Little wins count. Sometimes little wins count the most. That’s the premise behind this series, and I really wanted to dig deep to prove it this week.
It took some head scratching. Sure, I realized that I was only going to have to get gas once this month. There have been a few surprise rebates on Ibotta. But I was looking for something really small but impactful.
When I couldn’t find anything, I decided to make something happen instead. We had our annual presentation from the educational group that offers supports to low-income and homeless families in my district. I always participate happily in gift-card drives, fundraisers, and collections.
Then, I realized there was an opportunity to make a difference literal spare change.
They have a round-down program that lets district employees donate the cents from the end of paycheck. I was originally going to donate $0.71 a check (don’t ever tell me again that I don’t share exact numbers with you, dear readers!), but then I learned that donating $1.98 per paycheck would allow them to cover the cost of a counseling session for one of our at-risk kids.
$1.27 extra in my pocket isn’t going to do much for me every two weeks besides maybe fuel the bad soda habit I’m desperate to break again. But the chance to play the smallest of roles in allowing one of our students to get the help they need makes me feel like celebrating.
But it’s Friday, and we need more than one party to officially get the blogosphere to the weekend. So here’s Kris, Revanche, and Aaron with more money wins.
Kris from Chronicles of a Father with Cents
What is your money win?
I received my $100 gift card from Google this month for doing their user experience research. I’ve done this numerous times and it feels great to receive some money for providing my opinion on what could impact a potential product release.
Why are you pumped?
Because doing something like this makes me feel like I contributed to help a company make a decision on something they are considering using. Plus I received a gift card for giving my view of it.
What can others learn from it?
That anyone can get some money outside their W-2 job. If it’s $10, $100, or $1,000, you just have go out there, get that extra income and make the time to do it.
Revanche from A Gai Shan Life
(Penny’s note: I have to get Revanche and her #1GoodMoneyThing on Twitter a plug. If you ever need a quick pick-me-up on social media, give it a click!)
What is your money win?
Got Blinds.com to agree to replace my blinds. They have a satisfaction guarantee but the first customer service rep I talked to refused to do more than send replacement parts and he sent them to the wrong address twice!
Why are you pumped?
We spent a bit extra on retractable blinds when we moved last year but every single set we had seized up and gotten stuck when rolled out. This has caused my hands no end of pain which has terrible effects on my quality of life and I went back via their social media customer service to ask them, with frustration but politely, to please make it right. These weren’t cheap and neither is my lost work time!
What can others learn?
It’s always worth pleading your case, more than once if need be to someone else, to get what you need.
Aaron from Personal Finance for Beginners
What is your money win?
My most recent win is saving money by waking up earlier. This new cornerstone habit has allowed me to start riding public transit to work, eat breakfast and prepare lunch/snacks before I leave for the office (a big savings win compared to eating out), and set aside time each day to work on my side hustle.
Why are you pumped?
There are financial benefits. I’ve also noticed benefits in my health and mood.
What can others learn from it?
I’ve tried waking up early many times before, but it wasn’t until I started noticing all of these little opportunities/rewards that the habit really stuck. You can enjoy the same benefits! I’d recommend setting a reasonable goal, developing a robust routine, and staying consistent (including weekends, if you can!).
Final Thoughts on Money Wins
If this week’s wins aren’t a reminder that we all have so many opportunities to make little optimizations, I’m not sure what is. Whether it’s finding ways to earn more for things you already do or ways to question or even change the current status of things, there are wins to be had. Make them and celebrate them.
If you missed any of the past money wins, check them out here:
Volume 1 – Kate, Revanche, Melody
Volume 2 – Jody, Aitza, Little Miss Fire
Volume 4 – Zero, Kat, Mystery Money Man
Volume 5 – Anna, Debra, Claudia
Volume 6 – Kate, Are We Adults Yet, Money Saved is Money Earned
Volume 7 – Leigh, $76K Project, Josh
Volume 8 – Jill, Verokina, Mr. Green
Volume 9 – Budget Epicurean, Felicity, Erin
If you’d like to join the money win party, drop me a line at shepicksuppennies (at) gmail (dot) com with your answers to the three questions. Whether you are a blogger or a reader or both, you are welcome to party here!
This has to be one of my favorite reads each week. It doesnt always have to be huge to be a money win and kudos to you for the extra $1.27 to make sure a student can get councelling.
This comment means so much to me, Jo-Anne! Thank you for reading. I appreciate you <3
Thanks for the feature Penny! That spare change your donating may help you prevent getting your soda fix. I’ve cut down heavily on soda and mainly drink water, sports drink after a run and milk(for my cereal).
Happy to have you, Kris! I kicked Diet Coke a while ago, and I totally (and embarrassingly) slid back to it. Here’s hoping!
This was an exciting money win.. when my husband stopped to get gas, he bought a scratch-off and won $800!! Woohoo. Into the savings account it went.
Our savings account took a bit of hit in December – we contributed $3000 to a car purchase for my son (2005 honda civic with only 65,000 miles – literally an old lady’s car).. and (sadly) we contributed $3,500 to help with a family member’s cremation expenses. 🙁 There’s a reason I was glad for an emergency fund.
Having that e-fund is another win! I’m sorry for your loss 🙁