But 'our' Dh's and mine, started December 21st when dh's boss got fired. We see the writing on the wall and think there may be major changes this year because of his job. So when his boss got the boot (he was a good boss as well) we started that very minute to stop buying unnecessary stuff. So really today is day 18 for us but I'm still going to do the full FTJ project.

But to the good stuff - even with getting a head start, we've saved approximately 1800 so far with our spending freeze! I took the amount we usually put on our cc monthly and subtracted the amount of what we put on it so far, and so far 1800 has been the savings from Dec. 21 to now!! We have always paid the balance off every month though. In 7 years of marriage only twice did we pay a portion of the total bill, and it was usually about half. I'm overjoyed because about $400 of the cc was before our freeze so we've really saved much more than 1800!

It hasn't been easy though. I can honestly say that I haven't bought anything absolutely necessary since December 21st, in fact the Only purchase I made was a health care product that I'd definitely be buying after the freeze and I had a $2 coupon ready to expire.

What a great feeling!

Wow!!!!! Will you be our FTJ poster girl? You're amazing. I'm sure your story will inspire lots of others to keep going with this. Thanks so much for sharing!

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Way to go!!!! Yep, you should be the poster girl this month!!!

WOW! Totally awesome ~

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Thats GREAT!!

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~Missy~Mommy
Meghan8.Samantha7,Cameron4

Holy crap!!! You must have alot more descretionary money than I do!!!


That is awsome!

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~Happiness is a large family~

That's great!!

It's amazing what you can do with out when you are afraid for your job! We have been there and it is an eye opener. I am trying to remember those times during this project and keep my eye on the prize of putting more in savings.

Probably the reason we're doing so well is because I've been staying out of the stores. It just goes to show how we nickel and dime ourselves to death. I don't buy the big stuff, I buy fancy napkins, do-dads for ds's school, crafts, all kinds of papers (books, origami, stationery, tablets, I'm a real paperophile! ) The real test is today, we have to go to Costco.

I'm making sure everyone is fed and going over the rules we are only going to buy what is necessary. On my list: Coleman's Nitrate Free hot dogs in bulk, half gallon 1/2 & 1/2, and chicken pot stickers, I've been cooking from scratch most days and the pot stickers are relatively healthy and just heat and eat. I think the key is not to deny yourself 100%, as in slaving day in and day out cooking meals - one bag of pot stickers for one night of fuss free cooking is much less than an evening out and will give me a break to continue to do well!

Wow! That's amazing. That's $100 a day .. keep going and by the end of the year you could have $36,600! (It is leap year after all. ) Congratulations! Very inspiring!