(MONEY Magazine) – As senior editor Ryan D'Agostino points out in his inaugural "Rules of the Game" column (page 43), the social niceties can get awkward--who picks up the check for dinner? who decides where you'll eat?--when one friend earns more than the other. To help kick off the column, we'd like to help you turn the tables on your richer pals, at least for an evening. If, for once, you'd like to be the one to pick up the tab at a fancy restaurant, without actually having to pay the bill, enter our "Be the Big Shot" contest. Tell us why you're eager to treat, in 200 words or less. If you win, you'll get dinner for four plus a limo for the night--on us.

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY The "Be the Big Shot" contest is sponsored by MONEY magazine, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10020 ("Sponsor"). Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are at least 21 years old at time of entry ("Entrants"). Employees of Sponsor and each of Sponsor's affiliates, parent companies and subsidiaries, distributors, sales representatives, advertising and promotion agencies and the immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of each of the foregoing are not eligible. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited by law.

TO ENTER Submit an essay of 200 words or less explaining why you wish you could treat your friends to a night on the town, without worrying about the bill. Entry must be submitted via e-mail to contest@moneymail.com or by mail to Contest, MONEY magazine, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, Room 17-102, New York, N.Y. 10020. All entries must include Entrant's name; address (including zip code); home and work telephone numbers (including area codes), if applicable; date of birth, and e-mail address. E-mail entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. eastern time (ET) on March 31, 2006. Mail-in entries must be postmarked by March 31, 2006 (11:59 p.m. ET), and received by April 9, 2006. Entrant subject to all notices posted online, including but not limited to Privacy Policy. The essay must be the Entrant's original, unpublished work written in English. One (1) entry per person. In case of multiple entries, only the first entry will be accepted. Sponsor is not responsible for technical failures in entry transmission, or lost, late, misdirected, damaged, incomplete, illegible or postage-due mail. No mechanically reproduced entries allowed. All entries will be judged by a panel of MONEY magazine editors, whose decisions will be final. Once submitted, all entries become the property of Sponsor and none will be acknowledged or returned. Incomplete entries and entries not complying with all rules are subject to disqualification. Contest begins at 12:01 a.m. ET Feb. 10, 2006 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on March 31, 2006. Winner must be able to travel and complete the Prize trip by Sept. 30, 2006.

WINNER SELECTION Entries will be judged on the following criteria worth one-half each of the overall score: (a) creative expression and (b) merit. Decisions of the judges are final and binding in all respects. Winner will be notified by e-mail or mail on or about April 30, 2006.

PRIZES One (1) Winner will receive a dinner for four (up to a maximum of $600.00, including an 18% tip) and limousine transportation to and from the restaurant. The winner's dinner guests must be at least 21 years old at the time of Prize award. Approximate retail value of the grand prize is $1,000.

Winner must use the Prize by Sept. 30, 2006 or otherwise forfeit any claim. The Winner must provide 14 days' written notice to allow for arrangements, which are subject to availability. Restaurant and transportation chosen at Sponsor's sole discretion. Winner is responsible for all other expenses not included in the prize package. No substitution, transfer or cash equivalent for prizes except that Sponsor may substitute a prize (or prize component) of equal or greater value for any reason. By entering, entrants agree to be bound by the Official Rules and by the decision of the judges, which shall be final and binding on all matters relating to this Contest.

LIMITATIONS The Winner will be required to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability and Publicity Release. All persons accompanying the Winner must complete, sign and return the Publicity Waiver and Liability Release within seven (7) days of receipt of written Prize notification before accompanying the Winner. If all the required documentation is not returned within five (5) days of notification attempt, or if Prize notification letter is returned as undeliverable, the Prize may be forfeited and an alternate Winner selected. Entering the contest constitutes permission for Sponsor and their respective affiliates to use Entrants' name, address, likeness, photo, essay and other information provided by Entrants for advertising and promotional purposes as Sponsor so determines without notice or further compensation, except where prohibited by law. The Winner and those accompanying the Winner shall be required to grant in writing to Sponsor the right to use their name, address, likeness, photo, essay and other information provided by Entrant's registration and entry for advertising and trade purposes without limitation and without further compensation or permission, unless prohibited by law. By entering, Entrant represents and warrants to the Sponsor that: (1) the entry is the Entrant's original work and (2) the entry does not and will not infringe upon or violate the rights of any third party. By entering, Entrant grants to Sponsor the right to edit, publish, promote, and otherwise use their entries in any and all media without further permission, notice or compensation, except where prohibited by law. By participating in the Contest, Entrant agrees to release Sponsor and each of Sponsor's respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, licensees, employees, officers, directors, shareholders, representatives, agents and advertising, promotional or judging agencies from any and all liability, claims or actions of any kind whatsoever for injuries, damages or losses to persons and property which may be sustained in connection with the receipt, ownership, possession, use, misuse, loss, or misdirection of any prize, or while preparing for, participating in and/or traveling to or from any prize-related activity. If the contest is suspended, Sponsor will determine the Winner from among all eligible entries received as of the suspension date.

In the event of a dispute over the identity of an online Entrant, entry will be deemed submitted by the "Authorized Account Holder" of the e-mail address submitted at time of entry. Authorized Account Holder means the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address. Entry materials/data that have been tampered with or altered or mass entries or entries generated by a script, macro or use of automated devices are void. The Sponsor is not responsible for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic computer hardware or software malfunctions of any kind, or inaccurate transmission of or failure to receive entry information by Sponsor on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or any combination therefore, or any injury or damage to Entrant's or any other person's computer related to or resulting from participating in the Contest. If for any reason the Internet portion of the program is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failure or any other causes beyond the control of the Sponsor, which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this Contest, Sponsor reserves the right, at their sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process and to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest. Sponsor reserves the right to select Winner from eligible entries received as of the termination date.

CAUTION ANY ATTEMPT BY A CONTESTANT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE AN E-MAIL ADDRESS OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE GAME IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS, AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSORS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH CONTESTANT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW.

For the Winner's name (available after April 30, 2006), send a self-addressed stamped envelope to "Be the Big Shot" contest, c/o MONEY magazine, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, Room 17-102, New York, N.Y. 10020.

CONTEST SPONSOR MONEY magazine, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10020.