Dust off that piggy bank

     Americans, for the most part, do not save. We are more familiar with accumulating debt. Can't afford something? No worries, just put it on credit. I'm not saying this is a bad thing. It has its pros and cons, like anything else. I'm just stating that generally Americans are spenders, not savers. Growing up in a family of spenders, I've always been told to save my money by people like my Pawpaw. "You better make sure you're saving your money. You don't want to be like me one day having to dig change out of a bucket for gas." Okay those aren't exact quotes, but they are pretty accurate.

     At the beginning of this year I made a New Year's resolution. Well I made a few (that I have actually been doing since the beginning of the year still... crazy right?!), but there was one in particular that pertains to finance... save at least $1 per day for the year. Well I tweaked this a little bit into the year. I decided to do something in addition to the $1 per day, called the 52-week money challenge. This is how it goes:

There are 52 weeks in a year. So, whatever week you are on, that is how much money you save for that week. For example:
Week 1 - Save $1
Week 2 - Save $2
Week 3 - Save $3
...
Week 52 - Save $52
At the end of the year, you would end up with $1,378. Crazy right?!

     So if I'm already doing the $1 per day (365 days) and then I do the 52 week challenge as well, that would give me a total of $1,743 at the end of the year. That's almost $2,000 in one year!!! I am working really hard to save the designated amount of money for each day/week. So far I have done well.

     Okay, I got off on a tangent a little bit. The point is I started saving my money for once. That came in handy today. I've had a gas leak in my car for a while... yikes, I know. A little bit of laziness on my part for not getting it checked out sooner. I also didn't realize the seriousness of it. Well I took it to a mechanic today and turns out, my fuel pump needs to be replaced. Ugh almost $400. Well since I have been saving my money, I can actually afford to replace it. There is no added stress about what I'm going to do. It also feels good to be able to afford to pay for it and not have to ask my Dad for the money. Aw... I'm growing up, slowly. ha. It does suck that I have to take that money out of my savings since I planned on not touching it, BUT isn't that the point of a savings? Having money set aside for an emergency or for retirement and things of that nature. Well I consider this an emergency since my car could easily blow up.

     I encourage everyone to start saving their money, even if it is something as small as $1 a day or having a change jar. It could make life easier and less stressful. 

     I am definitely not a money expert, but if you have any questions about saving or would like some tips and additional information, then please ask away. I'll do the best to answer your questions. 

Strive to live debt free.