Another week, another fund check in! How do you measure your savings progress? Do you write it down, like I do? If so, where do you keep that info? Do you use the worksheets in your Saving to Disney binder? Maybe you make a fund thermometer that you color in when you hit certain milestones. Maybe you have a graph. A pie chart! A checklist! There are dozens of ways so measure your progress, but the important thing is that you do.
Keeping track of the numbers might seem painstaking, but I promise there is a pay off. When I look at that number next to Total Goal it looks big. Intimidating. Unmanageable. Sometimes, between you, me and the Internet, when I look at the number next to Total Deposits those feelings get worse. Measured out week by week, my progress can look teeny. Slow. Stagnant.
But then I look at the number next to Still Need and wouldn’t you know, that number is getting smaller. Week by week, the amount we need is lessening. I am *this* close to being under the $3000 mark. Which means in about 2 months I’ve managed to save $500.
That is 15% of my trip, saved over two months. We still have 14 months left to save. 14 months! Look what I have accomplished in only 2! If I wasn’t tracking my savings each week, I would have no idea of how great my progress is. When I look at those numbers, they no longer seem so small or so slow. They reveal themselves to be what they are: the sum of a lot of moving, savings oriented parts. I am no longer intimidated. I am empowered. I am doing this! The numbers don’t lie.
If you are not keeping track of your savings, would you take a piece of advice from a friend? Do. Start writing this stuff down. Do it on a worksheet. Or a chart. Or a graph. Just make sure you do it. You’ll be amazed at how you’re coming along. I know I was.
Total Goal: $3500
Total Deposit: $40 (from free Gym Membership)
Still Need: $3003.96
How are your numbers looking? How are you keeping track of your progress? Tell me all about it in the comments!
Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey three years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own savings adventure!