Happy new year everyone! I've been lurking for years, every now and again touching base with your blogs and refreshing myself on best frugal practices. It comes and goes, wanes and waxes. I start afresh, then throw it all away when the chips are down. Decided that my old username was too identifiable and also, a name from an era to which I no longer identify. I'm remarried, have much more lucrative, stable employment and know that I have a spending problem.

That's right, I said it. I have a spending problem. I budget, I pay my bills, I know what I need to do but I spend on things for which I do not have the money. Similar to my discarded smoking habit just with credit cards and such. I've identified it's a problem and now I seek to fix it.

There is no reason for me to be here. I make excellent money and have few financial obligations other than my debt. I am well taken care of by my husband. I've been working on my come to Jesus moments throughout the past few months and recently listed all of my debts for myself. Recently, we had a contract settlement at work and I'm hoping to finally get my raise in arrears. I will put that immediately into savings as my 1K emergency fund. I will then begin hammering that debt.

A few years ago, I was heavily into couponing. Like extreme hoarding couponing. I'm gravitating back to it...a bit. Looking at free or almost free items and stocking up on things I know we will need or use at at a reduced cost. I'll post some pictures of my "treasures" as my husband calls them. I'm also looking at snowflaking a Christmas challenge account where I deposit rebates, rewards, pinecones, garage sale revenue....list is endless. So far I'm up to a projected $215 (payout for rebates and rewards in the coming couple of months). I'm also doing the 52 month challenge. I want to finally succeed at that this year!

The fact that many of you are still on here provides warmth and welcome. Amber, Ceejay74...I'm always happy to see you here. I'll be working on updating my horrifying stats in my sidebar soon. Happy to be back.