5 ways to make your change challenge (even) more fun
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Okay, we all know what it's like to find a pile of change somewhere and wonder: what am I supposed to do with it? What if I told you that handful of coins could easily earn you some extra cash? That's exactly what the change challenge is all about! This is a super fun and easy way to save money without even realizing it. But, let's be honest: sticking with it is easier when it's also a bit fun. That's why I'm giving you 5 creative ways to keep your change challenge exciting and fun! Whether you're saving for a vacation, a big purchase, or just a little extra at the end of the month, these methods will keep saving fun and motivating!
1. Use a transparent piggy bank
Why? You want to see your savings grow, right? A transparent piggy bank lets you literally see your savings goals coming closer. Visual motivation really works!
How? Grab a glass jar, an old candy tin, or even a clear vase and start filling it. To make it even more fun, mark lines on the outside with amounts like €10, €20, and €50. See how quickly it adds up? The fuller the jar, the more motivated you'll be to keep going!
Bonus tip: Instead of a piggy bank, you can also use abudget binder with zippered envelopes to neatly organize your savings and keep track of your savings goal! This also makes it easy to keep track of how much you've saved and how much you still need to reach your final goal.
2. Make it a competition
Why? We're all a little competitive. So why not turn your challenge into a little competition?
How?
- Challenge your partner, roommate or colleague: who can save the most change in a month?
- Set a reward for the winner, such as a free coffee, dinner, or simply eternal fame.
- If you're doing it with your family, make it a family challenge. At the end of the day, everyone puts their coins into a shared pot. At the end of the month, the person with the largest contribution gets to choose the savings goal!
- Make it extra exciting by introducing a 'penalty' system: for example, if someone complains about saving, they have to put an extra coin in the pot!
Variation: Make it extra fun by adding certain "penalties." For example, every time someone drops a coin, they have to put two more in the jar. A playful way to ensure everyone participates seriously!
3. Visual motivation
Why? Sometimes you just need a reminder of why you're doing this. Small motivational boosts can work wonders.
How?
- Write little notes with inspiring messages like "Almost there!", "Don't give up!" or "This will be your dream vacation!" and put them among your coins.
- Label your savings jars if you have multiple savings goals. For example: one jar for vacations, one for gifts, and one for those expensive sneakers you've been wanting for months.
- Create a fun visualization of your savings goals with drawings or charts in your notebook.
- Add motivational dashboards
Bonus tip: Use a cash envelope system to organize your savings by goal. This helps you maintain an overview and prevents you from secretly withdrawing money from your piggy bank for impulse buys!
4. Add a game element
Why? Saving doesn't have to be a boring task. Turn it into a game, and it'll suddenly feel like something you enjoy!
How?
- Dice Game: Each week you roll a dice and the number you roll is the amount you put into the pot.
- Weekly Challenge: Choose a fixed day of the week on which you put ALL your coins into the jar.
- Random rules: Every time you buy coffee, you have to save the change. Or every time you find a €2 coin, it goes straight into the piggy bank.
Extra challenge: Give yourself bonus days to save extra, for example on your salary day!
Fun twist: Get others involved. For example, play Monopoly and decide that all the money you win (from real life!) goes into the pot. This way, saving becomes a fun activity!
5. Automate your savings process
Why? Sometimes we simply forget to save. By automating your savings, you ensure you build a buffer without even thinking about it.
How?
- Use a digital piggy bank to automatically send small amounts to your savings account.
- Set a weekly reminder on your phone to put aside some change.
- Use a rounding app that rounds all your payments to the nearest euro and automatically saves the difference.
- Use a personalized piggy bank for different purposes.
7. Conclusion
Saving doesn't have to be boring or difficult. With a little creativity, you can turn the small change challenge into a super fun project. You'll be surprised how much you can save without even realizing it, even with small amounts you might otherwise leave lying around. And by adding a playful element, it becomes a fun habit instead of a chore.
So what are you waiting for? Grab a jar, set a goal, and start saving today! Have you thought of a fun way to make your change challenge even more enjoyable? Share your ideas in the comments or let us know how you approach it!