One of the area libraries is having their monthly used book sale tomorrow. I went last month, but only had time to look at a handful of books. They have an entire room devoted to the sale, so I'll see what I can pick up for my challenge. A second library also has a sale going on tomorrow. Not sure I'll be able to make both, but I'll try.

Hubby's company has a good deal: Each year, they'll reimburse employees for buying different health-related products (e.g., treadmills, gym memberships, etc.). We've taken advantage of it a few times in the past. Anyway, we bought each other new bikes for Christmas, and it turns out that we'll be reimbursed $225! Also, they'll reimburse $75 for employees to get one massage/year. I need to dig up the bike receipt and submit both of those, and I need to remember to take advantage of this each year!

Finally, I've got a few errands to run today. I want to go to Walgreens and pick up a few FAR items, and the kids need haircuts. Then we're going home and hunkering down for the weekend. 6-12" of snow is expected, and I've got 2 crockpot meals planned!

I got an email from half.com that they'll be depositing $15.75 into my account, and I have $.10 of recycling to add. I also picked up a book at the local library for $.10 that ebook will buy for $1.97. Nothing else new to add today...

New total: $96.10

Outstanding items: $3.81 (ebook), $75 (Affinity Bank), $10 (Del Monte Rebate), $10 (Colgate Rebate), $20 (Norton Security rebate), $8 (Games Make Great Gifts Rebate), $5 (Amazon Rebate - not sure if I'm getting this because I didn't submit the packing slip), $10.57 (ebook), $10 (Kimberly Clark Rebate), $4.58 (ebook), $10 (2nd Kimberly Clark Rebate), $10 (Pepsi rebate), $100 (Citi bonus 1), $100 (Citi bonus 2), $5.08 (ebook), $10.61 (ebook), $2 (Chandon rebate), ebook ($1.97)

Three more things for the challenge: 1) I went grocery shopping yesterday and returned $.45 worth of recyclables (wahoo!). 2) I had $8.50 worth of "keep the change" from BOA in January, where anytime I use my debit card the amount is rounded off to the next dollar and the change is moved to my savings account. 3) I bought my normal brand of champagne, and it had a $2 rebate that I'll mail out tomorrow. (I had to send it to my sister's house because you have to be a NY resident. I'll give her a heads up to look for it, and put up with her busting my chops over saving $2). Also, I received an email from Symantec saying they received my paperwork and are processing it. So far so good...

New total: $80.35

Outstanding items: $3.81 (ebook), $75 (Affinity Bank), $10 (Del Monte Rebate), $10 (Colgate Rebate), $20 (Norton Security rebate), $8 (Games Make Great Gifts Rebate), $5 (Amazon Rebate - not sure if I'm getting this because I didn't submit the packing slip), $10.57 (ebook), $10 (Kimberly Clark Rebate), $4.58 (ebook), $10 (2nd Kimberly Clark Rebate), $10 (Pepsi rebate), $6.65 (half.com), $100 (Citi bonus 1), $100 (Citi bonus 2), $9.10 (half.com), $5.08 (ebook), $10.61 (ebook), $2 (Chandon rebate)

I'm chugging along with my challenge. Bought the books from the bookstore ($10.61-$4.34 cost) yesterday. I have some more I can pick up on Monday. I also have some recycling to bring to the grocery store today, and Staples sent me an email saying that one of my rebate checks is really in the mail.

New total: $71.40

Outstanding items: $3.81 (ebook), $75 (Affinity Bank), $10 (Del Monte Rebate), $10 (Colgate Rebate), $20 (Norton Security rebate), $8 (Games Make Great Gifts Rebate), $5 (Amazon Rebate - not sure if I'm getting this because I didn't submit the packing slip), $10.57 (ebook), $10 (Kimberly Clark Rebate), $4.58 (ebook), $10 (2nd Kimberly Clark Rebate), $10 (Pepsi rebate), $6.65 (half.com), $100 (Citi bonus 1), $100 (Citi bonus 2), $9.10 (half.com), $5.08 (ebook), $10.61 (ebook)

I wish it was - I'm really beat today!

I confirmed yesterday that BOA would not let us transfer the HELOC balance onto their 0% credit card, so I didn't apply. I called Chase and tried to get them to waive the $75 balance transfer fee, but they wouldn't budge. Luckily, we received a Citibank 0% credit card offer in the mail yesterday with no balance transfer fee. So I applied today. We're preapproved, so I don't doubt we'll get it, I'm just waiting to see what the credit line will be. The response comes via snail mail, so I'm sure it will take a week or so, then it takes 3-4 weeks to make the transfer.

Went to the used bookstore at lunch. Didn't do great. Four books for a total of $10.69-$4.32(cost) for a net of $6.37. Ah, well, I guess that's why I said an average of $10/week. Some weeks are better, some are worse.

I feel like I'm pretty up-to-date on the daily challenges so far. I'll feel great when the 0% credit card is in place with the balance transferred, and I think my auto insurance is in as good shape as possible. (The one outstanding item for me is to take the defensive driving course with hubby. His company usually offers it at a substantial discount vs. AAA, so we'll wait awhile to see if they offer it. Otherwise, we'll go to AAA).

So far, so good...

Two updates to the challenge: I mailed the half.com book for $2.09, should get $9.10 back, for a net of $6.51. I subtracted the 2.09 below and will add in the $9.10 when I get it. Also, I stopped at the library to pick up the two books for ebook. Paid $1, will get $5.08 back.

New total: $75.74

Outstanding items: $3.81 (ebook), $75 (Affinity Bank), $10 (Del Monte Rebate), $10 (Colgate Rebate), $20 (Norton Security rebate), $8 (Games Make Great Gifts Rebate), $5 (Amazon Rebate - not sure if I'm getting this because I didn't submit the packing slip), $10.57 (ebook), $10 (Kimberly Clark Rebate), $4.58 (ebook), $10 (2nd Kimberly Clark Rebate), $10 (Pepsi rebate), $6.65 (half.com), $100 (Citi bonus 1), $100 (Citi bonus 2), $9.10 (half.com), $5.08 (ebook).

I really like Jeffrey's daily challenges. The most recent one was to check into increasing auto insurance deductibles, which was on my list of stuff to do in 2006 anyway. With the prodding of the daily challenge, I went ahead and called.

To change both cars from $500-$1000 would save me $212/year. However, the rep told me to check with the lenders, because they may require no higher than $500 deductibles. One did and one didn't (yes, I have two car loans ), so I went ahead and made the change on the one, for an annual savings of $150/year. When I pay off the other, I'll change it as well. My plan is to set aside $500 (difference between current deductible and $1000) so it will be there in case we ever get in an accident.

I also called BOA regarding the 0% credit card they offered. After getting through the entire application, the rep informed me that you can't do a balance transfer from another BOA credit card. I asked her if the same held true from a BOA home equity loc, and she said she wasn't sure. So I cancelled the application, and will go to a branch and find out from someone there, face to face. If not, I have a 0% offer from Chase. The plus side is that the Chase offer is for 15 months, BOA is for 12. The downside is that there's no balance transfer fee from BOA, whereas Chase's is $75. Either way, it's still better than paying the interest to the HELOC each month. (And with the offer from BOA in hand, maybe I can get Chase to reduce or eliminate the fee).

Other financial news: While I was paying off my fine at the library yesterday, I noticed they had a few more books for sale. I only had time to write down a few, but found two that ebook will by for $2.54 ea. (Cost to me $.50 each). So I'll stop by there today on the way to pick up DS from school, and I'll write down the rest while I'm at it. I also should be able to go to the used bookstore by work tomorrow.

That's it for now...

I received two deposits from ebook, for $26.67 and $25.49. I need to email them re: the $3.81 deposit, as that was mailed out along with the others. At least I got the two bigger deposits!

When I started the challenge, I laid out 5 ways to meet my goal. The end of the month seems like a good time to see if I need to tweak anything.

1) Bank bonuses - My goal for the year was $900. So far, I've applied for Affinity Bank ($75), Citibank ($200), and will do Chase in February ($100), for a total of $375. That's a great start, though I'm sure that I won't be able to keep that pace up going forward.

2) Ebook - Wow I really underestimated this. I was hoping for $30/month. So far, I've gotten $71.12, and again, while I probably won't keep this pace, the $30/month is still totally do-able.

3) Rebates - Again, I underestimated. I planned $120/year ($10/month). So far, I've sent in $98 worth of rebates. It's amazing how many are out there.

4) Recycling - Totally off on this one. I wanted $100/year, but will be lucky to get $35. I'm not too upset given how the other categories are doing.

5) Other - I've had a few half.com sales, and also some referrals for different things that will bring in a few bucks here and there.

So far so good...On to February!

New total: $79.33

Outstanding items: $3.81 (ebook), $75 (Affinity Bank), $10 (Del Monte Rebate), $10 (Colgate Rebate), $20 (Norton Security rebate), $8 (Games Make Great Gifts Rebate), $5 (Amazon Rebate - not sure if I'm getting this because I didn't submit the packing slip), $10.57 (ebook), $10 (Kimberly Clark Rebate), $4.58 (ebook), $10 (2nd Kimberly Clark Rebate), $10 (Pepsi rebate), $6.65 (half.com), $100 (Citi bonus 1), $100 (Citi bonus 2)

Waiting for my rebates is like watching grass grow, but I finally got one today. It was for the wireless router, but unfortunately was only for $15, not the $20 I thought. But I'll take it! So I can cross an item off of my outstanding list.

New total: $27.17

Outstanding items: $3.81 (ebook), $25.49 (ebook), $75 (Affinity Bank), $10 (Del Monte Rebate), $10 (Colgate Rebate), $26.67 (ebook), $20 (Norton Security rebate), $8 (Games Make Great Gifts Rebate), $5 (Amazon Rebate - not sure if I'm getting this because I didn't submit the packing slip), $10.57 (ebook), $10 (Kimberly Clark Rebate), $4.58 (ebook), $10 (2nd Kimberly Clark Rebate), $10 (Pepsi rebate), $6.65 (half.com), $100 (Citi bonus 1), $100 (Citi bonus 2)

Had a sale on half.com. I'll update the totals after I mail it out.

Also, in reviewing my last few entries, I'm going to put on hold the bank bonus offer from NVE. Given that I recently opened Affinity for $75, am in the process of opening Citibank ($200) and plan on opening the Chase ($100) in February, I thought that was more than enough. I saved the advertisement, though, so in the future if I decide to do it, I can see if it's still valid.

I'm still waiting for my rebates to come in the mail, and for my ebookdrop deposits. I feel like I'm watching a pot of water boil...

Citibank is offering new banking customers who already have a Citibank credit card this offer: Sign up for a Citibank checking account and receive a $100 bonus, credited within 120 days. Link your Citibank credit card to this new checking account and make a transfer from the checking account to the credit card, and receive another $100 within 90 days.

I signed up for the EZ Checking, which is free with Direct Deposit. There is no minimum initial deposit, no minimum monthly balance, and no fees (because of the direct deposit). You only need to make one transfer, of any dollar amount, to be eligible for the bonus.

Seems like a great deal to me...this is definitely one of the higher bonuses out there! I'm not sure when it expires. You can call (866) 810-9040 if you're interested. Mention offer code MVR3.

New total: $12.17

Outstanding items: $3.81 (ebook), $25.49 (ebook), $75 (Affinity Bank), $10 (Del Monte Rebate), $10 (Colgate Rebate), $26.67 (ebook), $20 (Norton Security rebate), $20 (Wireless Router Rebate), $8 (Games Make Great Gifts Rebate), $5 (Amazon Rebate - not sure if I'm getting this because I didn't submit the packing slip), $10.57 (ebook), $10 (Kimberly Clark Rebate), $4.58 (ebook), $10 (2nd Kimberly Clark Rebate), $10 (Pepsi rebate), $6.65 (half.com), $100 (Citi bonus 1), $100 (Citi bonus 2)

Stopped at the post office today to mail the book I sold on half.com. It cost me $2.07 to mail the book, and I'll get back $6.65, for a net profit of $4.58.

Also, while reading the local paper, I saw an advertisement from a local bank. Open a free checking account (min $10 to open) with direct deposit and get a $25 bonus. No monthly fees, no minimum balance. I think I'll sign up tomorrow, and use this account to hold the money for my property taxes.

New total: $12.17

Outstanding items: $3.81 (ebook), $25.49 (ebook), $75 (Affinity Bank), $10 (Del Monte Rebate), $10 (Colgate Rebate), $26.67 (ebook), $20 (Norton Security rebate), $20 (Wireless Router Rebate), $8 (Games Make Great Gifts Rebate), $5 (Amazon Rebate - not sure if I'm getting this because I didn't submit the packing slip), $10.57 (ebook), $10 (Kimberly Clark Rebate), $4.58 (ebook), $10 (2nd Kimberly Clark Rebate), $10 (Pepsi rebate), $6.65 (half.com)

I'm going to start tracking my 2006 challenge as part of my blog. For those of you who haven't been following the challenge, my goal is to turn my initial $20 into $2000 to fund a November vacation to wine country. I'm planning on using 5 ideas to fund this challenge:
1) Bank bonus offers ($900/year)
2) Selling books ($360/year)
3) Sending in rebates ($120/year)
4) Recycling (Orig. $100/year, now $35)
5) Taking advantage of other ideas from here and other sites ($520)

I received a $10 credit from Direct TV for moving to auto-debit of my bill from my checking account. So:

New total: $14.24

Outstanding items: $3.81 (ebook), $25.49 (ebook), $75 (Affinity Bank), $10 (Del Monte Rebate), $10 (Colgate Rebate), $26.67 (ebook), $20 (Norton Security rebate), $20 (Wireless Router Rebate), $8 (Games Make Great Gifts Rebate), $5 (Amazon Rebate - not sure if I'm getting this because I didn't submit the packing slip), $10.57 (ebook), $10 (Kimberly Clark Rebate), $4.58 (ebook), $10 (2nd Kimberly Clark Rebate), $10 Pepsi rebate.

Sold a book for $5 at half.com. I'll update the totals when I ship it out. This just goes to show you the stark difference between half.com and ebook. When I initially checked this book out at ebook, they were going to offer $1.75 for it. Instead of acting immediately, it sat around for a week and when I went back to ebook, it was no longer in demand. So I went ahead and put it on half.com for $5. (Had no idea if it would get that much, but there were only a few copies of them for sale). It sold within 2 days! If that happened everytime it'd be great, alas I usually have books sitting on half.com for months...

Went to the grocery store today, and turned in a whopping $.30 worth of recyclables. (Hey, it's better than nothing!). I also bought the soda and chips necessary for the $10 Pepsi rebate. The store was running a great sale - buy the 4 12-packs of soda for $10, get the 3 bags of chips/pretzels for free. That worked out well for me, because I wouldn't normally have bought the chips, and I did need soda. (We're not big soda drinkers, but I like to have some on hand and I'm completely out from the holidays). So, the new totals are...

New total: $4.24 (thanks to $.30 recycling)

Outstanding items: $3.81 (ebook), $25.49 (ebook), $75 (Affinity Bank), $10 (Del Monte Rebate), $10 (Colgate Rebate), $26.67 (ebook), $20 (Norton Security rebate), $20 (Wireless Router Rebate), $8 (Games Make Great Gifts Rebate), $5 (Amazon Rebate - not sure if I'm getting this because I didn't submit the packing slip), $10.57 (ebook), $10 (Kimberly Clark Rebate), $4.58 (ebook), $10 (2nd Kimberly Clark Rebate), $10 Pepsi rebate.

I found my next bank bonus. (Actually, it found me!). Chase is opening a new branch in the next town over. They mailed out coupons for different bonuses based on the type of account you open. The one I'm likely to open is a checking account, free with direct deposit. The normal bonus for this account is $50, but if you open the account during a particular 2-week period in February, they'll double it, for a $100 bonus. Minimum deposit is $100, and you need to leave the account open for 6 months. The great thing about Chase is that they allow one cash bonus per customer per calendar year, so I can take advantage of this, even though I already got bonuses from them in 2005. Last year, I also got a $100 bonus from a local branch opening and about 6 weeks later, they sent me an offer for $50 or $75 to open a savings account. Hopefully, they'll do the same thing here! For those of you interested in taking advantage of bank bonus offers, your local newspaper and "junk mail" are great sources for offers like these.

Stopped by the library today but could only find one of the two books for sale. So I bought the one, combined it with a few others from home and put the order into ebook. Total for the order was $4.58-$.10(cost for book) for a net of $4.48. Not bad.

I also updated my direct deposit for Affinity. When I called to get their routing number, I asked when I should expect the bonus and they said it comes in after the 3rd direct deposit. A bit of a bummer because the earliest I can get it is early March. Better late than never I suppose...

I also have the second Kimberly Clark rebate ready to go out tomorrow, so I'll add that to my list of outstanding items.

New total: $3.94

Outstanding items: $3.81 (ebook), $25.49 (ebook), $75 (Affinity Bank), $10 (Del Monte Rebate), $10 (Colgate Rebate), $26.67 (ebook), $20 (Norton Security rebate), $20 (Wireless Router Rebate), $8 (Games Make Great Gifts Rebate), $5 (Amazon Rebate - not sure if I'm getting this because I didn't submit the packing slip), $10.57 (ebook), $10 (Kimberly Clark Rebate), $4.58 (ebook), $10 (2nd Kimberly Clark Rebate).

I sent out the first $10 Kimberly Clark rebate today. I find that rebating goes much smoother if you do it as quickly as possible after bringing the groceries home. I also filled out a second rebate form, and now need to put the info into an envelope and mail that out. I'll be thrilled if I ever see this $10, as I'm sending it to my dad's house (only one allowed per address) and can't guarantee that it will stay there until my next visit. We'll see.

Other than that, not much new on the challenge front. I'm still waiting for the account information from Affinity...should be getting that today or tomorrow. I can't get to the used bookstore tomorrow because I need to run an errand at lunchtime, so I'll miss that this week. No biggie...

New total: $4.04 (no change)

Outstanding items: $3.81 (ebookdrop), $25.49 (ebookdrop), $75 (Affinity Bank), $10 (Del Monte Rebate), $10 (Colgate Rebate), $26.67 (ebookdrop), $20 (Norton Security rebate), $20 (Wireless Router Rebate), $8 (Games Make Great Gifts Rebate), $5 (Amazon Rebate - not sure if I'm getting this because I didn't submit the packing slip), $10.57 (ebookdrop), $10 (Kimberly Clark Rebate).

Stopped by the local library with the kids. While they were picking out their stuff, I wrote down the last row of books they had for sale and checked them out when I got home. Ebook would buy 2, for a total of $2.03. Considering they would only cost me $.20, it's worth it. I'll pick them up tomorrow afternoon on my way to get DS from school. I can also add them to 3 books from home that I can sell for an additional $3.12.

I went through my half.com inventory tonight, added a bunch of new books and deleted other books that I've sold through ebook. I still have a few more to get through, sometime later this week.

Finally, I did receive my Affinity Bank account number so I'll set up direct deposit tomorrow. It should be effective for my Jan 31 pay, so I'm hoping that the bonus will come shortly thereafter.

A little more progress on the challenge: I got a $6 rebate in the mail yesterday from BJs that I completely forgot about...it was for buying oj and oatmeal. Today, I hit the local library for their used book sale. Spent $3 to get $10.57. Not bad, and there was a whole other room of books that I can check out next month, so that's promising.

I also returned some items to Eckerd and got their all-in-one rebate form for the Unilever products, so I'll fill that out this weekend. Kimberly Clark is advertising a $10 rebate this week. I think I'll be able to take advantage of that twice, one for me and one for my dad, because we use a lot of those products. Here are the new totals:

New total: $4.04 (+6 rebate - $3 books)

Outstanding items: $3.81 (ebookdrop), $25.49 (ebookdrop), $75 (Affinity Bank), $10 (Del Monte Rebate), $10 (Colgate Rebate), $26.67 (ebookdrop), $20 (Norton Security rebate), $20 (Wireless Router Rebate), $8 (Games Make Great Gifts Rebate), $5 (Amazon Rebate - not sure if I'm getting this because I didn't submit the packing slip), $10.57 (ebookdrop)

Went to the used bookstore yesterday for my usual Thursday run. Combined with a few things I had at home, I put together a package for ebookdrop that will net me $26.67-$8.67 (cost) = $18! So I'll take out the $8.67 today and add the $26.67 when I get it.

Also, Affinity Bank called today to confirm some information on my application. Everything is a go, and they were sending out the signature cards to me yesterday. I have to say that every interaction I've ever had with them has been positive, which is pretty good for a bank!

I noticed about $.20 worth of recyclables on my counter today (whoopee!). I'll take them to the grocery store this weekend. In my Outstanding Totals, I'm also adding in a few other rebates I have outstanding. My goal for this week is to narrow down my next bank opening offer and get that started. Hopefully I'll shoot to get that done next week...

New total: $1.04

Outstanding items: $3.81 (ebookdrop), $25.49 (ebookdrop), $75 (Affinity Bank), $10 (Del Monte Rebate), $10 (Colgate Rebate), $26.67 (ebookdrop), $20 (Norton Security rebate), $20 (Wireless Router Rebate), $8 (Games Make Great Gifts Rebate), $5 (Amazon Rebate - not sure if I'm getting this because I didn't submit the packing slip).

I'm mailing out 2 $10 rebates today. The first is for Del Monte products and the second is for Colgate-Palmolive products. I would have bought the stuff anyway, so I'll include them in my challenge when I receive them. I have another rebate for Unilever in the works. I'm a bit bummed because I didn't think it out as thoroughly as I should have. I'll see what the grand total of the rebate is, and how much I would have bought anyway, and will add that to the total when I get it.

I also cashed in the recyclables at the grocery store for a grand total of...$.65! This is the only part of my plan that I'm rethinking. I notice in my first post, I'm shooting for $100 from recycling for the year. That works out to roughly $2.00/week, which works out to 40 items per week. I'll never come close to this! We just don't drink enough soda, beer, etc. to have the number of cans and bottles needed for this. So I'll continue to do it and add to my total, but I'll need to make up the difference somewhere else...

New total: $9.71

Outstanding items: $3.81 (ebookdrop), $25.49 (ebookdrop), $75 (Affinity Bank), $10 (Del Monte Rebate), $10 (Colgate Rebate)

I'm off to a good start on the challenge: My local library was having a sale of about 75 books. I looked through all of the hardcovers, and 2/3 of the paperbacks. Ebookdrop was willing to buy 1 paperback for $1.30 (cost to me = $.10). When I went home to place the order, I found 3 other books I had lying around that ebook would buy. I had been holding off on them because the $ offered was so low, but they've been on half.com for a while now without any movement, so I decided to add them as well. Net profit: $3.81-$.10=$3.71. I'll subtract the $.10 here and add the $3.81 when I receive it.

Today, I went to the bookstore by work. I checked out 6 shelves of books and found 8 that ebook will buy. $18.66-$8.68(cost) = $9.98 profit. Again, I'll take the $8.68 away here and add the $18.66 when I get it.

Finally, I called Affinity Bank, the first of my 2006 bank offers. My kids have accounts there (great deal - 10% interest up to $500. Highly recommend it). Anyway, in one of their statements was an offer to open up a free checking account and get a $75 bonus. (I think this is open to everyone, if you ask). I need to open the account by mail, because it's in California, and I'm in NJ. So I filled out the paperwork today and mailed it out. Not sure how long it will take to get the bonus, because after my account is open I need to set up direct deposit, but hopefully within the next two months.

So that's it for now. New totals:
Opening balance: $20.00
Debits: $8.78 (books)
Closing balance: $11.22

Outstanding Items: $3.81 (Ebookdrop), $18.66 (Ebookdrop), $75 (Affinity Bank)

Good news for me...I found the sheet of ISBNs that I wrote down before Christmas but forgot to go to the bookstore and pick up the books. Anyway, ebookdrop is still accepting the 6 books I had, for a total of $15.23-$6.51=$8.72. I won't forget to pick the books up today!

I picked up the used books today after work. I wasn't able to find all of the books, but found some. I spent an additional $2.16 beyond what I listed above, and I'll make an extra $6.83 in profit.

So my new total is $9.06.

Outstanding items: $3.81 (ebookdrop), $25.49 (ebookdrop), $75 (Affinity Bank).

I'm starting fresh with a new thread for 2006! My goal is $2000. Any and all proceeds will be put in a separate account to help pay for a return trip to Californial wine country in November!

Here are some initial thoughts on how I'm going to tackle this:

1) Take advantage of at least one (preferably 2) bank account bonuses each month. The bonuses usually average about $50 each, so if I could do 18 over the course of the year, that would net me $900. I have a pretty long list of available offers, and more are always being added, so I should be able to do this. The trick is staying organized, and closing accounts I no longer want after the waiting period is over.

2) Continue scouring the used bookstore, library sales, etc and selling on ebookdrop. I've been having decent luck with the bookstore by work, and haven't even checked out library sales or other bookstores yet. If I can do a run three times per month, and net $10 each time, that will net me $360 for the year.

3) I'm going to count any rebates I send in for products I would have bought anyway. Occasionally, if I can get something free or close to it with a rebate, I'll buy it even though I wouldn't otherwise. I won't count those, because the rebate is the only reason I'm buying it. But for most products (like the board games for Christmas or the anti-virus software) I would have bought them anyway, so the rebate is a bonus. I'm going to estimate $10/month, or $120/year for this one.

4) Recyclables...I saw Robex's note that she's going to begin recycling bottles and cans. I'm going to do this, too. This should be easy, as I can return them right at my grocery store. The challenge is that 1) my husband thinks that returning the bottles is a complete waste of time and will likely commingle it with the rest of the recycling, particularly if I'm not timely about returning them; and 2) The grocery store gives me a voucher that is reduced from my grocery bill. I'll need to be really disciplined about transferring the cash. At $.05 each, it will take a lot to add up, so I'll shoot for $100 for the year.

5) Money saved from other tips that I see, primarily here and on fatwallet. I've come across all sorts of savings on my normal bills, including referral money, bonuses for switching to electronic billing, the whole Bank of America Save Your Change program, etc. Any money saved from stuff like this will be included.

So if I take advantage of all of these things, I'll still be a few hundred short of my goal. I'm going to take another look through everyone else's challenges to see if I'm missing anything else, and keep thinking about what else I can do. Also, I may need to briefly go in the red, because the outlays for some of these bank offers are usually $50 or $100. So I'm going to allow myself to go into negative territory, knowing that I'm guaranteed to get it back.

Good luck everyone!