Weekly Saving Plans in 2014
Did Christmas expenses throw your budget for a loop? Do you remember the Christmas Savings Plans that a lot of our parents had through their employer? My mom had $5 a week taken out and would get it just before Christmas so she could shop without busting the budget.
My husband and I adopted the cash only plan for Christmas and birthdays years ago. We set a budget for each of the seven children and put away a little as we could. Our original budget was $2,000 for birthdays and holidays. This meant that we needed to put away $38.50 a week. Some weeks we were able to do more but there were weeks that this was just not there.
Over the years, our budget hasn't changed too much except we now budget for each family. Five of the seven children are grown with children so my list has REALLY gotten longer. We still set aside as much as we can each week for gifts and our vacation.
To help with our planning, we use a simple spreadsheet. Depending on the goal, we will grab one or the other. There is even one for the little ones to use to start saving for something special or to be able to buy their own gifts for friends and family. I remember one year our daughter Beth had $38 saved and wanted to get everyone a present. She had 26 people on her list! We all may have gotten unique gifts, but she managed to stay in budget and get everyone something that she thought they would love or be able to use. I still have my swan trivets from that Christmas.
I hope one of these will help you with saving for either Christmas or that special event. Each is available in excel format (with auto fill enabled) but can be printed as pdf or image. Let me know if you have any questions or issues downloading the files.
Dollar Per Week – This spreadsheet will have you match the week with a dollar amount. Week 1 you deposit $1, Week 2 will need $2, and so on until week 52 for $52…resulting in $1,378.00 in a year!
Weekly Best Amount – This one has same idea as above but you pick the dollar amount from $1 to $52 each week. The idea is that some weeks may have more extra and you can knock off the larger amounts. Some week that $1 deposit might be all that you can manage. End of year is the same amount saved.
Equal Weekly Amount – This one has the same amount deposited each week. Pretty simple to follow
Kids Savings – Here is one for the kids to use to save their money for something special
Save What You Can – This one is blank per week. You will need to set your goal and determine how much you can set aside each week.
It really doesn’t matter how you save, only that you do. There is nothing more stressful than either not being able to pay a bill or pay one bill and then not be able to make the mortgage because the van died.
As 2013 comes to an end, take a look at the budget and see where you can save a little to set aside. Make next Christmas one that doesn’t make you dread the mailman in January!
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we are doing the savings but backwards that way come november and december its only smaller amounts that we are putting back
Great ideas thanks for this post
I’ve been thinking about doing this. I was going to start the 52 week challenge at the beginning of the year but totally forgot about it.
I have my paycheck auto-deposited, and have the bank automatically transfer $15.00 into a savings account, which I act as if isn’t there… it’s a nice surprise when I do need the extra cash to see how much has easily been saved up by ignoring it!
I have started to saving using the 52 week method for my whole family. This is an amazing way to have a savings or even have for just in case situations. We started with the $52 and end with lower numbers because of the holidays at the end of the year.
I like your ideas of saving money.Good!
This is a great idea! Even for saving for a vacation!
unique idea how to stay on top of your budget plus save you some christmas $$ on the end;-)
I like your ideas of saving money never thought of them. Thanks for the ideas.
This is really going to help me save some money, which I’ve never been good at! Thank you for sharing!
Great ideas! I need to save somehow. I’ve never gotten the hang of saving.
Would love to do this when I start back working 🙂
Good way to save money and stay on top of your budget!
This is GENIUS! And so simple to implement! 🙂
This is a really good idea… it leaves room for the unexpected!
Awesome tips! Thanks for sharing!
I have saved this picture to my desk top so it reminds me to save each week!
Good Luck everyone!
These are awesome tips! thank you
These are so useful. I need to start budgeting
even when something is cheap, or have a coupon, if not use will not buy, also if i am not in an area where something is free, will not drive to get it b/c will cost more in gas to go get.
I’ve read so many great money saving ideas today! I really like the Weekly Best Amount plan. It would almost seem like a game!
Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
I will try this. I am always looking for ways I cut down on spending.
this is a good worksheet for kids to use also.
I definitely have some of these tips down. I have been able to save here lately. These are great tips and really help!!
This is worth giving a try.
a good idea to try. thanks!
I love the idea of this! I do try to save here and there but this would be easier to follow.
This is such a wonderful idea.
Thank you for this tip!
I’m going to be following it.
I have heard of this before but I haven’t ever tried it. I am not that disciplined.
My new year’s resolution was to be better at saving money this year. So far I’m doing ok. I think this weekly savings plan will help me throughout the rest of the year. Thanks for posting this.
I love these ideas! I really need to do these to save up some money for home improvements!!
Budgeting weekly is difficult since hubby works as a truck driver and pay is different each week. I do plan to start a little savings weekly for Christmas. Family keeps growing!
love this! I started doing this this year!!
What a brilliant way to keep track of where money is going when it shouldn’t be and be put where it needs to be.
Wow, these are great ideas. Surprising how fast the money can add up. Love the $1 to $52 idea.
Thank you for sharing this with us…have a nice day.
Great ideas We are going to be using the best weekly amount.
What a great way to save. Thanks!
A little really does add up!
We started this in January and are saving for our first Disney trip! Love this money saving plan!
Seems like a great way to save money for Christmas shopping or a vacation!