I did the same thing as you, too. Started stripping down and organizing my home and belongings, stopped going out, stopped buying cute little things at Goodwill (it's just a few blocks from me so it's like an alcoholic living next to a liquor store.) I let the car go and I've walked or ridden the bus for 3 and a half years now.
I finally have a savings account, and my first goal is to save up the proverbial six-months-salary's worth. Then maybe... MAYBE... I'll buy a car. It's actually not urgent, my job is a 35-minute bus ride from my house and I can walk everywhere else. Laundry's the only real hassle.
And I don't know about you, but not only am I so relieved not to sit down and spread out 9 or 10 bills every payday on the kitchen table and wonder how the heck I'm going to survive the month, I also notice that my home is so stripped to essentials -- comfortable but simple-- it practically cleans itself. Seriously, my home is never messy anymore. And I have four cats. It's amazing the difference it makes when you finally get your life under control.
Yes! Cleaning is a DREAM now!
We also let all the animals go. (Put down the sick kitty and let my daughter take the other cat and the old dog.) NO MORE HAIR. I can wear solid, dark slacks! :-D
I also love how easy it is to FIND things. It’s so much less stress.