Hi everyone!
Well, it's been a whirlwind week, as usual in my life. I really didn't even have time to write much this weekend, as lots of kid activities and family stuff going on.

So, I had really strong goals for the week, and I just did kind of ok. I certainly didn't spend like I used to, thanks to the funeral for the debit card. BUT...

On pay day, I took out $200, thinking (very unrealistically) that would last me 2 weeks.
It barely lasted 5 days. (Son needed cash for gas, and expenses for his trip - which he will pay back, but for now...)

Plus, there is no way we can get through a week without dinner out twice, and at least 2 lunches a week. That alone is at least $100. But what was nice is that I have no debit card receipts, and so I don't have to worry about what I spent on the debit card, or balancing my checkbook, because only the bills scheduled to come out of my account through bill pay are going to come out.

On the good side, I have delayed any mani/pedi's for a little while. I really need my hair colored, but I am going to wait another few weeks, until I just can't wait anymore. I STILL haven't gone to Starbucks, and when my mom and I were out together over the weekend, instead of eating out, we waited until we got home.

I'm not so organized yet, so sitting and calculating every time I save a few pennies or dollars hasn't made its way into my daily agenda, but, overall, I still feel pretty good that I have used restraint and more thought before carelessly incurring an expense. That is really what its about to me.

My other big success was that I actually heard my son express some ideas as to how he was going to save money this week, and just hearing that he is conscious of our spending, and appreciative of what it takes to make the money we do was positive to me.

He is starting his construction job Friday, and his first 2 paychecks go to me, to pay back for his outrageous cell phone bill while he was in Israel.

Lauren balanced her checkbook, and sent out $150 in payments from her own $$, which provides me with a bit of relief this month as well.

I haven't had time to write everything down, but I will this week, so I can go into next week a bit more organized, planned, and in control.