12 Week Challenge
I’m sure we all have heard of “The 52 week challenge” it’s a challenge I have never done and scared to try because I’m not sure how consistent I would be.
For those readers who do not know what the 52 week challenge is, its when you save money for 52 weeks. You save one dollar the first week, two dollars the second week, three dollars the third week and so on so on. Well if you are anything like me and find yourself in between funds until your pay day then I invite you to try a 12 Week Challenge. The reason why I say 12 weeks is because, BABY STEPS!! I don’t want to overwhelm myself with the task of trying something that I may not keep up with for a whole year. Yes in 52 weeks I could possibly have $1,378. However the way my account is set up right now in 12 weeks I could SAVE not spend SAVE $78 that just seems more realistic. And the hard part isn’t really just the funds but its remembering what week it is and taking it seriously. So i’m thinking when I do begin my 12 week $78 challenge I will probably make my day a Wednesday. See Wednesday’s are the mid point where you realized you had a rough week or you looking forward to the weekend. Either way its the one day most people feel semi accomplished. It’s like a goal setting point.
You are probably thinking that its not a big deal or even difficult to save $78, but the reality is, people struggle to save .50 cent change. For even better results, I would even incorporate this challenge into a small group activity and have accountability partners (close friends or family members). This challenge is for establishing discipline and mental stamina of reaching and smashing a goal!!! And remember you can always up the ante sweeten the pot for those who have the ‘bit coin’. If you don’t want to use $1 make it $5, $10 or even $15. Whatever you can afford a week for 12 weeks set the goal and smash it! Make sure to send me your feedback or comment under social media (@TheImpfluencer) to let me know how its going.
JARS
So for some of us growing up theres a jar or some type of old ‘cointainer’ that we had in our house that someone in our family kept loose change. It used to be called the penny jar when I was young then some how it graduated to having silver coins over time. It was like the savings cointainer. I always called it a cointainer because it never had paper money in there, and if it did it was like a $1 or $2 bill. I mean i’ve seen so many different variations of savings pennies and then silver change. It would be in a shoe box, old water jug, some type of container with a lid. And it was almost like the forbidden object to touch like ‘no, no i’m saving that change.’ It would be full of dust sometimes and i’m like when are you going to roll these damn pennies, nickels and dimes and take them to the bank. Well it was for the rainy day I suppose.
Anyway, when Coinstar came out and it was a wrap!! You would think that everyone would now take those 50lb change jars to their nearest coinstar and begin to cash in. Nahhh that didn’t happen.
So I don’t personally use coinstar because of the 11.9% fee that they want for your coins. This is not a sponsored blog post for them. However, I wouldn’t mind doing business with them spreading the gospel of using them to get an e-gift cards.
So here’s whats dope about it. I came across this and just had to share. Once you submit your change theres no fee if you select getting an e-gift card. MIND BLOWING!!! You can get an e-gift card for places like Applebees, Amazon, Best Buy, iTunes and Starbucks just to name a few. There are amount requirements that you have to reach of course but I think they begin at about $5. The maximum is probably like $1000-$3000. At that point that’s another story if you have over $1000 worth of coins. You should’ve passed the coinstar and went straight to your financial institution or credit union.
Okay so moving on to the challenge, do an inventory of all your loose change. If you don’t have any establish some. Place it in a bucket, vase, jar, shoe box or any cointainer and stack up. Once it is full take it to the nearest coin center. It can be a coinstar or your financial institution. Find out where you can cash in your coins for free! If you want to pay a fee that’s your preference.
My challenge is sooo simple. Cash that sh!t in!!! A drawer full of pennies whole time you got about $500 in coins.
Which means those of us with active or semi active social lives this is perfect to give as a gift. Who doesn’t love an e-gift card. My friends and I send $5 starbuck gift cards all the time just because. If you go to coinstar and don’t want to pay the fee get an e-gift card. Send that to your family or friend that’s out of town surprise them for their bday, anniversary or just a simple gesture.
My point is, it’s the thought that always counts. We normally save to spend. Why not pay it forward. Use your loose jar cointainer change to send e-gift cards to friends and family especially during the holiday season. Or just cash it in and have a little extra paper in your pocket.
Make sure to send me your feedback or comment under social media (@TheImpfluencer) about this challenge.