Dear friends,
Happy New Year, and welcome to the first day of the 2021 January Money Diet! 2020 is finally in the rear view mirror, and I love the fresh start of a new year, don’t you?
If this is your first year doing the challenge, welcome!
It’s also great to see so many repeat dieters who have participated before. Our group includes money dieters from across the globe – Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Latvia, Norway, Sweden, the U.K., the U.S.and more.
I’m so glad you’ve joined us. Whether you’re new to the January Money Diet or a seasoned alumni, I promise you’ll enjoy this warm, generous community of like-minded people.
Don’t Be Shy – Come Say Hi!
If you haven’t yet introduced yourself, you’re invited to leave a comment on this post in the VIP Money Diet Facebook Group and say hello. If you like, tell us what your goals are for this money diet.
For the next 31 days, we’ll take a break from spending cash on anything but essentials.
We’ll share skills to s-t-r-e-t-c-h our money while living well, having fun, and enjoying splurges. We’ll take steps to make our living spaces comfortable and uncluttered.
We’ll encourage each other, cheer each other on, and share lots of ways to live large without spending. At the end of the month, we’ll each do something extraordinary with the extra money we’ve saved.
What’s New This Year
The most exciting news is that the January Money Diet has a generous sponsor. I’m a huge fan of credit unions because of their low fees, great interest rates and terrific service. YourMoneyFurther.com and the Open Your Eyes to a Credit Union campaign are the perfect partners for our 31-day challenge.
If you want to find a credit union to stash your January Money Diet savings, you can find a location near you using this handy Credit Union Finder.
Thanks to our wonderful sponsor, you could win one of 3 cash prizes totaling $250!
- $150 to the January Money Diet Champion of 2021
- $50 to the 1st Runner Up.
- $50 to a lucky winner drawn at random.
The JMD Champion and 1st Runner Up will be chosen using this criteria: 33% for completing the challenges; 33% for participating and commenting; and 33% for results achieved between now and midnight MST January 31, 2021.
The third winner will be chosen from among all participants using a random number generator. Detailed information may be found on the Official Rules page.
Creating a Comfortable Nest
Because we’re right in the midst of a global pandemic, most of us are spending much more time at home. This year we’ll have a greater emphasis on creating a peaceful, comfortable haven at home.
I encourage you to share Before and After photos of the spaces you work on, which will inspire us all.
You can post in the Facebook group or use the #JanuaryMoneyDiet tags on your Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest posts.
If you’re not on social media, no problem! Just email me at eliza@elizacross.com and I’ll share select comments and photos.
Let’s jump right in to the first challenge, shall we?
The Link Between Giving and Receiving
Prosperity and giving are connected in a beautiful, mysterious way. It might not make logical sense, but the more we give away, the greater abundance we experience. We receive more, and then we can give away even more. In the process of sharing with others, we also feel happier.
In a month when many of us feel squeezed after the holidays and anxious to get back on track financially, it might feel almost counterintuitive to start a money diet by giving more. And yet, because I’ve experienced this wonderful paradox in my own financial life I know that giving generously this month will unlock amazing things for each one of us.
The age-old principle of planting and harvesting is the yin and yang that brings balance and joy to the way we manage money.
Here is your first challenge, which you can work on at your own pace throughout the month.
JMD Challenge #1: Give 31 Things Away
During this no-spend month, look for opportunities to share your abundance with others.
Some of us may choose to give away 31 things we no longer need — perhaps items like clothes, furniture, coats, dishes or other things that would bless another person. By clearing out clutter and making space, we’ll have fewer things to clean and keep track of and more breathing room.
Some might decide to prepare a hot meal for someone, or send an encouraging note, or shovel a snowy sidewalk, or pass along a book. What you give is completely up to you.
Be on the lookout for unexpected gifts and blessings that come your way this month, too. Visit the JMD VIP Facebook Group to leave comments about the 31 gifts you give, and share your experiences of both giving and receiving.
I’m excited to do this challenge with you, and you’ll be hearing from me again tomorrow.
Until then, enjoy this New Year’s Day and the promise of a fresh financial start in 2021.
Best always,
P.S. If you use Pinterest to save article and ideas, here’s a handy pin:
Grateful thanks for use of the image above to BBH Singapore for Unsplash.
