Forget the Joneses Bootcamp 2009
The Forget the Joneses program is designed to help you put your most valuable resources - you money and your time where your prioirities are. This is our "Boot Camp" edition and will last six weeks, starting on January 1st. To participate you only need to be a registered member of the Mommysavers Forums. The program is broken down into two phases: The Spending Freeze and the Modified Spending Freeze each lasting three weeks.
The Holistic Approach
While the Spending Freeze is going on, we’ll be taking a closer look at your finances and coming up with a budget or debt pay down plan based on your situation in life and your personal goals. The second half of the Bootcamp will consist of a modified spending freeze where you’ll be asked to track your expenditures.
If you follow the program closely, by the end of the project you’ll have a clear idea of where you are, where you’re going, and the tools to get you there. You’ll also have a better idea of who you are as a person, what is important to you, and ways to enjoy life within the parameters of your own budget.
Often other money saving methods fail because problems financial problems are rarely about the money itself. In our FTJ Bootcamp, it will be important to examine other areas of your life that may be out of balance. Looking at your life holistically – not just your financial balance sheet – can help you get back on track in all areas of your life.
During the FTJ Bootcamp we’ll be asking you to not only think about your finances, but other goals, dreams, priorities. These steps are as crucial to your success as all the others.
What to Expect During the Spending Freeze
The first three weeks of our Boot Camp will be a complete spending freeze. During this time, all discretionary spending is put on hold. You’ll be asked to complete an “approved spending list” prior to starting. For some, it could include things like toilet paper, milk, or participation in a prior commitment such as a birthday gift for a party.
During this phase last year, we had so many questions about what was acceptable to spend money on. Is this OK? Is it OK to spend on that? You are the only one who can answer that question. I’ll say this much: You’ll get out of it what you put into it. If you make it too easy on yourself, you’ll miss the main reasons for participating. If you make it so difficult that you doom yourself to failure, there’s no value in that either. You’ll need to determine what the right balance is for you.
Getting Your Spouse on Board
If you can get your spouse to participate with you, your chances of success are much greater. Here are some tips to get him on board:
Make it optional. If you try to force your spouse into doing something, he's likely to rebel and decide not to do it at all. Explain to him why you're doing it - make them personal reasons - and see what his reaction is.
Give him some choices. If a total spending freeze is too difficult (and it is for many people; especially men) then suggest a modified spending freeze. Ask him what dollar amount per week he thinks he could get by with ($10? $20? $50?)
Be a good example. Show him that YOU can do it and that it isn't that hard. Maybe he'll be intrigued enough to join you.
Daily Assignments
Please check in here for Daily Assigments starting January 1st. Some assignments will be short, others will require more time. Try to keep up with them so you don’t fall behind. If you join us late, that’s fine. Try to catch up.
How Do I Sign Up?
There is no formal sign up. Participation is free. We do ask that you introduce yourselves so we know who is participating with us this year.
FTJ Boot Camp Participants: Tell Us About Yourself
Participation
While participation in discussion isn’t required, it’s suggested. If you’re a lurker who hasn’t posted here before, please don’t be intimidated. We’re encouraging everyone’s input. Your comments, thoughts, and suggestions help the group as a whole. There is strength in numbers, and we welcome everyone’s comments on our daily activities and discussion topics.
Blogging
As you go through the project, consider starting a Mommysavers blog. As you look back at each daily entry, no matter how long or short, you’ll be able to see your progress over the six week project. We’ll be starting a blogroll sticky thread to link to blogs within and outside of the site. If you are participating in the FTJ Bootcamp and are a blogger outside of Mommysavers, we’ll link to your blog if you mention our site or our bootcamp within your blog. Send me your link via PM and I’ll add it. Or, feel free to add it in your signature line.
Materials You’ll Need:
•Start Saving Grocery Receipts and Fliers - You’ll need these to complete a price book project we’ll be working on in Week Three
• Many of the assignments will require journaling, writing down answers. You can do this online within a blog, a journal, or create a spiral-bound notebook to keep all your assignments. Choose the way that’s easiest for you.
• Two small notebooks that fit in your purse
Forget the Joneses Bootcamp 2009
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