money

Saving Money in 2014

For those who have followed my blog a while, you may recognize the chart below. I blogged about it HERE last year and wanted to share it again for those new to my blog.

If you’re like me, you like to spend money. Online shopping has been my friend since the accident and while I save money by not driving often, I still have a knack for getting surprised when I look at my savings account. I did this challenge for almost six months last year with GREAT results, but with so many doctor bills coming in, I had to dip into the money I saved and that ended my go at this challenge. I will say I am SO thankful that I started it though and was consistent about putting money aside those six months, as it helped a lot with bills and such.

Now that the bills are all paid (except for that gigantic MRI bill that still hasn’t come and I’m praying magically disappears), I wanted to give this challenge a go again. After all, having an extra $1300+ in the savings account at the end of the year is hard to pass up.

savingschart2014We are on the fourth week in 2014, so I have $10 in my savings jar. Yes, I have a jar SEPARATE from my bank account for this challenge. I found that by doing this, I could visually see the money accumulating (which is exciting) and I instilled in myself that I couldn’t touch it.

Who wants to do this challenge with me? I personally a hoping to be able to stick with this the whole year because I’m in desperate need of a new computer. Imagine what YOU could get if you did it! *wink*

 

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Saving Money in 2013

It’s not a secret to those around me that I like to spend money. One of my love languages is gift giving, which can include presents for holidays, unexpected gifts or buying a coffee or meal for someone I’m meeting with. None of these are bad things, but it’s also not great when these things prevent you from saving for your future.

I was talking with my sister recently and she asked if I wanted to do a money challenge with her. I hesitantly asked what exactly she was talking about. She said she had found a chart on Pinterest about a “new” way to save and by the end of the year, you would have over $1300. I was interested, for sure.

Back story: my sister has ALWAYS been good about saving money, even growing up. She lived minimally and this has helped her as she recently got married. On the other hand, if I were to get married tomorrow {don’t worry, I’m not}, I would be in trouble.

I took a look at my sister’s pin, but unfortunately, it doesn’t link to the original person who started this. Upon looking all over Google, I still wasn’t able to find the direct source. I did, however, find the less busy chart below.

moneychallenge2

moneychallenge

Since I enjoy sharing the different aspects of my life, I thought I would share this with you. Yes, I do have a savings account and I will still be setting funds aside there. However, I love the idea of having another place for savings that involves small increments each week.

We are on the third week in 2013, so I have $6 in my savings jar. It makes me excited to see those little dollars bills adding up and knowing I’ll have accumulated more than $1300 by the end of the year.

Want to take on this challenge with me? With a new year in full gear, let’s make it a year of GOOD habits and bettering ourselves. :)