I was just reading No Credit Needed's post about getting organized. It sounded a lot like what Mr. Micah and I are up to as we rectify our financial situation.

So, a quick update on how we've been arranging things and making good on our plans.

First, we've been carrying out our repayment plan for the credit card--$100 for the first month and $250 thereafter. Mr. Micah paid the $100. He also paid the car loan, which we're paying at $10 more than necessary...not much, but a little bit adds up. Meanwhile, I've set up reminders through my Google calendar to e-mail me in time to pay the bills that are my responsibility. Come to think of it, maybe I should add one for the utilities, which we always seem to do last-minute.

Ok, did that.

Second, we've been working within the budget. It makes me feel a bit limited but also free. Mr. Micah and I have spend $40 on dates and I don't have to worry. It's much better than thinking "Ok, is this spending too much?" If we've exhausted the date budget then it's just time to take a walk. I love our walks anyway.

In a somewhat less organized move, I designated any birthday money as free money (though I'm going to track it so that I don't overspend). So far I have $50! Sure, some say that you should use it to pay off debt. But I see it as a reward for designing a budget where about $500 goes to paying off debts each month and another $500 goes into savings. I think that's what the givers would have wanted anyway.