What a great response we’ve had to the Savvy Spending Challenge! As promised, here are the rest of the details about what will be happening over the next month.
First of all, it’s important to establish where you’re at right now, and set a goal for where you want to be at the end of the month. So, you’ll need to determine a few things first:
1) What is your monthly take-home pay, after all taxes and deductions?
2) How much do you normally save each month, if any?
3) Find the percentage of your regular income that you save (it can be an average, because I know that each month can look a little bit different, but try to come up with a realistic figure that you can work with).
For example- $100 savings divided by $2000 take-home income= 5% savings
4) Then, set a goal for yourself. Although it’s important to be realistic (because you still have some basic expenditures that you cannot avoid- rent/mortgage, food, etc.), it’s also important to set a high standard for yourself. You want to have something to really strive for, something that makes this a true challenge.
Here’s my goal: We are currently saving an average of 10% each month (although occasionally we need to use a bit of that savings for unexpected expenses). This month we would like to up that savings to 25%. I wish we could go even higher, but still, 25% is 2.5 times as much as we usually save! That would definitely make a dent in the car debt!
Now for the fun part (see, you knew this was gonna be really fun!)…
It’s time to get creative and encourage one another as we plunge into this challenge!
My commitment to you is that:
- I will give weekly updates as to how are spending is going, and what percent we have saved so far
- I will also be posting on topics regarding frugality, stretching your dollars, making do without, and even getting things for free, as often as I can
- I will share many links to useful sites, whether they are sharing thrifty tips or have printable coupons for useful items
- I will share all of the fun, frugal and free activities, creative solutions, recipes, etc. that I have come up with myself
And as for you, I (and all the other readers) want to know- what are you doing to make the challenge successful? So, I will be starting Making-Do Mondays, kicking it off Monday, November 5th. You will be able to put your blog link on my page, and share your incredible tips and tricks with the rest of us! I’m looking forward to hearing the ideas that will come out of this challenge!
And the challenge is on…
Carrie J
November 1, 2007 at 12:00 AMThis sounds like an interesting challenge. Mind if I put a link on my blog?
Dani
November 2, 2007 at 12:00 AMI’m not sure the rest of the family would buy into the challenge, but we each have our own individual “allowances,” and with Christmas around the corner, I’m not going to have to dip into our savings if I can put away mine for the month!
One thing I have learned, and it’s not for the faint-of-heart, is that OAMC has helped me save almost 30% off our family’s grocery budget. “Google” Once A Month Cooking (aka Freezer Cooking, and sometimes Once A Week Cooking), strap on your stamina, and shop the sales. Oh, and I have learned that the most important OAMC cooking accessory is HELP!
Quick and dirty: you shop one day, cook ALL the next. Package in meal-size freezer bags (WITH DIRECTIONS AND DATES–don’t ask me how I know that you must have these!), and not only do you free up time every night, but you have saved money on electricity, multiple trips to the store, and more.
I can’t wait to see how well you do–I’ll be praying for you, and what a blessing that you’ll have additional income now that hubbs is working (a blessing in and of itself–God is GOOD!)
keeperofthehome
November 3, 2007 at 12:00 AMDani, I have tried OAMC a couple of times, and you’re right, help is such a necessity! Unfortunately, I don’t have much help available (no Mom nearby, my kids are just littles, etc.), so it was pure exhaustion for me. But I agree, you can definitely save time, money, energy, etc. I’m glad it works for you! And thanks for the prayeres- yes, God is very good!