Save $10,000

I’ve never had $10,000 in my life. Ever. I’ve always had big goals though – travel the world, build my own house, things like that. There are some more immediate goals that I’d like to see happen, goals that will take money.
My plan is that in the spring or summer of 2011, I’m going to join an overseas archaeological dig. I’ll spend the summer on the dig, and then afterward I’ll head out and backpack my way across Europe. There are many places that I’d like to go, but I’d like to end my trip in Egypt. I know it’ll probably take more than $10,000, but that seems like a good mark to aim toward to at least make the dig part of it possible. ^^
I’m crossing my fingers and hoping that I get a regular job soon. Then I’m going to start putting aside every spare cent. Fingers crossed!

Saved: $11

My motivation? I just keep thinking about the fact that I’ll have to pay my graduate tuition and possibly move away from home (eek!) in less than two years. Obviously I’ll need to have more than $10,000 saved by then, but my goal is to have $10K in my savings by this time next year—October 2010. Hold me to that! =)

Still trying, but can’t seem to move on from this half way mark. Looking into to changing my job for more money.

Im almost at $4000, I aim to get there by my birthday in 3 weeks. Its taken me like a year to get this far…hopefully it wont take another year to get the rest of the way!

Have been very frugal – no extra shopping or purchases and I have now paid off my credit card. I have one other debt- a personal loan and I am now directing extra money into savings and to pay off my loan. I think it will take me another 12 months to get rid of the loan and save 10,000.

Credit card paid off! Despite spending my tax return on a coffee machine. This will however pay for itself as I will not have any more take away coffees. Loving the coffee. Next step is to put some serious savings away. This week $500.

NB: pairing the “get rid of unecessary posessions”/”live simply” goals with this one has made for a great combination this summer. I decided early on to spend only what I made in tips from my restaurant job, and got all of my checks direct-deposited. Getting to the bank is such a hassle that I’ve stuck with it for the duration- I haven’t taken money out of my bank account since May. Kaching! :D

I’m watching my spending this week. That means no coffees, pack some lunch and fruit. No cash out from the atm. No shopping. I don’t think I’ll find this difficult it’s an area where my resolve is strong

I use the pay day planner from simple savings website available here: www.simplesavings.com.au This simple idea works because it allows you to track all incomings and outgoings. I also use it to plan for future expenses like birthdays, christmas, parties and unusual expenses. At a glance I know how much can be saved each week. It is also a record of everything I’ve spent. I check most days to update and plan the next week. I can then tell my husband we have x dollars to spend this week- or this week is tight because a and b are happening so we can’t spend any extra.
It has helped me to reduce my debt together with the debt snowball- find it here- zenhabits.net/2007/03/eliminate-debt-with-the-snowball