Instead of saving all the small amounts at the beginning of the year and the larger amounts in December, I decided to mix it up and instead of saving the amounts in order, I saved various amounts throughout the year. This meant that I didn't have to save all the larger amounts in December when it's an expensive time of year.
I had a lot of help from Mick with this challenge. Now that I'm not working, there are many days when I don't visit any shops and I don't get much change in my purse, so Mick took on the responsibility of making sure that something was saved each day and crossing off the amount on the charts I printed out.
He did a great job as we've ended up with the £667.95 which we should have ended up with at the end of this challenge.
Some of this money will take us on a little trip to see Daniel. He lives down in Surrey now, over 200 miles away from us here in Leeds. Last year, we went to see him in March but then I didn't see him again until Christmas, over nine months later. Mick did see him between those times as he was working down that way so managed to meet up with him for a catch up, but I don't want to leave it so long until I see him again. We booked a hotel last time for Mick and I, Daniel and his girlfriend and I wrote about it in my Visiting The Offspring post. It would be nice to do something similar again so these savings will come in very handy for that.
I'm not going to do this same challenge again this year but if you fancy doing it, there's some free printables on the Skint Dad website.
All the coins have now been bagged up and taken to the bank, afterall, I might as well be earning a bit of interest on what I've saved.
Wow! That's such a good way of saving the pennies. Someone mentioned this way of saving just the other day and I remembered how you had mixed up the amounts instead. Enjoy spending it. X
ReplyDeleteIt made it easier to mix the amounts up instead of saving in order. We didn't miss the small amounts each day and it's added up to a great amount.
DeleteI commend you on keeping this up all year, I'm sure I would have fallen by the wayside.
ReplyDeleteI bet thats a job counting it all up, lol
Briony
x
I'm quite surprised that we managed to keep up with it but I'm glad we did. I enjoyed counting it all up, though it weighed quite a lot.
Deletewow! Good on you - well done. I'm feeling kinda funny not contributing a cent to the household now having quit my job and starting fulltime university in just over two weeks. Fees are around $NZ13K too, so it'll be a hit to the bank balance. I'm going to try and stop spending so much, plus keep a tally of my weekly spending, but a teachers wage (high to me, but considered low) in a years time will be fab!
ReplyDeleteI felt the same when I stopped working, it's been eight years though now and I've got used to it. We've definitely changed the way we shop, spend and save since then but I think we're better off for it now.
DeleteI hope there were no old pound coins in there. We change our loose change at locals shops so it would be a problem there. Hopefully not with the bank. It's amazing how it mounts up isn't it?
ReplyDeleteThere were lots of old pound coins in there but I paid them into the bank without any problem. I can't believe how these small amounts add up into such a good amount.
DeleteWell done on completing this challenge! I admit I did start but but failed big time so swapped over to a weekly amount into a sealed tin. It came in very handy at Christmas. My middle son moved to your part of the country just before Christmas (his girlfriend is from Leeds originally and wanted to be near her mum). They're renting in Idle just outside Leeds. He just needs a job now - he took the opportunity to move when he was made redundant from his job in Nottingham in December - took the money and ran! Although he has a degree in English, he's decided he now wants something completely different to his previous work - something outside is what he's after.
ReplyDeleteI don't think this challenge is for everyone, I would have definitely failed if it wasn't for Mick. I hope your son finds a job soon, Daniel's moved down to Surrey to get the job he wants, though he's not very happy as he's seventy miles away from his girlfriend so they only manage to see each other on weekends, he's hoping he can find something else so that they can get a house together at some point this year.
DeleteWell done, that's an impressive amount.
ReplyDeleteI hope that Archie is feeling better. xx
It's going to be fun spending it. Archie's still not 100% but he's much better now, thank you for asking.
DeleteThat's fantastic, well done! I'd lack the discipline and change is a scarce with breakfast club and school lunch money on many days. Happy New Year! x
ReplyDeleteYou do have to keep up with it, it's so easy to fall behind. I remember always scrabbling around for change when my two were at school so I can see how this challenge would be quite hard for those with school age children. Thank you, happy new year to you too.
DeleteNice amount saved with a great plan to use it.
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to having a weekend down south visiting Daniel, he couldn't stay very long at Christmas as he had to be back at work so it will be lovely to see him again soon.
DeleteThat's an amazing amount to save in such a painless way.
ReplyDeleteIt really adds up. It's amazing how much can be saved from small amounts.
DeleteSuch a great way to save and such a good idea to mix up the amounts so that the larger amounts are not all in December. We are doing the traditional change pot for some extras at Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI've been saving change in a pot for many years now, though there wasn't quite as much in there this time with having this challenge running too. It's a good way to save up for a few treats.
DeleteVery impressive! I'm not sure I could be that disciplined but I do save £1 in a piggy every time I finish a book. This is opened on Christmas eve and buys a take away meal. It tastes better when it feels free!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. There's some wonderful savings schemes, I'm not sure what I'll do this year.
DeleteOh brilliant, well done, it certainly adds up and what a lovely way to spend the proceeds. I did this challenge in 2016 for Rebecca´s wedding in the September, so I did miss the most expensive days, although I did sneak a few handfuls of extras in. At the reception I had a bit of fun by putting it all in a jar and explaining what I had done and giving the nearest correct guess a bottle of bubbly. Considering I threw extra in two came extremely close. xcx
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased that we managed to keep it going right to the end. It's a good way to save up for something special, like a wedding. I like your idea of having a little game with the guests.
DeleteWell done! A new years promise that was actually followed through with - I don't think there are too many of those nowadays - congrats on meeting your goal! And a very Happy New Year to you and your family, Jo!
ReplyDeleteI must admit that I shy away from new year resolutions but I do often set myself a few fun challenges. Thank you, wishing you and your family all the very best for 2018.
DeleteWell done for sticking with the scheme, it was worth it to see it all piled up there. Enjoy your trip.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly looks a lot when it's in change. I can't think of anything better to spend it on than visiting Daniel, we had such a lovely time the last time we took a trip to see him, I'm really looking forward to it.
DeleteWell done, Jo - and Mick! That's a lot of dosh and a great way to spend it too! :o)
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed at how these small amounts add up, it's certainly worth doing and I shall enjoy spending it on a trip to see Daniel.
DeleteWell done on keeping up with the challenge! I haven't opened my other two savings pots yet, one will be towards getting the drive done later in the year so will carry on with that for a while.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great get-away with your 'free' money :-)
I had a sealed tin which I opened a while ago as it had some old style notes in it and also old £1 coins, I'd have carried on with it otherwise. I shall definitely enjoy spending this money.
DeleteWhat a fab way to save. I've started putting all change into a pot and I regularly pop it in the bank, it adds up quite quickly.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy spending it!
I've kept a change pot for a lot of years now but this way of saving is more regimented, I'm not sure I'd do it this way again but the amount saved is great.
DeleteHope the money buys lots of happy times for you this year- enjoy!
ReplyDeleteJust so long as it gets me to see Daniel again soon I'll be very happy.
DeleteI love this, Jo. A lesson on the power of good habits and small deeds.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
It is indeed. It's amazing how small things add up to something worthwhile.
DeleteWell done, that really is a good amount to save.
ReplyDeleteI think your idea to spend it on a trip to see Daniel is excellent.
All the best Jan
It's definitely been worth persevering with, it's good to know that there's money set aside for our trip to see Daniel.
DeleteWell done on that challenge & hope it does go towards visiting Daniel. I'm on a bit of a blog catch up at the moment, so take care & huggles.
ReplyDeleteIt'll definitely go on a trip to see Daniel. We went to see him in March last year so we'll probably go around the same time again.
DeleteThat is a considerable sum! What a lovely use for it too.xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to getting something booked now that I've got the money for it. It will pay for a lovely weekend away.
DeleteWell done on the savings! Wow that is a terrific plan for the yearn and now you can use it to see your boy, that is perfect.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely being put to good use, I can't wait for my weekend away to see Daniel.
DeleteCongratulations, Jo. Your trip to see your son will be even more meaningful when you consider how you saved for it. Happy New Year! P. x
ReplyDeleteIt was a great way to save, those pennies soon turned into pounds and there's enough there now to take a trip to see Daniel and have a bit left over. Thank you, happy new year to you too.
DeleteWow, that is amazing. Well done for saving all this money. You should be so proud.
ReplyDeleteIt was a struggle sometimes to remember to put money in the jar every single day, but definitely worth it in the end.
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