Raise your hand if you know you should have more in your savings account.
Don’t worry, you’re not the only one.
Bankrate earlier reported that over 75% of Americans don’t have enough cash savings to cover their expenses for 6 months.
27% don’t have any savings at all!!
#ouch
Before I got married, I had very little cash. I was (and still am) a spender.
After my wife and I tied the knot I think we maybe had a whopping $500 cash in the bank.
While I was deployed to Iraq we made a conscious goal to boost our savings. Our 1st goal was $1,000 inspired by Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps.
Our goal gradually increased where we eventually amassed up to 12 months of our expenses in cash.
Why Cash?
Many people don’t see the importance of having so much cash on hand. In my book, I talk about having a FRAGO (Financial Reserves and Goal Obligation) fund.
Because having cash on hand doesn’t just protect you from emergencies, it helps you achieve short-term and long-term goals.
When we built our dream home and I took a risk in starting my own firm, there’s no way we could have pulled it off had we not been diligent with our savings.
That didn’t happen over night. It all started small when I was deployed.
Feel like you don’t have the extra cash to save? Check out our post on ways to make extra money, including becoming an Uber driver, which is nice because with this extra side hustle you can create your own schedule according to your flexibility and in turn, have extra cash to save towards your goal!
Starting Small – The 52 Week Plan to Boost Your Savings
I can’t take credit for this concept. In fact, I’m not even sure who came up with it. All I know is that I’ve seen the 52 Week Savings chart everywhere.
How does the 52 week challenge work? It’s so freaking simple which makes it that much more awesome.
The 1st week you deposit $1 into your best savings account. The 2nd week you deposit $2 into your savings account. The 3rd week you deposit $3.
You get the picture?
By the 52th week after you deposit $52 you’ll have accumulated $1,378. And that’s not including interest!
If you have struggled having cash in your savings account, this challenge is for you!
But in case that isn’t much of an incentive to start saving, what if I offered you real cash?
That’s right: Cash Money!
Do I have your attention now?
If so, read on….
Double Your Savings Account
The wife and I are excited about getting people to really start saving. My deployment to Iraq was the catalyst that got our saving rolling.
We’re hoping this challenge is your catalyst. And for those that make the entire 52 weeks we want to reward one lucky person with an awesome prize.
We want to double what you’ve saved and match your $1,378.
That’s right. One super lucky person that personally saves $1,378 will be awarded the same amount.
Now are you inspired to save? WE hope so! 🙂
Want to know how excited we are?
This excited:
So excited that we took a selfie holding a piggy bank minutes before we were rushing to get our kids off to school. 🙂
Rules of the Competition
First, you’re more than welcome to take on this challenge without following the below steps. BUT….if you want to be eligible for the prize pool, this is how it will go down:
- Step 1: Leave a comment below announcing you’ve joined the challenge.
- Step 2: Open a *FREE* brand new savings account with Capital One 360 (affiliate link).
- Step 3: Coordinate with your current bank to facilitate the weekly transfers
- Step 4: Winners must provide confirmation email showing the new account opened and a screenshot of the balance in their account after the 52 weeks
Updated:
(Note: we realize that people could take advantage of this situation and make it look like they completed the challenge. For that, we reserve the right to disqualify anyone that we feel is being dishonest. We may ask for additional info to verify you did complete the challenge. Thanks for reader Anthony for suggesting that we add this).
That’s it! Taking on this challenge will finally get your savings account to a level it’s never been AND you have a chance to double it.
All for taking action right now.
A few questions you might have.
Why Capital One 360? There are several online savings account you can choose from. We just think they are one of the best. It’ s free to setup and super easy to open. Open an account today and see how easy it is.
Why does it have to be a new account? We want this account to be separate from any other savings account you have so your less tempted to touch. How many times have you started a savings account only to raid it for some purchase? This will hopefully prevent that.
Can anyone sign up? Not quite. You have to be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. Resident.
When’s the deadline to sign up? You have until January 31, 2014 to get started. You have plenty of time BUT don’t procrastinate!!
Want This Free Download?
I created this slick looking PDF to keep you inspired for the 52 Week Challenge.
Download the Free Worksheet and you’ll also get access to a ton of other free resources I’ve created directly for the GF¢ community.
Share the love?
Inspire your friends, co-workers and family members to join this challenge with you.
I’ve joined the 52 Week Savings Challenge at GoodFinancialCents via @jjeffrose & @houseofrose Click HERE to Tweet
Make this YOUR year that you get your savings on track!
I just knew deep down in my soul I was going to win this but completely forgot to do the screen shot thing. I still wanted to thank you for the encouragement to do this. It really have been able to get into the habit of saving!
Whats up with this Jeff? Have you chosen a winner? Does everyone that participated need to send in verification before you pick a winner?
Congratulations to Heather! And thanks to Jeff and GFC for the inspiration. For the first time in a many years, my family did not incur any new debt in 2014 to be carried over into 2015. A big part of that was due to the money I saved during the challenge. Santa’s service fees will be paid off this month!!. Woot!! Good luck to everyone in 2015!
Congrats to Heather B. for winning the 52 Week Money Savings Challenge.
Great job on everyone that took part and finished. If you didn’t finish, don’t stress! 2015 is your year. 🙂
Hey Jeff! Thanks for motivating us all to save. So great to see the money add up week after week – and now use some of it for an earmarked vacation. Can’t wait to do the challenge in 2015 as well! Has a winner been announced yet? Thanks!!
I took part in the challenge this year and can I say how excited I am to have saved over $1,300 rather effortlessly! Has the winner of this year’s challenge been announced yet? Will there be another challenge in 2015? I am planning to save again regardless, but may do it backwards this year (to make the challenge get easier as the year goes along and to take advantage of increased interest).
Super excited to see who the winner is!
I’ve completed the challenge as well. Where do I send the screenshots confirming participation?
Such a great program and am definitely doing it again in 2015!
Thanks Jeff!
@ Nicole we’re picking the winner this week and then verifying if they completed the challenge. We’ll announce soon who the lucky person is! 🙂
Thanks for the update Jeff! Is it safe to say, that if we haven’t been contacted for verification, then we haven’t been chosen as the winner?
@Ted As of right now. I’ve contacted the winner but they’ve yet to respond. If I don’t hear from them soon we’ll then contact another winner at random. So there’s still a chance! 🙂
Hi Jeff, checking in on this contest again…maybe you could post the winner’s first name in case your email to them got filtered out somehow?
I started saving anew in 2015 – what a great idea. Thank you!
Hi Jeff, we did it! We actually decided to double down and do it with my wife’s income and my own!! Where do we send our PDF proof of the 52-weeks of savings that we have accomplished? Thanks so much for this idea and encouragement. We’re definitely going to continue with the program in 2015.
I have one week left in the challenge – did I start too late last year to still qualify for the double savings prize??
Happy Movember Everyone! I was wondering how everyone was doing in the home stretch for this challenge! We had a couple months in which it looked like I would have to dip into this fund for extreme emergencies, but we managed to tough it out and keep this sealed up. So far so good for the end of the year! Thanks to Jeff Rose for inspiring all of us to save this much for ourselves.
Hey Ted,
Congratulations on keeping up with the challenge. I’m happy to report that I’m squared away for completing it on time and within the Jeff’s rules. Thankfully, we didn’t experience any trying times where we might have dipped into this fund and it was enjoyable forgetting about it (outside of making the deposits) and coming back to it here and there to see it grow. We’ll be doing this from here on out, year after year, but it reverse starting 2015. Thank you Jeff for the opportunity to participate and Good luck Ted on the outcome of the challenge!
I am over the $1000 mark already! I started the challenge in reverse (ie. started with $52 deposit first week, $51 second week and so on). When I got down to depositing $35 I just kept it at the $35 deposit amount for each week. This challenge has helped me save more on a consistent basis than I have ever done. In addition, since this is a challenge, I am not tempted to “borrow” from this account. Even if I don’t win the challenge, I will still have a small victory in knowing I CAN save, even if it’s a small amount. Thank you Jeff!
Just got an email from Capital One (I did the challenge backwards, to start with $52 and go down to $1)… and I’ve saved $1000!! It’s awesome! Thanks for the motivation!
Today is June 16, 2014, I am just viewing this website but I want to take the Challenge anyway!
Welcome, Dovey!
Late but joined, love the concept and I think I will also start in reverse. Capital One 360 is not available in Canada and I have an account with ING so I will start with that.
Thank you for the tip and I am looking forward to get some more tips. If you ever decide to get Canadians on board then please count me in.
Yay we are over $100 this week! Sad to say, but I haven’t had that much in my savings account in a long time.
Still going strong. So far so good with the challenge! Despite some financial set backs lately I am keeping the weekly savings contributions going.
I just wanted to post an update. Setting up the automatic transfers has been so helpful. It is fun to see my savings grow over time. Thank you for the boost to get this started!
I opened my account and I’m in!
Count me in!! 🙂
I’m in! Setting up now!!
I’m in!
I’ve joined the challenge!
I’m in on this challenge. Signed up on the website a few weeks ago, downloaded the 52-week “How to Successfully Save”, and opened a 360 account with $6 since this is the third week into the new year. Plus 360’s promotion for new accounts added a $50 bonus. But, at the end of the 52-weeks we can deduct the $50 and show transactional proof I was successful. These are hard times, especially being a disabled veteran and the government taking “earned benefits” promised, but this plan seems simple enough to follow, plus it keeps me from using the money to buy beer or something not needed. Cheers All!
Actually when I did the initial deposit amount before account verification I’d put $10 down, so I’ll not make another deposit until week 5.
Love the challenge, I’m in!
Hey Jeff! I love Capital One 360–been with them (ING) for years and am getting my new account set up for the challenge. Question: to be eligible, does it have to be specifically $1, $2, $3….? I’d like to set it up this way: Week 1 $52, Week 2 $1, Week 3 $51, Week 4 $2, etc. It’ll be great to see the savings add up faster (interest too!)…what do you think?
I was looking for an easy way to save on a regular basis. This will be fun every week seeing how my money grows. Will be opening up my account today.
Just made my second deposit and am so excited! I’m doing it in reverse (ex. $52 first deposit, $51 second deposit and so on) so I will see it grow quickly. I’m really encouraged by all the people joining the challenge, good job everyone!
Cha-Ching! I’m in and have signed up for this challenge. You will definitely see my screenshot at the end of the 52 weeks. Let’s Go! 🙂
I want in! I’m starting today and will put in the catch up amount!
I’m in!
I’m in! Setting up transfers today.
I am in as well!
I just signed up! I’m excited to start this savings plan!
I am definitely in! Just hope that I can remember to do it XD
I’m in!
I am in
.. cap one 360 sub acct #8 set up and named “52 weeks”
Side note… I freakin love cap one 360… I use it like a virtual envelope system almost…. I have weekly automated transfers into ACCTS for reoccurring expenses like car stuff and hoa dues.
I’m definitely going to give this savings plan a try in 2014. It sounds so easy to do
I’m in!
I’m in!
I have joined the challenge!!
I’m excited to do this!
My husband & I are IN!! We just set up the account and are waiting for verification! So excited for this first step! Thank you!!
Is it too late to join? What email do I send the confirmation of signing up too?
@ Nicole Nope! You still have time. 🙂
I’ll only need the confirmation email if you win. Thanks for joining!
Joining, and account set up! Do you need the email the account is set up now or at the end of the 52 weeks?
@Kelsey Nope! I’ll just need to verify it if you win. Thanks for joining!
I joined the challenge. I am planning to put more than the amount required each week. Hoping that’s okay!
@ Leah It’s never a bad thing to save even more!
Joined!!! Thanks for actually making me get excited about saving money…that’s hard to do!
I’m up for the challenge! I just opened my account!
Starting the 52 week challenge! Opened my account today! Look forward to any help and advice I can get about finances and freedom!!
I am joining!!
I’m in!!
Count me in. I already had a 360 account opened but with no money in it. Hope that counts.
I’m in and already made my first deposit. I might mix it up a little and do my payments starting from both ends. In other words they would be 1, 52, 2, 51. This should balance it out to $106 each month – instead of just $10 in January but having to come up with over $200 in December – when we have gifts to buy and other bills.
Im in!
in!
I’m in!
I am in! I have an Emigrant account i can use . . . or do I need to open an account with capital one 360 to be considered a participant?
@ Blanca To be included as a participant for the $1,378 prize pool you’ll need to open a 360 account. Thanks for joining!
Count me in!
I’m in!
I just signed up for my account and have to wait for them to do my two small deposits to confirm. I am excited about this challenge and love the idea of a seperate account to use just for this challenge !!!
Thanks so much for the the challenge and inspiration !!!
This seems so simple, I am finally going to be able to build a savings account
I would love to participate but I just checked with my bank and they charge $10 for outgoing transfers. Is there another way to participate? Thanks!
@ Alyssa Sounds like you need a new bank! They even charge $10 for ACH transfer? That seems absurd.
I didn’t even realize it! Maybe I should. It’s Randolph Brooks FCU. Any suggestions on a new one?
I’m in…
I am in just opened my account 🙂
I have made my first deposit, which is for week #50, and eager to work my way down the list 🙂
I just signed up. Sounds like a great idea for 2014. It will feel good to save more money in conjunction with paying off my student loans this year. I want to win the prize at the end of the year!
We’re in! This is a fantastic way to kickstart saving!
I’m in.
What if you have a CapitalOne360 saving account already? I got one when the ING Orange Savings turned into the CO360 account.
@ Erika We’re just asking that you create a new account with Capital One 360 that’s specifically for the challenge. (I assume you can just add one on and give it a nick name?) That way if you do win it will be easier for us to verify you actually setup the account and started the challenge.
Thanks for joining!
Ok, well I added a new savings account called 52 Week Money Challenge and I’m in.
I started the challenge today! 🙂
I’m in. I think this is the second time I am posting this. 🙂
I’m in!
I’m in—but I already have a 360 account—can I just add another bucket in my main account to fund this? Please?
🙂
Thanks!!
@ Jamie You sure can. Good luck!
I love this idea and the motivation you are providing. I will give this a go and start backwards, Nov. and Dec. are usually some spendy months for us.
I have an Emigrant account, is it OK that i use that account? I generally forget about this account and it’s not an accoutn i have quick access to.
Thank$ again!
Thanks! Awesome!
I’m in!
I am in also!
Count me in! But I’ll work my way backwards since we’re having a baby later in the year & we’ll be spending lots on diapers & whatnot (not to mention earning a little more interest that way). We’ll also do our deposits bi-weekly since that’s when we’ll be paid. I hope it’s copacetic to modify the concept a bit for the purposes of the challenge.
I’m in.
Joining!
I’m in
I’m in! 52 week challenge.
I’m in!
I’m in! Love this idea and it comes at the perfect time!
I’m going to do a version of this for my oldest son to try as well.
I’m in! My accout is open and the transfers are scheduled.
I opened my 360 checking and savings account at just the right time to get a good sign-up bonus. $75 hit my savings account right away but I just had an extra $125 ! ! hit my checking account this morning. That goes straight into savings. You sure can’t beat free money! This account is growing even faster than I had planed and I love it!!
I’m IN! Opened my Capital One 360 Savings today!
We’re in!!!! We’ve opened our Capital One account and have already made our first deposit!!!
I am in!
I’m in!!!!
I’m in.
I’m in…
I’m in!
In.
Challenge accepted!!
I am in. Where can I get this download so I can start?
@ Tamela Here you go: https://www.goodfinancialcents.com/52week
Count me in!
I am in and encouraging my college aged daughter to join as well:)
Count me in
I am in!
My Husband and I are accepting the challenge! We want to do it backwards…. do we still qualify for the competition? I am going to get my friends and family involved too!
@Tawnya You are totally welcome to do it backwards! I’m just excited for people to start saving.
Count me in!
My husband and I decided that this challenge will teach us even with our income that we can save. I really like the strategy because it not only increase every week, but you will earn interest on what you save. Also, don’t use debit cards, or checks for quick assess to the savings account.
I’m totally in!
Thanks for this…
Started. Will do it in inverse so maximize interest (albeit minimal) gains.
Count me in
Hi Jeff,
Just wanted to let you know that my wife & I are in! Excited to start this year right & work on our emergency fund! Thanks for all that you do! =)
Vinia & Walter
Hi Jeff,
We are excited & telling others about this challenge…we opened our Capital One 360 account & set up our account to transfer the weekly amount to our account. =)
I was wondering if we email you now or after the challenge is over to let you know that we opened our account.
Let us know…Thanks again for all you do!
Count me in!
Count me in.
I’m going for it. What a great challenge.
What a great idea ~ I’m in!
I’m in.
I’m in! Love this.
I’m in as well!
My husband an I heard about this idea and want to do the challenge with both our paychecks, thus doubling our savings. It would be awesome to triple it! We’re in!
Hubs and I are definitely in, saving is such a pain to both of us, so we are in dire need to start something like this!
Congrats. I oddly don’t have the discipline for small numbers, I just do a big bulk deposit into my savings whenever my emergency fund becomes somewhat depleted.
I am in!
I’m ready to save! Have my son doing it also! Thanks Jeff.
This is an awesome idea!
I’m In!
I’m in for the challenge!
I am in!
I’m in!
I am in!
I’m in! Can’t wait to get started. This is a great idea.
I AM IN!!!
I accepted the challenge!
I’M IN!
Count me in!!!
I have joined the challenge!
I’m in!!! So excited!
I’m. All in.
I’m in as well Jeff.
What a great idea for a challenge! Shows how little amounts really do add up. Count me in!
I’m in!
Im in havin trouble with create account though
I am up for this challenge! Anything I can do to save an extra penny or a whopping $1378.00!!!
I’ve signed up!! I can’t wait to see it pile up! I’m hoping this will help my boyfriend and I learn to save for our future! I’m thinking about starting backwards though. Any thoughts on that? I saw the post above about “fizzling out,” but my concern is that as we get closer to Christmas next year it will get harder to budget.
@ Terra There are a few others that are going to try to do it this way. I think it’s great. My only concern is starting off with a higher amount than you’re used to might might cause you to fizzle out, too.
Trust your gut and good luck!
I’m in! I opened my account and am ready to go 🙂
Wow, I got inspired by the 52 week challenge as a way to start saving up. I’ll have the wife read this. 😀 Great website btw! Thanks Jeff.
I did this for2013 and it made christmas so much easier this year. I am definitly in for this year again. I get paid every 2 weeks so I just divide the total amount for the entire challenge and put that in every paycheck.
I love this idea. I’m in. Let’s do this!
I opened my account a couple of days ago and still waiting for them to confirm it. Made one of the bigger weeks deposits with the help of a Xmas bonus 🙂
Jeff, I accept your challenge! Account is open, let the saving begin!
Awesome, Paul! I accept that you accept my challenge. 🙂
It’s such a simple idea, but it somehow seems more actionable than others. Thanks for helping me to think about saving in another way 🙂
@ Shawna You’re totally welcome!
I’m in
Hi Jeff – we’re in. I’m sorry but I just might be stalking you about this 😉 so question is can I set up weekly transfers that equal/pass the amount we are challenged for? i.e. $26.50 a week = $1378
@ Kari I’ll totally allow that. I love the fact that you’re creating the habit to save. To me that’s the most important aspect of this challenge. Cheers!
Game on! 😉
I’m joining!
Challenge accepted Jeff! And I’m about to start Part III in the “Soldier of Finance” – Great read! I recommend it to everyone!
Jeff,
Excellent idea and I’m on board. However, if I win, I’m going to feel guilty. I have received a lot of great advice from you and Mandy over on dollarsandroses.com. With your help, I have already made money my first week as a blogger. I have had the idea (without the profit part) for a long time, and you definitely made the process easier. Now if you could just make me a better writer……
Thanks!
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS! I actually started and tried to do the 52 week savings for 2013. I was $173.00 shy, but December isn’t over yet. I started it because I wanted to have some emergency cash on hand. I will be joining the movement!
I’m in! All signed up for the account!
What do you think of doing the challenge backwards? Like starting with $52, then $51, then $50, and so on?
@ Kelsee I saw a few people suggest that as well. If your current financial situation allows that, then I’m all for it.
The only problem that I see is that I’ve had clients in the past that were super aggressive with their savings strategy that after a few months they couldn’t keep up so they fizzled out.
What I like about starting small is that it gets you in the habit of saving and I think forming the habit is more important than the actual amount.
Looking forward to joining the challenge! Have one question for you? Does the bank account have to be Capitol One 360? I have been looking at alternative online accounts and I found Simple which I wanted to give a try. Can we do this using alternate online accounts?
@ Donovan To be eligible for the prize money, we’re asking that you use Capital One 360 for the savings account.
You’re obviously more than welcome to try out Simple if that helps you complete the challenge. You just won’t qualify for the prize pool.
Good luck!
Thanks for the info! You have given out some great advice so I am excited to try this out!
This is exciting! I am joining the challenge, too!
I have been inspired by you to work hard eliminating the vast debt we had – still a work in progress but working very well! I have neglected the savings part and am ready to add that to my financial goals! Thanks so much!!
You’re welcome, Kathy! Glad you’re going to take part.
Jeff,
Count me in. This seems to be a simple challenge but rewarding. This will be one of my 2014 financial goals.
I am SO in!
I am looking forward to joining this challenge. I have been going crazy eliminating debt, I sometimes forget the importance of saving too.
Question though – can you really set up an account with only an initial $1 deposit?
@ Joshua I’m going to find out today. I’m setting up an account with Capital One 360 so I can go through the challenge with everyone.
@ Joshua Just opened my account and funded it with $1. So far so good! 🙂
Okay I will get to work on opening my account this week then too.
I’m starting this today
I’ve been following you for about a year, and I’m accepting the 52-week challenge for 2014! Count me in!!!
Okay, I’m in. I heard about this a couple of months ago from a frugal living site I belong to. Eager to get started.
Very cool idea. I’d like to join the challenge as well! I also have been using YNAB over the past year to manage our finances and so I have gotten to understand how critical it is for us to understand the timing of expenses by paycheck and not spending money until we have it in the bank.
With this in mind, I took the 52 Week Challenge schedule and set up a timetable of the weekly savings against a monthly and (my) bi-monthly paycheck schedule. This can help provide understanding of which month/paycheck I need to budget the weekly savings against. It’s not a schedule for everyone of course, but the concept might help others with different pay schedules/dates come up with their own schedule to do something similar. The Google Spreadsheet is at http://goo.gl/VEdZv3.
Thanks for the challenge!
This is awesome, Ted – I’m a YNAB user too and was JUST thinking about doing this very thing. Thanks for doin’ the work! 🙂
Challenge accepted!! My son and I both are going to do this challenge together! Thanks for the great idea!
This. Is. Awesome! (Yes, I’m joining) : )
I’m ready for this challenge!
I am signing up right now, is there a way to automate the weekly deposit amounts?
@ Sofia Yeah! I’m not sure there is because the amount changes each time.
I’m going to be doing the challenge, too, so I’ll report back and see what I find out.
Count me in! What a fantastic idea and I’m excited to get started. I’ve used Capital One 360 (formerly ING Direct) for over 6 years. Heading over to open a new savings account now! 🙂
I’m in! Sounds like an simple plan!
I’m in! I love my Capital One 360 savings accounts, creating a new one and setting up the transfers now 🙂
Woo-hoo! Glad you’re joining the challenge, Jessica!
I’m in. Great idea.
Glad to have you, Joe!
I’m in! In fact, I am going to adjust it a bit for my 8 year old and have her do the challenge with me, but with pennies instead of dollars as a way to try and teach her to save!
Great idea! I’m in!
I am joining! I already have a capital one credit card account and was thinking about opening a banking account through them to keep savings where I cannot as easily touch them on a whim. This challenge came at the exact moment I needed the push to actually do it. I was already thinking about making our financial healthy my new years priority! You have impeccable timing Jeff! Thank you!
@ Sara That’s awesome! What can I say, I must have some sort of sixth sense. Haha! Glad to offer the push you needed. 🙂
Signing up today!
Hello Jeff, I already have an account with Capital 360, can I use that one?
Thanks
@ Aidelis For the sake of this challenge, we are asking people to create a separate savings account. It will be easier to track the progress that way.
Challenge accepted! It never hurts to build your emergency fund. Chris Huntley turned me on to your site. Great content!!
I’m joining, since I already have a Capital One account anyway…
Im going to start off right
I’m in Jeff and Mandy!!! Excited to see an extra cushion going into our first Christmas as a married couple next year!
Thanks for the great advise and challenges by both you and House of Rose. AND thank you for bringing a slice of my home area of So Ill to Texas each week!
Jeff me and my wife are in!
Woop!
Jeff I’m in! Talked about this with my wife and she thought its a great idea! We’ll add this to our current savings plan and hope to save even more!
Good to hear, Eric. Welcome!
Hey Jeff I plan to join this challenge and great job with the website and all that you do. I’m glad I came upon it. I do have a question about steps 3 and 4. For 3, is it mandatory that we coordinate the transfers through our main bank? I’m a YNAB user and am pretty good at scheduling and following through with transfers and transactions manually. I bank with Chase and fear that they might look at me a little weird when I ask to set this up. For 4, is just a screenshot of what’s in the account and a date really enough? What’s stopping me from transferring the full amount in a week or so before just to have a shot at the prize? Shouldn’t we provide perhaps a PDF copy of the transfers for however far back CapitalOne 360 allows and show that we were diligent in the process? Thanks again for all of your info and advice!
@Anthony First of all, absolutely love YNAB. Jesse is a beast! Who knew a guy that loves budgeting and is a computer programmer is also a Crossfit stud!
Regarding #3, however it’s easiest to get money from whichever account to your new Capital One 360 account is fine by me.
For #4, good suggestions! I’m going to update the post to reflect your concerns.
Thanks for joining and appreciate your input!
I’m in! I need to rebuild my Emergency Fund after raiding it to buy a house and I always do much better when a challenge is involved!
@ Lola Great to hear. I’m a BIG fan of challenges, too. Can you tell? Haha…
What a great idea! 2014 is going to be the year we finally get our finances on track and this will be a good first step.
Awesome, Michelle! Glad to give you some much needed inspiration. 🙂
That is a really simple yet awesome way to get people to save up $1000. I like the idea of starting off small because how many people can say they can’t save away $1. It’s not until you get to the end of the year that you are putting away a decent amount of money but you build it up slowly so you don’t notice it.
Agreed. What I also like, similar to my Habit Challenge, is that you’re training yourself to save each week and be conscious about it.
I’m joining!
Great job Janet!
I am so excited!! I am going to do this and its going to be awesome! Thanks for making money and finances a little less scary 🙂
@ Heather Yeah! Good for you. We’re excited. 🙂
And you’re totally welcome! I strive to make personal finance fun. Which can be a BIG challenge at times. Haha…..