By Kristen, on May 3rd, 2012% 
As I looked at my earnings from April, I realized I had never tallied my Christmas earnings from March! Two months passed again?
I guess it’s true what Colleen, our wonderful school secretary, was telling me yesterday. As you get older, scientists have discovered that time actually DOES go faster. It’s due to the fact that our memories aren’t as good as they used to be, so we don’t remember everything that has happened, the way young children do. Interesting, huh?
Well, before more time passes by without me remembering to share my Christmas saving progress with you, I’ll wrap up March and April at the same time.
Here’s what I did earn these past two months.
Swabucks – $15
Bing – $5
Pinecone – $6
Opinion Outpost – $10
Other – $5 (from Amazon promotion)
Monthly Total – $41
Yearly Total – $103
Once again, the bulk of my earnings came from searching online. It’s quick and simple. I like earning for something that I do every day!
The Amazon promotion was available back at the beginning of March, where if you bought $5 to Amazon, you got an additional $5 for free. Since I shop at Amazon regularly already, this was free money for me!
I haven’t completed many surveys these past months, so I plan to do a bit more of that again this month. I’m a third of the way to my goal so I’ll keep at it!
You can read more about how I earn for my Christmas Savings Challenge here. You can see all my previous months of savings under the Frugality tab, where it says Christmas Savings Challenge.
By Kristen, on February 29th, 2012%
I know February is the shortest month of the year but I continued to work towards my goal of earning (and setting aside) money for my Christmas shopping.
Most of my earnings this month came through searching. I have some survey money waiting with Opinion Outpost but decided not to cash out quite yet.
Here’s what I did earn this month.
Swabucks – $10
Bing – $10
Pinecone – $6
Opinion Outpost – $0
Monthly Total – $26
Yearly Total – $62
Not too bad for a quick month! Now, let’s see how I do this month.
You can read more about how I earn for my Christmas Savings Challenge here. You can see all my previous months of savings under the Frugality tab, where it says Christmas Savings Challenge.
By Kristen, on February 2nd, 2012%  The Christmas decorations have hardly been packed away and already I’m thinking of next Christmas!
Last year, I undertook a challenge to save all year for Christmas. I didn’t know if I could do it, but I found out that I could. I also discovered that my Christmas shopping was much simpler knowing the money was already set aside.
Now that I’ve learned that, I’m starting a new challenge this year. Here are the diameters of my Christmas Savings Challenge.
First, and most importantly, save all year. This is an ongoing challenge where every dollar over every month adds up.
Second, set a reasonable goal for my Christmas savings. Last year, I aimed to save $300. I’m going to use this as my minimum but of course, saving more is always acceptable and encouraged.
Third, use various sources to save and earn. This is where I’m most excited to branch out on the various online earning opportunities. Here’s where I will be saving and earning this year.
Swagbucks - A great online search engine
Bing - Another online search engine
Pincone – My favorite survey company (Only available by invitation)
Opinion Outpost – My other favorite survey company
Various – I’m always open to other opportunities as they arise!
To find up more about any of these programs, or sign up for yourself, you can click on any of the above links to register.
Finally, earmark savings so they are not spent before Christmas shopping. I do a lot of shopping through Amazon now so I will be cashing out many of my rewards in Amazon certificates as well as my Paypal account.
Before I share how I did this month, I want to invite you to join me. Set a goal and check it with your progress. I’d love to share this with you! If you have a website, you’re welcome to use this button and post monthly updates with me. Frugality is much easier when we encourage one another.
Now, onto my January totals. I started off this year with some impressive numbers, because I didn’t cash anything out in my busy December.
Swabucks – $10
Bing – $20
Pinecone – $6
Opinion Outpost – $0
Total – $36
It’s one month in and I’ve already saved more than 10 percent of my goal. The great thing is that all of this money is in addition to other savings. It allows me to save as regular with our paychecks because this is extra income. What an exciting start to my challenge!
Now, I want to know. Will you join me with my Christmas Savings Challenge? I really hope you will.
By Kristen, on November 2nd, 2011%
I can’t believe that it’s November…with less than two months until CHRISTmas! I’m really excited to have met my savings goals, just in time to start shopping for CHRISTmas.
Here are my totals for October.
Swagbucks – $5
Pinecone – $3
Opinion Outpost – $0
Other – $10 (Andy’s Swagbucks account)
Month Total – $18
Year Total – $308.98
I’m excited to know that I did it! This makes my shopping so much easier, knowing that I have the money in Amazon account to do so. Did you set a shopping budget for your CHRISTmas shopping?
To read about the various programs I’m using to reach my goal, please read the full details of my Christmas Savings Challenge where I go into detail on everything I’m doing to save money.
By Kristen, on October 6th, 2011%
Once again, I’m surprised that it’s another new month. Not only that, but it is really Fall now. The leaves are changing. The nights are cooler. Christmas is less than 3 months away!
I’m glad I’ve had this challenge to hold me accountable. September was a decent month of earnings, as I cashed in my first check from Synovate. I got an Amazon certificate, of course!
Here are my totals for September.
Swagbucks – $5
Pinecone – $3
Opinion Outpost – $3
Other – $10 (Synovate Surveys)
Month Total – $21
Year Total – $290.98
Those are my totals for September. I’m within $10 of my $300 goal for Christmas. That shows me that I was right on track with this goal. October is my month to reach my goal even as my shopping continues.
Even though it’s only Fall, I am planning ahead for CHRISTmas. I’ve been planning all year, so I can enjoy the time when it arrives.
To read about the various programs I’m using to reach my goal, please read the full details of my Christmas Savings Challenge where I go into detail on everything I’m doing to save money.
By Kristen, on September 7th, 2011%
Really? It’s September? Ah, that means fall is here. I do love the fall season and the fact that it draws closer to CHRISTmas.
August found me spending a lot of time at school. It is to be expected, what with being a teacher and all! Even before the kids came back, I was spending lots of time at school getting ready for the new year. Thankfully, I had a great survey month so that helped me make the most of my computer time.
Here are my totals for August.
Swagbucks – $0 (Gasp!)
Pinecone – $3
Opinion Outpost – $14
Other – $0
Month Total – $17
Year Total – $269.98
Those are my totals for August. I’m within $30 of my $300 goal so I am right on track for Christmas.
I’ve already started shopping for CHRISTmas presents and will continue to do so as I see the right gift for the right person. It’s nice to know that this money is already set aside for present purposes.
Have you started shopping for CHRISTmas presents?
To read about the various programs I’m using to reach my goal, please read the full details of my Christmas Savings Challenge where I go into detail on everything I’m doing to save money.
By Kristen, on August 11th, 2011%
I think it’s official. August comes and that means summer is over – when you’re a teacher, that is. I’m back in my classroom and getting ready for another school year.
July found me traveling here and there so I didn’t expect my earnings to be very high. That said, Andy cashed out some of his Swagbucks for my challenge so that helped out greatly.
Here are my totals for July.
Swagbucks – $5
Pinecone – $3
Opinion Outpost – $6.80
Other – $10 (Amazon gift cards from Andy’s Swagbucks)
Month Total – $24.80
Year Total – $252.98
Those are my totals for July. I just barely made my $5 for Swagbucks since I wasn’t on my computer much on our vacations.
I have already started shopping for some of my Christmas funds. It’s good to know that the money is already there for me to spend as I see certain gifts for special people on our list. Andy and I actually bought a couple presents on our vacation out West.
Even though Christmas is quickly approaching, I’ll continue to save because I haven’t reached my goal of $300 yet! I am getting close though and that is good to know. I still have more money to save for all of our Christmas gifts.
To read about the various programs I’m using to reach my goal, please read the full details of my Christmas Savings Challenge where I go into detail on everything I’m doing to save money.
By Kristen, on July 7th, 2011%
How can it be July already? Oh my. Summer is certainly flying by! June was over before I knew it. June was my smallest month of earnings for my Christmas Challenge yet, due to the end of the year and time away. I did answer a couple of surveys that added up.
Here are my totals for June.
Swagbucks – $5
Pinecone – $6
Opinion Outpost – $4
Other – $0
Month Total – $15
Year Total – $228.18
As you may have noticed, I decided to cancel my subscription to Inbox Dollars. It wasn’t worth my time so I decided to focus on endeavors that earned more. That is part of the frugal journey, learning what works and what doesn’t.
Everyone’s frugal journey looks different. What works for me may not work for you. That said, I have found these three methods (Swagbucks, Pinecone and Opinion Outpost) to be the most effective ways to earn online.
To read about the various programs I’m using to reach my goal, please read the full details of my Christmas Savings Challenge where I go into detail on everything I’m doing to save money.
By Kristen, on June 2nd, 2011%
It’s the beginning of June and time for another Christmas Savings update. As you will recall, I am planning to save $300 for Christmas shopping – outside of my normal budget.
Here’s my totals for May.
Swagbucks – $10
Pinecone – $9
Opinion Outpost – $6.50
Inbox Dollars – $1.48
Other – None
Month Total – $26.98
Year Total – $213.18
First, I am more than two-thirds of the way to my goal. Plus, I still have 7 more months until Christmas. Well, not quite that many as I have started shopping already. I shop for Christmas year around, especially when I see a good deal or something unique for someone on our list.
Second, I am not sure how I feel about Inbox Dollars. It is not earning me the money that I had hoped. While every penny adds up, I have earned so little ($12. 72 in the past five months) that I don’t know if I will make my $30 goal from Inbox Dollars. I am honestly debating whether to continue as it doesn’t seem worth my time. If I am going to click on emails, I think I prefer Mypoints, where I earn gift cards much quicker.
Third, May was a good month for me to continue adding to my savings. As we are really working on house projects right now (translation – spending more money), I’m glad that I have this money set aside for our Christmas giving. Do you have money set aside already?
To read about the various programs I’m using to reach my goal, please read the full details of my Christmas Savings Challenge where I go into detail on everything I’m doing to save money.
By Kristen, on May 4th, 2011%
It’s time for another Christmas Savings update. How did you do this month? I continued to make progress. For those of you who are new to this challenge, I am trying to save $300 for Christmas during the year.
In the first three months of the year, I earned $158.98. I was surprised (and pleased) that I reached half of my goal in a quarter of the year. This month, my progress slowed a bit.
Here’s my totals for April.
Swagbucks – $10
Pinecone – $9
Opinion Outpost – $8.10
Inbox Dollars – $0.12
Other – None
Month Total – $27.22
Year Total – $186.20
Even though the amounts weren’t as large as previous months, it is still something. Every little bit counts! I like the fact that majority of my earnings are going directly to my Amazon account (thanks to Amazon gift cards from Swagbucks and Opinion Outpost) so I know the funds are specifically for Christmas shopping. With gas prices climbing as they are, online shopping is become even more enticing to me! Will you be shopping online more as a result, especially for Christmas?
To read about the various programs I’m using to reach my goal, please read the full details of my Christmas Savings Challenge where I go into detail on everything I’m doing to save money.
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