I've been keeping track since January of everything I've spent this year. I like doing it and it's helped me see where my money is going. I've been able to spend less every month since I started tracking it. Before this, spending and credit cards were getting a little out of control. I feel really proud of myself, but I'm not getting credit from other people that I feel I deserve!

Good things I've done so far this year:
$500 per month toward paying off credit card debt
12% into retirement account
Consolidated student loans
Saving $1000 per month

And the most amazing thing:
Spent less than $100 on clothing

I'm lucky that my living expenses are taken care of by someone else, but now that we are getting married, I feel it's only right that I contribute more to the housing, utility, and car expenses.

On an average day, I don't spend any money, I bring healthy food to work and I've replaced shopping with working out (lost 10 lbs so far this year!). I buy the groceries, but we only eat salads so that only amounts to about $300 per month.

My weakness is shopping, but I'm trying to only buy clothing that I need and that is on sale. It also helps to remind myself that I need to pay for things I've already bought instead of new things.

I've also started transferring as much money as possible into my savings account so that I only have the money I need in my main checking account. It's easy enough to transfer it back in case of emergency. Logic being that I can't spend it if I don't have it. Or I just take cash if I'm going somewhere with too many temptations. It feels good to tell myself no.