Yes….I’m celebrating.  Yep, dancing in the streets.

The 21 day spending freeze is over.  In fact, it ended on Friday and it has taken me the last few days to ruminate on my savings and determine the depth of my new money understanding.

Thank you, MommySavers and their Forget About the Joneses Project!

My grand savings is estimated at about $755. (This doesn’t include anything that tempted me…this is just based on what I ‘normally spend’.

I managed to cut just over $300 off our grocery/Target bill by cutting more coupons, planning the weeks’ meals before heading to the store, making a grocery list and sticking to it, refusing impulse buying at Target (books, shoes, house decor, etc)

I eliminated about $55 by avoiding all food, snacks, drinks while we were out and about.  I packed all of our lunches and made sure I had extra drinks stored in the car.

I cut about $400 in additional expenses: this includes (but isn’t limited to) spring clothes for the kids, getting my nails done, plants for outside, books for the kids, birthday gifts, home decor, just EVERYTHING else!

Here’s what I learned:  I can stick to eliminating the extra cash I was spending on groceries and Target.  This is smart shopping.  However, I don’t want to always refuse a lunch out, or a drink when everyone is thirsty.

As for the extra: the spending freeze has taught me to THINK about my purchases before I make them.  This doesn’t mean I won’t spend anything on fixing up the house, and it certainly doesn’t mean I won’t buy the kids clothes when they need them.  But, now I am more aware of the difference between WANT and NEED.

I want to buy some flowers for the outside of the house.  I’m going to use the coupon I just received in the mail (see it is good that I waited….now I have the coupon).  I want to get the kids some new clothes for summer. (I got suckered into using a discount at Gymboree and now I’m bitter about it and taking the clothes back – see my blog post about it here) So, that frees up some money I spent.

For me: this is about being smart and savvy.  This is about losing the impulse.  This is about shopping with a purpose and a list.  This is about taking stock and only buying what we need. (I’ve learned my lesson…I’ve come home too many times with some tortillas, some paper towels, some garlic powder – only to find I already had it!)

Now, I’m keeping track of what I spend. 

I made my first trip to Aldi’s. (I’ve heard so much about it…I finally had to go, but I had to leave the kids home with daddy so I could focus!)  Though the store is small…I was impressed.  For $25 I bought: a head of lettuce, 2 gallons of milk, a bag of 10 oranges, a bottle of wine, a jar of strawberry jam, cereal bars, popsicles, noodles, red grapes and butter. (oh..and 10 cents for 2 paper bags).  I was giddy with excitement.  However, the oranges aren’t as good, and neither is the jam, but this is an experiment, right? 

Every little bit I save is a bonus!

www.ExtraordinaryMommy.com