My Financial Goal Recap For 2009

Many of you know that I set a financial goal for myself in 2009. I wanted to see if I could earn more money doing what I do in my spare time as a stay-at-home mom than I spend for the year on groceries and toiletries. It has been neck-and-neck all year, but here is the final breakdown.

Toiletries/Diapers (CVS, Walgreens, Target, and Kmart): I spent a total of $468, while saving $5,260. That’s a total savings of 93% for the year.

Groceries (Jewel, Dominick’s and Butera): I spent a total of $2,170, while saving $4,552. That’s a total savings of 63% for the year.

Grand Total Spending for the year: $2,638
Grand Total Savings for the year: $9,812
Percentage Total Saved for the year: 78%

I earn money in a variety of different ways. It is all a little bit at a time, but it definitely adds up. Included in my list for the year are mystery shops, focus groups, sweepstakes cash winnings, surveys, Swagbucks, prescription coupons, cash back programs, our family garage sale, and earnings I’ve made selling a few things to Once Upon A Child.

Overall this year, I have earned a total of $2646! I haven’t looked at the number until right now (I had it all separated so that I couldn’t tell), so I’m pretty excited. I actually made it by only $8. That was close! I’ve got to try for a larger spread for this year… if I can do it again!

In addition to my earnings and cash winnings, by entering all of the sweepstakes listed on my site and Sweeties Sweeps, I’ve also won a bunch of prizes with a total value of $847. Some months are very dry, but it ultimately does pay to play every day.