CHECK!

In August 2015, our family spent two glorious weeks in Kauai, HI.  When we returned home, I added up the VISA purchases and almost fainted!  We had WAY overspent on this vacation and had not even realized it as we were spending.  I decided that I had to do my part to curb the spending on our VISA, since I am forever harassing my hubs about his VISA purchases!  I had recently read an article about a lady who had not purchased anything new for six months.  This sounded like exactly what I needed to get our credit card under control!  So, I set some parameters and a start-date of September 1, 2015!

My goal:  No new spending for six whole months!  With the following exceptions:
1) Groceries and toiletries
2) Gifts
3) Small souvenirs, including a mug and Christmas ornament from any location that we travelled

So this is pretty easy right?  And at first it was even fun.  If I needed something, I borrowed it.  I got really good at looking at the thrift store for things I could find used.  And I could feel that I was really saving some money, which made me happy as I paid off our Kauai spending!  My friends were awesome about loaning me clothing for special occasions (thanks girls)!

I ended up making one large purchase in January for my home.  So, technically, I cheated.  But I had been eyeing up these stools for my kitchen with the intent to buy them once my challenge was over.  (I contemplated making bar stools, but my garage is in no shape to work on them... yet.... *see future goal*).  In January I went shopping with my mom and I spotted my stools - ON SALE!  They were $30 off, for a total savings of $120.  I thought it would just be crazy to let this sale go buy only to turn around and buy them at full price in March.  So, I made the purchase.

I also bought a shirt when we went to Edmonton.  For those of you who follow my facebook page, you probably noticed that our bus caught on fire on the way to a Synchro skating trip in Edmonton.  When we arrived at the mall, I thought my clothes were ruined, so I broke down and bought a $20 shirt to wear.  Turns out, my clothes were fine, which is a good thing because I couldn't find any pants to buy that I liked.

Now that I am nearing my six-month completion date of February 29th with what I would call a BIG success under my belt, let me tell you... I am DONE with this challenge!

I am so sick of my clothes - I doubt I will wear any of the tops I currently own again after I get through the winter.  I'm desperate for a little bit of a shopping spree for summer clothing!  And I cannot wait!

I got a lot of great items for my home for Christmas, thanks my family!  So I don't feel a real tug at my heartstrings for house stuff.  But I desperately need a new strainer.  And did I mention some new clothes?

Having said all of this... I don't intend to get crazy with my purchases!  Matt and I have worked hard to pay off our Kauai vacation and I'm proud that I got my personal spending under control!  I have a nice secondary income stream from my Rodan + Fields business and I do not intend to frivolously spend it on just anything.  This cash is going to buy my family the trip of a lifetime to Disneyworld in August!  And this time, I do not plan to charge a single item on my VISA!

I am patting myself on the back for completing this challenge and living small for the last six months.  Lesson learned.  I'll be marking this one off my list with a huge checkmark on February 29th!