Financial Affirmation: “I am aligned with the energy of wealth and abundance”.
It’s the first Friday of 2016 which means it is time for the Bingo Style version of the 52 Week Money Challenge. For the past few years, I have used the bingo format to help pay off my credit card debt, save for the holidays, and save for a little extra for a wedding. This year, I plan on using the extra money from this version of the challenge to get my credit card balance back to zero (another story for another day) and start snowballing my student loans.
Here Is How It Works!
I’m sure you have seen the original challenge floating around the internet where you make a weekly deposit that reflects the number of weeks of the year. For example, on week one you deposit $1.00 and on week 52 you deposit $52.00 and so on. However, doing it this way will have you shelling out the big bucks during the holidays when people’s money is the most limited. One year, I even attempted to do the original challenge in reverse by saving more money at the beginning of the year and less the closer we get to the holiday season. The only problem with doing it that way was that I was shelling out a lot of money right after the holidays when… for most people, money is still a little tight. I thought to myself…”Danielle, how can you find a way to honor the challenge in a way that will not hurt you financially”? Then I came up with the idea to create a “bingo” style format. At the end of the year, I would still end up with the same amount of $1378.00 and if I am having a tough financial week, I can pick a lower amount to save. The good thing about the bingo challenge is that you are able to start at any time and if you get off track, it’s easy to see where you need to make it up to get back on track.
What Makes 2016 Different?
The power of choosing how much you want to save is what has always made the Bingo Style different from the original 52 Week Challenge. This year, though, we have upped the ante and included optional bonus+ boxes for those who are able and willing to push themselves further on this challenge. It will take more sacrifice, but it will help you gain more strength and momentum toward your financial goals since you will be saving a minimum of $1928.00 versus $1378.00.
Check Ins
You know goals are more likely to materialize when we share them with others. That being said, check ins will take place on Fridays at noon where I will share my progress on the challenge and its effect on my overall financial goals and I encourage you to do the same. I love hearing your stories of how you are doing in the challenge and the financial milestones you have accomplished by making saving a habit of your daily life. Sometimes doing it with a friend or even a blogger friend like me, keeps you better motivated since you aren’t in it alone. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, shoot me a line below or email me for the latest Bingo Style Money Challenge, free to shemakescents readers!
shemakescents{at}gmail {dot}com | Instagram @shemakescents
Oh this is cool! So you basically just mark off the boxes for the amount you want to put in each time instead of doing it by week really. So say I have $35, I can just mark off the 35 box and if one day I have the $52, I can mark that one off. I like this way too! Thanks for sharing about it on my blog! Love it!
Exactly…also if you want you can double up with a bonus box.
Exactly! I might have to go get more printer ink so I can print this one out and do it instead of the regular one haha.
Sounds like a plan! If you are on Twitter, let me know and I will add you to our check-in list.
I’m on twitter but I hardly ever get on it lol
How simple & brilliant! I’m starting today. My 10 year old son wants to do one also. When he is ready for his first car, he’ll have a nice down payment.
Wow. He is starting early. Not only will he have a nice down payment, but he will have also established the good habit of saving.
I don’t really get how this works. Do you just select a box and that’s what you save that week? And what are the bonus boxes?
Exactly! The bonus boxes are for you to select when you want to up the ante and cross off two boxes at a time.
I love the Bingo version. I think it’s less overwhelming and more practical when you can spread the big weeks around a bit. Love the bonus idea too!
Thanks. I crossed off 35 today.