Help us choose our winner!   Our Betty Pays the Bills Giveaway for April 2009 has officially closed. We thank everyone who entered for sharing your stories. Choosing the finalists was a tough task! Our criteria for the selection process was based on originality and variety. In the case of similar stories, we chose the first contestant who submitted that story. Now we're putting the power to choose the $1,000 winner in your hands, Bettys! We selected ten finalists--their stories are below (in no paticular order)--and it's up to YOU to decide who wins the prize. Voting will occur from May 2 to May 9 (midnight, PST), and the winner will be announced on May 10, 2009. And the finalist are ...   The 10 Finalists's Stories: 1. Medical Bills. "I'd pay some of the medical bills that I accumulated after my 2 miscarriages in 2 years. I would love to not get bills for them so that I can completely move on, instead of constantly being reminded of my loss." 2. Start a Non-profit. "If I won the $1000 Betty Pays the Bills Giveaway, I would put that money toward the non-profit organization I am in the process of starting. It is in honor of my late grandma, who passed away last year. Her legacy was helping anyone in need, and I intend to keep it going by launching a shelter and a soup kitchen in my community." 3. Live it up with the Kids a Little. "If Betty were to pay me $1000, I would take half of it and buy some serious groceries ... the good stuff. And then I would use the other half to take my daughter to Disneyland for her 6th birthday coming up. I have been so broke that for the past few birthdays, both of my kids have had to go without parties or celebrations. Last year, I was able to get a cake for my daughter, but that was it! So I would take them both to Disneyland and let them LIVE IT UP!!!" 4. The Engagement Ring. "I would buy an engagement ring for my longtime girlfriend Donna. I was laid-off from work, and Donna and I have been together for ten years. I cannot afford a ring, much less paying for a wedding, which she richly deserves. I truly love Donna and hope one day when economic times get better that we can get married." 5. Home Improvements. "I'd use the money to help with buying plants for our landscaping. We are trying to sell our house and downsize, but our yard needs quite a bit of work. 1,000 bucks would sure make it beautiful!" 6. A Special Anniversary. "Our anniversary of 33 years is May 15. It would be so wonderful to have this money to do something special, because we haven't done anything for a long time. It would be so fabulous to get out of a rut and celebrate something so special in our lives. We could do something we have always talked about. It would truly be a dream-come-true anniversary!! Thank you!" 7. A New Wardrobe. "I lost over 70 lbs and none of my "fat" clothes fit anymore. So if I won, I would buy myself a new wardrobe, starting with buying new bras and stopping at a sexy new pair of pumps, now that I don't have "Cankles" anymore! I am ready to show off my new Me!" 8. Repay Sister for Family Visit. "I would love to pay my sister back the $1000 she fronted for airline tickets for my family and me to come and visit her and her family. She knows how important family is and wants our children growing up together. I am truly blessed by my sister. She is my best friend and someone I can always count on. I would love to be able to give her back the $1000 and just say, 'Thank you. I really appreciate you and everything you do for my family and me.' I don't know what I would do without her. She is truly a gift in my life, and what a great gift it would be to be able to give back to her." 9. Inspirational Garden. "With our difficult economic situation, many are going hungry. My dream is to inspire people across the U.S. to find ways to support their family and be healthier. With $1000, I would plant a large veggie garden, blog about the process, and teach people how to grow their own food and get exercise out in nature. During harvest, I would merge blogs with a professional chef so we could teach families how to fix meals for very little money--hopefully under $10 per meal, using the fresh produce. Extras would be given to local food banks to support Plant A Row For The Hungry. Of course, I'd bring Betty Confidential along for this entire journey. Why I think you should consider me over other entries is because I would help thousands of people instead of just one person with the $1,000--I want to make a difference!" 10. Get Healthy. "I am a 66-year-old grandmother and great-grandmother. I need to get healthy and have not been able to do it on my own. So if I win $1,000, I would join a good gym near my home to work out and get healthy. My husband has had cancer twice and heart surgery so we both need help. Thank you."