Fiscal Fast – 7 days no spending (at all)

No one fails on here, we all support each other in our attempts to keep as much cash in our pockets, and not in the supermarkets tills. Just by down-branding you are saving a considerable amount of cash.I think if you sat and worked out how much you used to spend, you would be pleasantly suprised. A couple of years ago I used to spend around 50-60 pounds per week and for the life of me I can't see what it went on, apart from when wandering aimlessly around in the big supermarket I would throw odds and ends in the trolley without really thinking do I need it or has it just caught my eye for some reason.
This is how the big SM make they money, its all carefully planned out to attract the customers.Think how often you perhaps want some fresh cheese or meat from the deli counter The counter is no where near the exits are they, they are always at the back of the store so you have to walk past all the tempting bits on offer before you get to what you want.Like for example sugar is always tucked away somehwhere, probably where you have to hunt for it and whilst hunting you will see things that go with sugar cakes and goodies to make you think you want to buy.Its mental 'triggers' that the big four rely on and are extremely carefully worked out for their benefit.
So basically by only buying what we need as opposed to what we THINK we need we are playing the shops at their own game.When I go to the shops I always have a list and just enough cash to cover what I need as if I took more I would spend more.It really works but it takes a bit of practice and we all have mad moments at times but its recognising those 'triggers when shopping that helps The smell of baking bread will always make ytou think 'Mmm that smells good' and make you feel hungry so I always have eaten before I shop and if I can suck a peppermint whilst shopping as the taste will take away the rumbles in your tum I used to live quite near to a coffee importers in Bromley years ago and the smell of coffee used to permeate the high street and the shop was always full of customers.The smell attracted them.Have you ever noticed if you walk past a shop like 'Lush' who sell gorgeous smelling soaps how the doors are nearly always open.Again small attracts custom.
I have now cut down my shopping by at least half to what I used to do and am none the worse for it in fact I am so much better off finacially.So remember the golden rules
do I need it? can I do without it? and always eat before you shop,Never go out with more in your purse than you want to spend and always always take a list of what you want .Shop less and save more.

The week has flown by, I used up the last of a few sprouty potatoes for sausage and mash for dinner afterall and my lunch of oatcakes and tuna mayo was way more lovely than it seemed when I made it up the night before.

I did a complete overhaul of the freezer tonight and written a list all that was there, as I decided late last night that I am going to take this to another level for the 'Just say NOvember' Challenge. Fiscal Fasting x 4 more weeks :eek:

I found a couple of random Ciabatta rolls so they've been given a second chance at life and transformed with some cheese and the last possible bits off the end of a cucumber into a fine looking lunch for tomorrow.

It's been a good week and there are now some pockets of space in my tidy little freezer, I will be doing my weekly shop tomorrow, which will be about half of what I normally spend. I will only be getting some meat or a chook for Sunday dinner, milk, bread, and some fruit and veg to see me through next week.

Have decided to try another FF, just for a week. Have lots of stuff in the cupboards etc, so should be fine.

Social life is what sometimes throws things, but the diary's quite empty for the next week or so, so should be OK. Entertainment will be walks, bus rides using my granny pass, and a visit to the art gallery. At home I will be knitting, quilting and reading, and talking to family and friends on the phone using the free tariff (up to an hour before the charge kicks in). Can't be bad!

I will sort out my cupboards and freezer tomorrow, shop accordingly and then FF until I go on holiday Mon 12/11. The holiday is paid for and spends allocated, so I should be OKish I think, I will know better after my checks tomorrow. I really need to keep doing this as my OD and CC havent gone down this month:( and I need to be on track with Christmas approaching!!!!:eek:

Jxx

Well I've managed day 1:j:j
Hardly surprising really as the weather here is truly awful and I cannot think of anything worse than having to venture out. I have had a really useful day as i got my meal plans sorted and went through the cupboards and freezer.
Also, because it was so wet and miserable I had a lovely baking/coooking day which I love anyway but i particularly enjoy it when it is wet and cold outside.
I made some veg soup out of a YS bag of casserole veg which was really tasty. We had it with HM bread rolls fresh from the oven :j

Also made some chocolate muffins and shortbread biscuits. Tea was HM Thai red curry with sticky rice and some naan bread from the freezer (have a vast stock of them after a recent AP order!)

Planning on a day pottering at home so it should be another NSD fingers crossed.

Good luck everyone. I hope you all have a super frugal week!

PP xx