December Find Money Challenge

**Telephus44** · 11-20-2011, 10:13 AM

This is a personal challenge to myself, but if anyone wants to join in, feel free!

For us, it seems like money just goes out the window in December. There's Christmas of course, and then we have to fill the oil tank, and we usually eat out too much, and.... well, I plan for December to be a big spending month, but it's still kind of surprising every year.

So this year, I've decided rather than worrying about all the extra money that will be spent, I'm going to focus on FINDING as much money as I can. It helps that this is 3 paycheck month for me. Here's what I'm working on so far:

*Reimbursements from our FSA. I went through receipts and found $261.21 in expenses I can submit for reimbursement.
*Reimbursement from the our health insurance plan for the wellness benefit. I have $190 left, can submit receipts for DH's gym membership.
*We had an issue with health insurance that got double paid - we paid the hospital and the insurance went back and also paid on the claim - so the hospital should owe us $500. I just went though and pulled all the related documents so I can start calling.
*We have a $363 "cash back" balance on our credit card. I asked for this to be applied as a statement credit in Dec.

So far, that's just over $1300! I'm hoping that I can find more stuff I can go after. I want to keep a running tally of how much I can recover by the end of the year.

**valerian** · 11-20-2011, 11:07 AM

If I can remember, I'll join you on this...
$27 check came from the insurance company yesterday...
$139 back fom Chase cc to apply to statement...must remember to add this back...

**valerian** · 11-21-2011, 10:12 AM

I want to list a few things on ebay this week, but I'll see how it goes...I really hate the whole process, but have a ton of stuff to sell! How are you doing?

**Telephus44** · 11-21-2011, 10:59 AM

Well, so far I've submitted the FSA money and already got email notification that it should be in the bank within 24-48 hours. I've pulled the paperwork to dispute the hospital overpayment, but haven't called yet.

Good idea on the eBay stuff - I have a few things I need to sell. I have them set aside but need to get them actually listed.

**lisaflex** · 11-21-2011, 07:57 PM

teleph...you will have to wait even if you call now to get reimbursement from hospital...they do that beginning in january...good find though!

**New-mom-to-be** · 11-29-2011, 01:41 PM

I found 2.78 cents on the ground during my Thanksgiving vacation trip.

I put all that found change in my son's piggy bank so he has money to spend when he is old enough to spend money.

**Telephus44** · 11-29-2011, 03:12 PM

Well, I listed 6 things on eBay so far. I've got one item with a bid ($60) and most everything else at least has a few watchers.

**dean** · 11-29-2011, 03:41 PM

Used all my rewards points from this year and got 1 Old Navy $25 gift card, 2 $25 Walmart cards, and 1 $50 Lowes card. 4 very nice gifts for nothing.
Used my reward points and coupons at Kmart and got $22 off my $26 order. just $4 out of pocket .
Got my mileage check from attending an out of town conference from work. $43. Adding it to my gift envelope.

**Domestic Gal** · 11-30-2011, 08:14 PM

Cashed in some of my mypoints points for a $50 gas gift card.
Turned my RME account into a cash card it has $20.93 this was free money when RME started.
Local grocery store had a promotion on Black Friday. Buy a $75 Gift card get $15 off. Got 4 $75 visa gift cards after activation mad $9.05 a card. Nothing like free money.
Took recycling in this last weekend came home with $74.00 free money.

**Spirit Deer** · 11-30-2011, 09:01 PM

All we're getting in December is an extra check, but it's better than a kick in the pants.

**Telephus44** · 12-01-2011, 08:52 AM

Just an update -

So far we have:
$261.21 from FSA
$5.73 from Half.com (net profit after fees and shipping costs)
$10.54 from eBay (net profit after fees and shipping)

Grand total so far:
$277.48

**valerian** · 12-01-2011, 09:37 AM

You're on a roll Telephus44! Keep it up!My found money is only coming from coupon usage for the last few days. I've gotten so reluctant about doing my ebay stuff...I just hate the process!

**Telephus44** · 12-02-2011, 11:42 AM

Well, I called the hospital today about the billing. Guess that they do wait until the end of the year, because apparently on 11/28 someone looked at our account, saw we had a credit, and requested that a check be sent. It's only for $400 because of some additional discounting we got, but that's still pretty good in my book. I will update my running total after I actually have and deposit the check.