What frugal thing have you done lately?

[coosa]

I save all my change too. Gary gave me a handful yesterday. something spilled on it in his van, so I soaked it all and got it clean.
I turn it in once a month and add it to the $20 challenge. So far, I have saved $23,642.00 this year.

[shortcircuit]

Coosa, tell us more about the $20 challenge. I am a saver but I haven't saved $23k in my whole lifetime.

[coosa]

You start with $20 and then you add to that everytime you save any money. For example, I just got back from town. I got two of those one time camera, buy one get one free. So that is $10 I saved for the challenge.
Then I bought Breyers's ice cream, $2 off. So I actually take that $12 and add it to my challenge money.
I do surveys on line and add that in.
I pay myself $1 every time I walk a mile, do twenty flights of stairs, whenever the stock market goes up that day, or the braves win.
I ask for a discount at a builder supply place and they send me a rebate check a few times a year.
sometimes my husband gets a bonus.
I had a garage sale.
Some sell on e bay.
If I eat dinner at home one night (except sunday) I pay myself for staying home.
I pay myself for not using gas all day.

The rules are whatever you want, but it adds up quickly!!

So far, I have not counted the interest on my savings, but I think I should.

[bb]

Coosa, do you actually put the money you "saved" into an account? I can see where it would really add up. I just use the money I save being frugle on something I need.

[coosa]

Yes, I do. I keep it all in a cash box and about once a month, I put it into the bank to earn 4.64% interest locally! I keep track of the actual total on paper. I turn my change into the bank about once a month also and add that to my Challenge money.

[coosa]

BTW, I used my advantage and my Bi Lo card and I add that to my challenge money also. I just round up or down to the nearest dollar.

[shortcircuit]

Now you've got me really curious coosa, 4.64% interest, is that a CD or a savings account? A CD is out of the question for me right now since the economy is a little shaky and I'm afraid to tie up much money.

[coosa]

I am getting that amount at appalachian bank, it was 5.25% . It is a money market account. You can get 4.5% if you open an ING account online and you can open the account for as little as $1. I have a savings account there too.

I also budget $160 for my electric bill and when it is less than that, I add that to my challenge money.

[coosa]

Shortcircuit, I have a free $25 bonus thing for ING but it is ony good til October 31st . They will give you $25 to open an account for any amount. If you are interested, I will meet you somewhere and give it to you. You have to have a local checking account that they can link to. You can do it by phone or on line.

[bb]

Coosa, I was looking for that $25 thingy before... if shortcircuit is not interested, I'll take it!

[shortcircuit]

It's all yours bb, I would like to try to keep what little money I have local if at all possible. Thanks for the offer coosa!

[bb]

Thanks, short! Coosa, what time do you usually get moving around in the morning?

[summerose]

I went to Ace Hardware, but didn't buy anything. lol!

[shortcircuit]

Now that's frugal rose. Try doing the same at wal mart, I betcha you can't do it!

[summerose]

You're right short, that would be impossible! lol!