Winning anything is usually followed by a boost of endorphins, leaving you smiling from ear to ear for a while. But some people are lucky enough to win a lifetime supply of something they like, making the smile last at least a little while longer.
Members of the ‘Ask Reddit’ community recently shared their experience of winning enough of something to last them a lifetime (however it is that the terms and conditions define ‘lifetime’ in their case). One user asked them what they won and how, and whether or not they were still receiving their prizes, and netizens were more than willing to share.
Scroll down to find their stories on the list below, where you will also find Bored Panda’s interview with the person who started the thread, Juli, who was kind enough to answer a few of our questions.
#1
Donuts. I get 365 donuts a year from a local donut shop in my home town. I give them to a children’s home who in turn gives them to kids on their birthday. It was a smart move by the donut shop because to make sure everyone gets their fill I pay to double the order plus I get them juice and milk. I won this 16 years ago and they have always honored the prize.
207points
#2
I won a trivia thing from a radio station in 2015–the prize was a lifetime supply of passes/movie candy from AMC theaters. They gave me a gift card looking thing to show at AMC that allows up to $40 in snacks for free plus admission.
It’s been almost ten years and this card still works. It’s saved my butt so many times when I was struggling financially—I could go get dinner or sit in air conditioning for a few hours. I’m honestly shocked that it’s still valid but it’s probably the best thing I’ve ever won in my life.
It’s been almost ten years and this card still works. It’s saved my butt so many times when I was struggling financially—I could go get dinner or sit in air conditioning for a few hours. I’m honestly shocked that it’s still valid but it’s probably the best thing I’ve ever won in my life.
177points
#3
I won a coupon for a lifetime supply of kisses from my kid and so far still a happy recipient 🫰🏻.
157points
In a recent interview with Bored Panda, the OP, Juli, shared what made her think about the lifetime supply prizes: “I was ordering food for my cats on Amazon; they recommend a subscription plan where I don’t have to order manually every time. I thought of all the things that I regularly have to buy and in what intervals. I mean, you got toilet paper, trash bags in different sizes, laundry detergent, deodorant, cleaning wipes, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, razor blades, toothbrush, toothpaste and the more frequent stuff like food and beverages.
“That’s A LOT and I hate the endless cycle of buying it, running out of it, buying it again. You’re telling me I have to do this till the day I die??? Sounds exhausting. If only one of those things was free and I wouldn’t have to take care of the shopping, it would make life so much easier.”
#4
Pentel pens in a writing contest. I won 30 years ago.
I got an engraved executive when I won, but I also get a 12 pack of energels a year, two alloy barrels, and one libretto. They usually send me a 3 pack of any new pens or colors coming out, too.
I've been to their headquarters and factory in Japan. I explained who I was and what I had won, which they verified with order and shipping history. I got to take an in-depth tour with a SrEVP and got sets of drafting pencils (GraphGear Sharps), unique Japanese pens, and an original 1962 Sign Pen.
I had won when I was younger, several years later I was there training judo. I literally walked into their building to the receptionist and explained. A man came out, took my info and story, then left.
He came back with some papers, which turned out to be a copy of every shipment they'd sent. He was surprised i was telling the truth!
He went and got the SrEVP, and with my friend translating, we had a great time. They were still making some of their best fountain and executive pens by hand and that was 1999.
I got an engraved executive when I won, but I also get a 12 pack of energels a year, two alloy barrels, and one libretto. They usually send me a 3 pack of any new pens or colors coming out, too.
I've been to their headquarters and factory in Japan. I explained who I was and what I had won, which they verified with order and shipping history. I got to take an in-depth tour with a SrEVP and got sets of drafting pencils (GraphGear Sharps), unique Japanese pens, and an original 1962 Sign Pen.
I had won when I was younger, several years later I was there training judo. I literally walked into their building to the receptionist and explained. A man came out, took my info and story, then left.
He came back with some papers, which turned out to be a copy of every shipment they'd sent. He was surprised i was telling the truth!
He went and got the SrEVP, and with my friend translating, we had a great time. They were still making some of their best fountain and executive pens by hand and that was 1999.
128points
#5
I didn’t win as such, but I saved a pizzeria owner from a major problem with the tax authorities, due the failure of his computer, in 1999 or so, when I asked what I wanted for payment, I said “You can serve food and wine for my wife and daughter tomorrow”. He did, and said he would do for as long as he is in business. He still honours this 25 years later.
124points
“I’ve heard of those stories from people that won a lifetime supply of something and always wondered if that’s actually a thing and if so, how often it happens,” Juli continued, adding that she didn’t expect the hundreds, if not thousands, of answers.
“I was so overwhelmed by the amount of responses. Not a single boring or uninteresting comment. I‘m so glad I asked and got to read all those awesome stories,” she said.
#7
When I was stationed in South Korea 2014, there was a defector from the North that went across the Demilitarized Zone. He was shot by the North Koreans a few times as he made his crossing. The guy woke up in the hospital in Seoul and asked for a "Choco-pie". Choco pies are a Korean version of a Moon Pie. The company that makes them, Lotte, stated that he would never have to worry about not getting a Choco-Pie again. As far as I know this defector has a lifetime supply of Korean Moon Pies.
101points
#8
My friend won a lifetime supply of toilet paper.)) It started as a joke, he entered the contest just for fun, never expecting to win.
But then the company called him up, and next thing we know, he’s got a garage full of toilet paper.
The funny part is, my friend is the last person who’d ever think about needing that much toilet paper.
He’s super organized, and he lives alone, so he’s always been the type to buy in bulk and have a stockpile of essentials. Winning this contest was like hitting the jackpot for him.
He got so much toilet paper that he ended up giving it away to friends and family. For months, everyone knew that if they were running low, they could just call him up. He even donated a bunch to local shelters, which was really cool.
The supply lasted longer than he expected, but eventually, it ran out. It was a good run, though.
He said it felt like a little bit of a burden had been lifted when he finally had to go out and buy toilet paper again.
But then the company called him up, and next thing we know, he’s got a garage full of toilet paper.
The funny part is, my friend is the last person who’d ever think about needing that much toilet paper.
He’s super organized, and he lives alone, so he’s always been the type to buy in bulk and have a stockpile of essentials. Winning this contest was like hitting the jackpot for him.
He got so much toilet paper that he ended up giving it away to friends and family. For months, everyone knew that if they were running low, they could just call him up. He even donated a bunch to local shelters, which was really cool.
The supply lasted longer than he expected, but eventually, it ran out. It was a good run, though.
He said it felt like a little bit of a burden had been lifted when he finally had to go out and buy toilet paper again.
96points
The redditor revealed that her favorite comment was this wholesome story, shared by the user ‘Pete4000’, with the free donut code that he shares with his friends and gives the donuts away to the homeless. “That warmed my heart and I wish people would do that more often if they get the chance,” Juli said.
“We buy so many unnecessary and overpriced things. If only we would consume more consciously, we would maybe have a couple bucks left at the end of the month to buy something nice for the less fortunate.”
#9
My grandma had an awesome sense of humor. We were all with her the days leading up to her dying at 93 in her own home. It wasn’t particularly sad, we were celebrating her life. At one point she was lying in bed and held up a half full box of the candy “tic tacs” and said “lifetime supply”.
95points
#10
A friend (back in the 70s) used to enter magazine contests all the time, one day he got a check in the mail for $25,000. No fanfare or anything, he just got a check in the mail. He bought a house in town, which would have never happened on his own. He died a long time ago but his kids still live there, so I guess he won a lifetime supply of housing.
91points
#11
I won a lifetime'a supply of chocolate. But it was handed to me all at once.
I ended up setting up in the middle of town and offered every resident as much chocolate as they could eat.
It was probably the biggest congregation of people in that (admittedly small) town's history.
All the chocolate was gone by the end of the day.
I ended up setting up in the middle of town and offered every resident as much chocolate as they could eat.
It was probably the biggest congregation of people in that (admittedly small) town's history.
All the chocolate was gone by the end of the day.
85points
“While I complain about having to buy all those necessities listed above over and over again, I sometimes forget what a privilege it is to be able to afford it. I don’t have to be careful how much toothpaste or toilet paper I use, because I‘m able to buy more whenever I need,” Juli told Bored Panda.
“But that’s not at all the case for everyone and may also not last forever. I think we shouldn’t forget about where products come from, what natural resources they take up and what we really really need and which things we can do without. Next time maybe buy a donut for yourself and someone in need.”
#12
I won a lifetime supply of pasta! A supermarket in my town closed down its branch and gave away their products in a raffle. I bought a ticket for 2 bucks at a festival and ended up winning the entire pasta section.
80points
#13
I didn't win it, I accidentally bought it. Some years ago I wanted to make the garden a bit prettier. I checked on some auction site and someone offered a leftover batch of chalk to improve the soil. We agreed I would pay 30 euros shipping included.
Three days later a delivery guy arrived completely pissed off banging the door and shouting why the hell I would let this be delivered by a standard parcel delivery service. I didn't have a clue what he was talking about until he showed me the packages. Apparently the seller sent me 8 30kg bags of chalk.
I require about 5kg of chalk a year for my garden. With the 240kg of chalk I got, I can last almost 50 years. By the time I'm out of chalk, I would be over 100 years old, which is an age not that many people will become , let alone while still gardening.
Bottom line, for 30 euros including shipping I now have a lifetime supply of chalk.
Three days later a delivery guy arrived completely pissed off banging the door and shouting why the hell I would let this be delivered by a standard parcel delivery service. I didn't have a clue what he was talking about until he showed me the packages. Apparently the seller sent me 8 30kg bags of chalk.
I require about 5kg of chalk a year for my garden. With the 240kg of chalk I got, I can last almost 50 years. By the time I'm out of chalk, I would be over 100 years old, which is an age not that many people will become , let alone while still gardening.
Bottom line, for 30 euros including shipping I now have a lifetime supply of chalk.
76points
#14
Someone I know was pregnant one time and her water broke in a superstore. So the superstore gave her free baby nappies for several years simply because of it lol.
70points
#15
One of my friends won a lifetime supply of dog food through a contest he entered on a whim. He was ecstatic at first—who wouldn’t be?—but then his dog developed an allergy to the specific brand after a year or so. Now he just donates the bags he still gets to the local animal shelter. So yeah, he’s still getting it, but it’s not exactly going to use as originally planned!
66points
#16
Unfortunately not a lifetime, but a year’s worth of donuts from a local restaurant. They specialize in audacious donuts during their brunch hours and held an ugly Christmas sweater contest during a brunch in December. They called to tell me I had won and to come and pick up my prize after the holidays. It was a punchcard for a getting a free donut each week of the year. We went ahead and took advantage of the freebie while we were there and I enjoyed what would surely be one of many free donuts that year. Yes, 2020 was lining up to be a real winner.
65points
#17
Not a lifetime supply but I won a year’s supply of free meals from Qdoba when I was in college. They just give you a gift card with 52 free meals loaded on it. As a college student it was heaven, I heard of another student who won the same prize but they had a typo on their card and got 520 burritos instead of 52.
62points
#18
I won a lifetime supply of depression after the army, it still delivers every day like clockwork.
61points
#19
I won a lifetime pass for a minigolf and go cart place that was popular in my area back in the 80s. It wasn't a random drawing, it was a prize for a contest to raise funds for a specific charity.
They made a whole big deal about it and my picture was in the local paper. I got the pass, which was a business card sized laminated paper with their branding, my name, a bar code, and "irrevocable lifetime pass".
The first time I went to use it, they refused to let me in. I called the next day to speak with the manager and he told me the whole thing was a publicity stunt and I should feel good for having raised money for charity. I tried again and was denied access to the park. Then the third time I was denied entry, the card was confiscated, and I was "lifetime banned".
Nobody cared. The paper that ran the article, the contest organizers, nobody. I couldn't help but smirk when that place went out of business but, they went out of business maybe 10 years ago so I missed out on something like 30 years of using that pass. Of course I respected their lifetime ban, and was always open about my story and how I got banned for trying to use the lifetime pass they had given me. But nobody cared.
Update: This is a story about a kid getting screwed out of a prize through a loophole. Nobody was bodily harmed, nobody starved, there were no threats of violence. It's a case of poor business ethics, not a cause for moral outrage. Poor kid got screwed but, the world continued to spin, the tide continued to ebb and flow, and hurt feelings eventually were overcome. Please keep that in mind. Nothing I've mentioned here is worthy of anything more than a "wtf" as this pales in comparison to the real problems we face in this world.
They made a whole big deal about it and my picture was in the local paper. I got the pass, which was a business card sized laminated paper with their branding, my name, a bar code, and "irrevocable lifetime pass".
The first time I went to use it, they refused to let me in. I called the next day to speak with the manager and he told me the whole thing was a publicity stunt and I should feel good for having raised money for charity. I tried again and was denied access to the park. Then the third time I was denied entry, the card was confiscated, and I was "lifetime banned".
Nobody cared. The paper that ran the article, the contest organizers, nobody. I couldn't help but smirk when that place went out of business but, they went out of business maybe 10 years ago so I missed out on something like 30 years of using that pass. Of course I respected their lifetime ban, and was always open about my story and how I got banned for trying to use the lifetime pass they had given me. But nobody cared.
Update: This is a story about a kid getting screwed out of a prize through a loophole. Nobody was bodily harmed, nobody starved, there were no threats of violence. It's a case of poor business ethics, not a cause for moral outrage. Poor kid got screwed but, the world continued to spin, the tide continued to ebb and flow, and hurt feelings eventually were overcome. Please keep that in mind. Nothing I've mentioned here is worthy of anything more than a "wtf" as this pales in comparison to the real problems we face in this world.
61points
#20
I had a coworker that won a years supply of Cinnabon - basically a free Cinnabon everyday for a year. She lasted about 3 months before she couldn't do it any more and gave me the coupon. I had the coupon for a couple of weeks before we just started sharing the coupon around the office. I think we just all stoped after six months. It was just too much for any one person to handle.
58points