Well, I guess that I am moving my reporting about my $20 challenge into this blog area now. Blogs are new to me - but look interesting.

Previously, I had a total of $139.95 through various means. Today I need to add in a few things. First of all, I earned a $75 bonus through a new credit union that opened up out here when I opened an account (I also received a $25 gas card!).

I also need to add another $12.40 from ebay items that have sold. I do have 8 other items listed right now, so I will add the total from those when the auctions close.

There was also a $4 check in the mail recently for a survey I did online awile back, so that will also be added to my total.

Previous Total: $139.95
ebay: $12.40
Bank bonus: $75.00
Survey: $4.00
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New Total: $231.35

Wrote another 10 short articles and got paid $30 for my time. So, I will add it to my challenge.

Previous total: $109.95
Articles: + 30.00
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New Total: $139.95

I sold 2 of the 3 shirts that I listed on ebay so I will add them to my total today. I'm planning to comb through my closets this weekend to see what else I may have to get listed on ebay. I think that I will also relist the one shirt that didn't sell - I did have 4 people watching it - and see what happens.

Previous total: $55.45
ebay: + 44.50
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New Total: $99.95

I just got paid for some short articles that I wrote for the internet. This is a new venture for me that I decided to pursue to add money to the challenge. I descover this job listing on Craigslist. It doesn't cost me anything to do - just some time.

Previous balance: $99.95
Keyword articles: +$10.00
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New total: $109.95

I sold some old clothes of mine on ebay and made $38.25. I've already subtracted the listing fees from my $20 total, so I'll just add in the $38.25.

I also purchased three shirts at goodwill for $7.47 and I listed them on ebay. The listing fees were $2.10. So, here is my updated total.

Previous total: $26.77
Shirts from Goodwill: - $7.47
ebay listing fees: - $2.10
Ebay items sold: + $38.25
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New total: $55.45

I sold two books on Amazon that I listed. After paying postage and fees, I can add $9.12 to my total.

Previous Total: $17.65
Books sold: $9.12
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New Total: $26.77

OK, I think that I have begun a plan for this challenge. I would really like to see what I can make of an initial $20 investment, so for now my main challenge is turning the $20 into something more.

(1) I plan to list and sell items from around the house (that we no longer need or use so they are "free") on eBay, Amazon and our intranet classifieds at work (no listing fees or postage!). The listing fees will come out of the initial $20, and hopefully I will be able to add more money when these items sell. I've listed three items so far with listing fees of $2.35.

(2) I plan to start recycling our aluminum cans. We don't drink a lot of soda, but I suppose that every bit counts! I'm still looking for a place that pays to recycle other products.

Progress so far: 20.00
Listing fess - 2.35
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Total 1/5/06 : 17.65

I am new to these forums, but I am very motivated to take on this challenge! I have a few ideas, but I'm still scouring the forums here to gleam any new knowledge I can. When I have a more definite course for this challenge, I'll post it here. So, as of today my challenge officially starts with $20.

1/4/06 Balance: $20