PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Philadelphia woman is testing her luck in an unusual way, raking in the dough in often overlooked contests.
Erica Mouzon likes to play different kinds of sweepstakes.
“I got started about 12 years ago, around the time I had my daughter, to basically supplement income because I wasn’t making much at the time,” she explained.
Not only does she spend an hour a day on that hobby, Mouzon says it’s been quite profitable for her. “I believe I’ve won well over $200,000 in cash and prizes,” she shared.
One of her most recent prizes was an Audi Quattro last year. Her hobby has also sent her around the world. “I’ve won a few cruises. I won a trip to the World Cup last year in Qatar, a trip to Turks and Caicos and a trip to Japan, which was one of my favorites.”
Those prizes, she says, came in part thanks to best practices she learned from her group called the Philly Cheesestakers, which is made up of people sharing their own knowledge and love of sweepstakes.
“We get together to give tips or tricks as well as contests because some of the contests are skilled where they are judged,” said Mouzon, adding members also share contests among one another that might not have been seen otherwise.
“Most of the people are retired, so I am one of the youngest.”
Mouzon says every time she wins, it feels like she hit the lottery, except she hasn’t spent a penny. “It feels amazing. It’s like your heart stops for a little while,” she described.
She offers advice for anyone who wants to get started playing — be persistent and be ready to pay taxes when you win.