Well, I COULD have waited until the 14th to add to the 20 challenge. That is if I had any money to put in there. But I got to pondering the gas expense check. Since it is repayment of some expenses from last month, I decided to return it to last month. I was in the red 100 so I subtracted the 100 out of the check and put the leftover in the 20 challenge. Then, I was SO close, that I added in the coins I rolled. Total added in is 77 dollars. So, my 20 challenge total is now.....drum roll.....$1006! Awesome!

are in WAY too many categories at the end of this budgeting month. It ended on the 14th, and as I transferred the funds to Christmas Club and whatever, I took a really good look. Yikes! Of course, Hubby will get some back on the gasoline budget because of a company trip, but the fun categories were off kilter. The bright spot was groceries. I had 35 dollars left out of 200. That was a first. I usually hit close to zero on that one. But I really have to clamp down on the rest. Sheesh.

I've decided to change the way I do the $20 challenge. I can't really pay myself for things as much because I account for every dollar. So I decided to review the final results for the months of this year. I have a total at the bottom of my budget sheet that represents where I have saved money in each column. That's where the eat at home, not spend on clothes, not use gas monies show up. In the little savings each month. They add up. So I decided to keep on trying to save on water, food, gasoline, electricity, etc., and use those totals as my challenge money. Because it is a challenge to figure out ways to conserve and not spend. Because now, I drink my own water and eat my own food and so forth. I will add up all the little dollars here and there. And those negative numbers are subtracted out. So I only have what I actually did save. The only snag I see is that January falls in the middle of my first month (Dec. 15-Jan. 14)so I will count only half of that one.

Totals: Dec./Jan. 173
Jan./Feb. 337
Feb./Mar. 313
Mar./Apr. 106
$20 challenge total so far...929

So far so good. At this rate, hopefully I'll have 3000 at the end of the year. That will be my goal. Now, I'm off to unplug the television and the microwave....

We've become a Nielsen ratings family again. Years ago, we did this. Funny thing was that at the time, Hubby's company gave us a tv almost every Christmas. Was a generous thing, but we ended up with about 9 tvs. Only 3 or 4 (one in the garage in the shop, one in the living room, one in the kitchen, one on the porch)were even on cable, but it was fun hearing the guy's jaw hit the floor when I told him. Nowadays, according to the person I talked to this time, that's not uncommon--even tvs in the bathroom. Wow. We've given tvs away and now only have 3--one of which is not working well. We keep tvs like cars, til they drop. Not going to spend on those nice new flat ones until the price greatly drops. Not that I don't blame people. DD's boyfriend got one and it is NICE.

The funny thing is that when you are held accountable, just like with budgets or the food diary, you tend to analyze what you do. We don't watch that much tv anymore. I tend to watch more after Hubby goes to bed. And it's fun to catch things you've never seen before. The other day, we watched Casablanca for the very first time. But, it will be very interesting to see just what we do watch. I do some stuff to tv. Especially in the evening. Like painting, sewing, crocheting, etc. With a mind like mine, I have to have something to focus it on. Still, we've gotten pickier about what we watch. It will be an interesting experiment. Wonder how much electricity the tv uses? In any case, they sent us $5.00 to do this. I've put it in the $20 challenge money....

the waters of the $20 challenge. Most of the things I am doing are probably routine things for others, but to me right now, they are a challenge. So I have included them. In the future, I will probably need to "challenge" myself more to get into the spirit of the thing. I added money for no driving, no spending days, and drinking all my water. And I added in a little for not eating out ALL week and for Hubby voluntarily taking his lunch. Less work stress means he doesn't need to abandon ship at lunchtime to get a breather. So I added $20 to my challenge total.

$20 start
20 Week 1
___________

$40 Total in envelope. Need to put this somewhere to earn something....

I have started a list of things that I need to make habits and that in the long run will save me money. So I will pay myself for:

1. Drinking all my water every day--keeps me healthy and out of the doctor's office. Pays $1 per day.
2. Exercise. Also keeps me healthy and out of the doctor's office. Pays $1 for each day of exercise.
3. No driving days. Combine and plan trips--saves gas money. Pays $1 per day.
4. No spend days. Saves money not spent in stores. Pays $2 per day.
5. Go a week using up breakfast foods. Saves grocery money. I tend to stockpile too many breakfast foods. Will plan at the beginning of the month and then not buy during the month. Pays $5 per week that I don't buy more breakfast food.

That's it so far. I know that people might think that paying yourself for things you should do is not actually making money. But I figure that each thing will eventually save money so part of that money can be used to pay myself when I accomplish it. I need to post these somewhere so I can stay strong. Here's to our Challenge this year. Good luck Everyone!