The 2009 SpouseBUZZ Challenge

It seems whether we're reading a book, knitting a project for charity or trying to get fit, we seem do it better as a group. When you're accountable to someone else, the motivation doesn't fade as fast. Plus, we learn great tips from one another in the process. That's why we're starting the 2009 SpouseBUZZ Challenge.

Each month, we'll tackle a new task (or series of tasks) that will focus on making our lives easier and more organized for the long-term. If we do it right, I'll bet we'll end up saving some money in the process, too. The task(s) will be posted at the beginning of the month, and at the end of the month, you'll report on your progress. By tackling small tasks once per month, getting organized and setting up a more efficient household is less overwhelming.

Here's the best part of the challenge - one lucky person will win a grand prize next January. And by "grand," I do mean GRAND, as in 12 separate prize packages that correspond with each month's task(s). No guessing involved, either. Posted along with the challenge will be a photo of that month's prize(s), so you'll know exactly what you'll be winning if you're chosen the winner. The prize(s) may not always seem grand when looked at individually, but when you add up the collective goodies, our winner will have a great prize package at the end of the year, as he/she will win all 12 monthly prizes.

Contest rules are posted after the jump.

• The winner must be a milspouse, or be engaged to a service member (we're going on the honor system here).

• The winner must participate in at least ten of the twelve challenges, but:

• Those who participate in all twelve challenges will be the first tier of eligible winners. If, at the end of 12 months, nobody participated in all 12 challenges, those who participated in 11 of the challenges will be considered next. If, at the end of 12 months, nobody participated in 11 of the challenges, those who participated in ten of the 12 challenges (or percentage equivalent) will be considered eligible to win. We understand that PCS moves, deployments, etc. can cause difficulties and it may be hard for some to participate in all 12 monthly challenges.If nobody participated in ten of the 12 challenges, I get to keep the goodies. Heh.

• There may be monthly challenges which have multiple tasks associated with the challenge. For a participant to be considered to have successfully completed the monthly challenge, he/she must have completed at least one of the multiple tasks associated with the entire challenge.

• The winner must report their progress in the comment section each month (add: or in the email with their photos), and send a photo(s) of their work by the stated deadline. Photos will be posted at SpouseBUZZ.

• In the event of a tie, the names of eligible participants will be placed in a hat and the winner will be selected by a drawing

• And finally, we reserve the right to make more rules up (within reason) or change rules, requirements, frequency, etc. as we go along. Just in case some funky situations pop up....

In January, 2010, the winner will guest blog at SpouseBUZZ about the experience of taking -- and winning -- the 2009 SpouseBUZZ Challenge.

If you're not interested in participating in all of the challenges, join us when you see something that interests you. It'll still be fun, and productive.

The first challenge will be posted later today, so get ready and stay tuned....

Who's in?

Update: Click here for the first challenge.

 

 

 

Comments

[airforcewife]

I'm game. None of the challenges involve successfully sitting through an entire talk show in the audience without a blow up, though, right?

I mean, it has to be something we're capable of actually doing. Right?

[Semper Fi Wife]

How exciting!!! I'm looking forward to the first challenge.

[She of the Sea]

Oh, I'm in. I can't wait to see what your creative mind has thought up.

[Penny]

Woot woot!! I'm *SO* in! hehe.. This is absolutely perfect timing, it'll definitely make this deployment go by faster and help me look forward to each upcoming month! Fantastic idea! :)

[Kacie]

LOL, airforcewife! I'm with you on that one...

...and I'm in! Sounds like fun!

[suzanne]

I'm in. It's just like to agree to something I have no idea about :)

My word for 2009 is INSPIRE and just reading your call to arms INSPIRES me....

Details....we need details.
And I love how we will have to be accountable for it..

[Erin]

With more details, I may be in!

[ArmyReserveWife]

Count me in too!!

[liberal army wife]

ok. sure.

LAW

[Vicky]

I'm all over this. Let me at um! LOL

[colleen]

Look forward to learning more!

[95Bwife]

This sounds great! Count me in, I need to get more organized and we get prizes too!!!

[34thmnwife]

Im in- how do i sign up?

[Jen]

Count me in!

[wendy's Tiki Hut]

Awesome!

[GBear]

I'm in!

[jesses_wife]

I'm in.

[Whitney]

You can count me in, too!

[Butterfly Wife]

Oh, why not. It can't hurt that much, can it? Shoot, I might even learn a thing or two.

[Deb]

I'm up for ANYTHING to make getting organized or doing any other 'wife task' easier!

[Andi]

I'm excited so many of you will be taking the challenge. In case you missed it, the link below is for the first challenge:

http://www.spousebuzz.com/blog/2009/01/the-january-challenge-youre-not-done-yet.html

Time to get started....

This will be fun. I'm taking the challenge, too (although I can't win a prize).

[Megan]

I've only just come across this site and think this is a great idea - can I join in?

[Andi]

Megan - Please do! Need to hurry, too. Only three days left for January's challenge.... Good luck!

[AF wife and vet]

OK, so I haven't checked in on the site since the end of the year, and see what I missed! Bummer... Ah well, better late than never, right? I'm in for the rest of the year if it's not too late. :-)