mental_floss magazine
SUBSCRIBE >
GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS >
DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS >
subscriber services >

You’re in for a treat this week folks as we unveil our first serialized video contest ever! Tune in every remaining day this week for your chance to win $25 toward WHATEVER YOU WANT in our store. Yes, just in time for that last minute holiday shopping, we’re giving you the chance to spend OUR money any way YOU want and all you have to do is invest a little time in our TIME IS MONEY contest.
Here’s how it works:
As you’ll see in the video, I have a bank shaped like an hourglass. Your job is to guess how many pennies it will hold as I fill it up a little each day. The contest will run for THREE days (plus the weekend) and we’ll give you THREE guesses per day. (EACH GUESS MUST BE IN A SEPARATE COMMENT) So that’s NINE chances to win if you tune in to each episode. Along with one of your guesses, you must also tell us what you’d like to buy with your winnings. So start browsing our store now (you can split up the $25 any way you want to).
Seeing as there’s a good chance two or more of you will guess the same amount, whoever slaps the correct answer down first takes the prize.
So go check out the first 30-second episode after the jump and let the guessing begin!
$5.14
posted by Steve G on 12-12-2007 at 6:45 am
1341
1362
1429
RIP Pluto Tee
Back Issues
posted by Gerald on 12-12-2007 at 6:51 am
928 pennies
desk calendar
posted by betsy on 12-12-2007 at 6:53 am
1587
1563
desk calendar
posted by betsy on 12-12-2007 at 6:55 am
1841
posted by irene on 12-12-2007 at 6:57 am
1550
I’ll decide if I win!
posted by Kathy on 12-12-2007 at 7:04 am
1750 pennies
desk calender
Easter Island tee
posted by Steve S. on 12-12-2007 at 7:07 am
1550
1600
1590
Idioms T-shirt small
posted by Kate on 12-12-2007 at 7:09 am
1640
1731
1357
posted by Annette on 12-12-2007 at 7:09 am
1985
2015
2150
posted by james on 12-12-2007 at 7:11 am
1404
1420
1456
law/med school…
posted by Sarah K on 12-12-2007 at 7:15 am
1661
1593
1444
The Secrets Desk Calender and the Pluto T, Size M. (I’ll pay the difference)
posted by Dibyo on 12-12-2007 at 7:17 am
I’m guessing ohhhh I guess… 975
posted by Andrea on 12-12-2007 at 7:23 am
1350
1400
1450
t-shirts
posted by bo on 12-12-2007 at 7:41 am
1543
1504
1596
In The Beginning
Desk Calendar
posted by Jonathan on 12-12-2007 at 7:41 am
1387
Women’s Rhesus size small
Women’s Lady Macbeth size small
posted by mc112358 on 12-12-2007 at 7:41 am
or 1422
or 1399
posted by mc112358 on 12-12-2007 at 7:42 am
1542
1596
1524
In The Beginning Book
Desk Calendar
posted by Jonathan on 12-12-2007 at 7:42 am
1596
1542
1523
posted by Jonathan on 12-12-2007 at 7:44 am
1355
1356
1358
Big fat lie desk calendar & ultimate sudoku challenge.
posted by It's good to be the King on 12-12-2007 at 7:49 am
1300
1327
1299
posted by Melanie on 12-12-2007 at 7:50 am
607 pennies
posted by Steve on 12-12-2007 at 7:50 am
1214, 1219.
posted by Steve on 12-12-2007 at 7:55 am
2551
trivia game
posted by Winthebig on 12-12-2007 at 7:57 am
1478
1342
1397
Scurvy, L
Instant Knowledge
posted by David on 12-12-2007 at 8:00 am
1531
1794
1926
tshirts!
posted by cassandra on 12-12-2007 at 8:01 am
1706
1685
1776
desk calendar
posted by Tomas on 12-12-2007 at 8:05 am
1552
1560
1620
entropy shirt
pluto shirt
posted by Neil on 12-12-2007 at 8:10 am
587, 612
Trivia game
posted by Steve G on 12-12-2007 at 8:14 am
1654
1706
1999
Likely a Pluto shirt and a bit off a couple of books.
posted by Wiley on 12-12-2007 at 8:15 am
1606
posted by Dave on 12-12-2007 at 8:47 am
1502
Scurvy shirt, and whatever else I can get with what’s left.
posted by Bre on 12-12-2007 at 8:49 am
1522
posted by Bre on 12-12-2007 at 8:49 am
1532
posted by Bre on 12-12-2007 at 8:50 am
1809
Women’s Pluto R.I.P. Tshirt & Bananagrams game. (Of course, I’ll send the $ difference)
posted by AMR on 12-12-2007 at 9:09 am
603
703
803
Beethoven Def Jam Large
posted by Phil on 12-12-2007 at 9:10 am
1814
Women’s Pluto R.I.P. Tshirt & Bananagrams game. (Of course, I’ll send the $ difference)
posted by AMR on 12-12-2007 at 9:11 am
1819
Women’s Pluto R.I.P. Tshirt & Bananagrams game. (Of course, I’ll send the $ difference)
posted by AMR on 12-12-2007 at 9:12 am
$14.72
$13.10
$15.12
I love surprises.
posted by JENNY on 12-12-2007 at 9:20 am
Oops!!
1310
posted by JENNY on 12-12-2007 at 9:21 am
Since answers must be in seperate boxes.
1512
posted by JENNY on 12-12-2007 at 9:22 am
and lastly
1472
posted by jenny on 12-12-2007 at 9:22 am
571
Easter Island
posted by Lisa on 12-12-2007 at 9:31 am
5,771
Easter Island
posted by Lisa on 12-12-2007 at 9:32 am
1963
Easter Island
posted by Lisa on 12-12-2007 at 9:33 am
First guess
1792
posted by eli on 12-12-2007 at 9:55 am
second guess
1654
posted by Eli on 12-12-2007 at 9:55 am
Third guess
1721
posted by Eli on 12-12-2007 at 9:56 am
2000
posted by Tyler on 12-12-2007 at 9:58 am
total will be 2008
Freudian slippers
posted by olal on 12-12-2007 at 10:09 am
1549
posted by Enrique on 12-12-2007 at 10:11 am
1501
posted by Enrique on 12-12-2007 at 10:12 am
1599
posted by Enrique on 12-12-2007 at 10:12 am
1482
posted by Stew on 12-12-2007 at 10:16 am
1496
posted by Stew on 12-12-2007 at 10:16 am
1503
posted by Stew on 12-12-2007 at 10:17 am
1503
1647
1986
I’ll decide later…probably a shirt or game though!
posted by Carabeth on 12-12-2007 at 10:21 am
1492
posted by steve h. on 12-12-2007 at 10:23 am
1556
posted by steve h on 12-12-2007 at 10:23 am
1603
t-shirt — can’t decide which one
posted by steve h on 12-12-2007 at 10:24 am
1256
global puzzle
einstein gluon sticky notes
posted by vorple on 12-12-2007 at 10:24 am
1360
global puzzle
einstein gluon sticky notes
posted by vorple on 12-12-2007 at 10:27 am
1788
global puzzle
einstein gluon sticky notes
posted by vorple on 12-12-2007 at 10:28 am
1111 pennies
rhesus ladies small
pluto ladies small
posted by Christy on 12-12-2007 at 10:30 am
500 pennies
plutos ladies small
rhesus ladies small
posted by Christy on 12-12-2007 at 10:31 am
2145 pennies
ladies rhesus sm
ladies plutos sm
posted by Christy on 12-12-2007 at 10:32 am
1592 pennies
posted by julie on 12-12-2007 at 10:41 am
1643 pennies
posted by Patrick on 12-12-2007 at 10:44 am
1605 pennies
calendar
freud tshirt XXL
posted by julie on 12-12-2007 at 10:44 am
1741 pennies
Triva Game
posted by Patrick on 12-12-2007 at 10:45 am
1875 pennies
Triva
posted by Patrick on 12-12-2007 at 10:46 am
1607
posted by Laura on 12-12-2007 at 10:47 am
1549
posted by laura on 12-12-2007 at 10:47 am
1784
posted by Laura on 12-12-2007 at 10:48 am
1373
and, since i’m all indecisive like that - i’d like to change what i’d buy. :P
bananagrams game
freud shirt in XXL
posted by julie on 12-12-2007 at 10:51 am
1639 pennies
Women’s Rhesus T-shirt XL
Einstein Stickies
posted by Jamie on 12-12-2007 at 10:52 am
1784 pennies
Women’s Rhesus T-shirt
Einstein Stickies
posted by Jamie on 12-12-2007 at 10:53 am
1873 pennies
Women’s Rhesus T-shirt XL
Einstien Stickies
posted by Jamie on 12-12-2007 at 10:54 am
1331
posted by Laura on 12-12-2007 at 11:12 am
1496
posted by Laura on 12-12-2007 at 11:13 am
1402
posted by Laura on 12-12-2007 at 11:13 am
Sorry, I must not have read the instructions very well, these must be in separate notes, so I’ll start with:
1355
posted by It's good to be the King on 12-12-2007 at 11:23 am
Guess #2:
1356
posted by It's good to be the King on 12-12-2007 at 11:23 am
Guess #3:
1358
posted by It's good to be the King on 12-12-2007 at 11:24 am
$6.39
Trivia Game-Mental floss
posted by Leslie on 12-12-2007 at 11:30 am
1417
posted by Izzy on 12-12-2007 at 11:33 am
My first of my three guess are:
1865
Want the trivia game please!
posted by Owen on 12-12-2007 at 11:40 am
Part II:
1296 Pennies
posted by Cody on 12-12-2007 at 11:40 am
Part II:
1391 pennies
posted by Cody on 12-12-2007 at 11:40 am
Part II:
1511 pennies
posted by Cody on 12-12-2007 at 11:41 am
My second guess of three is:
1898
Again Trivia Game Please
posted by Owen on 12-12-2007 at 11:41 am
And my final guess is:
1832
Trivia Game is going to be mine!!!
posted by Owen on 12-12-2007 at 11:43 am
477
posted by Karry on 12-12-2007 at 12:17 pm
874
posted by Karry on 12-12-2007 at 12:17 pm
And finally…
558
posted by Karry on 12-12-2007 at 12:18 pm
1507
Mental Floss Trivia Game
posted by Karen on 12-12-2007 at 12:19 pm
1596
Mental Floss Trivia Game
posted by Karen on 12-12-2007 at 12:20 pm
1603
Mental Floss Trivia Game
posted by Karen on 12-12-2007 at 12:20 pm
1408
shirts
posted by margaret on 12-12-2007 at 1:01 pm
1672
shirts
posted by margaret on 12-12-2007 at 1:02 pm
1797
posted by margaret on 12-12-2007 at 1:02 pm
1736
posted by Jakepants on 12-12-2007 at 1:13 pm
1551
posted by tej on 12-12-2007 at 1:16 pm
1609
posted by tej on 12-12-2007 at 1:19 pm
1723
shirts, back issues, games - i want it all!
posted by tej on 12-12-2007 at 1:21 pm
742
posted by leah on 12-12-2007 at 1:29 pm
665
I want the trivia game or the knowledge book pack
posted by leah on 12-12-2007 at 1:31 pm
791
posted by leah on 12-12-2007 at 1:33 pm
1217
lessee…shirt, medical school in a box (such a bargain!), aaand the trivia game.
posted by heather on 12-12-2007 at 1:40 pm
Guess #1, Day #1
1301
prizes - easter island shirt, instant knowledge book ($2.10 left over)
posted by Jessica on 12-12-2007 at 2:19 pm
Guess #2, Day #1
1302
prizes - easter island shirt, instant knowledge book ($2.10 left over)
posted by Jessica on 12-12-2007 at 2:19 pm
Guess #3, Day #1
1301
prizes - easter island shirt, instant knowledge book ($2.10 left over)
posted by Jessica on 12-12-2007 at 2:20 pm
Guess #1, Day #1
1572
posted by jen on 12-12-2007 at 2:46 pm
Guess #1, Day #1
1643
posted by jen on 12-12-2007 at 2:47 pm
Guess #1, Day #1
1508
Health Magnets!
posted by Ashley on 12-12-2007 at 2:49 pm
675 pennies
Idioms are for the birds tee (mens small) and Instant knowledge
posted by Eileen on 12-12-2007 at 3:43 pm
775 pennies
Idioms are for the birds tee (mens small) and Instant knowledge
posted by Eileen Dominic on 12-12-2007 at 3:44 pm
658 pennies
Idioms are for the birds tee (mens small) and Instant knowledge
posted by Eileen Dominic on 12-12-2007 at 3:45 pm
I misheard the number, so my guesses are completely wrong and wasted :( Ah, well, guess I should pay better attention. Will try again next chance. Good luck everybody.
posted by Eileen on 12-12-2007 at 3:47 pm
2134
Genius Instruction Manual
posted by Michael on 12-12-2007 at 4:13 pm
2007
Genius Instruction Manual
posted by Michael on 12-12-2007 at 4:13 pm
2078
Genius Instruction Manual
posted by Michael on 12-12-2007 at 4:14 pm
2500
just equal to the winnings
posted by Hannah on 12-12-2007 at 4:45 pm
1300
Freudian Slip Package
posted by Tanner on 12-12-2007 at 6:06 pm
2250
posted by AJ on 12-12-2007 at 6:07 pm
1350
Freudian Slip Package
posted by Tanner on 12-12-2007 at 6:07 pm
1375
Freudian Slip Package
posted by Tanner on 12-12-2007 at 6:08 pm
2173
Sharing Is Caring Tshirt
posted by AJ on 12-12-2007 at 6:08 pm
1789
Sharing is Caring Tshirt
posted by AJ on 12-12-2007 at 6:11 pm
1500
1509
1601
posted by Maura on 12-12-2007 at 6:21 pm
Oops, I didn’t read the directions first.
First guess: 1500
posted by Maura on 12-12-2007 at 6:23 pm
Second guess: 1509
posted by Maura on 12-12-2007 at 6:23 pm
Third guess: 1601
posted by Maura on 12-12-2007 at 6:23 pm
1739
t shirt
posted by Aimee on 12-12-2007 at 7:16 pm
1821
posted by Aimee on 12-12-2007 at 7:17 pm
1676
posted by Aimee on 12-12-2007 at 7:17 pm
1507
subscription, back issues
posted by Danielle on 12-12-2007 at 7:39 pm
1602
back issues, subcription
posted by Danielle on 12-12-2007 at 7:40 pm
1514
back issues, subscription
posted by Danielle on 12-12-2007 at 7:40 pm
2525
Pavlov Long Sleeve Small Womana
posted by Amy on 12-12-2007 at 8:00 pm
1471
have my eye on the Freudian slippers!
posted by Dave S on 12-12-2007 at 8:01 pm
4392
Pavlov Long Sleeve Small Womana
posted by Amy on 12-12-2007 at 8:01 pm
guess # 2: 1651
posted by Dave S on 12-12-2007 at 8:02 pm
1687
Pavlov Long Sleeve Small Womana
posted by Amy on 12-12-2007 at 8:03 pm
3241
Pavlov Long Sleeve Small Woman
posted by Amy on 12-12-2007 at 8:04 pm
guess # 3: 1507
posted by Dave S on 12-12-2007 at 8:05 pm
1463
posted by autumn on 12-13-2007 at 1:15 am
1464
posted by autumn on 12-13-2007 at 1:15 am
1465
posted by autumn on 12-13-2007 at 1:16 am
1809
posted by Jess on 12-13-2007 at 1:31 am
1714
posted by Jess on 12-13-2007 at 1:32 am
And finally:
1789
posted by Jess on 12-13-2007 at 1:33 am
Oops, guess I can’t read all the directions either. I’d like a Women’s Lady Macbeth t-shirt, x-large, and the Freudian slip sticky notes.
posted by Jess on 12-13-2007 at 1:51 am
450
Pavlov long sleeved womans small
posted by Amy on 12-13-2007 at 7:59 am
820
Pavlov long sleeved womans small
posted by Amy on 12-13-2007 at 8:00 am
1158
Pavlov long sleeved womans small
posted by Amy on 12-13-2007 at 8:00 am
1444
The Secrets Desk Calender and the Pluto T, Size M. (I’ll pay the difference)
(only putting it in a different comment)
posted by Dibyo on 12-13-2007 at 8:27 am
1593
The Secrets Desk Calender and the Pluto T, Size M. (I’ll pay the difference)
(only putting it in a different comment)
posted by Dibyo on 12-13-2007 at 8:27 am
1661
The Secrets Desk Calender and the Pluto T, Size M. (I’ll pay the difference)
(only putting it in a different comment)
posted by Dibyo on 12-13-2007 at 8:28 am
1518
posted by aTribe on 12-13-2007 at 10:50 am
1493
posted by aTribe on 12-13-2007 at 10:51 am
1462
posted by aTribe on 12-13-2007 at 10:51 am
First guess : 1414
posted by Kim on 12-13-2007 at 6:20 pm
1507
posted by billycuts on 12-13-2007 at 6:47 pm
1363
posted by Golden Goose on 12-13-2007 at 8:52 pm
1364
posted by Golden Goose on 12-13-2007 at 8:53 pm
1359
Einstein Watch
posted by Golden Goose on 12-13-2007 at 8:55 pm
1025
Simple as 3.141592 T-shirt
posted by kydiwl on 12-14-2007 at 6:30 am
1150
Simple as 3.141592 T-shirt
posted by kydiwl on 12-14-2007 at 6:30 am
1075
Simple as 3.141592 T-shirt
posted by kydiwl on 12-14-2007 at 6:31 am
1430
Einstein Gluons Sticky Notes
The Dead Guy Interviews
posted by Ash on 12-14-2007 at 11:07 am
1431
Einstein Gluon Sticky Notes
The Dead Guy Interviews
posted by Ash on 12-14-2007 at 11:08 am
1432
Einstein Gluon Sticky Notes
The Dead Guy Interviews
posted by Ash on 12-14-2007 at 11:08 am
einstein watch
1304
posted by zach on 12-14-2007 at 8:54 pm
1388
posted by zach on 12-14-2007 at 8:55 pm
1386
posted by zach on 12-14-2007 at 8:55 pm