Helpmefriend was
questioning how I was coming up with my challenge money.Aside from the fact that there's no written-in-stone rules for the challenge except for those you set yourself, I usually don't sell on eBay so it's not money I would normally be making.
Unlike some participants, I don't count things like coupon savings, walking stairs, etc., in my challenge money. Instead, as I explained when I first joined the challenge, I am only counting income above and beyond my base income that is stated on my spending plan. That base income is $8316.00 a month. Anything beyond that goes into the challenge.
The additional income usually comes from extra projects that I take on in my work, but I've also started to sell my stained glass supplies on eBay to supplement that income and to clear out the basement mini mart to make room for a new freezer. I also get occasional royalties and survey checks that I'm putting toward the challenge.
I can't see adding money for things like no spend days and exercising when those activities aren't bringing in any extra cold, hard cash -- just saving money I already have (or don't have in some cases) -- so thus my rules for the challenge.
January 23rd, 2008 at 04:48 am 1201063688
January 23rd, 2008 at 04:52 am 1201063939
January 23rd, 2008 at 05:30 am 1201066220
I would do it your way if I were going to do the $20 challenge. The alternative just seems like bookkeeping, not a new source of savings. I could report that I "pay myself" $1000 a month if I walk the dog 28 days out of the month, but that would just be me fooling myself. I can (and do) put that $1000 a month away anyway, regardless of whether I walk the dog. To save more money than previously possible, I'd have to bring more money in. (I'm already a pro at not spending, if I do say so myself, so there is no cutting back to save more.)
January 23rd, 2008 at 01:56 pm 1201096616