Although 2025 had some of the most volatile actions and events nationally, with cruelty and corruption at a level we’ve never experienced before. It took a toll on so many Americans and our global allies. Depression and other mental health issues are off the charts. Tell me, can 2026 be as bad?
Personally, 2025 started falling apart in mid-February when I found a tumor. When my doctor dropped the ball, I began advocating for myself, scheduling appointments with a surgeon and oncologist on my own. With the assistance and advice from my daughter, a childhood friend and my ex-husband, I went through all of my appointments, surgery, and radiation treatments over a 10 month period with less stress than you’d think. The support from each of them was truly a life saver.
After getting by with little or no disposable income, living mainly on my Social Security check for several years, I decided to try something new.
I had heard about something called the “One Hundred Envelopes Saving Challenge,” and thought it was worth a try.
The challenge involves filling 100 numbered envelopes with cash, corresponding with the number on each envelope. Once they are all filled, you would have a nice little nest egg – a total of $5,050 – more than I had saved at one time in more than 20 years.
I haven’t gone on vacation since 2009, so, the savings would not be for leisure, but it was there for me if I had a big vet bill or for any unexpected emergencies. Nearing the end of my cancer treatments, I faced several costly bills that came out of the blue and nearly wiped out the savings I had in my 100 envelope binder.
These expenses include, new tires for my car, followed by replacing the stabilizers after the front end shook violently if I drove over 50 mph.
Then, one day the electricity in my home went out and two electricians (one a long-time friend) broke the news that I needed to replace my electrical system. I wanted to cry! My ex-husband offered to help and gave me a good portion of the cost. Thankfully, I was able to get through without taking out a bank loan.
I’d been living with a broken front screen door for nearly 45 years (someone kicked in the metal lower half in an attempt to break in.) I’d saved enough to buy a nice new wood-core door on sale, and my neighbor and I were going to install it ourselves.
After I removed the old door and trim I hit a brick wall, when I couldn’t quite figure out how to affix one side of the door, and it was so cold out that I didn’t think it was fair to ask my neighbor to stay and help. Finally, I bit the bullet and decided to pay the $200 professional installation fee. The posted price turned into nearly $400, which had to be paid in advance.
The 100 envelope challenge saved me again and now I have a beautiful, secure, storm door.
I’m slowly beginning to fill those envelopes again. Hopefully, I won’t have any more unexpected expenses this year.
The nice thing about this system is that there’s no pressure, If you don’t have $89 exactly for that envelope, then put in whatever you can afford at the time [$4, $20, $45, and fill in the rest whenever you can.] There’s no time limit to get it done, and the only one watching your progress is you.
You don’t have to hold a full-time job to be successful, people on social security, young people with babysitting jobs, anyone can do it.
So, if you don’t have any New Year resolutions, I highly recommend everyone start a 100 envelope challenge in 2026. You never know when it will save the day. I love my pre-printed pages and binder, but you can get the same results with 100 standard sized white envelopes, a pen to mark them with a number and a shoe box for storage.
If you do try it, please send me an e-mail and let me know how it’s working for you.