Update on my savings idea
By dorannmwin
@dorannmwin (36392)
United States
March 22, 2013 3:47pm CST
Well, the middle of the month has come and gone and that has meant that I've received the payments that I was waiting on for this month to start my "Christmas envelope." I was paid about $50 dollars from my sites this month and I pulled out $50 from the paypal account and put that money in an envelope that doesn't leave the house with me when I leave the house. In addition to that $50, I also added another $10 that I had gotten out of the checking account when I needed just $10 in cash and it would only let me withdraw in increments of $20.
I was tested a little bit yesterday when a friend of mine asked to borrow $25, but I told her that the only cash that I had is already earmarked for something else.
How is everyone else doing with their saving ideas for this year? I can't wait to hear.
14 responses
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
24 Mar 13
I think that this year will be more of a year of spending for me. I've already accrued a few more bills then I had before, and I will have two more to add to that here in the next few months.
The only way I am really able to save is when I run my debit card through the machine and not hit "credit" as then money goes from my checking to my savings. It's just one dollar but it does add up.
I had intended to let that amount get up to $300.00 then withdraw it and treat myself, but that will be a slow thing coming as I hit "credit" more often then not because of the fact I need every dollar I earn.
I only work an average of 15 hours per week and that doesn't help me pay my bills, especially when usually I only work about 12.
I have to supplement online, but I am able to pay the bills I have now, just not save any.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
25 Mar 13
It really does strike me as funny the fact that different people are working online for a variety of different reasons. For me, it is the emergency/mad money while there are other people that count on every dime that they are able to make online to make ends meet for their family.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
25 Mar 13
I've been online to earn money for several different reasons for the past few years. The first was because I couldn't find a job, now that I have one it helps supplement, but now more then it used to.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
25 Mar 13
At least we do have those opportunities to help us through any financial issues that we might be facing.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
22 Mar 13
I am waiting on the cheque to arrive by post from paypal. It is quite considerable as it represents five years of earnings from mylot. However, I will not change it at all but deposit it immediately into my credit card account. My aim is to reduce this debt to something managable. It is out of control. I am going to put every spare penny on it. 47% is no joke
Congratulations on sticking to your goal and do not lend but just keep saving it and have the thrill of counting it regualrly. This will motivate you to add to it. Every dollar will count
Congratulations on sticking to your goal and do not lend but just keep saving it and have the thrill of counting it regualrly. This will motivate you to add to it. Every dollar will count
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
23 Mar 13
Wow..you haven't cashed out on MyLot in five years? I don't know how you did that! I can't wait each month for my $10...and I always save it, but still...I have to have it in my hands! Congrats to you for saving it that long!
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
23 Mar 13
Well, I did not make payout most months and also the reason for the delay was because I just couldn't work out how to do it and didn't want to ask. I am technologically challenged But it was still a nice little sum that will make my bamk feel happy
But it was still a nice little sum that will make my bamk feel happy@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
25 Mar 13
Wow, considering that the money that you are waiting on is the result of five years earnings, I am sure that it is quite a considerable amount of money. I think that it is great that you are going to use a lot of it to pay down your credit card. We have just this month finished our DMP for our old credit card troubles and let me tell you, knowing that those are gone is a great relief.
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
22 Mar 13
I started receiving a pension from my first employer. (Yup, I'm that old). I have two more payments (zero interest for 12 months) on the blinds for my new house. Once those two payments are done, the pension goes into savings. But I don't think it will be for Christmas. It will be for emergencies, and hopefully to pay down my mortgage.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
22 Mar 13
It is a wonderful feeling to pay the last installmnet of a mortgage. I din't realise what a burden I was carrying until it was paid. Good feeling No one can take it away from you
No one can take it away from you@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
25 Mar 13
Well, my mother has been receiving a pension since she was only 37 years old, so you don't have to admit that you are "old" to say that you are receiving a pension.
That said, I think that your idea of saving money for emergencies and to pay down your mortgage is a great idea. That is something that we are hoping to be able to doing in our family in the very near future.
@4ofmyown (1119)
• United States
27 Mar 13
Saving for us is so hard...especially since our bills and expenses going out usually far pass what is coming in. We have definitely been asking each other more often "is this a want or a need". If we agree it is a want then we don't get it. Right now I just need to focus on getting some bills paid off because my 3 boys need braces...ASAP :(
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
28 Mar 13
Our family was living in that situation for a very long time where we had to prioritize wants and needs. However, we were also involved in a debt management plan that we've paid off this month so that does mean that we are going to have a little bit more flexible income.
I hope that you are able to get your bills paid off so that you are able to get the braces for your sons.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
4 Apr 13
Good on you! Specially for passing that test!
I think I mentioned before that I have the same idea, but mine is not in an envelope, but into a bank account. I update my financial spread sheet every first of the month, and it does give me a comforting feeling that amount has become significant.
I think I mentioned before that I have the same idea, but mine is not in an envelope, but into a bank account. I update my financial spread sheet every first of the month, and it does give me a comforting feeling that amount has become significant.@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
8 Apr 13
It was a tough test for me to pass. However, I've decided that from now on, it isn't that I'm not willing to help others, but I am not going to help those people that won't help themselves or those people that I know wouldn't be willing to help our family if we were in a similar situation.
@Hugsy25 (274)
• Canada
30 Mar 13
I just started last month trying to make extra money online. So for March I made $40 on Swagbucks in Amazon.ca gift cards. I'm buying myself a movie to prove to my husband that I can get free stuff online LOL and the rest and anything else I make online is going to be put away for Christmas shopping. So since I made $40 for the month of March my goal is to beat that for April. Then I want to beat what I make in April in May and so on and so on. I've also started a hidden jar in my house that only I know about buried deep in my closet lol. In this I'm going to put anything that I find. Change that I find while out for a walk with the kids or if I'm cleaning and I find change that the kids have left laying around its mine and it's going in my jar. LOL that will also be used for Christmas. I've also joined several more websites this month hoping that that will help me beat my $40 goal. I've joined this group, plus zoombucks, and pollbuzzer, and cash crate. I'm still new to all those groups and haven't yet found one I like as much as Swagbucks but I'm hopeful. LOL
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
3 Apr 13
Swagbucks definitely is one of my favorites, I've been a member there for several years now and I know that I can count on being able to cash out there each and every month.
I am also a member here and on Fusion Cash as well that I know are paying sites. I do some online writing on Helium as well. I'm not getting rich quick, but it is definitely money that will help when it comes to the holidays this year.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
25 Mar 13
That is awesome that you are going to be making your first transfer very soon. That must be very exciting for you.
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
23 Mar 13
That's a good system!
It's hard to save in general. I work 2 jobs right now and the second job is tucked away.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
25 Mar 13
Right now I'm a stay at home mother. However, it is my hope that I will soon be able to get some kind of a part time job that will be money that our family will be able to save as well.
@anklesmash (1412)
•
23 Mar 13
I have been pretty successful with my saving so far this year considering that I only have a small income so I don't have much spare cash to save and because I have lots of assignments to do for my course I don't have much time to spend earning money online.Though it's not essential for me to earn lot's this year as I am not saving for Christmas.I don't think putting the money in an envelope would work for me as I would be to tempted to spend it if I had it in the house.Thats why I have put all my money into a savings account where it can't be spend easily.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
25 Mar 13
For me, it is easier for me to save cash than to have something with a card attached to it. For whatever reason, I find it easier to swipe the piece of plastic (debit card) than it is to part with the cash that I have.
@marguicha (215492)
• Chile
22 Mar 13
I am saving for a new washing machine, just in case the old one has problems again. I spent a lot of money fixing it, but this is the last time. I`m placing small bill in my piggy bank (usually one of my places for vacation money) As soon as that is over, I`ll sytart my vacations savings again. I`n trying to lower down my electricity bill as it`s Autumn now here and electricity goes up. I have my online earnings, but they haven`t been much lately.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
25 Mar 13
I have to admit that my online earnings have gone up a bit recently and that is mainly because of the fact that the kids are in school and that does give me more time for working on making money online.
I do think that saving for a new washing machine in case your current one poops out is a great idea.
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
23 Mar 13
That is great that you have started saving for Christmas. I am trying to build my savings account for emergencies. I am also hoping to start my online business soon so I can build my checking account and also my savings account. I am hoping to eventually own a home again. I think it is great that you are able to save money and that you were able to tell your friend no.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
25 Mar 13
It really doesn't feel all that good to tell a friend that you aren't able to help them out, but there does come a point where you feel like you've given all that you are able to give.
@asyria51 (2861)
• United States
23 Mar 13
I have about $200 in credit card points that I will continue to save up, along with paying off my credit card every month. I am no longer living pay check to pay check, but still save a bit here and there before chirstmas. We usually have airfare and presents to think about at the holidays.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
25 Mar 13
We've pretty much been living paycheck to paycheck since the time that we bought our house five years ago. A big part of that has been because of the credit card debt that we already had and also medical expenses that we didn't expect. Well, this month marked a turning point for us as our DMP is now paid off. Hopefully that is going to be something that really will loosen our budget, that is nearly $500 a month that we aren't going to have to pay out.
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
23 Mar 13
I put away $171 for my yearly car insurance, $301 for the government to r*pe me out of in the next few months, $100 for misc savings, $100 for vet bills and now I am putting away $250 for either my trip in October, or I will put towards my house fund (during the summer I will be putting away my entire pay).
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
25 Mar 13
The vast majority of the bills that our family has are bills that are monthly bills so we aren't forced to save on a regular basis. If we did have bills that were things due in lump sums, then I would do things in pretty much the same way that you are doing them.
@Raine38 (12257)
• United States
23 Mar 13
I do not have use an appropriation system like you do, but I deposited just a week ago about a hundred dollars from my online sites and savings from my allowances to my savings account. That account is never to be used for purchases or expenses, I have a separate checking account for that which I only maintain with some limited amount. That way, I will not tend to overspend. Hopefully I can keep this up the whole year.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
25 Mar 13
I do hope that eventually I will be able to start funding a new savings account as well. However, right now I'm working on small goals and starting where I am starting is the best idea for me.
