So Far Away

So for awhile I have been thinking about family. Two weeks ago we spent Saturday afternoon at Ondrej's dads house. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't home. Then the next weekend was Mother's Day, which Ondrej still hasn't caught on that he should do something nice for me. I talked to Mom and she told me that she was going to Lisa's for lunch. It made me wish I were there to hang out. I miss spending time with you all and wish that I could just drop by and hang out, go to dinner together, or just let the kids run wild together. Hopefully we will be there soon! In the meantime if anyone wants to visit Prague we would love to have you. Love you all!

Challenge: Give it up

Well, I am not sure if I have any followers still, but I will post nonetheless. It seems the changing bills might have been a tough one.

Well todays challenge is a little more simple. I eat a bowl of ice cream nearly every night. When ty eats it with me we go through about a gallon a week. That is 6$ of ice cream a week, and $312 a year (not to mention the poundage it putting on us).

So today I would like you to choose your "ice cream" and give it up for the day. That extra thing that you buy to munch on at night while you watch a show or sitting at the computer. If you are perfect and don't munch...good job, points granted.

5 points.

Challenge: Make a change!

Okay, hopefully you successfully wrote down all those bills! Now one to the saving part of that challenge.

I want you to go through each bill trying to find a way to lower it. I realize that some of your fixed costs are exactly that, fixed. However, there are also changes that could be made to some I am sure. This is first to make sure you are aware of everything you are being charged for. Second, it is to shave off any extras that you might not need, i.e. a text message plan if you don't text, internet on the phone that you might not need, a bigger garbage can (maybe this is just CA), all the added home phone features, 200 of the 800 channels you have (I know, if you want any good ones you have to have 800, but maybe all you want is packaged with 600 instead), I could go on and on. So take a good, hard look and see if there is anything you can save on.

As times get tough, wouldn't you rather cut the small stuff to help save the big stuff?? (Or in our case to save FOR the big stuff :))

Here is your incentive:
Checking all your bills: 10 points
Every bill you lower (by any amount): 25 points-EACH!!!!

Now for some inspiration people:

Recently, I heard a talk about debt. It was very good. One of the main points reminded me of our game. It was mentioned that debt comes by acquiring possessions. Our control over that comes down to Pride vs. Humility.

Just something to think about.

Challenge: Bills, Bills, Bills

This week I want you all to get out those bills...all of them. Take a sheet of paper and divide it into two sections: fixed costs and non-fixed costs.

Here is what we're going to do:
Go through each bill and see what you are spending on all of your monthly fixed costs (meaning costs that you MUST have each month -- insurance, utilities, rent/mortgage). Think of it as things that are a need vs. things that are a want Note that some "fixed" costs are only fixed in the short term and can be adjusted or lowered over time. List all of these under fixed costs. This section will score you 10 points.

Next do the same with the rest of your non-fixed costs (pretty much everything else). This will score you another 10 points!

IMPORTANT: SAVE THIS LIST FOR THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGE!!!!!

Challenge: Speed

Today isn't just about saving money now, but also avoiding a big expense.

Slow down folks! Obey the speed limit over the weekend. The speed limit is set at an optimal speed for saving fuel (on the freeway). Therefore when we obey the speed limit we are saving fuel and therefore saving moola! And we all know it would cost us an extra pretty penny if we got caught going too fast.

So lets slow down and save!

Points:
If you legitimately try and slow down when you notice you are speeding you can get 5 points for the weekend!

Challenge: To the DARK AGES

So to our Dark Ages bright idea challenge.
Here you go:
Keep a light off today. Of all the lights you use in your home everyday, pick one designated light and keep it off ALL DAY.
But wait, THERE'S MORE! The more lights you choose to keep off all day, the more points you will earn.
Here's the breakdown:
1 light off all day=5 points
2 lights off all day=10 points
3 lights off all day=15 points
There's the possibility of 15 points next to your name should you keep 3 lights o-double-f ALL DAY!
HINT: Put some tape on them if needs be. Good Luck!

Challenge: Name Brand-Shame Brand

Okay, I need some reports on last weeks challenges, or are you all out of the game already?

On to our next challenge:

Get your shopping list ready. This week when you go to the grocery store, leave the name brand on the shelf and go for the cheap stuff. I saw on CNN last week that you can usually save 30% by purchasing non-name brand items. Think of what you spend on grocery for the year and take off 30%...that is some serious savings.

I realize that there may be some name brand stuff you won't bundge on...pathetic...so you have one freebie. You may only buy one item with a name brand. This, my friends, will earn you 5 points.

Be sure to check back more frequently this week so you can stay up on the challenges.