Settling in/The honeymoon is over

As we move slooowly toward the ultimate goal (dentist paid, inheritance replenished), some of the thrill is waning. I am no longer documenting every single penny that we spend. That was anal verging on OCD, man. So now I am much looser, and slightly nervous that this mission will fade away. I am STILL committed to the above-mentioned goals! Unfortunately, since it is taking a month to get to minimal credit bills monthly, we aren't making direct moves toward said goals yet. Patience is NOT one of my traits. I think Shirley McLaine said in some movie "Immediate gratification is not soon enough for me!" So, I am trying to relax, let things go, and realize that by mid-May I will be seeing changes.
Some changes that I am making secondarily toward my primary goals:

1) Start electronic billing to eventually decrease some work and increase the speed of my income

2) Take advantage of a seminar offer to have 6 free months of membership on Psychology Today's therapist registry to increase my referrals (although that could actually create some problems if I get too many referrals...)

3) With son Jonathan's gracious help, get my website back up and running.

I'm excited about these changes! It's a big refresher to my practice. I must also maintain attentive self-care through this. I will still take one to two long breaks during the day, and work only a four day week.

Processes that have NOT gone by the wayside (Yay!!) include paying cash for most things except Target purchases because of the 5% discount when the charge card is used, and few other agreed-upon larger purchases. I am shocked that I have not had any cravings to SPEND with no goal in mind other than the rush of spending. And I guess I am a little glad to feel some non-defensive guilt about having spent $60, then another $20 on one of my Zynga games. A bit of guilt is a good motivater to feel uncomfortable enough to change one's behavior.... I hope. The only other frivolous purchases I have made so far have been 1 or 2 magazines a week. I must look at my existing wardrobe, and at ads, then figure out what I need in the way of spring clothing.

Other continuing processes; using more foods from the freezer, and buying meats at Target early in the day, when there are marked down meats, which may also be on sale besides clearance, then tossing them in the freezer for future use. We're better about using up leftovers. I am cooking more at home. I make Ray's lunch more often. I generally stay out of my tempting stores (especially Kohl's!) . When I do shop other than for groceries, I go directly to the item I plan to purchase, grab the sucker and leave! Well, I pay for it first.... Even in the grocery store, I nearly always stick to my list.
These are BIG changes for me! I have been SO much more impulsive in my life!! How interesting it is, that to behave more conservatively is actually quite exciting!