Nothing spent today. We got some things done around the house and cleaned out some closets - we found a bunch of "new" stuff and clothes. Kind of like a little freebie shopping trip!

DS took one look at a shirt I'd "found" and wiggled his little finger at it, wrinkling his nose in distaste. "What's all this about? I don't like it - take it off!" Quite opinionated for a 2 year old.

Spending to date:

Gas $0
Groceries/Other:...

I went to Publix today to get some essentials and sale items. Total spent was $22.68, which pretty much wipes my grocery/misc budget for the week. We won't need anything else for awhile, so it's not a big deal.


Spending to date:

Gas $0
Groceries/Other: $22.68

So far, so good!

Happiness and a good time are free. We wanted to spend the morning having fun with our two and half year old son. We took him to the local school and let him ride his Power Wheels around the empty parking lot, rustled up stale cookies and bread to feed the ducks down at the lake, and had a picnic in the park. We had a blast!

I was supposed to go to the grocery store, but left my $5/$30 coupon at home - I'll go tomorrow during lunch.

...

So here are my rules, short and sweet.

No money can be spent except for:

1. $75 per week for gas

2. $25 per week for groceries and any kind of deals

The only major exclusions are:

1. Things bought with free gift cards do not count, including eating out.

2. Legitimate emergencies.

3. Doctor's visits and prescriptions (none foreseen).

4. Girl Scout cookies.
...

Yes, you read that right... a spending diet. People usually go on other kinds of diets each New Year, but I think everyone can benefit from cutting back financially every now and then.

Our family has gone through a pretty rough patch in the last six months with four surgeries and a hospitalization. We have several thousand in medical bills, even with health insurance. I missed eight weeks of work total with everyone's health issues, including mine, which wiped out our savings....