Kayley's Confession
I have a confession to make. I’m terrible when it comes to saving.
There are two types of people in this world – those who can save and those who can’t. I have friends who are great savers and I look on with envy at how they have money that seems to miraculously stay in the bank!
Recently I borrowed money to convert my garage into a granny flat. I had some cash left over so I decided to finally set up that Emergency Fund that everyone advises you do. It lasted about two weeks and then…well….I’m too embarrassed to say what I spent it on.
I work hard and I get paid well but I somehow convince myself that I deserve the extras I buy. So come January 1, 2017 my New Year’s resolution is to save. I asked my friends for ideas and here are their Top 5:
Change in a jar. There are 52 weeks in a year. Start by putting $1 in the first week and $2 the second week and so on. At the end of the year you’ll have $1378! Alternately, put aside $52 in the first week of January, the next week, $51, the week after that, $50…and so on.
Random number challenge. Pick a number, then check your wallet nightly for notes whose serial numbers end in the digit you’ve chosen..take them out and put them in a jar.
Bill yourself. You meet your monthly obligations on schedule, right? Make “savings” a bill, then pay it.
Get a savings buddy. Suggest that a friend or relative join you in the slush-fund goal, then chat or e-mail each week about your progress. You might even make it a challenge, i.e., whoever saves the most has to buy lunch.
Launder your funds. Every time you do a load of wash, put $2 in a jar. Let your family know that any money found in their pockets is now your money.
