Does anyone else have trouble saving money……or is it just me? Do you have a money saving plan in place? All my life, saving money has been so out of reach for me……or so I thought! It was always something I dreamed of doing in the future when I make more money!  In my teens, saving wasn’t a priority. I didn’t really think about it much at all. In fact, I spent every dime I made on clothes. Through the years, since I was usually on a tight budget, I didn't think it was possible to save…..especially with all my monthly expenses, and trying to raise 5 children on a part time income. So……ashamedly I admit, I just didn't try to save anything, ‘because I didn't believe I could’.

How many times in our lives do we believe THAT LIE???!!

Today I'm here to tell you that it can be done! You can do ANYTHING you put your mind to. Even if your situation seems hopeless, with a mountain of debt staring you in the face…….you can do it!

If I can……you can too!

My financial situation has been stressful to say the least, since my husband passed away 3 years ago. Raising 5 children and trying to pay down debt on a part time income is challenging.

For several years, I resented my situation and thought things will never get better. I'll always be stuck in this vicious cycle of 'low income' living.

The most frustrating part was knowing in my heart there is MORE for me and my family and having a dream burning inside me of living financially free and owning my own home……but never being able to achieve it.

I'm not sure when it happened or exactly what happened……but one day I found myself kicking that 'stinkin thinkin' out the door.  A determination not to allow my current circumstances to dictate my future began to rise up inside of me.

My Money Saving Plan

It started out as a simple New Years Resolution. I got a large canning jar, and printed this plan that I found on Pinterest. With this particular Money Saving Plan, you save $1 increments each week. Everything is laid out in detail on ‘Life As You Live It’ blog.

My game plan was to follow this 'saving challenge' and at the end of the year I would have roughly $1300. Well……I'm the personality type that never does things half way. When I do things, it's done large and the best possible job I can do.

As I began saving my loonies each week, I decided, heck……  lets just try throwing in  $50/week, then I'll have even more money at the end of the year. ($2600 to be exact)

It went so well, I shocked myself! I was very disciplined and consistent in making sure I withdrew $50 every week to add to my mason jar, and it has definitely paid off. Something I didn't think I could ever do, was done with ease. Somebody hit the easy button!

So when January rolled around the next year. I decided to challenge myself one step further and put $100/wk in the jar for a whopping $5200 at the end of the year! This one has been a bit more challenging, but I'm making it work and again, I'm in shock!!

You Can Do It

All it takes is a little determination and willingness to try. I’m convinced that if we constantly dwell on the negative thoughts that enter our minds, it will cripple us from moving forward in life! All we have to do is take tiny steps toward our dreams & goals to get the ball rolling. Every morning I ask myself: “What small thing can I do today to help me work toward my dreams”. Making a point of doing something every day will  keep you from getting stuck in a pit of hopelessness and despair.

Believe me……If I can do this, you can too. I’m a long way from owning my own home, but that $8000 will be an awesome down payment on a brand new, ‘badly needed’ vehicle! (another dream of mine). I encourage you to take the challenge. Start small, but most importantly……start!

I so excited about this, and I really want to help you succeed. To start you off, I’ve made up some printable Money Saving templates. This has really helped me to stay accountable in my saving journey. Every Friday I cross off the date when I’ve put the money in my jar. Every time my jar reaches $500, I deposit it in a high interest savings account (so I don’t have an abundance of cash sitting around the house)

I’ve made a basic black & white version, and for those who like a bit of color….a colored version.

Each folder contains a Saving Plan for $20, $25, $50, $75, and $100, so you can start low and challenge yourself to save more every year. Just cut it out an tape it on a large canning jar.

Go ahead & grab your copy below.

Get your FREE PDF Saving Plan Here:

I’m so excited to see how this plan works for you! Be sure to let me know your success stories……..and remember YOU CAN DO THIS!

Until next time…..