Forget the Joneses Summer Bootcamp 2009
The Forget the Joneses program is designed to help you put your most valuable resources - your money and your time - where your prioirities are. This is our summer "Boot Camp" edition and will last six weeks, starting on June 15th. In the summer edition, we'll be asking you to focus on some key goals and help you reach them over the six-week period. This edition will be a little lighter, more goal-oriented than past FTJ editions. It's our hope that participants will set some clearly defined goals and will end with a feeling of true accomplishment! Get ready; we're kicking off the program with a one-week spending freeze.
The Holistic Approach
While the Spending Freeze is going on, we’ll be taking a closer look at some personal goals in key areas: finance, health, relationships, leisure, and so on. you’ll have a clear idea of where you are, where you’re going, and the tools to get you there.
If you follow the program closely, you'll end the project with a true sense of accomplishment. 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 week 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.
When we've done the spending freeze before, 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.
Weekly Assignments
Please check in here for assignments starting June 15th. 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. We will have approximately one assignment every other day.
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 over the summer.
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.
If you've decided to participate, please check in and tell us about yourself here! Welcome aboard!
Who's on Board? Please introduce yourselves!
About our FTJ Summer Boot Camp
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