DH and I normally charge every penny we spend and then pay off the credit card each month. We have done this for YEARS. Although we have the cash to pay it off each month, we know that this does assist in our needless spending sprees at times...

Last week, we were talking and decided to try all cash for a month to see if it would make any difference. We also wanted to try to cut our unnecessary spending at the same time. It's been a week and there really is a huge difference in mentality. It's so tough to hand over the cash instead of the plastic. But once you make the commitment, it really is not that difficult to just say no to mindless purchases. For example, I took the girls to the mall yesterday. They each had $25 to spend of their own money that they earned from our recent yard sale so we thought we'd go and see what they might want. I found the most perfect summer cardigan sweater that was on sale for $12. I was so tempted to get it, but I ended up putting it down and walking away. I asked myself if the sweater was a necessity and the answer was clearly NO, so it was easy peasy... (not really), but I did it! The girls didn't find anything that was a must have either so we all left the mall with absolutely no needless purchases....... and it felt great! And what's better, I still have my cash in my pocket.