How To Fold A Christmas Money Tree

I shared my money tree on Snapchat (hesheeatclean) and Instagram stories and a few of you asked how I did it so here is a short tutorial!

Surprise, I don't like to shop! As far as gifts go, if you tell me something that you want I'll get it for you. However, most of the time the people I know have everything they need or want. Especially our little nieces and nephews as they get so much for each holiday that I really like to give them money. Deep down inside, I hope they save it but at least they can choose to how to spend it or save it without having another toy to open with all the 100 other toys.

Some people might think that cash is tacky or not personal enough but I've never met anyone to turn down cash and in case you haven't noticed, I don't care what people think of me. ;-) I'm not usually a fan of gift cards because, more often than not, they get lost. When I give cash as a gift I do like to spruce it up a bit by making fun shapes! I wanted to share this Christmas tree shape with you in case you wanted to do the same thing. These instructions were adapted from wikihow.

How To Fold A Christmas Money Tree

Step 1: Fold the right side of the bill over as pictured below. Take note at where the fold is. You cannot see the "five" under the columns. This will be your tightest fold.

Step 2: Fold the left half over as pictured below.

Step 3: Turn over the bill and tuck in the flaps that are hanging down.

Step 4: Take your next bill and fold over the right side as pictured below. This part of the tree should be a little larger than the first. Take note at where the fold is (you can see the entire "five" along the bottom.

Step 5: Repeat for your last bill. This fold will be the biggest as you are just folding it down the center of the bill.

Step 6: Take your folded bills and slightly tuck them into each other.

Step 7: Take your final bill and fold or roll it up to be the tree "trunk".

Ta-da! Now you have a fun way to give money! Wrap it up in a box or put it in a card...no matter what way you give it, they are sure to love the gift you give!

$300 12-Week Christmas Money Saving Challenge

I know, I know...a lot of challenges all at once but that's just the mood I've been in. ;-) Our 30-Day Full Body Fitness Challenge starts on the first (or you can start now, if you want!). We haven't had a finance challenge in awhile so why not now?!

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I promise I am going to post more soon about our lifestyle, how we live below our means, and share more about how we save (you can read about some of it here and here). There's just a lot of different angles for me to go into and I get overwhelmed so that's why I haven't published it yet. ;-) BUT I did want to go ahead and publish this 12-Week Saving Challenge so that you have time to get started before the holidays. Read on though, there's more.

My family wasn't that crazy about birthdays, and by crazy, I mean we weren't over the top. Growing up, Christmas was always our big holiday. Just a side note, my family has been selling Christmas trees for over 30 years at our family farm. Christmas was when our entire family got together and it was truly a special day and time. We did also get a lot of presents for Christmas but nothing extreme, especially compared to some stuff I've seen lately. When Scott and I got married we did continue on with the what some would consider "over the top" Christmas. We didn't really spend a lot of money but still felt the need to exchange gifts even if it was something that we already knew about (which it always was).

Fast forward, now Scott and I don't give each other gifts. Instead we save our money for trips and other experiences. People always ask how we travel so much and it's because we don't give anniversary, birthday, Christmas gifts, or gifts for any other holiday or made up holiday in between. I'm not saying that this is the answer for everyone but it allows us to spend money on what truly matters to us, instead of spending money on things.

RELATED: Read about our travels.

Not only do we save the money we don't spend on traditional gifts to travel but we also try to donate our time and money to charities throughout the year and during the holidays. The way that we look at it is there are so many people in this world who have so much less than we do. Instead of buying each other something that's just going to sit around we would rather help other people. That's why I wanted to create this challenge. You can use this challenge to save money to buy gifts for your friends and/or family or you could use the challenge to save money to use for "random acts of kindness" throughout the holiday season - and even continue it into the new year! No judgement here - it's your challenge and you use the saved money as you see fit.

If you follow this money saving challenge you will end up saving $300 in 12 weeks. This amount of money can easily be saved each week if you cut back on your dining out, drinks out, and unnecessary and small purchases that you probably overlook right now. Things like buying coffee, soft drinks, appetizers, and desserts add up quickly! Skip those!

If you do plan on using this money for "random acts of kindness" some ideas are paying for a strangers gas, food, or even put together bags for the homeless or a local hospital! The possibilities are endless! You don't have to spend money to be kind to others though, you can volunteer with local organizations or visit nursing homes or hospitals. Hopefully what you receive in return will encourage you to continue this after the holidays.

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Interested in more money saving challenges? Try one of these:

Save $1,000 in 3 Months

3 Month Money Saving Challenge

Beginner 6 Month Money Saving Challenge

52-Week Money Saving Challenge

12 Month Money Challenge

$300 12-Week Christmas Money Saving Challenge

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Looking for a printable version of this challenge? We've got you covered! Join our newsletter and you will be taken to a black and white printable version right away! Grab the printable challenge here.

Build Your Own Workout - Holiday Edition

Ready for a FUN workout? My friend Pam (founder of Moms RUN This Town/She RUNS This Town) and I created this "Build Your Own" workout for you to try.

All you have to do is take the first letter from your first name and the first letter from your last name to get your "gift" (see picture above) and then spell out your gift using the chart below to find out what your workout is!

Follow both of us on Instagram so you can tag us after you complete your workout!

For example, my gift is Large Battle Ropes (how fun!). So my workout will be what is listed below. Whew, I'm tired just looking at it!

• B - 30 Crunches
• A - 20 Squat Jumps
• T - 15 Plie Squats
• T - 15 Plie Squats
• L - 10 Knee to Elbow Planks
• E - 10 Pushups
• R - 45 seconds Jump Rope
• O - 20 Leg Lifts
• P - 30 seconds Arm Circles
• E - 10 Pushups
• S - 30 seconds Front Kicks

• L - 10 Knee to Elbow Planks
• A - 20 Squat Jumps
• R - 45 seconds Jump Rope
• G - 45 seconds Plank Hold
• E - 10 Pushups

What was your gift? Did you "enjoy" the gift (workout)?! ;-)