save your pennies weeks 2 and 3

 Just a quick update on our progress -

We spent money.

Not much - but we did. Kev spent a couple dollars on beer to bring to a friends (like 4 bucks) and we bought lunch at Wegmans when we did our grocery shopping (though we kept it under 15 dollars). Then I spent 100 dollars at Target. I got a huge thing of laundry detergent, giant tub of kitty litter, mouthwash, Easter stuff for the kids. So it wasn't frivolous spending, but it adds up quick! Oh, and Kevin renewed our Sirius for a year. I complained when he got it last year (pay for radio?!) and I complained this year, but the truth is I do like having it.

We haven't been hardcore about not spending, so I don't know how much of an experiment it really is - but it has definitely helped us pay attention to where our pennies go. I've been not going anywhere during lunch, so saving on gas. That helps. And no runs to Wegmans to indulge in lemon pepper shrimp on lunch. No coffee's while I'm running errands.

I did hit a thrift store twice, but bought nothing. Even though it meant walking away from some fabulous deals (I allowed myself at the beginning of the month if I found a storage trunk I would get it, nothing else). I even skipped the Rescue Missions half off sale last Saturday and the first rummage sale I've seen this season.

I think next month we're going to 'allowance' ourselves. Ten dollars each a week. So I can hit up a rummage sale, buy a bottle of wine or get lunch at Wegmans - or save it week to week to do whatever.

Like I said, we haven't been overly strict on spending, but we are making an effort to cut out those little things that add up.