Save $1000 (or $185) in 30 Days.

Recently I started reading the blog “I Will Teach You to Be Reach” who recently sponsored a challenge to save $1000 in 30 days. I didn't save anywhere near that amount, but I did record all of the tips and tried to implement many of them. The summary is below, noting which things I actually did and how much I'm thinking I could have saved. The basic idea is that hopefully you can find at least a few things, and hey, maybe you’ll save $100 instead of a $1000. Every bit counts… My calculation: $185 savings. I'll post again on all of the things I didn't do.

Things I Did:



> Packed my lunch for a week. I did this, but beyond this one tip, I would say the underlying idea is to create a system to help reduce food costs at work. Whether you only allow yourself two lunches in the work cafeteria or maybe there’s a set amount per week, it’s easy to exceed what you would budget on these types of expenses because they’re more blind.
($12 savings)

> Sell something on EBAY. Okay, I tried. But it didn’t sell. I think I might stick with good ‘ole Craigslist from now on. Same principle.
($0 savings)

> Create one no-spending day each week. I love this idea. Mine’s going to be each Monday.
($20 savings - probably a generous estimate)

> Buy Generic for Stuff you don’t care about. I do think this is very smart. I already do so with some things, but I know I can go further.
($8 savings)

> Invite People over to one’s house instead of going out (we do this all the time).
($20 savings)

> Use free rewards from credit cards etc (I do already, for holiday gifts!)
($125 savings)