^[1]

Since my shopping in 2008 is over and done, I am amazed at the savings we were able to achieve and just simply amazed another year has gone! I wanted to share the final results of 2008 spending and savings with you – some exciting stuff, I tell ya!!

Q4: October – December
Spend: $721 (exact – weird or what??)
Savings: $1,013.87

And, here’s a breakdown of each quarter:

Q1: January – March
Spend: $1,318.17
Savings: $2,048.73

Q2: April – June
Spend: $928.33
Savings: $1,491.94

Q3: July – September
Spend: $1,145.49
Savings: $1,948.93

2008 YTD Spend: $4,096
2008 YTD Savings: $6,461

That represents a 61% savings for the entire year. And, I did some simple estimating and figured that at least $1,000 of that was for diapers and formula. So, that means if you don’t have those expenses your totals are probably even better!!!

But, like my friend Marianne ^[2] says, it’s your own personal frugal story. I find it interesting others can get their totals so low but I don’t compete with anyone BUT myself! And, I don’t go chase every single FREE deal each week but I do use my knowledge to save as much as possible when I can combine trips and stock up to save even more. I do plan on using this information to modify our budget to see how much I can stretch it in the new year.

Did you use the Savings Spreadsheet I sent you (or possibly one of your own)? Did you track your savings/spending for the year? Please share your savings results! I really think it’s so motivating to see other people’s stories!

Here’s to a 2009 full of lots of savings and blessings!!

By the way, this week I plan on posting the savings spreadsheet I created and use so you can track your savings in 2009!