When I looked at it, yeah $1000 seems to be quite a bit to give away (something you don't think about when it's only $40 a week). Worse, I don't make that much in selling ads so I am actually on red for this site at the moment. But I do have income from my other hobby sites to cover the loss so I still have enough left to pay for hosting, etc.
I am not trying to hide the fact that in some sense I am "buying" bargain posts. I've got too many things to do — family, church, work, etc — so I am more than happy if someone can help out with the work here, even with a bit of monetary incentive.
I'd so just keep the $1000 to myself, Scotty. :)
It's a great website though, thanks and keep it up. Maybe you should stop giving away prizes, $1000 sounds like heaps to be given away.