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Most folks find it easier to attain that Dave Ramsey style gazelle intensity when they are paying off debt. Sometimes after we hit the big goal of becoming debt free, our motivation and focus sputters as we transition into the vague world of saving.

I was so inspired by Derek’s post on Debt Art that I decided to create some Saving’s art. As we are in this transitional year of sabbatical, my saving focus has lacked purpose. Mostly because I don’t really know what is next for us. I decided that it’s ok to not know.

We can still save for the possibilities.

How my Savings Art works:

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I set a goal to save $100,000. My saving art will keep me focused.

Each flower represents a different amount saved. $500, $1000, $2000 or $3000 which are amounts I typically invest at once. Use whatever numbers fit your situation. I made a chart, in case I forget. Once I invest that amount I trace the flower with glitter glue. You could use a highlighter or marker to show it is accomplished.

So each of my pictures represent $25,000 of savings.

It is subtle enough that I don’t mind it hanging in my house where others might see it. Which helps make sure I look at it every day. I wrote words in the middle to focus on what our long term goal for that money might be.

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Smart goals website has this great flexible definition for SMART goals. These are perfect for our Saving Art!

S – specific, significant, stretching

M – measurable, meaningful, motivational

A – agreed upon, attainable, achievable, acceptable, action-oriented

R – realistic, relevant, reasonable, rewarding, results-oriented

T – time-based, time-bound, timely, tangible, trackable

Here is how we can apply these same ideas to our Saving Art.

S – specific, significant, stretching

Pick a specific amount you want to save. If you have a specific goal, even better. Make sure it’s significant to you. $5000 wouldn’t seem like a game changer to us, but $100k definitely is. And I think it should be a number that stretches you a bit. $100k actually feels enormous. Not impossible, but it will take a lot of creativity to get there.

M – measurable, meaningful, motivational

This is everything that encompasses Saving Art! Each item (pick whatever item you want) will represent a specific dollar amount. On each picture we added one word that is meaningful to our family because it aligns with our values. Our Savings Art pictures have already provided a huge amount of motivation. I’m excited to see the flowers earn their sparkle as I color them in one by one!

A – agreed upon, attainable, achievable, acceptable, action-oriented

Mr. Mt talked about this for a few weeks. It will be a stretch and it might take 10 years, but we can get there. It is very action-oriented for us. I know exactly what I need to do start making this happen.

R – realistic, relevant, reasonable, rewarding, results-oriented

It is pushing the bounds of realistic and reasonable. But it’s extremely results-oriented, I will be able to see exactly how far we have to go and the progress we have made. That alone is very rewarding. Having the flexibility that an extra $100,000 provides will be amazing!

T – time-based, time-bound, timely, tangible, trackable

We don’t have a time frame yet, but our progress is trackable. If you had a specific time frame you could write the years or months on your art. For example, one page for 2016’s progress. A separate page for Q1 2017. Lots of options.

A big thanks to Derek for compiling that awesome post with lots of examples. You can check it out here if you need more inspiration to pay off debt or set a saving goal.

This year of sabbatical has taught me that I need goals to help move me forward.

I’m not 100% sure what we would use the money for.

But I am 100% sure that when we figure it out, I will be SO happy we started saving now vs later!

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Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you more focused paying off debt or saving?
  2. Does having written goals help bring focus to your actions?
  3. Is it winter were you live yet? We already had 4 inches of the white fluffy stuff!
  4. What would you do with an extra $100k?