I started the 52-Week Mega Savings Challenge in March 2014, 10 weeks into the year. So I set a goal for 2014 to save $5,000 and finish up the Challenge in 2015. I am happy to say that as of year-end I met and exceeded my $5,000 goal!
The biggest factor was the excess I had in Chase Rewards; I planned on $600 and ended up with just over $800, so I put that extra toward the Challenge. I also had a refund on an entry fee, some side gig income, and spent enough on movies/concessions (all on gift cards)to earn a $10 bonus on my AMC Stubs card.
52-Week Mega Savings Challenge
Week 52 (started late, now on my week 41)
Snowflakes
Freedom Card Rounding - $29.37
Refund - $29.00
Movie Rewards - $10.00
Chase Rewards - $206.19
Side Gig - $85.17
Total Snowflakes: $359.73
Rounding (from reserve): $0.27
Beginning Balance: $4915
Deposit: $360
Ending Balance: $5275
Reserve: $1.86 - $0.27 = $1.59
This puts me at not quite 77% of the Mega challenge, with $1,615 left to finish it. That's a rather aggressive average of $161.50 per week, but I do have a decent sized invoice out for one my side gigs, and am coming up on S's year-end commission (which is paid at the end of January or mid-February) and my overtime season. While I don't technically consider those snowflakes, I'll use them if I need to! (I also got a $500 bonus that I've set aside for some personal 'wants', but if I don't use all of it I'll allocate what's left to the Challenge.)
52-Week Mega Savings Challenge Update - 2014 Goal Met!
January 2nd, 2015 at 06:08 pm
January 2nd, 2015 at 06:19 pm 1420222752
January 2nd, 2015 at 06:28 pm 1420223315
January 2nd, 2015 at 08:54 pm 1420232089
January 3rd, 2015 at 02:44 pm 1420296283