Tuesday, July 7, 2009

I Won!

Check this out. I won the book Everyone She Loved by Shiela Curran in a contest on the Girls With Books blog! I don't think I've ever won anything. Okay. I take that back. I did win tickets to The Nutcracker on the radio one time, but I got sick and had to give them away to my roommate's mom.

If you like to read, make sure to check out the Girls With Books blog. They have had some good reccomendations!

How exciting!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Summer Savings Challenge

I was reading a This List Called Lucky post today (during a meeting, shush, don't tell) and Kellie inspired me to create my own challenge. I've been thinking of setting up monthly goals, but I think a challenge would be more fun. And, obviously, you guys will hold me accountable, right? You're not going to let me spend, okay? Are you on board 'cuz I am!

My Summer Savings Challenge is going to take place for the next 62 days (July and August)! Every week, I will check in with you on how I'm doing. Be merciful please as I get started. It's going to be tough!

The Rules:

Weekday Lunches - I can eat out lunch out one time per work week.

Starbucks Iced SF Vanilla with 2% milk ($4 a pop) - Thursday morning only

iTunes - I'm disconnecting my credit card. If I wanna buy some music, I'm gonna have to get a gift card from someone I guess.

Blockbuster online subscription - Already cancelled today. That's $10 a month right there!

Weekends - I am limiting myself to one weekend activity that costs money. I'm going to have to spend a lot of time at the pool or reading in the park and get creative with my entertainment.

Retail - Not happening. No buying. No magazines. No books. No bottled water cause I just want one. No clothes. This one is going to be the hardest. My plan is if I want something, I'm going to have to start a savings plan for it and if come September 1, I still want it, then I can get it. (I imagine by then, I'll be like whateves. I don't need those shoes.)

Exceptions to the Rules

Special Occasions - Every once in a while, it's someone's birthday or a friend is in town or you know. So, I'm not going to be strict on myself when it comes to things like that. But, it has to be a really, really special occasion.

Necessities - Toiletries, Gas, Groceries, Bills. Gotta have them.

Mattresses - I need a new set bad and have been saving. My piggy bank is almost there and I'm getting my mattresses!

Bonus Points

Bonus points are earned like this. When I'm in Target next week purchasing toothpaste (neccessities only, right?) and I look across and see the new shiny Jennifer Weiner book staring at me, I will walk away without purchasing it and earn my $25 bonus points. That $25 is how much the hardcover book would have cost me. Since I did not spend that $25 on the book, I'm going to stick it into my bonus points account. Come September 1, we'll tally up the bonus points earned and see how well I've done! (I'm not 100% sure if this one will work, but we'll try it out.)

Here we go. It's July 1! Wish me luck!