We use a spreadsheet & post everything we are spending or expect to spend, except that each of us has some “petty cash” that we don’t have to itemize. Just writing down everything has been helping us become much more aware & careful. We’re going to keep that up for a while.

I keep debating whether to stop buying a monthly Metra train pass & just use the CTA (bus + elevated train) for my daily commute. The extra $63/month would be nice to have, but there would be several disadvantages. Haven’t made up my mind about it yet.

The other side of this coin is increasing our income. (1) I won (against three other hopefuls!) a large freelance project that will pay me at a higher rate than I have ever charged before, over a period of 6 months-plus. (2) We’re getting ready to create marketing materials for my husband’s business to help him find new clients/projects.