The Daily Money Saving Challenge

jeffrey · #1 (**permalink**) 07-29-2004, 07:23 AM

This forum is for members of the Daily Money Saving Challenge Program to discuss. comment on, ask questions about, expand upon or just express their thoughts on the challenges as they come.

lgarcia · #2 (**permalink**) 08-01-2004, 07:26 AM

I just have to say how wonderful it felt to be proactive in saving money! Yes, I read ALL the tips but rarely put them into action. Today, though, was different as my PayPal claim is in its envelope, addressed and stamped and ready to go out in the mail tomorrow.

If I accomplish nothing else today, the feeling of accomplishment I have right now is worth it!

Thanks Jeffrey,

Laura

jeffrey · #3 (**permalink**) 08-01-2004, 08:40 AM

Laura,

I truly appreciate the kind words. That is the plan. Each day take 10 minutes and put another money saving device into action. If we can baby step it day by day, we will be on top of a mountain by next summer and you will be shaking you head at how much you were able to save. I'm happy to have you along for the ride

linniec · #4 (**permalink**) 08-02-2004, 05:56 PM

The Money Saving Challenge is a great wake-up call for us penny-wise but..... sorts.
Money (capital MONEY) has always brought my mind to a screeching wreck. These baby steps tasks are so important in converting us timid sorts.

jeffrey · #5 (**permalink**) 08-02-2004, 06:27 PM

linniec,

The entire concept came about because of what you just said. I was talking with a few members of the site and they said that the site had a lot of great information, but they would get overwhelmed with it all and end up not doing much with it.

As we talked more, what they said would be nice is if all the tips would could be broken down into tasks that would take about 10 minutes to do and then just have one to do a day. That is how the Money Saving Challenge was born.

My goal is to make it so you are saving the money and you don't even notice the changes occurring. Feedback is always appreciates and suggestions on what can be improved is highly sought. Of course, if you find it useful and helpful and you know of other friends or family that could benefit from it, please forward it along to them. I want to bring along as many people as possible that would like to take the baby steps with us.

jsjjwalk · #6 (**permalink**) 08-06-2004, 06:12 AM

I absolutely love these challenges. I really think these are goals that are achievable. Is there ANY way you would consider continuing them? Please?!?

jeffrey · #7 (**permalink**) 08-06-2004, 07:03 AM

jsjjwalk,

I am very happy that you have found the challenges helpful, and most of all, doable. That is one of the areas I am focusing my attention on quite a bit with these: to break down the money saving aspect so that it can be done in a short period of time each day.

If you tried to do all these money saving ideas at once, they would be overwhelming. I think that is a big reason that a lot of people don't save more...just the thought of doing it overwhelms them. That, and the image that they will have to completely change their lifestyle and "give up" the things they like. By breaking it down into these daily challenges, the changes occur so slightly that on a daily basis you should hardly notice the changes.

My ultimate goal is to lay out a full year of the Daily Challenges. I do have 2 months already mapped out, so they will be continuing for the foreseeable future.

My one request is that you help spread the word to your family and friends about this program. I'm hoping that this Daily Challenge can break out beyond those already motivated to save money to those who are really in need of this information. I think even the most skeptical people will see after a week that significant savings can be achieved in 10 minutes a day if they try it.

I have certainly rambled on far more than I should have

As long as you continue to give me the 10 minutes a day, I will make sure that you save money!

sdc2027 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-06-2004, 02:40 PM

Hidee ho good neighbor,
Wanted to let you know I haven't received any challenges/ email from savingadvice.com after the first 2 were sent out.

Thanks
D

jeffrey · #9 (**permalink**) 08-09-2004, 03:37 AM

I have Nate looking into what it might be. Please make sure that the newsletter isn't accidently getting placed in your junk mail box and that you have the Daily Money Saving boxed checked. I'll let you know what Nate can find out if those aren't the problems...

sdc2027 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-09-2004, 09:37 AM

Thank you- Corrections have been made on my part.

PDJ · #11 (**permalink**) 08-11-2004, 07:46 AM

I am a newbie to this site and since August 1, the saving challenges have be wonderful and I am actively taking part. I just lowered my water heater temps to 120 degrees and put a note up to move it back up for the winter. Also, I loved the Christmas in August tip which was shared with friends who thought it was a GREAT idea.

I can't remember how I found this site but so glad I did,
PDJ

jeffrey · #12 (**permalink**) 08-11-2004, 08:02 AM

PDJ,

Welcome to our little corner of the Internet and I'm happy to hear that the Saving Challenges have been helpful for you. It's always a pleasure to receive such comments.

I was especially glad to hear that you passed the ideas onto friends. The entire goal is to show as many people as possible that saving money isn't near as difficult as they think when broken down into small steps. In order to do that, I have to create challenges that all of you feel are helpful enough to pass along to your friends and family. I am happy that I was able to achieve that with the last couple of challenges and hope to continue it for the entire year.

I am certainly happy to have you along for the ride

PDJ · #13 (**permalink**) 08-12-2004, 08:16 AM

Jeffrey, thank you for the very warm welcome. Today's challeng of *Test Read Books* was so right on time because we have a book club and I find myself purchasing books, not liking a few, and thus have wasted $$.

Again, this is one challenge that will be shared with my book club to test read books then decide if they are worth purchasing and adding to one's personal library.

I LOVE this tip, too. Keep them coming...
Pamela

jeffrey · #14 (**permalink**) 08-12-2004, 09:53 AM

Pamela,

Great to hear that another challenge proved to be helpful. You're putting pressure on with comments like that

Actually, it is wonderful to know that the challenges are helping since it motivates me that much more.

I will try to continue to find challenges that are useful and hopefully even improve on what we are currently doing. Now all I need is 30 hours in a day

Caima · #15 (**permalink**) 08-13-2004, 06:32 AM

Jeffrey,
I loved today's challenge! Now I wonder if you or any of your readers has any idea how much money we are wasting by NOT turning off the computer screen?
Thanks!
Mara

jeffrey · #16 (**permalink**) 08-13-2004, 07:46 AM

Mara,

I'm glad to hear that another challenge was useful.

It's funny that you asked about the computer screen...it is actually one of the challenges that I have coming up in the next month. The amount of money wasted depends a lot on how much you use your computer, but ranges from approximately $8 to $50 a year just for leaving your computer screen on when you are not using it.

Caima · #17 (**permalink**) 08-23-2004, 07:26 AM

Hi! It's me again!
This time I would like to know when and if I should ever drive my automatic transmission car with overdrive on. I'm not sure what it is for to be honest, but the book says to leave it on.
Thanks again!
Mara

jeffrey · #18 (**permalink**) 08-23-2004, 08:20 AM

Mara,

I'm not an expert on cars, but some quick research say yes, you want to leave your car's overdrive one. Basically, it's like an extra gear. It slows engine speed which saves fuel and reduces engine wear. Using it will increases your engine’s overall efficiency and will result in the better fuel economy.

boxxies · #19 (**permalink**) 08-25-2004, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffrey

Mara,

I'm glad to hear that another challenge was useful.

It's funny that you asked about the computer screen...it is actually one of the challenges that I have coming up in the next month. The amount of money wasted depends a lot on how much you use your computer, but ranges from approximately $8 to $50 a year just for leaving your computer screen on when you are not using it.

Jeff,

I was told that I SHOULD leave my computer on, that the amount
of money saved if turned off was very small.
Now, I need to know if it means the tower itself or just the monitor?

thanks,
boxxies

jeffrey · #20 (**permalink**) 08-25-2004, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxxies

Jeff,

I was told that I SHOULD leave my computer on, that the amount
of money saved if turned off was very small.
Now, I need to know if it means the tower itself or just the monitor?

thanks,
boxxies

The computer screen is the part of the computer that wastes the most energy, although it is more energy efficient to turn off your computer if you are not using it for an hour or more. Most of the energy programs trying to get companies to reduce computer energy use focus on the monitors because putting them into sleep mode doesn't cause problems with the networks while putting the actual computer on sleep mode does in some instances. The general rule is you should have your computer screen set to go into sleep mode (not screen saver mode which doesn't reduce any energy) if you are not using it for 10 minutes or longer while you should turn off your computer if you are going to be away for an hour or more.

Here is a little FLASH video (no sound) made about it for Tufts university: Tufts Climate Initiative