THE first month’s results are in.Drum roll please.January savings are $4749.94.I know — I can barely believe it myself. The results could have been higher except for an unplanned visit to the dentist (painful on so many levels!) and the purchase of a second dog. Yes — the dog is something new, but she is from the Greyhound Adoption Program. GAP is a program designed to re-home dogs that have finished their lives in the racing industry. So technically she is second-hand and well worth the unbudgeted expense.This month hasn't passed without its challenges. The annual stocktake sales have been a true test of my commitment to the Year of Nothing New.Ordinarily I would wander through shopping centres stopping at each window that promised "MASSIVE SAVINGS" and "NEVER TO BE REPEATED PRICES". Recently I called into the local retail Mecca. I decided to invest a small amount of my weekly pocket money in a Red Rooster lunchtime treat. How exciting the small things seem when they become a conscious reward for effort. During my stroll I found myself drawn to a table of kitchen gadgets and accessories when I remembered my pledge. I had to literally stop myself, put my eyes down and head straight for my original destination. I remembered — there is no point even looking.It occurred to me that I am trying to break the habit of a lifetime. Much like introducing exercise into my daily routine or trying to lose weight, shopping has been somewhat of an addiction for me and this challenge is going to have its tough times. For me a sale sign is an invitation to save money — so I buy things. Logic would suggest that spending money isn't really saving it, but that's how my shopping addled brain works.Even Oscar is learning some valuable lessons. I should clarify at this point that we are not enforcing the Nothing New policy on Oscar. He receives $5 per week pocket money as payment for a few jobs around the house. Previously, if Oscar went shopping we would top up his pocket money if he didn't have enough for the item he selected. Nothing major mind you, but $5 here or $10 there. It all adds up.Early in the month Oscar took his hard earned $25 out to the local gaming store. He left the house with a huge smile on his face and came home in tears. The game he wanted was $35 and there was no 'top-up' forthcoming. Once eyes were dry again we introduced Oscar to the amazing world on online auctions. He managed to buy the game for $15 and still had change. Only problem is now if I so much as get my purse out to pay for something Oscar yells out to stop spending money. More than a little embarrassing when paying for postage at the post office :).I also continued to sell items that we really didn't need or use. To this end I sold my six-month-old laptop. I already have an Ipad, a desktop computer at home and my work laptop. Excessive much? I thought so and the great news is I haven't missed it at all. The cash was a very welcome addition to the bank account.So have we shopped at all this month?Of course! Remember — I am a shopaholic.I spent $30 at a school op shop and bought several potential Christmas and birthday gifts (tags still intact!) and some great new items for my wardrobe to a total of $30. I also bought three very cool t-shirts on Ebay for $13. All with pocket money I had saved from week to week!January Budget FavouritesBirthday Presents: Turning photos into a poster on Snapfish for Nan's birthday. She will love it so much more than any trinket I could have bought her. Total cost $19.00. I also bought a really cute little dress on Ebay for my niece's birthday.January favourite recipe: Lamb Harira. Traditionally a soup made to break the fast for Ramadan but really delicious and very cheap to make.Book reviews: I love books and have added my name to the list at work (The Courier) to undertake book reviews. This way I get to save money and read all the latest releases in return for 200 words of my thoughts on the book. Fantastic arrangement. If you are a book lover and you are able to string together a small précis of the book why not approach your local paper to see if you can become a book reviewer?Taking my own coffee to work in a traveler mug is still a pleasure and saves me $4 on a Cafe bought coffee each day (or the horror of drinking instant free coffee at work).It's funny but I'm also finding how much I really appreciate the things we do spend money on. I LOVE the clothes I buy, the occasional meal out is more delicious than you can imagine and I really treasure the gifts we do give to others because we've really thought about what to give.I have a feeling we're going to gain a lot more than a healthy bank account and a new pool by the end of this.Until next time.S