. You may also want to keep the oldest account on your credit report open in order to lengthen your period of active credit use.
- Avoid excessive inquiries - A large number of inquiries occurred over a short period of time may be interpreted as a sign that you are opening numerous credit accounts due to financial difficulties or overextending yourself by taking on more debt than you can easily repay. Apply for new credit in moderation.
- Sharpen your basic skills - Visit www.Facebook.com/TransUnion and become a fan to receive ongoing tips and articles to help you hone your skills to better manage your personal finances and credit.
About TransUnion
TransUnion Interactive, Inc. is a consumer subsidiary of TransUnion. As a global leader in credit and information management, TransUnion creates advantages for millions of people around the world by gathering, analyzing and delivering information. For businesses, TransUnion helps improve efficiency, manage risk, reduce costs and increase revenue by delivering comprehensive data and advanced analytics and decisioning. For consumers, TransUnion provides the tools, resources and education to help manage their credit health and achieve their financial goals. Through these and other efforts, TransUnion is working to build stronger economies worldwide. Founded in 1968 and headquartered in Chicago, TransUnion reaches businesses and consumers in more than 25 countries around the world on five continents. www.transunion.com
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For More Information:
John Branham
512.351.3512