They had kissables on sale today, so I bought two bags on sale today and saved $2. Have you all tried them, they are like m and m's but even better. My bridge group just loves them. (and they don't melt in your hands either)
The stock market went up yesterday, so that is $3 more to add to my challenge money.
prev. total $25,855.00
today 3.00
new total $25,858.00

I took a ride today with my puppy to go and visit my dh at his job site. He is just finishing up a small house. The last thing he does is build in all the cabinets in place. I have not seen the house since the basement was started and it is really cute! The best thing is that he brought the house in, under the budget of $150,000.
The house has beautiful mountain views and the weather is a balmy 70 degrees, so it was a nice day out there.
The stock market went up on Friday plus I danced at least a mile last night, so I am adding $2 to my challenge money.
Prev. total $25,853.00
today 2.00
new total $25,855.00

We stayed home last night and decorated the garage. We set up the bar and have a table for the cd player and records. (Yes, I still have records) dh strung christmas lights all around the garage and we have a fake tree out there too. We are even lighting up the deck over the creek if anyone wants to sit out there.
Yesterday, the stock market went up and I saved $2 using my Ingles card, so i will add $3 to my challenge money.
Prev. total $25,850.00
today 3.00
new total $25,853.00

My dh and I decided to cut way back on christmas presents for each other, a few years back. Now we just get a few practical presents, like underwear, socks and things we enjoy eating.
so I found some canned nuts he would enjoy and they were on sale, $4 off (It was a tri pack) I will add that to my challenge money along with $1 cause the stock market went up yesterday.
Prev. total $25,845.00
today 5.00
New total $25,850.00

I went to buy prilosec today and found it was on sale, plus I had a $4 off coupon. Then CVS sent me a $3 off anything coupon, so I bought some much needed cover girl make up for about $2. The prilosec was $5 off and I got some chips for the party on sale. Altogether, I saved about $13 today, which I will add to my challenge money.
Prev. total $25,832.00
today 13.00
new total $25,845.00

Monday is payday for us and also the day that I do my written budget. I use the very old envelope system and have for over 40 years. Hey, it works for me! so, I have already done my budget for the week.
I use to budget a small amount monthly for life insurance, then we decided we were just wasting the money, we can self insure dh. So, I now add that money to my challenge money, which i will do now.
Prev. total $25,762.00
today 70.00
new total $25,832.00

I did my grocery shopping today and saved $12 using my store card and getting NY strip steaks on sale.
However, we did splurge and bought a live christmas tree this year. We are having a christmas party next Saturday and my little fake tree looked might pitiful in this big house!!
I guess he will decorate it tonight, while I watch. He got all the christmas lights put outside and I am just waiting til dark to plug them in.Now, he is shampooing all the carpets! That man ia amazing!
Prev. total $25,750.00
today 12.00
new total $25,762.00

I took my change for the month to the bank yesterday, so I have that cash to add to the $20 challenge. I am surprised that I have managed to save this much money this year.
Prev. total $25,718.00
today 32.00
new total $25,750.00

People joined us for dinner last night. They were the most boring people, especially her. I really did not enjoy myself at all.
However, I did get my regular check for $538 in the mail the other day and forgot to add it to my challenge money, so I will do that right now.
Prev. total $25,180.00
today 538.00
new total $25,718.00

Well the stock market went up yesterday and I saved $2 using my advantage card at the grocery store, so that is $3 to add to my challenge money.
Prev. total $25,177.00
today 3.00
new total $25,180.00

The new refrigerator came today and they picked up the one that did not work correctly. I only bought it for the ice maker, which dropped 24 cubes of ice in 24 hours. Let's see if this one is any better. At least it is the correct size, they sent a big one the first time.
I am making up my deposit for the bank and I have $315 in Ridge money to add to the challenge money.
Prev. total $24,862.00
today 315.00
new total $25,177.00

Well, my dh was sick all day with a stomach virus and we had to go to the walk in clinic. So we had to spend almost $150 on the visit and medicines.
However, it was a great day in the mail department.
First I got a check from state farm for $100. That was to pay for the towing bill while we were in Florida. That bill was charged and has been paid off already. So, it goes to the challenge money.
Next I got a check from Tim Horton for over $12 plus a check from Pinecone for $5. That is a total of $117 for the challenge fund.
Prev. total $24,745.00
today 117.00
new total $24,862.00

Every time I save a dollar using my store cards (Ingles, Bi Lo), I add that money to my challenge money.
I think next year, I am going to keep track of that seperately on paper, just to see how much I am saving. I am sure it is several hundred per year.
Today I saved over $6 using my advantage card at Ingles.
Prev. total $24,739.00
today 6.00
new total $24,745.00

I got the electric bill yesterday and was very pleased. I have budgeted $160 a month for the bill, but this month it was only $75. So, that is $85 to add into the challenge.
Prev. total $24,654.00
today 85.00
new total $24,739.00

I told my dh that we were going to go to Waffle house on Thanksgiving night for dinner and I was sincere!! What is wrong with that? It is about the only place that is open Thanksgiving evening.
However, we got, not one,but two invitations for Thanksgiving dinner. So, we are going to the first one. It is a couple that I met the lady on line. They are from florida, but have a vacation home here and we are going to spend that night with them.
I picked up dinner at Bi Lo's today and saved $5 using my card, so I will add that to the challenge money.
Prev. total $24,649.00
today 5.00
new total $24,654.00

I do not like these shortened days. It is not even 5:30 and we need to turn on the lights already.
Yesterday, the stock market ended up for a change and I had a $1 off coupon for hiar color, so I have $2 more to add to my challenge money.
Prev. total $24,647.00
today 2.00
new total $24,649.00

Now, I remember why i usually do not shop on a Friday. It was so busy in the grocery store. Even so, I managed to find a few good deals, so I saved $9 using a coupon and my advantage card. That will be added to the challenge money.
Prev. total $24,638.00
today 9.00
new total $24,647.00

I had a no spend day yesterday and finally, the stock market went up for a change. So, I will add $2 to my challenge money.
Prev. total $24,636.00
today 2.00
new total $24,638.00

I was adding my ridge money to my $20 challenge each month.
Now, instead, I am making the new car payment with some of the money, but I still have some left over to add.
So, today, I am adding my ridge money to the tune of $205.
Prev. total $24,431.00
today 205.00
new total $24,636.00

That means it will be a no spend day. We will spend the afternoon playing bridge at my house. I bought the refreshments a while back. I was going to run out to the bank and cash my husband's paycheck., (which is made out to me) but the banks are closed for the holiday.
So, it will be a no spend and a no gas day today.
I bought groceries yesterday and saved $5 using a coupon and my advantage card. so I will add that to my challenge money.
prev. total $24,426.00
today 5.00
new total $24,431.00

Well, the stock market did not do well this week, so no money for the challenge. I also have not been doing much walking.
I did stop by the store last night and saved $3 using my advantage card.
Prev. total $24,423.00
today 3.00
new total $24,426.00

We got our first hard freeze last night. It sure feels like winter already. I really don't like the fact that it gets dark so early in the evening, but there is nothing I can do about it.
I picked up a few things at bi lo yesterday and saved $2 using my store card, so i will add that to the challenge money.
Prev. total $24,421.00
today 2.00
new total $24,423.00

My dh hates to do small piddly jobs for past customers but he sometimes does. I always take any checks he gets from these jobs and save them.
He did a plumbing job for a guy plus hung some screen doors. I just received a check for $138 to add to my challenge money.
Prev. total $24,283.00
today 138.00
new total $24,421.00

I just got back from grocery shopping. I did not buy the regular type roast I usually buy, instead I bought a roast on sale. I am cooking it in my crock pot, so I hope it will be tender!
I managed to save $9 with the roast on sale, coupons and my advantage card, so I am adding that to my challenge.
However, I did pick up some groceries for the local food pantry. There was an article about it in this weeks paper and it said the food pantry was very low on food.
I picked up soup, mac and cheese, baked beans, spagetti,stove top stuffing, canned vegetables, etc.
I think I will start making this a regular thing I do.
Prev. total $24,274.00
today 9.00
new total $24,283.00

I opened a money market checking with Vanguard. I noticed that they are still paying 4.9% so I am happy about that. Yesterday, the stock market went up, I climbed 20 flights of stairs and I saved $3 using my advantage card. That is $5 more to add to the challenge.
Prev. total $24,269.00
today 5.00
new total $24,274.00

I try to find ways to save money for the $20 challenge almost every day.
Of course, I save my change in a jar and take it to the bank monthly.
I take on line surveys and receive small checks a few times a month.
I paid myself $1 for every mile I walk and everytime I take 20 flghts of stairs during the day.
I sell things that I really don't need.
I pay myself $1 every time the stock market goes up.
I pay myself $1 everytime I stay home and don't use any gas.
I pay myself the cost of the meal, when I don't eat out.
Any unexpected checks in the mail ( like state farm, rebates, etc.) go directly to the fund.
I paid off a piece of property and that bank payment now goes into the $20 challenge.
It really is pretty easy to get a lot of savings done when doing the $20 challenge. I am so glad I started doing this almost 2 years ago.

I got my bill down to $90 this month, so that leaves me $70 extra to put towards the $20 challenge. I still read my meter once a day and I honestly think that makes me more aware of the electricity that I am using.
Prev. total $24,199.00
today 70.00
new total $24.269.00

I have been kind of quiet about the challenge this past week. I will explain why later. However, I got a check for $538 last wednesday and i want to add that to my challenge.
Prev. total $23,661.00
today 538.00
new total $24,199.00

My husband just got back from the doctor's office. He has had a lump in the back of his knee for about a month and we were worried about it.
It turns out it is something called a baker's cyst and it is harmless.
I sure am happy that is it not serious.
I got a $5 check from Pinecone and walked a mile to add another $1.
prev. total $23,655.00
today 6.00
new total $23,661.00

I needed one of those one time cameras so I head to CVS this morning, they had them buy one get one free, so I saved $10.Then, I bought hamburger on sale and also ice cream. Saved another $3 there. That is $13 to add to my challenge money.
Prev. total $23,642.00
today 13.00
new total $23,655.00