This coming week is going to be very busy around here as we get ready to host Thanksgiving dinner, Kelli’s birthday party, celebrate our wedding anniversary (27 years!) and hit the stores for Black Friday shopping.
Whew!
What will you be up to this coming weekend? Do you have plans to host a big dinner, a small intimate dinner or do you get to venture out to someone else’s home for Thanksgiving? No matter what you will be doing, we hope it is blessed with lots of joy, yummy good and loving friends and family!
Part of what we are thankful for is the fact that our holiday shopping is paid for already with the funds we’ve accumulated in the 52 Week Saving Challenge. It is once again time for us to remind you to make your deposit. It is week 45, so deposit $46 or $7 if you are working the plan backwards (that is what we are doing).
What is the 52 Week Saving Challenge?
The idea behind the program is simple; each week you deposit a set amount into the savings tool of your choice. We use an online account set up at Serve.com (sign up for your free online banking account with Serve here) and every week we transfer money from our normal everyday bank to Serve online. It takes less than one minute, and for us having the money in a separate account works best. Some people take the cash and put it in a jar they have set aside in their home. Some others take the money and put it in an envelope in the home. Others we have heard have opened a subsidiary account with their bank, usually called a Christmas Club, and deposit the money there. Use whatever system works best for you; there is no right or wrong way to participate. The important thing is that you commit to saving money.
There are 2 ways to determine how much a week you want to save. You can start off with $1 on Week #1, or start with $52 on Week #1 (we call this working in reverse). For us working in reverse (starting with the $52 on Week #1) works best. Each week we remind you to make your deposit we will tell you how much you need to sock away and we’ll always include both options.
Below is a chart so you can see how quickly your savings will grow:
For the past 2 years we have used the money we save to pay for all of our holiday shopping and the 2 parties we host at the holidays. Some of you have used the funds to pay for a family trip, others for bills. It is all up to you how you spend the money; again – just be committed to saving money. It’s a hard habit to get used to but once you do you will feel so accomplished each week.
The nice part about this program is that it is self monitored so if you have a week where you have a problem being able to deposit the funds (and we have all had those kinds of weeks), just catch up the following week with a double deposit. Or, if you miss a week completely – it is OK! You’ll end up with slightly less than the $1378, but it’s nothing to beat yourself up about.
Be proud of your accomplishments – and the fact you are on the 52 Week Saving Challenge journey.
You’ve got this!
For Week #46, deposit $46 into the account or $7 if you are working backwards.
