Pay It Forward Update

I want to thank everyone that voted for me in the Pay it Forward Challenge sponsored by Summit Credit Union. (click here to see my video)

Unfortunately, I did not win. Either way, it was a great experience and I was blown away by the amount of groceries and toiletries that I was able to donate to the Portage Food Pantry. I was so proud of my kids for their understanding and helping me get everything collected and organized. The most important part of completing this challenge was being able to help others in my community.

I'd like to encourage all of you to find a way to give back to your community. Buy one extra food item to donate each shopping trip, help a neighbor, or volunteer for an organization. It can be different for each person, but we make the world a better place when we get involved.

Have a great day everyone!

Vote for me!

If you've been following my blog, you have heard me talk about my Pay It Forward challenge. Summit Credit Union asked "What would you do with $10"? I took that $10 and turned it into $160.64 worth of food and HBA items by using my skills with coupons. I took that stash (6 grocery bags worth!) and dropped it off at the Food Pantry here in Portage.

This challenge has inspired me to continue collecting items to donate to the food pantry, and gave me a wonderful opportunity to teach me kids a valuable lesson about helping others.

The "winner" of the challenge wins $500 and $500 goes to their charity as well. My obvious pick is the Portage Food Pantry.

Please vote for me if you have the time. Use the following link to view my page:

http://payitforward.summitcreditunion.com/page.php?page=3&pid=179&sf=p

Voting will continue for a couple weeks. I may remind you again, thanks in advance. You can view the video of my stash via this link or here.

Follow up to Pay It forward

Well folks, here is the follow up to my challenge. To refresh your memory, I was given $10 from Summit Credit Union to "pay forward". I decided to see how far I could stretch it for the Portage Food Pantry. I ended up with $160.64 worth of food and HBA items! I am delivering it this week with the kids.

From June 1-15 people can vote for their favorite and the winner gets $500 and $500 for their favorite charity. I will post a reminder for you if you are interested in voting for me.

It turned out to be very productive challenge as you can tell. I am inspired to continue to pick up things for the food pantry as I am shopping as it was so easy to do!

Pay It Forward Video

I finally had time to check the website to find my video, when I see that I am a 'featured video' on the webpage. I hope they mean they liked my idea! Thought you all that are following my challenge would like to see me in action, so click here to see it!

Now if only I could figure out how to load my video onto this blog or facebook, then I'd really be in business! Anyone know how to do that?

First trip to pay forward

As I previously announced, I am completing a "Pay it Forward" challenge through my local bank to see how much food I can get for the Portage food pantry. I thought I would just share my first shopping trip using the $10 I was given.

My before coupon total was $19.88, and my final out of pocket after coupons was 88 cents!! I've got the receipt to prove it too! Best of all, I still have $9.12 to work with and a few weeks to go!

I'm so excited already for the stash I have, and I can't wait to see my final outcome! I will keep you all posted.

Pay It Forward Challenge

Summit Credit Union here in southern Wisconsin is running a pay it forward challenge now until the end of May. Today was the day I signed up!

Each person answers the question "If Summit CU gave you $10 what would you do with it?" My answer along with everyone else's will be posted on their website. People can then vote on the best idea and the winner gets $500 for themselves and $500 to donate to a charity or organization.

I filmed my idea and was promptly give $10 in order to complete the challenge. My idea was to use my couponing skills to see how much food and other non-perishables I can get with the money to donate to the Portage food pantry!

I am so excited to do this and look forward to maximizing the money! I already have a list together of freebies to pick up this weekend.

As soon as they email me the link I will share it with you. Maybe you will be inspired to "Pay it forward" as well!