Back to micro-managing the money.

I have been under-estimating the amounts spent on clothing and home repair/maintenance/upkeep. I also think that if I do one monthly trip to Sam's Club for about $250, I can save money overall (even with the trips to Aldi's).

There are several things that I cannot compromise on with DH: GNC Megaman vitamins (though I got two 20% off coupons), Organic flaxseed pumpkin cereal (at Trader Joes or Sam's Club) and blueberry pomegranite juice. He also likes it when we have enough stuff for juicing (carrots/celery/apples, etc). I've run into breakfast difficulties with my picky eaters and they seem to like the Quaker breakfast squares. I'm also liking the bread with 4g/fiber per slice which I get at the Pepperidge Farm Outlet. So I think that I'll have to come up with a system for keeping a stock of these items.

I've decided to do away with the $1,000 credit card payments for the next two month and just take care of what needs to be done: furnace cleaning at the rental property $85, sealcoating the driveways $210, two dance competition entrance fees for Jan and Feb 2010 for $260, and maybe funding a large trip to Sam's Club. Even by making a $500 payment and putting a few $$ away will make me feel better. I've also decided that since November and December bring in extra money due to birthday and holiday gifts, I will take the December budgeted amounts and just start January with those. I feel like I am back to paycheck to paycheck living again (and I am). All the momentum I made prior to the $6,200 roof has been gone. Back to the beginning ...

I also took into consideration that I'm upping DH's contributions to 401(k) from 8 to 10.

Back to the excel spreadsheet drawing board!