**Did some fiscal chores. Paid ALL the credit cards, though most had not closed yet, etc. well, still waiting for first statements from Target and Amex so I know where to send the payments.

Paid dh's Chase - it was $15 - he didn't remember what - didn't get a bill. Oh well - just paid it. Made sure he is carrying CU Visa from now on. Will be $30 charges next month - at least I know what that was for. (To clarify - got bill balance from online bill pay at my CU - so I can pay it - just didn't get any details because I can't find the login to see the detailed bill).

Paid CU Visa which had all the "we don't take AmEx" charges.

Paid old Chase - had some straggling charges, but I think we can now put it to bed.

I never want to pay that many bills in one month, again! (We are in credit card transition stage - both Chases should be gone going forward. But, the separate Target card and the Visa are still a must).

**The AmEx did close, so today I will experiment with importing the data. The snafu is they only allow quicken imports for statements. I am used to being able to download data whenever. So, I have just been manually putting in groceries/gas to get a running total, and things I know I will forget how to categorize later. What a month too - with all the Christmas stuff. Usually it should be a lot easier (a lot less charges). Hopefully, downloading will at least go smoothly. Crossing my fingers. IF nothing else, I Can just delete any duplicate entries. (IT should be smart enough to match anything I already entered).

*I zapped my deposits online (scanner) and so have to remember to mail off the property taxes - they are due Friday. Was just waiting for my paycheck.

*We have been writing down every misc. purchase, and it seems to help. Well, I have to work with dh a little more. But, it was a relatively spendy month, and I did a better job than usual of keeping withing our spending confines.

Our usual MO is to go a bit over the last week of the month. Those last couple of days before the credit card closes.

I don't know why I never thought to just write it down before.

As I looked at the credit card this week, it seemed to be about as usual. All our careful planning had gone to hell. But when we returned the plates, I realized that I had been looking at an extra $200 charge that we don't have to pay. Duh.

In the end, we were dead on with the budget. Which happens, never. I feel relieved that we can be very aggressive with retirement next year. We will have less room for error, but I think I found a way to be a little more accurate and efficient.

As always, it's not the fact that you use credit cards that you tend to spend more. It's only if you don't pay them any attention. I'd say we treat our credit like cash, and this little tweak of paying closer attention than usual is all we needed to equivalate a cash system (in my opinion).

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**Yesterday I was rewarded for bad behavior!

MIL/Grandma bought me some XL clothing for my birthday. They accosted me on Thanksgiving and said, "Tell us if you don't like it." When I said, "XL???" clearly I didn't like it! "That's all they had - just try it on." (Mind you - they usually do great with clothes shopping for me - similar tastes).

I tried it on over my clothes and it looked like a tent. They gushed over it and someone removed the tags. Oy!

"I think it's a little big."

"No - it looks great!!!" snip snip

When we went for the dishes return yesterday I went to look at the shirts. They had given me a shirt like I already had plus a faux suede button up shirt to go over it. I already have one of the same style which I like and has held up for many years. When I looked, I fell in love with a red one. I didn't think they had removed the rags from the outer shirt, so decided to exchange. I Was excited about that.

I was bummed when I got home to find all the tags had been removed.

I knew we had spent our "cash" for the month, but on the way home yesterday I stopped by Kohls. I had already had my heart set on that red shirt! I went in and it was on sale. I grabbed a dark blue one too. I knew they were high quality shirts that would last a while.

I tried on a BEAUTIFUL dress which just didn't fit well (phew!) On the way out I grabbed a BEAUTIFUL shirt that was on sale for $12.99. I figured it probably wouldn't fit well and I would return it anyway.

I was rewarded for bad behavior because the register clerk had to make me wait a few seconds while she got change. She was very worried about this, and so gave me $10 off for "making me wait so long." (Yeah, a whole minute?) In the end I paid about $30 for 3 beautiful pieces. The shirt fit perfect in the end. I can't complain. I will just add it to the birthday bounty. I made a good haul.

The credit card closed and it didn't show up on the bill. I told dh I was just testing the card. Sometimes charges late on the 3rd squeak by and I can wait a month to pay them. Phew!

Considering all the clothing I know MIL already bought me for Christmas, I have like a whole new wardrobe. Which is good because I have to cut my spending next year!

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Almost forgot!

Got our new kindle and $100 Amazon GC for opening another AmEx a few months back.

The kindle is pretty cool - I must admit. Talks of selling it or gifting it? In the end, will probably keep it. we are that impressed already.

GC was bad timing - we just did a fair amount of shopping on amazon (christmas and all). Figures! Will use it later.

Now that we got our gifts, dh is closing that card.