Ya know..over the holidays..my husband and I spent like maniacs! There were so many good deals, gift ideas, and yes...even gifts to ourselves! I would think nothing of going out and spending $50 (gasp!) on one gift for my husband! And yes..there were multiple gifts!

But now..with this project..we have changed our way of thinking! Suddenly..spending $50 in one trip to the grocery store seems like alot!! Spending $30 to eat out (which we did alot over the holiday season) seems insane! Especially since I do love to cook so much!

It's amazing how when you change your way of thinking...money which seemed like "pocket change" before...now feels like alot! Now that we have examined our cash flow....we have more than we realized! We are pretty blessed!

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Bekah
Co-founder and CEO of the NOVITZKE FAMILY INC.

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Heather

Exactly what I am experiencing. It's amazing what happens when you really start to question. I find myself questioning a $2 item, whereas before I wasn't questioning a $20 item!

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Carrie
SAHM Momma to 2 sweet boys and a baby princess

I did that all week. I really watched what I spent and paid CASH. It seems to hurt more when it's cash. However, my mom and I went today to Kohl's and I did use my charge there, but she gave me half, for the kids for clothes next year. However, I debated about buying Kelsey a Princess Purse, that was 16.00 and finally said no. We'll use something else. I literally rooted through every rack for the kids. I was so proud of myself for saying no. I also said no to shoes for Thom that were Lightening McQueen Crock nockoffs, for $20, I a lady hear me say I'm not spending the 20 of those shoes and says my god it's only 20 bucks.

I'm proud of myself this week.

I'm right there with you regarding spending before Christmas. I have often said I am good 3/4 of the year, knowing that I'll be spending big time Oct-Dec.
Glad a new year has started again.

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Children Learn What They Live, And Live What They Learn.
What have you taught your child today?
When life throws you a curve ball...it's up to you how you catch it!

I agree with once you take a step back and really look at your spending you slow down. I started stepping back a few months ago and really became "cheap" . I want the credit card debt gone - that is my mission. I have already found $250 extra each month to pay on it, as well as my monthly coupon savings each month. I can do this! We can do this!

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I would have then turned to her and said.. "Great!! Would you like pay with cash or credit then?"

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~@~ Carla ~@~

That is totally true for me as well. I'm still wrestling with the impulse buys though and going shopping to fill my time. It's not habit yet .

I know how you feel, Stormy. I am wrestling with it too. We just moved ds 2 into his big boy bed (which we already had) and the box springs and mattress are on the floor and his room looks very half-done. Normally I would be running all over the city doing up his new room until it looked perfect. We have been in this house for almost 2 years and still have plenty of projects that we want to do. It is only 10 years old, though, and the truth is it is perfectly fine. Since I started with the FTJ we have been making do with what we have and the only thing I bought was a duvet cover that was 75% off at one of those linen stores. I have been cooking too, and I'm realizing how many meals of ours were simply "assembled" from healthy convenience food that is insanely expensive. I used to love to grocery shop and now that I am reeling in my budget, I loathe the shopping. I am trying hard to make this a habit. Trying to make it fun.

I am getting ready to join the gym. They are offering an incredible deal and I can pay in full for 15 months without breaking my budget for the month. I am hoping this will fill a void in my daily routine and give me something productive to do when the kids are not around. It breaks down to under $15 a month and it is a very nice, swanky gym that is just for adults. I'm redirecting my energy!

It's great to reflect .. here are my reflections thus far.

I generally find after Christmas my spending comes to a near stand still for January (except for groceries) so it hasn't been difficult so far to be on a spending freeze. I've been inspired here by you all doing such a great job figuring out what's a need and what's a want. I've been asking myself that a lot more too ... but I also know that the next 6 weeks it's only going to get harder for me. My dh leaves tomorrow for 6 weeks and whenever he is away, I spend money. I don't know why I do it. I think I get feeling like I have all this extra work and I need a reward of some kind. This next 6 weeks is going to be where I face real temptation!