There’s no need for the Super Bowl LVII headliner to travel to Sin City for his hyped halftime show.
Usher has been calling Las Vegas home since mid-2022 when the eight-time Grammy Award-winner started his “My Way” residency and moved his family here.
I began to curate my own little world here, so much so that I’ve actually put a flag in the ground. I’ve actually moved here.”
Usher told The Hollywood Reporter
“For one year I’ve been here. I’m not saying that this is the end-all-be-all, but I have a place here so I can accommodate my family,” the R&B star added in a lengthy interview with the Hollywood Reporter at the beginning of 2023.
And while he’s managed to keep all the deets about his Las Vegas house under wraps, the Confessions singer did let it slip that he lives in a sprawling apartment or penthouse in one of the city’s luxury residential buildings — calling it his “really cool mansion in the sky”.
We kind of live in this really cool mansion in the sky down here, so it’s pretty fun to be in the middle of all the action and then come right home and you’re with your kids.”
Usher
The artist wrapped up his Las Vegas show in early December 2023, in an emotional show that saw the 45-year-old overcome with gratitude and tears.
And that’s because Usher has long been planning his “phenomenal show” if he ever landed a Las Vegas residency, as this 2004 clip would indicate:
I saw it then…look at me now. 🙏🏾 https://t.co/hz0Ustrkao
— Usher Raymond IV (@Usher) December 3, 2023
Now whether or not Usher will continue to live in Las Vegas after his Super Bowl performance, that remains to be seen.
But so far, it would seem that both he and his family — Usher shares daughter Sovereign Bo and son Sire Castrello with current girlfriend, Jenn Goicoechea, and also has two boys, Usher V and Naviyd Ely, with his ex-wife, Tameka Foster — are loving life in the desert oasis.
Usher’s houses throughout the years
And while we’ve already answered the most pressing question (where does Usher live now), we’d be remiss if we didn’t take a look at the R&B artist’s previous homes — especially since they’re a refreshing change from the sprawling, ultra-modern Cali mansions other A-listers call home.
That’s not because he lacks the funds.
A defining figure in the music industry for over two decades, Usher has amassed an impressive net worth estimated at a whopping $180 million. He just doesn’t need to flaunt it or splurge on eight-figure houses.
Looking at the houses he’s bought — and sold — over the years, we see a pattern: the man knows how much space he needs, and settles on beautiful homes that meet his family’s wants without going for “status purchases” that would consolidate him as a ‘baller’, real estate-wise. Don’t believe us? See for yourself:
His Atlanta homes
Born on October 14, 1978, in Dallas, Texas, and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Usher’s journey to stardom began at an early age.
His mother, recognizing his natural talent, moved the family to Atlanta, Georgia, a move that proved pivotal in launching his career.
See also: The Biggest Celebrities that Live in Atlanta & their Million-Dollar Mansions
It was in Atlanta where Usher’s velvety voice and charismatic presence caught the attention of LaFace Records’ co-founder, L.A. Reid, leading to the release of his self-titled debut album in 1994.
And the rest is, as they say, history.
Usher went on to become one of the most influential figures in contemporary R&B and pop music. But despite his impressive net worth of $180 million, the Yeah singer kept it fairly down to earth with his home purchases.
#1 A three-bedroom house he sold for $775k
He owned a three-bedroom, three-bath house not far from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, that he bought in June 2007 for $970,000.
Right before filing for divorce from his second wife, Grace Miguel, he listed the 2,908-square-foot home for sale, with a buyer paying him $775,000 for the Atlanta house in 2019.
#2 The Alpharetta house he fell in love with at age 13
Early in his career, Usher (whose full name is Usher Raymond IV) stayed true to a promise he made to his younger self: when he’d make it big in the music industry, he’d buy his music producer L.A. Reid’s house, which left an impression on him at the tender age of 13.
I came into this house … and I remember walking through it, just being mesmerized by everything I saw, and it was like, ‘One day, I want to own a house like this.’”
Usher recalled in a 2003 episode of “How I’m Living“
An 8,000-square-foot home with 7 bedrooms, 8.5 bathrooms, a climate-controlled treehouse, a yoga studio and a private dance studio, L.A. Reid’s house is impressive — but pales in comparison to some of suburban Atlanta’s megamansions.
Luckily, he didn’t see Evander Holyfield’s former home in the nearby Atlanta suburb of Fayetteville, a 109-room behemont which later became rapper Rick Ross’s mansion.
“I ended up buying this house. There’s history in it. My history lies in this house.”
But despite the history, the U Remind Me hitmaker (who’s not one to hoard properties, it would seem), sold the Alpharetta house formerly owned by L.A. Reid for $1.5 million back in 2018.
His former villa in Los Angeles
Usher also owned a Spanish-style estate in West Hollywood set on the same block as the landmark Chateau Marmont Hotel.
The property, which he first listed for sale in early 2018 for $4.2 million (it ended up selling for only $3.3 million), was originally built in 1926 and has been “artfully restored” to accommodate the artist and his growing family, retaining original details like stenciled beams and handcrafted ironwork.
But the artist sold that 5-bedroom house too in 2018, one of three homes he offloaded in the span of a single year.
[embedded content]
Now, with his Las Vegas residency over and his net worth balooned by his Sin City shows plus his Super Bowl performance, Usher might be in the lookout for a new place to call home. Looking forward to seeing where he settles next.
More stories
Where does Rihanna live in L.A.? Her Beverly Hills farmhouse and posh penthouse at The Century
Nicki Minaj’s house, the glam $19.5M present she got after turning 40
Michael Jordan’s house is still on the market, 12 years after it was first listed for sale
Moving to Mexico, moving house or ready for makeover time? The holidays are upon us, and the shopping season is about to go mad! Buying furnishings within Mexico is the smart way to go, as the price of shipping to Mexico can be astronomical, and the delay in shipping goods might mean a Mexican wait (i.e. a looong time).
The Sales are NOW!
November and December sales in Mexico roll over into January, when stores want to move out stock before their new arrivals. The ‘Back to School’ sales in August later in the year are something to watch out for also, but the time for bargains is from now until February!
MND surveyed the scene of best places to buy cool home decor in Mexico – from basic necessities to up-scale, stylish furnishings with wow factor.
So, where do I begin shopping for home decor in Mexico?
It’s true, there are many sites out there, so we found some of our – and our features editor’s – favorites. The cost of furniture in Mexico is about the same as what you would pay in Canada or the U.S. Sprucing up your space with splashes of Mexican handicrafts, art and design elements is going to be a more affordable, and fun, part of your home interior design project.
Inspirational tip: We liked AD Magazine, Mexico’s Architectural Digest, for awesome design ideas.
Handy tips before you begin shopping in Mexico for home decor
Mexico, like the US, has modern and antique furniture ranging from Contemporary to Victorian, and there’s no reason to pay full price when you can get up to 60% and, in some cases, 80% for last-minute bargains.
Bargains
Beyond the regular sales times, the big department stores like Liverpool and Palacio de Hierro have specials all the time, plus brand ambassadors will often be there to offer even more discounts and big blowout sales. Placencia also has sales currently, offering 40% off (and sometimes more) on living room, bedroom, and dining room sets.
Payment Plans
Remember layaway? Some stores like Moblum and Gaia offer payment plan options with PayPal, scheduled bank transfers or recurring credit card payments. So you can splurge on a bulk buy, especially if you’ve got an empty house, or new rooms to fill, and catch up with payments in a leisurely way.
Delivery
Tiffany and Tom Pence moved to Querétaro from Florida in 2018 and report that “deliveries were the most interesting and entertaining part of buying furniture for us. Sometimes the delivery was scheduled 3 days away; other times the deliveries were 2-3 weeks later. Sometimes it was on an official store brand truck, other times on a pickup truck.” So just double-check check you’re clear on the delivery date and get a contact person’s name and number! You’re in Mexico now, and we came for a more relaxed lifestyle after all! It’s just part of it; no sweat.
Identification (yes, take it!) At each store, you’ll need to provide proof of address, and a passport as a form of identification before delivery approval. “My passport has been copied more times in the first 6 weeks here than all my previous years of having a passport. I’m sure my picture is up on the internet or a public bathroom somewhere,” Tiffany Pence says. So – just a reminder!
Give me the best shopping sites, beyond Amazon and Ikea!
Sodimac
It seems to be the most popular furniture and homewares emporium for the Mexican population, according to Similarweb’s traffic analytics. It’s a bit of a quagmire on the website, but bargain hunters and those on a budget can score.
Why shop here? Cheap and cheerful, all the simple basics. Good for kids.
DICO
Basics and bargains! Like Sodimac, the least expensive.
Why shop here? Deals! And cheap beds. Simple furnishings for a rental investment?
Solutions Mexico
We liked this one in Puerto Vallarta and Nayarit, with its invite to, “easily furnish your home in Mexico, whether one piece or your entire home.” They have professional interior decorators who will customize a furniture package and a wide range of gorgeous goods, from mid-range to higher-end.
Why shop here? They offer furnishing tips, over 200 suppliers and shopping tours to Guadalajara, Tonala and Tiaquepaque to hunt for wall art, rugs, decor items and lighting. They offer rental packages for rental owners who don’t want to invest in all their furniture at once, but want to rent their property right away. And their site is in English also, if that helps you!
Gaia Design
Stylish, modern, functional furniture, with a touch of the Scandi design vibe, and an easy-to-navigate website.
Why shop here? 60% off most items right now, free delivery over 12,000 pesos, and an average of 4.6 stars from all the testimonials. They also offer design services and discovery and design advice calls.
Moblum
Mid-range price, modern and stylish furniture from the basic to the more interesting.
Why shop here? Offers immediate delivery, flash sales, promotions, one year warranties. They also have a blog and a roster of interior designers – so you can brainstorm and seek advice.
Moda in Casa
More upscale contemporary furniture, with prices to match. Very stylish – which is immediately apparent on their home page, where the design editor has put some thought into presentation. They have stores in CDMX, Valle de Bravo and Mérida.
Why shop here? “Each piece is made using the best technology and materials in combination with the expert hands of our artisans who craft each piece to be a unique object.” Say no more.
Mobica
Great standard, mid-range modern furniture with a wide selection. Free design services and ‘lookbooks’ to browse through.
Why shop here? They donate to underprivileged children (always a plus point).
Bakan
They specialize in stylish outdoor furniture – from dining sets to banks and benches, umbrellas, and accessories – which combines functionality with good quality and design.
Why shop here? Their exclusive brands have anywhere from 40% to 60% price reductions right now.
Decada
I couldn’t resist these two hip young businesswomen who run this vintage furniture store in Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City, where “each piece tells a story.”
Why shop here? Every piece of their eclectic collection is thoughtfully curated and hand picked, from a vast range of styles. Adding just one or two pieces might jazz up your basic items.
Lagunilla Market
If you’re looking for a quirky shopping experience, and a vast range of antique furnishings, head to La Lagunilla Market, a weekly morning traditional public market in Mexico City, located about ten blocks north of the city’s main plaza, in a neighborhood called La Lagunilla. There are three big, distinct zones dedicated to food, clothing, and furniture.
Why shop here? The authentic Mexican experience is full of oddities and genuine Mexican antiques to die for. Take a break between shopping and having tacos and a michelada at the lunch counter!
Mercado Libre
Mexico’s “Facebook marketplace” is just as spectacular in its range of offerings as its U.S or abroad equivalents. Anyone can sign up, and it’s user-friendly. You just need the stomach for hunting, a bit like thrift shopping. Pick your region, and dive in. There are many current bargains, coupon offers and payment plans connected to all the major Mexican banks. Interest free installment plans are also tempting for shoppers on a budget!
So, take a deep breath and enjoy the ride of mixing and matching this huge and eclectic range of home decor on offer in Mexico, that suits your style and your wallet. Sign up for their mailing lists to get final sale alerts and flash sales – happening now – and take advantage of their payment plans and free design or delivery services. And don’t forget Google translate – or your ID!
Henrietta Weekes is a writer, editor, actor and narrator. She divides her time between San Miguel de Allende, New York and Oxford, UK.
Advertiser Disclosure: Credit.com has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Credit.com and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Editorial Disclosure:Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Snapshot: Provided that you’re a student, you can gain access to fantastic cash back rates (anywhere from 1% – 10%, depending on the category), even if you have no prior credit. Did we also mention the annual_fees annual fee?
Pros
Cons
annual_fees annual fee
This card allows balance transfers but there’s no introductory APR for them
3% cash back on dining, select streaming services, entertainment and grocery store purchases
Potentially higher APR
A potential for relatively low APR for a student credit card
bonus_miles_full
Like what you see? Learn how to apply for the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Card
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Card – which you generally have to have at least a good credit score to qualify for (and it has a higher regular APR)*.
You get access to amazing cash back rates on dining and grocery shopping – which are common expenses – in addition to a flat 1% cash back on everything else. This card does have a relatively high APR (see how it compares to other cards) but no annual fee, so as long as you pay your statement on time, you won’t have to worry about interest. (Paying your credit card bill on time will also help you build good credit in preparation for your next card, auto loan, or apartment application, after you graduate).
When you’re just starting out on your own having no credit or bad credit can be a barrier to many things you need in adulthood, like an apartment lease, a car loan or a halfway decent credit card. You need credit to get credit, and most of the time the options aren’t great.
This card is great (actually). Like we said before, many of this card’s benefits are very similar to the card_name. But where you need great credit to qualify for that card, you can qualify for the same benefits by being in school.
So if you’re worried about a low credit score, or maybe you’ve just turned 18 and are starting out on your own and have no credit, provided that you’re a student (among other qualifying factors) this is a great credit card to apply for.
Great Rewards for Dining
If you’re cramming for a test and just don’t have the time to plan out meals and need to Uber Eats some food to keep the study session going uninterrupted, at least you’ll be making a whopping 10% (10%!) cash back on your splurge (through 11/14/2024). 3% cash back on grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®) is also great – not only are groceries a regular expense, but 3% is a decently high rate for a cash back category.
Whether you’re the kind of shopper who loves spending time researching a great deal, or you don’t have the mental energy to pay attention to such things, this card has you covered. Not only does it have great cash back rates, but it also has a varied enough mix of rewards categories that you can earn cash back without having to go out of your way to make unusual purchases.
Like what you see? Learn how to apply for the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Card
The Drawbacks
No Introductory APR
If you’re looking for a 0% APR offer, you won’t find it with this card. That means you can’t use this card to make a major purchase you can pay off over a year or two without accruing interest. That’s certainly not a deal breaker for most students, but it’s something to consider.
Potentially High APR
It’s hard to say what ongoing APR you will get when you apply for this card, the quoted range is quite wide at reg_apr,reg_apr_type. If you qualify for a lower APR, great! But if you end up paying a higher APR, that could be a drawback. Especially if you want to rely on this card to help you cover larger purchases.
Is It Worth It?
For students who eat out or grab coffee on the go a lot, this card may be a good option. It lets you earn decent cash back perks, and as long as you pay off your statement every month, that’s cash in your pocket.
What Are The Credit Limits For Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Card (Minimum and Maximum)?
Your credit limit is determined by your credit history and factors such as income. From what we’ve seen other users report, credit limits may range from $300 to $700 (at least initially), though approvals could certainly fall outside those ranges.
How Soon Can I Increase My Credit Limit After Being Approved For A Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Card?
Capital One may let you request a credit limit increase after 6 months, though approval of the increase is not guaranteed. During that time you will need to demonstrate that you can handle your credit responsibly, which means both using and paying off your bill on-time.
How Good Is A Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Card For Building Credit?
This is an excellent card for building credit because you don’t necessarily need great credit to get it. Capital One is a well-recognized credit card provider that typically reports payment history to the credit bureaus. That helps you build a stronger credit profile.
Learn more about how to apply for the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Card here:
Advertiser Disclosure: Credit.com has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Credit.com and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Over the past two years, travelers have packed airports, hotels and destinations with a fervor that earned the post-pandemic trend a label: “revenge travel.”
Demand from leisure travelers soared at hotels in 2022 as travel restrictions subsided. This year, Americans flocked to popular European cities faster than they did in 2019. From June to October 2023, TSA recorded seven of its 10 busiest days ever at U.S. airport checkpoints — and then the all-time single-day record for passenger traffic was set on Nov. 26.
Now, there’s a lingering question as 2024 approaches: Might revenge travel finally end?
Industry leaders split on the future of revenge travel
Ask 10 people in the travel industry, and you may get 10 different opinions.
At one end of the spectrum, some airlines continue to report that travelers are more than willing to pay for high-end business class seats, especially on long-haul overseas flights.
“Our core customer base is in a healthy financial position,” Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, said during the company’s most recent earnings call (a sentiment United Airlines executives noted on their third-quarter earnings call, too).
Some hotel executives are echoing the optimism. Despite economic uncertainty, “The consumer is still generally holding up well,” said Leeny Oberg, Marriott’s chief financial officer, during the company’s November earnings call.
But other companies are starting to notice some changes.
Some airlines have reported decreased demand in recent months, contributing to financial losses. For instance, Southwest Airlines is pulling back on plans to keep growing its flight schedule in 2024, noting leisure travel trends have looked less strong and more like pre-pandemic times in recent months.
“There is no doubt that there is a slowdown occurring,” says John Grant, chief analyst at travel data firm OAG. “We’re talking about a softening. We’re not talking about a nosedive.”
Reasons revenge travel may not last
Consumer costs mounting
Though inflation has cooled from its peak in June 2022, many everyday expenses such as groceries and rent remain more expensive than before the pandemic.
Plus, consumers now face high interest rates, resumed student loan repayments and, for many, a smaller pandemic savings cushion, says Cara McDaniel, a professor specializing in macroeconomics at Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business.
“Life is looking a little less affordable,” McDaniel says. “People, even if they are OK, might not be feeling the urge to splurge. So I imagine that’s going to drag on travel.”
A return to ‘normal’
There’s also the theory that a return to more traditional routines is inevitable.
“People traveled more frequently, or spent more on extravagant vacations after being unable to do so during the pandemic. Now, most travelers are reverting to regular travel spending habits,” Emmy Hise, senior director of hospitality analytics at data firm CoStar, said in an email.
She noted that hotels at popular U.S. vacation destinations started seeing demand slide this past spring — though while still outpacing 2019.
Why revenge travel could stick around
More approachable travel prices
According to NerdWallet’s most recent Travel Price Index, the overall cost of travel in October was down about 2% from the same month in 2022, helped primarily by cheaper airfare.
As airlines have hired staff and brought planes back into service, the supply and demand equation is more favorable for consumers than it was a year or two ago.
During this fourth quarter of 2023, the eight largest U.S. carriers are flying with nearly 17% more seats compared with the fourth quarter of 2021, according to airline scheduling data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.
To entice travelers to buy tickets, Southwest executives told analysts they’ve had to offer cheaper tickets on less crowded days like Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Other airlines (particularly low-cost carriers) have offered steep discounts and promotions of late, too.
For travelers, more approachable prices could be reason enough to book another trip.
Bucket lists still unsatisfied
Several industry leaders have also cited an enduring willingness from consumers to spend on travel and sacrifice other purchases instead.
Michael Daher, vice chair and U.S. transportation and hospitality leader at consulting firm Deloitte, said in an email that his team has tracked an “overall decline in financial well-being” over the last year, including still growing concerns about savings.
But, he added, the company’s survey data also suggests consumers hope to travel nonetheless, perhaps merely electing to fly on a cheaper ticket type, like basic economy.
“We may be moving from ‘revenge travel’ to a period of reprioritization that values travel highly,” Daher said.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:
As many college students will attest, regularly buying food on campus is not only expensive, but often unhealthy. Buying your lunch for 10 dollars a day at the fast food restaurants, pizza joints, and coffee shops on campus can really add up, and most have limited healthy menu options. Taking the time to plan out your lunches and pack healthy meals for college students can make a huge difference in your energy levels throughout the day. Best of all, there are easy meals for college students that you can whip up on a budget.
The following meal plan shows how to eat on a college budget and offers healthy lunch recipes and easy meals for college students. The guide features tips from Jacqueline de Grave, a former student and college athlete who is passionate about cooking and eating well on a budget, and it’s also been reviewed by Kathryn Alp, a registered dietitian.
Monday
Rice and Beans
How to eat on a college budget starts with this quick and easy meal that you can make in a big batch a night or two in advance. It’s just what you’re looking for on a busy week with back-to-back tests and papers. Choose brown rice to hike up your fiber intake and add all sorts of veggies like corn, avocado, tomatoes and peppers for even more nutrition and flavor. Black beans and kidney beans work well, but you can also try other varieties like navy, white or chickpeas. Bean dishes can be perfect healthy meals for college students—and they can be done on a college budget.
Tuesday
Super Salad
It’s time to revamp your tired bowl of greens by topping it with tasty sources of protein and fiber. In addition to your favorite fruits or vegetables, try adding chickpeas, chicken breast, canned tuna or a sliced hard-boiled egg to keep you full throughout the day as you go from class to class. Hemp hearts are another great source of protein that are delicious sprinkled on top of salads. You may even be able to throw one of these together at your cafeteria’s salad bars when you’re on the hunt for easy meals for college students.
One of de Grave’s creations is a super simple orzo pasta salad with ground turkey, veggies, and feta cheese.
“Salads don’t have to be boring,” de Grave says. “I love to have fun mixing up ingredients that vary from pasta salads, chickpea or bean salads, to chicken salad sandwiches or chicken salad on a bed of greens. As long as you are willing to get creative with your ingredients, salads can take on many shapes and flavors and be perfect for light snacks or heartier meals that are easy to carry around.”
Wednesday
Pita Pockets
Sounds like the perfect budget meal to accompany a marathon study session, right? You can also put it on your list of healthy meals for college students. Variations include marinated tofu for vegetarians or sliced chicken breast or pork chop for meat eaters. Stuff the pita with bean sprouts, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, avocado, and Greek yogurt and voila: You’ve got a quick, easy lunch that’s cheaper and healthier than an sandwich or burger at any campus fast food joint. Go ahead and get creative with your fillings.
“I sometimes replace the pita with romaine lettuce,” de Grave says. “Topping it with veggies, chicken, ground turkey, or chicken and homemade dressings is a super simple way to throw together a quick and affordable meal.”
Thursday
Egg Salad and Tuna Sandwich
How to eat on a college budget? Look no further than this mashup of two classic (and inexpensive) sandwich toppers: egg salad and tuna. You can splurge on your favorite veggie toppings. Use low-fat mayonnaise or Greek yogurt and hearty whole grain bread to make this an even healthier option.
“Carbs provide us with the only source of fuel for our brains,” Alp says. “If you eat enough high-quality carbs like whole grains, fruits and vegetables—that’s going to be your brain food,” she adds.
Friday
DIY Fresh Spring Rolls
These are a little bit more time consuming to prepare, but totally worth it if you’re looking for healthy meals for college students. Simply roll up vegetables and your favorite protein in rice paper, and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. You can use any filling you like including chicken breasts, avocado, or cherry tomatoes. Tofu is a great alternative because it can be cheaper than meat and can absorb any flavor, making it very versatile.
Daily Snacks
When learning how to eat on a college budget, it’s important to curb your hunger with healthy snacks throughout the day. For a well-balanced snack, Alp recommends including a food high in protein or fiber combined with carbs from fruits or vegetables. Need a few ideas to get you going? Get started with these:
Healthy Granola Cookies
Granola-based cookies can be tailored to all taste buds. Make them sweet by adding cacao nibs and plenty of dried fruit like cranberries, blueberries, and raisins, or opt for higher protein with peanut butter, coconut flakes, slivered almonds and pumpkin seeds. Buying the dried fruit, nuts and seeds at your nearest bulk store can make them more affordable.
Overnight Oats
Make this delicious and inexpensive snack in a mason jar and leave it in your fridge overnight. You can get creative with this one and add anything from cocoa to pumpkin puree to fresh fruit and peanut butter.
Homemade White Bean Dip
Make this dip in a big batch in advance and store it in sealed containers for up to three days. Serve with pita, sliced veggies or crackers.
Ants on a Log
Nope, it’s not just for kids. This one is a fun, easy meal for college students. Top celery stalks with peanut butter and raisins the good old fashioned way or experiment with other toppings.
If eating on campus is your only option, keep these tips in mind for eating well in a pinch…
Alp says there is one key area where college students often slip up. “Drinking your calories. If I could tell everyone to quit juice, I would,” she says.
Alp suggests avoiding soda or juice because these drinks can contain added sugar that can slow you down over the course of the day. Even so-called “sports drinks” can pack a lot of sugar into just one bottle.
And when you need an extra caffeine kick, consider avoiding energy drinks or sweet coffee drinks. Not only do these drinks cost a pretty penny, many pre-made coffee drinks have more sugar than a can of soda.
“If students choose water over juice, extra sugar in their coffee, energy drinks or pop they would be cutting quite a lot of calories out of their diet,” Alp says.
Because sometimes it’s impossible to avoid the food court when you’re stuck on campus all day, Alp has some guidance for choosing the healthiest option from fast food restaurants.
“Choose tomato-based sauces over cream sauces. Choose the grilled option over the fried option. And choose the whole wheat option whenever possible,” she says.
Articles may contain information from third-parties. The inclusion of such information does not imply an affiliation with the bank or bank sponsorship, endorsement, or verification regarding the third-party or information.
It’s almost that time, when everyone resolves to do better and achieve more in the coming year. And a new survey suggests that some people may be fueling their 2024 resolutions with the financial regrets of 2023.
About two-thirds (67%) of Americans have financial regrets for 2023, according to a NerdWallet survey conducted online by The Harris Poll on Oct. 10-12. And three-fourths (75%) of that group say those regrets will lead to new resolutions in 2024.
Every year we face obstacles to our money goals. We may start out with plans to save more and spend less, but life happens. This year began with expenses taking bigger bites out of paychecks, in the form of high inflation. And as the year progressed, increasingly high interest rates added costs to credit card balances and loans, making it more expensive to borrow. Macroeconomic factors like these can be enough to derail financial goals alone, but if they’re paired with job loss, unexpected expenses or other household circumstances, they can push goals further and further out of reach.
If you have financial regrets, you’re in good company. And if your hope is to turn them into successes in 2024, plenty of other Americans have the same plan. Here’s how some of those regrets may have come about and what to expect in the year ahead.
Money regret No. 1: Not saving more
Nearly one-fourth (23%) of Americans regret not saving enough for their financial goals in 2023, according to the NerdWallet survey. And about one in five (21%) regret not saving for emergencies.
Government relief payments paired with constrained spending during COVID shutdowns to bring the personal saving rate to all-time highs in 2020 and 2021. In 2023, that rate, which measures the percentage of disposable income that can be saved, on average, settled below historic averages, making it more difficult to save for big purchases or unexpected emergencies.
In 2024: The personal saving rate, as a national average, is likely to stay on the low side. However, with inflation continuing to come down, you may find it easier to set aside funds in 2024 than you did in 2023. If you don’t have an emergency fund, start there — having a cushion set aside for unexpected expenses can insulate many of your other financial objectives. Then, set measurable and specific benchmarks — such as setting aside a certain portion of every paycheck — to get you toward your longer-term savings goals.
Money regret No. 2: Overspending
More than one in five (22%) Americans regret overspending on entertainment in 2023; 11% regret overspending on travel and 11% regret overspending on a big event (such as a wedding or party), according to the survey.
Consumer spending in 2023 has been surprisingly resilient in the face of inflation and high interest rates. This consumer resilience has been credited with keeping the economy strong when many expected a recession. But there is also evidence that this spending in the face of adversity has been achieved by busting household budgets.
In 2024: Overspending is a risk every year — it’s hard not to splurge on things like entertainment, travel and parties (we all enjoy a good time). The first step to reining in these urges, however, is setting a clear budget. Whether it’s a weekly entertainment budget or a wedding budget, setting a clear expectation for yourself beforehand can help ensure you’re not left with remorse when the dust settles.
Money regret No. 3: Mismanaging credit card debt
Equal shares of Americans (16%) regret not reducing/or paying off their credit card debt and taking on too much credit card debt in 2023, according to the survey.
Credit card debt levels fell during 2020 and early 2021, as people had excess money thanks to relief payments and student loan forbearance, for example, and were generally spending less due to COVID lockdowns. But since then, debt levels have been surpassing pre-pandemic normal. If you used your cards less in 2021 and even paid off some debt, this return to “normal” can feel especially bad.
In 2024: When your finances are in good shape, using credit cards as a tool — to earn points and cash back, for instance — can help you reach money goals more quickly. However, when you’re in debt or have to turn to a credit card to cover an emergency expense, the interest can pile up quickly and make it difficult to dig yourself out. Interest rates will likely remain high throughout 2024, so getting those balances under control is even more important. Make a concrete debt payoff plan, and if you’re struggling to make payments, consider debt relief options such as consolidation and debt management.
Lest 2023 sound like nothing more than money woes: More than three in five (62%) Americans say they achieved financial goals they set out to reach in 2023. Financial headwinds are always present in one form or another. Preparing for them and learning from mistakes may set you up for a greater chance of success in the near future.
METHODOLOGY
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of NerdWallet from Oct. 10-12, 2023, among 2,096 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.7 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact [email protected].
Disclaimer
NerdWallet disclaims, expressly and impliedly, all warranties of any kind, including those of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose or whether the article’s information is accurate, reliable or free of errors. Use or reliance on this information is at your own risk, and its completeness and accuracy are not guaranteed. The contents in this article should not be relied upon or associated with the future performance of NerdWallet or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties as indicated by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should” or “anticipates” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements may materially differ from NerdWallet’s presentation of information to analysts and its actual operational and financial results.
Building a budget isn’t hard, but it does require time and effort. And once it’s completed, it’s something you should be proud of. Yet, many people have trouble sticking to a budget, essentially throwing all their work out the window as a result of impulse buys, unrealistic expectations, or a lack of discipline. Here’s a look at some of the reasons budgets can fail and tips for making a budget you can stick to.
Understanding the Importance of Budgeting
A budget allows you to organize your money according to your priorities and plays a key role in achieving financial goals. Those goals can be anything from taking a vacation and buying a new car to funding future education and retirement. With a well-crafted budget, you can work on multiple goals at the same time.
A budget is also one of the top tools to help you stay out of debt or rein in any outstanding debt you may already have. In addition, having a budget can help simplify your spending decisions, making it easier to determine which purchases are worth making and which you don’t actually need.
💡 Quick Tip: Help your money earn more money! Opening a bank account online often gets you higher-than-average rates.
Get up to $250 towards your holiday shopping.
Open a SoFi Checking and Savings Account with direct deposit and get up to a $250 cash bonus. Plus, get up to 4.60% APY on your cash!1
Overcoming Common Budgeting Challenges
Budgeting usually begins with the best of intentions. However, it’s all too easy to get sidetracked. Temptations and unexpected expenses can cause a budget to go off the rails, leading to overspending, missed bill payments, and debt. Here’s a look at some of the most common reasons why budgets fail.
Lack of Discipline
Though people often get excited about putting their financial house in order, it can be easy to slip back into the lifestyle they led before putting a budget in place. If you already live within your means, that might be okay. But if you’re a habitual overspender, it’s important to recognize that those behaviors have to change to keep your budget on track.
Unrealistic Expectations
Many people think budgeting requires drastic measures. For example, if you’ve been living beyond your means and want to rein in your spending, you may decide you must go from spending more than you make to living off half your income. But that may not be a viable option, at least at first. When you fail, you might give up on budgeting altogether. It’s important to set achievable expectations.
Discounting Irregular Expenses
While building your budget, you probably remember to factor in regular expenses like your monthly electricity bill and grocery shopping. But it can be easy to forget to include expenses that occur on a more infrequent schedule, such as quarterly or annually.
Annual membership fees, homeowners’ association fees, and kids’ camp tuition may come up only once a year, and that can make them easy to forget. Failing to account for these costs can throw your budget off once they come due and you may have to scramble to find the cash to pay them. You can try to account for these expenses by saving a little each month to help cover them.
Recommended: Determining the Right Spending/Budgeting Categories
Getting Lost in the Weeds
While it’s important to take a thorough accounting of your expenses when making a budget, it is possible to go overboard with so many line items that can make your head spin.
A budget with too many line items can be tedious to update and track. It can be more productive to have broad line items that encompass a wider array of expenses, so if you spend a bit too much on one small item, it won’t make much difference.
Your Social Circle
The people you surround yourself with, including your friends, family, and partner, can have a huge impact on your spending. If these people tend to be big spenders, you might be tempted to spend when you’re around them. It would be a shame if one big night on the town threw off a whole month’s worth of budgeting plans.
If you’re saving for a specific goal, like putting a down payment on a home, you might let your friends know that you’re trying to stick to a budget, so maybe they won’t tempt you with expensive sushi dinners or weekends in Vegas. In their excitement to help you achieve your goal, they may be willing to trade nights at the bar for cheaper activities like game nights in.
Creating a Realistic Budget
One of the most important tips for how to stick to a budget is to start with a realistic budget — or, in other words, a budget that is easy to stick with. These three steps are key to starting off on the right foot.
Assessing Income and Expenses
To create a realistic budget, you need to first assess where you currently stand. That means calculating how much, on average, is coming in each month and how much, on average, is going out each month.
You can do this by gathering bank statements from the past several months, then adding up all of your (after tax) monthly income. This is how much you have to spend each month. Next, add up what you are spending each month to come up with a monthly average. If your average monthly spending exceeds your average monthly income (meaning you’re going backwards) or is about the same (meaning you’re not saving), you’ll need to find places to cut back.
Setting SMART financial goals
Whether your goal is to build an emergency fund or go on a great vacation, setting clear, achievable financial goals will help you create — and stick to — your budget. Strong goals serve as reminders for why you’re choosing to spend less in some areas, which can make sticking to your budget feel more rewarding.
Consider using the SMART framework when setting goals. You’ll want your goals to be:
Specific: Rather than saying, “I’d like to save more,” try to be more specific, such as “I’d like to put a downpayment on a car in four months.” Measurable: You want your goals to have a measurable outcome, such as a set amount of money you’d like to save by a certain date. Attainable: If a goal is too hard to achieve, you might give up before you get very far. Strive to set goals that are attainable given your current income, expenses, and time frame. Relevant: It’s key that your goals address your top needs and concerns. Consider what will give you the most security and value to your life right now. Time-based: Having a set timeline to reach your goals can help you stay on track.
Recommended: Smart Financial Strategies to Reach Your Goals
Prioritizing Essential and Non-Essential Expenses
A budget is an opportunity to align your spending with what’s most important to you. You’ll want to have three main categories for spending:
• Essential expenses (“needs”) These are your necessities, such as groceries, housing, healthcare, and transportation.
• Nonessentials (“wants”) These are the expenses that aren’t necessary for survival but enhance your quality of life.
• Savings This is the money you separate from spending each month and allows you to reach the financial goals you established earlier.
A very basic approach to budgeting is the 50-30-20 rule, which divides your net income into the above categories, spending 50% on needs, 30% on wants, and 20% on savings. Those percentages may not be realistic for everyone, however, If you live in an area with steep housing costs, for example, you may need to spend more than 50% on needs and take some away from the “wants” and/or “savings” categories.
Practical Tips to Stick to Your Budget
Once you have a basic budget in place, you’ll need to stick to it — or you won’t see any progress towards your goals. Here are six ways to keep spending and saving on track.
1. Sleep on Big Purchases
Impulse buys can quickly throw your budget off course. To avoid the problem, try the 30-day rule: If you see something nonessential you want to buy either online or in person, put the purchase on a one-month pause. Tell yourself that if, after 30 days, you still want the item, and you can afford it, you’ll buy it. This gives you time to reflect. You may well decide that you don’t need or want the item that badly and forgo the purchase.
2. Aim to Never Spend More Than You Have
Getting into debt can be a vicious cycle that is tough to get out of. Just paying the minimum on your credit card balance, for example, means you’re never getting ahead of your debt. Running a balance also means you’re going to end up paying far more for your purchases than the original price tag.
If you want something you can’t afford right now, plan for it, and start setting money aside for it each month. When you have enough, you can splurge without guilt — or throwing off your budget.
3. Set up Auto Draft for Bills and Savings
To make sure you never miss a payment (and avoid late fees), consider setting up autopay for all of your regular bills. You can apply the same principle for paying yourself (a.k.a saving). Simply set up a recurring transfer from your checking account to your savings account for the same day each month (ideally, right after you get paid). Even small amounts will grow into something larger, which can ultimately buy that vacation or cover an unexpected car repair.
💡 Quick Tip: Want a simple way to save more each month? Grow your personal savings by opening an online savings account. SoFi offers high-interest savings accounts with no account fees. Open your savings account today!
4. Plan Your Meals to Curb Impulsive Spending
When you’re hungry and there’s no food in the house, it’s hard to resist the call of the drive-through or your fave local take-out spot. You can avoid this temptation by planning your meals (including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks) each week, making a grocery list, and sticking to that list in the store. Meal planning saves you from blowing your weekly food and restaurant budget. Bonus: You’ll probably eat healthier, too.
5. Utilize Technology for Tracking and Managing Your Budget
One of the best ways to stick to a budget is to harness technology. Putting a budgeting app on your phone, for example, can help you keep track of your spending and savings. These apps connect with your financial accounts (including bank accounts, credit cards, and investment accounts), so you don’t have to manually enter your purchases and transactions.
Apps can help you monitor bank accounts, credit card spending, and even keeping track of how much you spend in cash. Some apps allow you to split your spending into your own categories and can send you alerts when you start to max out your budget to help keep you from going over. Even better, many budgeting apps are free (at least for the basic service).
6. Revisit and Adjust Your Budget as Needed
A successful budget is rarely a one-and-done proposition. As your income, expenses, and/or financial goals change, it’s a good idea to revisit your budget and make adjustments.
You may want to check in on your budget every six to 12 months to reflect on your budgeting journey. How well is your budget working to advance your goals? Is it still relevant to your life? Maybe you’re spending more in certain categories and less in others. Perhaps you can siphon off a bit more to savings each month and reach your goals faster. Picking up changes in your financial habits can help ensure that your budget reflects your current priorities.
The Takeaway
Learning how to stick to a budget means starting with a realistic budgeting plan, setting SMART goals, picking the right tools, and keeping a watchful eye on your money as your income and expenses change. Remaining agile and staying disciplined with your budget will allow you to meet your expenses, enjoy extras like travel and entertainment, and achieve your future goals.
Better banking is here with up to 4.60% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.
SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.
SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.
SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.
SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.
Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.
Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet..
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Inside: Tight on time or money? One of these mini savings challenge printables is perfect for you. With these free printables, you’ll be able to save more money in no time.
The concept of a mini savings challenge is all about making money-saving a fun and engaging process. It breaks down your broader financial goals into manageable, short-term targets that cumulatively will help you reach your long-term objectives.
Around here at Money Bliss, we are known for having the best money saving challenges. While they are super popular on Pinterest and Google, what matters the most to us is that people are actually using them and their lives are changing.
So, if that is what you are looking for, then you are in the right place.
We know that the personal savings rate is dipping into the lowest range since 2007-2008 financial crisis around 3.4%.1 That is alarming because many people are one step away from not being financially stable.
Let’s dig into those mini saving challenges to make an impact in your financial life.
This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.
Why is a Savings Challenge Beneficial?
A savings challenge, while enjoyable, serves a more significant purpose. It instills a sense of financial discipline and allows you to visualize tangible results.
By making saving a fun and rewarding game, you’re more likely to stay committed and motivated.
This is why my money saving challenges are so helpful for thousands of my readers.
How this Mini Challenge Works?
Mini savings challenges work on the principle of small, regular savings resulting in significant sums over time.
By following a set rule – such as saving a particular amount every week, or matching a specific spending habit with a savings deposit – these challenges make it easy and fun to grow your savings without feeling overwhelmed.
Popular Mini Savings Challenge to Save Money
I love that I am known as an expert in helping people save money. The reason is simple – I love a good challenge.
If you have the right mindset, then you can save money on your income.
1. $300 Mini Saving Challenge
Many of us dream about having a comfortable savings account, but it’s often easier said than done. However, with the $300 Mini Saving Challenge, you can start building that financial safety net one step at a time. This challenge aims to help you stow away $300 and note slight improvements in your spending habits.
The $300 Mini Saving Challenge works by asking you to save a small amount each day. The goal is to gradually increase the daily savings, making it less burdensome and more achievable to hit your target of $300. This challenge is perfect for beginners who are apprehensive about taking on substantial financial commitments all at once but still want to cultivate good money-saving habits.
Expert Tip: Utilize a savings tracker, whether it’s a traditional paper-and-pencil method or a digital app, to keep track of your progress.
Raisin
Simply select one of the high-yield savings products offered by their network of federally insured banks and credit unions to begin your savings journey.
You can open a free Raisin account in just a few minutes!
Compare Rates
2. $500 Mini Saving Challenge
Learning how to teach yourself to save is one of the hardest things for my readers to do. So, they love these easy milestone challenges
This $500 mini savings challenge is a simple yet effective strategy to begin accumulating a substantial nest egg. This challenge requires you to systematically set aside a predefined amount each day, week, or month, consistently working toward a $500 goal.
Expert Tip: For the $500 Mini Saving Challenge, set a weekly savings goal and commit to reducing unnecessary expenses to manage and accumulate your targeted amount effectively.
3. 10 Week Saving Challenge
Kick-start your savings journey with an invigorating 10-week savings challenge. This feasible initiative can boost your bank balance and cultivate a savings habit.
As James Clear states in his famous bestselling book, Atomic Habits, it takes 21 days to build a new habit.
The challenge will triple your dedication as you will be setting aside a predetermined sum each week for ten weeks. The amounts could steadily increase to enhance the yielded savings.
Week 1 – Save $10
Week 2 – Save $15
Week 3 – Save $20
Week 4 – Save $25
Week 5 – Save $30
Week 6 – Save $35
Week 7 – Save $40
Week 8 – Save $45
Week 9 – Save $50
Week 10 – Save $55
By the end of your 10-week tenure, you will have amassed a handsome total of $325! This challenge is particularly beneficial for beginners who are striving to enforce a strict savings regimen.
Then, you can move on to our popular 52 week money saving challenge and choose the proper amount for you.
Expert Tip: Use a calendar or a mobile application to track your savings and keep you motivated throughout the challenge.
4. Mini Birthday Fund
Like a little surprise gift to yourself, the Mini Birthday Fund Challenge is for those who want to ensure they have a little extra cash to celebrate their special day in style. This delightful savings plan can be started at any time of the year, but the closer to your birthday, the more urgent the catch-up.
The plan is intuitive. Choose a monthly savings goal—say, $20—and diligently tuck away that amount every week or month until your birthday arrives. Then, voila! You have a mini birthday fund to splurge on a rewarding gift or experience gift for you. My personal favorite is spa time!
This is self-care and financial discipline bundled into one smart package.
Expert Tip: You can modify the amount you need to save and the total you need to save.
Our Top Pick
CIT Bank
Hailed for its competitive APY rates and digital ease of use, GOBankingRates named CIT as one of the Best Online Banks for 2022.
Earn one of the nation’s top rates.
Pros:
Daily compounding interest.
No account opening or maintenance fees.
Your deposits are FDIC insured.
Deposit checks remotely.
Make transfers with the CIT Bank mobile app.
5. The Penny Challenge
The Penny Challenge further simplifies savings. Plus you will be AMAZED at how much you can save with this simple penny challenge.
Every day you will save one more penny than the day before, yes, just one more penny. That will equal $667.95 in a year.
You can collect all the pennies you acquire and store them in a jar. Once your jar fills up or you hit your 365 days, deposit the pennies into your savings account.
Note: Though the denomination is small, you’ll be surprised at how much you can amass over time. Remember that every penny counts!
6. 365-Day Nickel-Saving Challenge
The 365-Day Nickel-Saving Challenge is perfect for those who like a daily commitment. Start on day one with a deposit of $0.05, and each following day, add a nickel to the previous day’s savings.
By day 365, you will deposit $18.25, accumulating a total of $3339.75 for the year. It’s a manageable and rewarding way to save.
7. The Dime Challenge
The Dime Challenge is similar to the Penny Challenge but uses dimes instead. Though the denomination is small, you’ll be surprised at how much you can amass over time.
Each day you will save ten cents or a dime more than the previous day, by the end of the year, you will save $6,679.50.
Day 1 – Save $0.10, Day 2 – Save $0.20, Day 3 – Save $0.30, and continue for 365 days
Collect all your dimes in a jar, and when it fills up, deposit them in your savings.
10X Effect: This challenge can help you save more money, more quickly than the Penny Challenge because dimes are worth ten times as much as pennies.
8. Dollar Savings Challenge
The $1 Savings Challenge is all about setting aside every single $1 bill that comes your way.
This is a great challenge if you use the cash envelope method for budgeting.
Even if you do this for just three months, you can save up to $1,000. It’s simple — every time you find a $1 bill, put it in your savings jar. This method makes saving money entertaining and gratifying.
9. The $5 Challenge
The $5 Challenge is similar to the $1 Challenge, with just a slight increase in the amount. It involves saving every $5 bill you come across.
Once again, better for those who use cash. But, you still can transfer $5 at intermittent increments to a separate online savings account.
The money saved from this challenge depends on how often you use cash and the duration of your challenge. It’s a doable and straightforward approach to savings.
Raisin
Simply select one of the high-yield savings products offered by their network of federally insured banks and credit unions to begin your savings journey.
You can open a free Raisin account in just a few minutes!
Compare Rates
10. 25 Envelopes Challenge
Another popular choice is the 25 Envelope Challenge which is a simpler version of the 100 Envelope Challenge. You get 25 envelopes, number them from 1-25, and each day, choose an envelope at random and put in an amount equivalent to the envelope number.
By the end of the challenge, you will save $325 in less than a month.
This challenge makes saving money unpredictable and exciting, leading to substantial savings over time. Next, you can try the 50 envelope challenge.
11. The Spare Change Challenge
The Spare Change Challenge involves saving all your loose change in a jar or piggy bank. Once the container fills up, deposit the savings into your bank account.
You’ll be surprised at how quickly the change adds up! However, this challenge works best for those who frequently use cash.
Tip: Don’t be afraid to pick up spare change on the ground!
Our Top Pick
CIT Bank
Hailed for its competitive APY rates and digital ease of use, GOBankingRates named CIT as one of the Best Online Banks for 2022.
Earn one of the nation’s top rates.
Pros:
Daily compounding interest.
No account opening or maintenance fees.
Your deposits are FDIC insured.
Deposit checks remotely.
Make transfers with the CIT Bank mobile app.
12. Round Up Savings Challenge
The Round Up Savings Challenge is best suited for card users. Whenever you make a purchase, round the figure to the nearest dollar and deposit the difference into savings.
For instance, if you spend $17.50, round it up to $18 and save the remaining 50 cents. It may seem small but will accumulate over time.
Go Digital: You can easily do this with the Acorns app.
13. No-Spend Challenge
The No-Spend Challenge encourages participants to avoid spending any extra money beyond the essentials for a set time. This involves taking a “financial fast,” where any non-essential spending is put on hold.
As such, this is one of my personal favorites, especially for those new to budgeting. It really helped me grasp what I truly needed to spend money on and what I didn’t. The same is true for all of my readers. The savings from this challenge can be substantial.
You can tailor the time frame to your own liking — try a no-spend day, week, or even month. Learn more about the no spend challenge.
14. No Eating Out Challenge
A no eating out challenge serves as an excellent tool to realize your spending habits as it eliminates the often overlooked cost of frequently dining out, enabling you to save more than expected. Right now, the average person spends $166 per month with most average costs in the $10-20 range.2
Combating your habit of eating out can lead to considerable savings, hence the No Eating Out Challenge. Under this challenge, you commit to avoiding restaurants, takeaway, and delivery for a set period, typically a month. The money saved from not dining out is then transferred into your savings, leading to substantial amounts over time.
This challenge makes you conscious of your expenditure and allows you to understand the significant amount you can accumulate over a period, promoting better spending habits.
15. The Spending “Swear Jar” or “Bad Habit” Challenge
Implementing a swear jar or a ‘bad habit’ jar can serve multiple purposes effectively. Not only does it stimulate the accumulation of savings, but it also aids in the transformation of replacing a bad habit with a good habit.
The rule is simple – each time you indulge in a specified bad spending habit, like making an unplanned purchase, you deposit a set amount (like a dollar) into your “swear jar.” This challenge effectively boosts savings while reducing unwanted expenses.
This is a great tactic to reduce your variable expenses.
Bonus: Savings Percentage Challenge
Last, but not least, my personal favorite! Increasing your Savings Percentage challenge.
The Savings Percentage Challenge urges you to save a fixed percentage of your income, preferably 20% every month. By adjusting the savings percentage to your comfort level, this challenge provides adaptability and the potential for significant savings over time.
To encourage savings as a regular habit, increase your savings percentage by 1% each year or with any pay raises or expense reductions.
See how the saving percentages work.
Tips for Successful Savings Challenge
Tip #1 – Creating Your Savings Goals
Creating specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) savings goals is the first step to your savings success. Your goals could be anything, ranging from a weekend getaway to creating an emergency fund.
Having clear savings goals keeps you motivated, providing a sense of purpose and direction. Learn more about smart money goal setting.
Tip #2 – Establishing the Savings Timeline
Once you have your savings goal, establish a realistic timeline to achieve it.
If your goal is to save $1000 and you decide to save $100 per month, your timeline will be 10 months.
If you need to save $300 in 30 days, then you must save $10 a day.
Establishing a clear timeline helps you organize your savings efficiently and remain motivated in your journey.
Tip #3 – Automatic Savings
One area I always stress to my readers is to pay yourself first. This concept is to set money aside first when you get your paycheck.
Then, take it one step further and establish an automatic transfer from your regular account to your special savings fund each pay period or month. This way, you won’t have to remember to make the transfer yourself, and it becomes an out-of-sight, out-of-mind saving habit!
Tip #4 – Staying Motivated through the Challenge
Track your progress visually, say, by coloring a box each time you save is habit-worthy. Keep your progress chart somewhere easily visible. This practice makes tracking fun and keeps you encouraged to save more.
Our free resource library of printables is full of possible money saving challenge ideas!
Staying motivated throughout your savings journey is crucial. Plus, watching your savings grow over time can be incredibly satisfying.
Tip #5 – Adjust your mindset for Improved Savings
Achieving your savings goals is truly a mindset game. Instead of seeing savings as a subtraction from your income, adjust your mindset to view it as paying yourself first.
Moreover, remember not to beat yourself up over occasional slip-ups. Continue to focus on your goal and celebrate small achievements.
Every dollar saved gets you one step closer to your goal.
Extending the Mini Savings Challenge – What’s Next?
Once you have completed a mini savings challenge, take your saving habit to the next level. Assess your financial situation and savings goal to determine new challenges.
You could consider higher-value monetary challenges or extend the challenge’s duration. Remember, consistent saving habits can greatly impact your long-term financial health.
Maintaining consistency in saving money is a golden key to long-term financial health.
Here are our popular money saving challenges:
Regardless of the amount, the habit of regularly putting money aside significantly contributes to building considerable savings. Remember, it’s not always about how much you save, but how consistently you do it.
Consistently saving, even smaller amounts, can lead to substantial totals over time.
Download the Printable Savings Tracker
To make your savings challenge fun and interactive, download one of our free printable savings trackers. These printable trackers will help you visually track your progress, boosting your motivation.
Every time you save money, color in a box or check it off.
Seeing this visual representation of your savings grow is a fun, rewarding way to track your journey toward your financial goal. Once you reach your goal, start again and keep the momentum going.
**To access these free printable, you must subscribe to my newsletter and you will be emailed the password.**
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, you can start a savings challenge at any time. There is no specified period or date to begin.
You can choose a day that suits you best and kick off your savings challenge. Remember, the important part is not when you start, but that you start – and consistently save.
Staying committed to your savings plan is primarily about discipline and motivation.
Personally, I visualize my financial goals and stay motivated by celebrating small wins. You can do the same thing.
Also, use a savings tracker to make your progress tangible and fun. Finally, involve family or friends in your savings challenge so you can motivate and encourage each other along the way.
Of the Mini Savings Challenges, Which Will You Try First
Embrace the journey of a savings challenge, enjoying the process just as much as the destination.
This is key to becoming financially stable. It’s not only about reaching your financial goal but also about developing lasting habits of financial discipline and stewardship. These mini savings challenges are a learning experience and remember, no matter the size of your savings, every step is a step in the right direction.
With the help of a mini savings challenge tracker, you can start small yet grow big in savings.
These mini challenges, though small-scale and manageable, can lead to a significant increase in your savings over time. More than that, they encourage the much-needed habit of saving regularly.
Get started on your savings journey, make it enjoyable, and watch your money accumulate over time.
Sources
FRED St. Louis Fed Ecomonic Data. “Personal Saving Rate.” https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/PSAVERT. Accessed November 8, 2023.
US Foods. “The Diner Dispatch: 2023 American Dining Habits.” https://www.usfoods.com/our-services/business-trends/american-dining-out-habits-2023.html. Accessed November 8, 2023.
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
Did the post resonate with you?
More importantly, did I answer the questions you have about this topic? Let me know in the comments if I can help in some other way!
Your comments are not just welcomed; they’re an integral part of our community. Let’s continue the conversation and explore how these ideas align with your journey towards Money Bliss.
Crate & Barrel will never let you down. And now that it’s Cyber Monday, it won’t let your wallet down either.
The coveted retailer is commonplace for wedding registries and, of course, holiday gifts. Now, Crate & Barrel is hosting its first-ever Cyber Monday Warehouse Sale where you can find up to 30% off sitewide.
From dinnerware sets and sectional sofas to the most festive of candles and the plushest of blankets, we’re all about its online catalog right now.
So, the New York Post rounded up a cheat sheet of the best Crate & Barrel finds that are all on sale and waiting to be placed into your online shopping cart.
Now through Nov. 29, enjoy up to 50% off furniture, up to 20% off best-selling sofas and sectionals, free threshold shipping for orders of $99 or more and up to 30% off favorites (including entertaining items, holiday decor, kitchen brands and select bedding and lighting).
More, find up to 60% off clearance items while supplies last. In short, it’s a shopping soiree we’re marking as one word: sensational.
The Hague Mid-Century Sofa has a contemporary charm we love — and it’s $300 off for Cyber Monday. Its flared arms, tapered conical legs anad nestled cushions make it a bit more upscale than other models you may see online, too.
It’s not the time to skip on Crate & Barrel’s outdoor patio furniture offerings. For a limited time, invest in the Jeannie Teak Outdoor Chaise Lounge by Leanne Ford. We love its well-made silhouette and resort-grade cushion, most of all.
KitchenAid Artisan Series Matte Milkshake 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
As a top gifting pick, the KitchenAid Artisan Series Matte Milkshake 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is on sale for $100 off at Crate & Barrel in a sea of beautiful colors to best suit your kitchen and aesthetic. From mixing cake batter and whipping cream to kneading bread dough, it’s a surefire staple.
Le Creuset Signature 7.5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Chef Oven
Meet one of the most beautiful pieces of kitchenware we’ve ever seen: the Le Creuset Signature 7.5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Chef Oven. This Cyber Monday, enjoy nearly $200 off this stovetop decor piece and versatile cooker.
Faux Hemlock 74″ Pine Pre-Lit LED Christmas Garland
No, it’s not too late to pick up elevated Christmas decor. We’re all about the Faux Hemlock 74″ Pine Pre-Lit LED Christmas Garland, especially now that it’s just over $100 right now.
Nespresso Lattissima One Silky White Espresso Machine by De’Longhi
The Nespresso Lattissima One Silky White Espresso Machine by De’Longhi is one of the most aesthetically pleasing coffee makers that crafts barista-style brews in a flash. Trust us when we say, a Nespresso machine is the *best* gift we’ve ever received.
Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor
If you’re on the hunt for a newly minted food processor, we have the Cyber Monday deal for you. The Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor is on sale for $50 off at Crate & Barrel and from a brand we trust.
Pick up the J.K. Adams Heritage Serving Board at Crate & Barrel — the serving essential for your next charcuterie. It’s just shy of $100 for a kitchen grab you’re sure to use on repeat.
Upgrade your indoor botanical center with the Wesley Metal Plant Stand. We love the traditional, timeless look of these sleek and tall planters. Oh, and there are two sizes to choose from (or, our idea: purchase both for added dimension).
If you’re all about finding cookware on sale for Cyber Monday, we recommend the Zwilling Clad Xtreme Hard-Anodized 10-Piece Cookware Set at Crate & Barrel. This set includes 8- and 10-inch fry pans, 2- and 3-quart lidded sauce pots, a 3-quart lidded sauté pan and a 6-quart lidded Dutch oven.
The Doret White Jersey Quilt Full/Queen is your solution to clean, white bedding — at a discount, nonetheless. Not to mention, Crate & Barrel has some exquisite duvet covers, if we do say so ourselves.
The Cassi White Table Lamp has to be one of the most beautiful table lamps we’ve seen. Worth the splurge, its neutral charm is just what we love to adorn our dressers and coffee tables for a little home decor refresh.
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is a kitchen appliance the New York Post team raves about (simply because it’s one of the best air fryer and toaster oven hybrids). Now, you can score it for even less.
The Cuisinart Espresso Defined Espresso, Cappuccino and Latte Machine is easily one of the coolest coffee makers we’ve seen, thanks to versatility and entertaining hotspot. Additionally, you can choose your ideal brewing temperature, espresso volume, milk volume and standby time.
Pick up a multi-purpose furniture piece — the dining table and the home office desk. Thanks to Crate & Barrel’s Seb Oak Wood Desk/Dining Table, you’ll be scoring this stunning two-in-one showpiece for just under $1,000.
Check out the New York Post Shopping section for more content.
The next best thing to binge-watching home decor shows is swooning over the pages of home decor books by your favorite designers. Shea McGee, Kelly Wearstler, Jeremiah Brent, Bobby Berk and more are inspiring us with new books about how to live beautifully, colorfully, elegantly, and even on a budget. Gift them to the interior design lovers in your life, use them as a coffee table books, and prepare to be inspired to create a home that inspires joy, creativity, and comfort. Something we can all use these days, right? Enjoy!
The Art of Home: A Designer Guide To Creating An Elevated Yet Approachable Home
We couldn’t wait to get our hands on Shea McGee’s beautiful new decor book, where she shares the details behind her design process, inspires us with swoon-worthy design photos, and takes us through every room of the house to help us transform how we live every day. We love that you can take these ideas and make them your own with vintage or more affordable pieces from her Target collection.
Old Brand New: Colorful Homes for Maximal Living
Dabito is a master at mixing colors and making max living seem effortless and refined (but still totally fun). Here, he gives us all the tricks of his trade on layering bold colors, incorporating vintage, and sprucing up your space for a new year. Expect to find projects you can whip up in a weekend (styling a bookcase, hanging a gallery wall, designing an outdoor space) for your home or rental, and learn about his immigrant experience in his thoughtful and inspiring way.
Right at Home: How Good Design Is Good for the Mind
Queer Eye host Bobby Berk shows you how to make the most of your home to inspire self care, wellness, and inspire happiness in every room. Bobby helps anyone, from studio dwellers to first home buyers, figure out how to define what makes you happy so you can create an authentic design to you (vs. what is popular on IG). He helps with function, comfort and so much style, all in an effort to boost your mood at home.
Kelly Wearstler: Synchronicity
Kelly Wearstler fans unite — this book is chock-full of Wearstler’s unique and mold-breaking designs. She masters pairing luxe materials with fresh colors and forms and mixes styles to perfection. Her bold approach shines through so you can take cues on how to incorporate her wildly elegant ideas at home.
The Space That Keeps You: When Home Becomes a Love Story
Moving from one beautiful home to the next with partner Nate Berkus and their two children, Jeremiah Brent wanted to explore what makes a home a space that keeps you grounded. He guides us through homes around the world — from Mexico to Montecito — that hold memories, emotions, and personal stories. His gorgeous designs are the backdrop to a powerful story of what shapes a home. This book comes out next February, but you can pre-order now!
Star Style: Interiors of Martyn Lawrence Bullard
Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s A-list clients include the Kardashians, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, and Ellen Pompeo. Get a peek inside the homes of Hollywood elite, from Kylie Jenner’s Hidden Hills hideaway to Cher’s Malibu mansion, and refresh your space with a little glamour.
Create: At Home With Old & New
Ali Heath’s follow-up to her wildly popular decor book, Curate, give us refreshing decor inspo that combines modern design mixed with vintage soul and we can’t get enough!
Laura Gonzalez: Interiors
Become inspired by one of Paris’s most sought-after designers. See how designer and architect Laura Gonzalez expertly mixes patterns, texture, and whimsical details to create bold, iconic spaces, from retail to restaurants to hotels and homes. Her designs hint to the classics but are infused with her sophisticated, colorful, and diverse style. Think elegant romanticism with an edge.
Call It Home: The Details That Matter
Designer Amber Lewis, known for her California-inspired style and the author behind the best-selling Made for Living, goes into the details (the edges, grains, colors, and finishes) that make a home a beautiful one. If eclectic, laid-back and coastal is your style, this book is worthy of your limited bookshelf space.
Think Like A Decorator
Interior designer Leslie Banker and friends like designers Alexa Hampton, Tom Scheerer, and Amanda Nisbet, share their best tips for turning a space into a story. She helps you address common decor problems and offers advice for creating your own unique look in this fun, entertaining decor tome.
Calm Living
If you really want to create a sanctuary at home, this book by designer and Stanford instructor Olga Trusova teaches you how to make small changes in your space to feel more inspired, clear and joyful. Get snackable tips on how to use light, color, sound, and furniture to make an impact on your home and your mind and body.
The Home Style Handbook
UK-based artist and designer Lucy Gough shares step-by-steps and moodboard inspiration in this guide to creating a home that reflects you and your personal style.
Farrow & Ball How to Redecorate
Looking for good paint inspiration? This new edition of the best-selling interiors book teaches you how to use paint and wallpaper to transform your space.
The deVOL Kitchen
If you’ve caught the deVOL team (For the Love of Kitchens) on the Magnolia Network, you know that their work is no joke. With beautiful cabinetry and intelligent design, the UK-based design couple shows you how to make the most of the most important room in your home. This guide is full of stunning photography to inspire you to design and style your kitchen in a way that makes you feel right at home.
Colour Confidence
Need a confidence boost when it comes to picking out and pairing colors? Jessica Sowerby of @thehousethatcolourbuilt helps you choose the perfect palette, embrace darker tones, find the perfect white, and more!
Sacred Spaces
Designer and photographer Carley Summers draws from her personal struggles with addiction to show how a home is a place that can heal. Learn about 14 other stories where home is truly where the heart is and how you can design your space for solace and comfort in her signature style.
The Interior Design Book For A Happy Home
Learn how to choose mood-boosting color palettes, incorporate natural textures that soothe, and create a joyful space you always want to come home to with dopamine decor expert Sofia Meri.
Your Space, Made Simple
If you’re feeling in a design rut, Bay Area interior designer Ariel Magidson will show you how to create a beautiful space that is approachable, affordable, and sustainable in this guide to a well-designed home. Understand what you need to make your home less stress-inducing, get tips for sourcing furniture that isn’t a splurge, and pick up recipes for arranging a space that feels just right.
For even more home decor inspo, sign up for our weekly email newsletter!