So the last few years, have killed my savings. You know, lots of medical expenses, business expenses, and then funeral expenses. Dying, is costly. The aftermath, is crazy! And more expensive. And when you think you are done paying for things, you get some more bills in the mail.
A year and a half later, things are starting to settle. Into a new "new." My big girl panties are on. And I've pulled my boots up. In other words, life is moving forward. And it's time to start planning for the future.
Growing up, my Dad didn't just let me have money. Everything, went to savings. Do you remember my big birthday parties? People may have thought there was a wedding going on. But oh no, there was some little girl turning 3. All my Birthday money, Christmas money, First Communion money, because Tatie felt like giving me money, etc. went to the bank. All of it. Except maybe $20. That my Dad would let me buy a Barbie with.
Growing up, I went with my Dad almost everywhere he went. And while he was talking shop with mechanics, or buying parts, it was my job to walk the parking lot. And pick up cans to sell. Any change I found, went into the drink holder in the truck. And when we got home, my cans went into the driveway to smash. Eventually, we'd go and sell them. My change went into these HUGE glass jugs. One for quarters, one for dimes, one for nickels, and one for pennies.
Every few months, we'd head to the bank. My Dad ALWAYS made sure, I was with him. And we put the money, in my savings account. Later, we'd buy CDs. And my money would be there, for college. At least, that is what my Dad told me. When I went to college it stayed in the bank. Just waiting. And I worked my way, through the expense of medical school.
I don't think my Dad ever anticipated that I'd save money for nearly 32 years. And then use it to have his funeral. But that's how life works. And you just move forward. Because what else can you do?
Around November, I started to think, I need to grow my savings account. It's pretty devastating, to see the balance shrink. And shrink quickly. Sure, it's not going to be, what it once was. Not overnight. But I could get started. So I started the 52 Week Savings Challenge.
This was not my first rodeo, with the 52 Week Savings Challenge. I've done it in the past. But it's a nice way, to get into the habit of saving money. Every Friday, I pay myself. This past Friday, was week 32. Yes, $528 saved! But let me tell you, I didn't just start here. It would be a good place. But I'm kind of anxious, to see the numbers grow. So what did I do?
Well, January 1, 2016...I got 3 jars. I printed 3 of these papers. And glued them to my jars. Every week, I've doubled the amount of money that is on the paper. Week 1, every jar got $2. By week 32, every jar was getting $64.
Why? I want to save quicker. If you had been going by the printout, I'd have $528. Which is really good. A nice way to put away money. But I'm proud to say, I've got $1056. In each jar! Wow! And it really hasn't been that difficult.
I don't have 3 jars of money in our house. No way! I'm not that crazy. I kept the jars, until about week 10. When I had over $100 in each. Then I went to the bank, and set up 3 savings accounts. Every Friday, I go make a deposit. This way, the money is safe. And bank is paying me, to have it there.
So why 3 separate jars? Well, first is just to save. My first savings, is solely for saving money. At the end of the year, I'll go purchase a CD with the money I've saved. The goal is $3000. If I keep going with this plan, I'll have $2756. And will just have to make a $244 dollar investment. Good stuff!
Jar #2 is for a trip. I hope to take my Mom on some sort of vacation. Next summer. So I've also thrown in some extra money. Like for my birthday, my friends sent me a bunch of giftcards. So money I would have spent on a dinner out, a movie, a shopping trip, a haircut, whatever the giftcard is for...I've put in the jar. Every single time I use one of the giftcards, I put that money value into this account. Let's see how much I can save by next summer.
Jar #3, is a little something for me. And a plan that I have. It will take about 10-15 times as much money. But y'all have to start somewhere! This is just the beginning. And I know, this project is going to make my life better.
Is it easy to do something like this? Yes. And no! I'm not going to lie to you. The first few weeks, and months actually, are pretty easy. I mean, who doesn't have $1 a week...to put into savings? Even $20. I know by October it will start to get more difficult. And those last few weeks...that's a lot of money. But it's worth it.
I'd suggest, trying this out. You don't have to wait until January to start. You can start today. Next week. Next month. Is there something you are planning for? A trip. A new car. A big party. A house. A renovation. Maybe a new baby. Perhaps your little one is growing, and heading to college.
The 52 Week Savings Challenge, is an easy way...to slowly ease into saving money. In fact, my friends and I started doing this, when I was about 20 years old. We'd challenge each other. Sometimes it wasn't a specific dollar amount, that we'd put away each week. But say, every single time we had a $5 bill, it went into savings. Or when we were all pretty poor, it was every single time we had a quarter. But you get the picture.
So what do you say? Would you give it a try? Would you start saving? If you started this week. By next year, at this time, you could have an "extra" $1378 waiting for you. To do something with. It's the little steps people. And when all those little steps are added up, big things can happen. ♫
