September Savings Challenge

My first post-a good time to explain what this is all about!  Many of us hear about people in need of assistance and wonder "What can I do?" This Challenge is an attempt to help myself and others DO something by making small (or big) sacrifices to save money for a good cause. Our cause is a local family who has been struggling with finances while the mom is undergoing cancer treatments. I hope that others in NW Iowa will join us in raising money for this local family, but it is also designed to help ANYONE save up for a cause close to their own heart. It was designed after "30 Days of Nothing", an experiment in which people "fast" from spending for 30 days in September in order to become more aware of the great wealth-poverty gap in the world (and contribute the money saved to help the cause.) Although not as extreme, the September Savings Challenge also strives to reach beyond the tangible benefits. The Challenge should help us all become aware of the difference between "needs" and "wants", become more conscious about how/why/on what we spend our money, and develop some long-term habits that will help our budgets year-round!

The goal for this blog is to post many money-saving tips to help us all think about ways we can save in September, then support each other during the Challenge.  I will post many tips and try to put a dollar amount on how much money it can save you.  You can choose which ways you will participate in September. The challenge is to have every day of September covered by either a daily, weekly, or monthly challenge and then physically place the money saved into a special container. At the end of the month, donate the money in the container to our local cause (or the cause of your choice).

AUGUST GOALS - 3 P's:

1) Pray -Prayerfully consider if and how much you and/or your family are willing to participate.

2) People -Tell other people about the cause, and encourage them to join the Challenge or support your efforts in the Challenge. Saving is easier with the help of your family and friends!

3) Plan -Decide which money-saving tips you will do, then mark them on a calendar of September. Participate in many of our planning exercises (food inventory, menu-planning, garage sale preparation, etc.) and get psychologically ready to save!

The blog is a forum for sharing ideas, tips, comments, and encouragement, so get involved!