Summer might be winding down, but money wins are still going strong.
As far as us personally, we are celebrating a huge debt payoff milestone, but the personal money win that I want to celebrate today is actually a lot less flashy.
My husband and I sat down and brainstormed some of the different things that we wanted to do as a family this fall and winter. We know we’d like to attend a carnival and go apple picking in autumn. We’re also aiming to head to New Orleans later in the winter.
Thanks to some seriously focused decluttering, we’ve actually managed to scrimp together over $100 — more than enough to cover our fall events. As for the winter trip? I might have to sell an organ to cover the amount of beignets I intend to eat. But we’re working on it!
Since not everyone is as focused on fried food as I am, I’ve rounded up four very different and very impressive money wins.
Take it away, Diana, Brian, Matthew, and Bettysonly!
Diana
What is your money win?
I scored a free chest freezer (OK, we offered some garden tomatoes as a thank you)! A coworker was getting rid of her chest freezer right as my excess garden tomatoes started to come ripe! Win-win.
Why are you pumped?
Freezing excess summer vegetables will allow us to enjoy the spoils of our local farm and garden in the winter. It’s healthy and will allow us to save even more money in the future. My coworker even let me borrow her truck to transport the new (to us) appliance to our home. Hooray!
What can others learn from it?
I was raised by a very strong, independent-minded mother who was awesome, but I think it contributed to the fact that her main way of solving problems was to purchase a good or service.
I think a lot of middle class Americans confuse rugged individualism with the way it’s been marketed to us for the last 5-6 decades (be different, buy our product; you work hard, so should this product, etc.). Building an authentic community of relationships allows people to obtain and recycle consumer goods outside of the confines of consumerist culture. Needs are better met through community than through commerce. This is vital for our planet and saves everyone money.
Don’t be afraid to talk about finances and needs, such as the things you are getting rid of and the things you need within your community. Make it OK to talk about finances and frugality. Also, patience is often rewarded. I’ve had “chest freezer” on my want to buy list for MONTHS. Waiting rewarded that patience.
Brian from SparkRental
What is your money win?
My wife and I are going from one shared car to car-less.
Why are you pumped?
The average car in the US costs $8,849 every single year to own and maintain, according to AAA . We’d already been saving a lot of money by sharing one car, but we’re moving to a new home where we can each bike to work. We live overseas and actually get free housing through my wife’s school, which makes the savings all the sweeter.
What can others learn from it?
Most Americans just default to the idea of “every adult needs a car” without questioning it. Brainstorm ways you could get around by walking, biking, carpooling, ride-sharing, car-sharing, or public transportation, and save an average of nearly $9,000 a year by getting rid of a car.
Matthew
What is your money win?
Learning to save and invest from my mother at a young age.
Why are you pumped?
I am pumped because I believe my mother’s advice has helped me stay away from large amounts of debt. Ever since I got my first job at 15, my mother started telling me to put some of my earnings into a bank account and not spend it all at once.
At the age of 19, she spoke to me and mentioned that I should start investing in a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (I’m Canadian so an account similar to a 401K). After, I went down to the bank and opened an account.
Following this advice from my mother has helped me avoid getting into a large amount of debt. The only debt that I have gone into over the years is when I’ve purchased a vehicle or borrowed from my parents to invest in my retirement accounts.
By saving and putting money aside from every paycheque I received, I was able to pay for college in cash ($10,600). Following this advice set me up to be successful when it comes to my finances, and I will continue to pay myself first going forward.
What can others learn from it?
People can learn that if you pay yourself first you are going to be successful. Future you will thank you!
Bettysonly
What is your money win?
Rented out little house, stopped eating out, upped monthly deposit to Vanguard, opened up Fidelity account.
Why are you pumped?
It’s time to get things rolling and get off this hamster wheel.
What can others learn from it?
Anything worth having is worth waiting for. Take your time and make positive money choices.
Final Thoughts on Money Wins
Money wins come in all shapes and sizes. If you haven’t hit a huge money milestone recently, that doesn’t mean you don’t have reason to celebrate. It all matters. They’re all steps on a journey that is rarely ever a straight line.
These particular money wins are a great reminder of something else: take action. There are money decisions to be made every day. Maybe it’s deciding to ditch a car like Brian, or perhaps you borrow or Freecycle an item, as opposed to purchasing it, like Diana.
Matthew and Bettysonly both shared excellent reminders that it’s never too late to learn about money and put a money move into place.
If you’d like to join the money win party, fill out this survey. Whether you are a blogger or a reader or both, you are welcome to party here!
Also, don’t miss any of our past money wins:
- Volume 1 – Kate, Revanche, Melody
- Volume 2 – Jody, Aitza, Little Miss Fire
- Volume 3 – Sarah, Kathy, Tara
- 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
- Volume 10 – Kris, Revanche, Aaron
- Volume 11 – My Plutus Nod & Jo-Anne
- Volume 12 – Amanda, Kudy, Laura
- Volume 13 – Kate, Rich, Emily
- Volume 14 – Cait, Margot, Mr. Flexcents
- Volume 15 – Kate, Salty Old Lady, Dave
- Volume 16 – Saving4XtraRice, Perpetual Money Machine, Zandile
- Volume 17 – Rachel, Cashflow Cop, Kris
- Volume 18 – Gigi, One Frugal Girl, Barnaby King
- Volume 19 – Educator FI, Financial Pilgrimage, Alberto, Hailey
- Volume 20 – Daniella, Debt Ascent, Tawnya, Dollar Revolution
So Tell Me…How are you winning with money lately? Drop a comment or fill out this survey.
I love reading these Money Wins! Finally going to submit ours.
Keep em comin!!
-Chris
Oh, I’m so glad! Thanks, Chris!