Well, one of my Mom's gave notice that she will not be needing me any longer. I knew it was coming, since she moved quite far away and was still making the drive to my home. But, still a bummer losing a sweet little baby and of course the income that comes with it. So, I put an ad out as soon as I knew. The next day I already had a call and then an interview with the new person. They will be starting next week, but only for part time -- one day a week. It's not going to make up the loss in income, but it is a start. (Also, I had been using the extra income from this child towards my $20 challenge)
But, last night I got a call from an old friend that was looking for child care for a friend that has twins. So I am crossing my fingers!!! I have another little boy that will be starting school next year, so that would replace him. Early replace him, but that's okay it would be extra income for a few months.
So cross your fingers that I get a call from the prospective client. I know I am.

Wow, it is amazing to me how much extra you can save when you put your mind to it.

Here's how we made out for February on our $20 challenge:

$540 extra child full time care for month
$100 late fee for rental property
$160 drop in child care
$32 vendor coupons savings for month
$20 brought daycare kids to dr. with me
saved on paying someone else to care
for them.
$4 rebate for shampoo from Walgreen's

$856 Total for the month of February!!!!
$4 more than last month!!!! Total YTD
is $1708.00

Saved $10 in vendor coupons today at the grocery store. Adding to the challenge.

I am $41 under what I saved last month for my challenge. I am still hoping to beat it. Only a few more days legt.

Well, I had a doctor appointment today and my friend that was going to watch the daycare kids for me couldn't make it. So I brought the kids with me to the doctor.
It wasn't that big of a deal and it saved me the $20 I would have paid her. I'll add it to the $20 challenge for this month.

Also, received a $4.00 mail in rebate check in the mail today. I will be adding that to the challenge this month also.

January
$100 late fee from our tenants
$140 watched extra kids during school break.
$540 watching an extra child full-time ( this is income above and beyond what I normally bring in)
$25 watched extra child because their regular daycare was closed due to weather
$20 watched extra child
$27 coupon savings for month.
Total January $852 ($352 above goal for month) Whoo HOOO.

I think I will update this monthly. But so far for February, I have $575. Go Me.

Okay,long story short. At the beginning of 2007, I started saving money that I wouldn't ordinarily save. I planned to put this towards a personal loan that I have. I have been keeping track in a notebook and putting the money into my ING account under Found Money Fund.

So, I will need to add $20 to it for it to be my official $20 Challenge.

Here is what I have done so far:

Each time I go to the grocery store I take my coupon total and put the money in the bank. (in the past, I used coupons but never put that money back) It is amazing to see how that money accumulates!!!
Each time I watch an extra child above and beyond my normal wages, that money gets put into the account. (I do child care)
Late fees from rental income.
My goal for each money is $500. So $6000 for the year.

Can someone tell me where to find out more about the $20 challege. I get bits and pieces of information but wanted to know more about it. It sounds like something I already started this year on my own. Basically, putting back found money that I wasn't counting on. Thanks.