As I write this, it’s the last day of the challenge. I wanted to give a personal update to how I did. Did I hit the $100 mark?!
I had some highs and a few fails as well. The challenge was issued on Tuesday, so I began Wednesday morning.
The Good = $65
- Trouble shoot internet issues, got cable provider to fix a pretty major issue with our lines. I was on the verge of buying a new modem and router. I’m not counting this towards the challenge, but these were potential savings I had at least. I was also able to research and find a cheaper internet provider. I’m still under contract but this will save me $15 a month next year when I can switch. $0 saved this week.
- Used a new coffee machine at work instead of making coffees at home. That’s right – I didn’t spend a dime. I sacrificed some quality for cost here, but it’s a trade off I’m willing to make a few days a week. $5 in savings by not using as many coffee grounds, milk, and honey over 3 work days.
- Free tickets to a local sports game. I wasn’t going to buy these in the first place, so again I am not going to count this. However, since we did go, I was able to save $10 on parking by parking farther and walking a bit.
- I needed a new pair of sandals. While I was researching which to buy, looking for quality over quantity. I feel like I found a pair that will last a very long time. However, while searching, I came very, very close to pulling the trigger on a pair of shoes for work that were on sale. I resisted, wrote down I wanted to buy but would think about it more. Total savings: $20 for avoiding an impulse buy (shoes were $80).
- Negotiated mine and my son’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (martial arts) contract down $30. I was told prices were increasing. I simply asked to stay at the old rate and they allowed me to. If I hadn’t asked, I’d be out $30 more a month for at least the next year.
The Bad = ($45)
- Concession stand at the game cost me $30 – ouch! I justified it because we got the tickets for free. Not the end of the world but I have to be transparent with this challenge. I’m not mad about this one, but one thing that stuck out to me while reviewing this was the fact that we had dinner and did not plan to eat anything further. Hence, I have to take the penalty here.
- Deviated from my grocery list on a whim. Something I am always tempted to do, but rarely do. $5 penalty.
- Used the car to go to the grocery store and the park on the weekend, $10 penalty. My bicycle got stolen this past weekend, unfortunately. Instead of walking or jogging alongside my son as he rode his bike, I opted to drive.
Lessons From Last Week
Net Savings: $20
Ouch, pretty far off the mark there from $100 saved.
I will try again next week. Things came up this week and a few I handled well and I few I made some mediocre decisions. I’m glad I was able to save money monthly on the martial arts classes. I’m glad I didn’t buy those shoes yet. I still want to buy them. They’re not on sale anymore either. But I will budget for them and revisit that purchase at a later date.
The sports game was a different monster. I had planned to avoid paying for parking and also not use Uber if possible. I had also planned to spend a little at the stadium, but I ended up spending over double in the moment, thus having to severely reduce my savings over the week. From a money-standpoint this isn’t the end of the world. But from a self-control-standpoint, it was a fail – something to work on for me.
It was still a net win for the week, just not as big of a win as it could have been. The more optimized things are the tougher it is to find opportunities, you’d think. But take a look at my week and notice how many decisions I was presented over just 7 short days.
Each day was an opportunity to make the right choices. Some days I did, some I didn’t. At the end of the week, I’m OK with how things transpired.
What’s Next?
I’ve got some more challenges planned after the new year. They’ll all be a bit different than this one. Now that you see how this one works, you can apply it to your life anytime you feel like you need to get serious about your spending and savings goals.
Speaking of the new year… we’ll most likely be doing a new year money challenge, so stay tuned.
JSS will be featured in the BuJo U community and on Bullet Journal’s site again just before the new year as well. I’m looking forward to reaching more people and helping them achieve their goals while getting on the path to true wealth.
Here are ways to support, stay in touch, and work together:
I look forward to speaking with you and helping guide you down this life changing path.
In health and in wealth,
Seth
