Three weeks ago I set a goal for myself to have a 4 week flash savings challenge. At the end of the 4 weeks, my goal is to have $3,000 in our emergency fund savings. (We started with $611 in our savings, so we need to get $2,389 in four weeks.)
We have one week left and need about $1,200. If my husband’s reimbursement check comes in time, we will make our goal. (It will be a little over $1,700.) I still have a few things left to list on Craigslist like our playpen, toddler travel bed, baby gates, and some of my husband’s tools. If those sell within a week, we will be much closer to our goal.
Either way, I am feeling a bit more secure now that our emergency fund is slowly but surely increasing.
I had some crazy luck on eBay this past week. In the closet, I found a brand new package of boy’s Gymboree underwear that I bought for my son but never gave to him because he already has enough underwear. I listed it for $7.99, but there was a bidding war at the end, and it sold for almost $17! Also, I bought 3 brand new Gap boys’ shirts for my husband’s nephew, but we never sent them out because my husband’s mother said we shouldn’t send gifts any more because shipping to Japan is so expensive. I bought the shirts using a Groupon, so they cost less than $10. They sold on eBay for $27!
Here is the extra money we generated last week:
Sold a suitcase: $20
Extra Job #1: $60
Extra Job #2: $200
Extra Job #3: $25
Ebay earnings: $180.77
Total for Week Three: $485.77
Total for Week Two: $447.50
Total for Week One: $254.34
New Emergency Fund Total: $1,798.61
Starting Emergency Fund Total: $611
Great progress!
You did have great luck on Ebay! That’s wonderful, & it’s fantastic that you’re feeling more secure now that your emergency fund is rising.
Awesome work on getting extra cash towards the E-Fund! We love using Craigslist and put a bunch of stuff on there several times a year. We’re generally able to earn several hundred dollars a time which is always nice to make.
Wow, I think you are doing really great! Hope you make your goal. 🙂
I love this series each week. You really make people think about how every little bit helps. I’m so impressed with your dedication to meet your goal.
I have never listed clothing items on eBay before, but I have been inspired by your series to try! I wondered if you had any advice for listing items to attract good selling prices. For example, do sets of items (shirt, pants, socks) sell better or am I better off listing things separately? Are there key words I should be using? Any help would be appreciated! I think you are doing an amazing job of building savings!!
Stay tuned, Lynne. I will write a post about my strategy tomorrow morning!
Great job! I have really enjoyed learning about how you have put your savings plan into action! Iam truly inspired. You have inspired me to buckle down and start my own very much needed emergency fund. I have scaled my goal down in comparison. However, Iam blogging about about it at mommiesandbeyond dot com. I would love for you to read along. I appreciate tips as well! Thank-you for the inspiration and sharing your plan! I think you’ve do e a great job! Thanks!
Great work on saving money, and I love that you put the plan in action now, rather than waiting until the New Year. Keep me posted!