Accomplishments and random thoughts for the first half of the month's money management:

(1) I tracked ALL expenses (even down to the dumb under $3 ones) - Will tally those categories later on
(2) Avoided any recreational shopping and only bought NEEDED items (like birthday gift for DS, school pants for other DS on great clearance, etc)
(3) Allowed myself $20 for resale store shopping (call it my ALLOWANCE of sorts)
(4) Paid 1-1/3 on all credit card minimums. I will start November 1st with $1,600 to apply to those and have worked out specific percentages to pay for Nov and December
(5) Contributed money into the shrinking college funds for the kids - not much, but something
(6) Upped DH's 401(k) contribution to 10%. Hopefully this will kick in by tomorrow's paycheck!
(7) Gave additional tithing to church based on surplus in checking account
(8) Homed in some impulse items grocery shopping - if I DECLINE my kids wishes, I should exercise the same restraint
(9) Still keeping the heat way down or OFF most days
(10) DH decorated the house with inherited Halloween decorations from his department at work. I am not thrilled with this. Way too DARK for me. At least my small ones will not wander out to the porch because they are afraid of things moving and scaring them.
(11) Free dog grooming was a good thing. Saved $45 in the long-run.
(12) All I can think of are 11 points of interest!