Softstuffs thousand day challenge

Softstuff

Thanks Ceridwen, you might be determined and ornery, but you're far from old!

Sometimes I feel so lazy not doing much after work. It gets to me that the OH does a lot of housework and the best I can manage is the shopping and most of the cooking.... but then I remind myself how long I work. This week I worked short days by comparison to most weeks, and it still amounted to 53 hours in work.... and that's 53 hours on my feet up and about, not sat down at any time. I think it's best that I stop beating myself up about what I don't get done, but celebrate what I do get done, and that's part of what this challenge is about for me too.

Working long hours and seeing people rush about so madly in the pursuit of consumerism has made me shy away from it, so advertisements wash over me somewhat. If you've seen a customer pounding on the door of a shop that sells what amounts to entertainment after closing time desperate to just buy that one last thing, it makes you more inclined to want to escape that and live a lot more slowly!

My husband has influenced the way I am about shopping to a great extent. Each purchase is carefully considered, sometimes over a few months, he decides if he really wants it and then finds the absolute best at the best price before thinking some more! That isn't to say we don't have and enjoy our luxuries. We do have a large tv (purchased 4 years ago when my hubby still lived at home with his parents), we also have a nicely furnished home and a relatively new car. It's just all were carefully considered first. I now apply the same technique to even a new hair brush!!

Softstuff

Thanks Pip-squeak,
I don't think the coffee thing is really about the coffee.... it's about escaping from the store for a little while, standing in a queue and it's gotten to be a kind of ritual. I did try an insulated cup, and indeed, still have it. I may try and go half and half. Considering everything else I don't do and won't buy it kind of astounds even me that I'll still spend that on coffee! That definately needs a bit of a rethink.

ceridwen

I can understand that the coffeebreak is functioning as a little mini escape route built into the day...to help keep you "sane". At a purely money level - it doesnt make sense. At an emotional "keep your balance" level - it makes perfect sense. I have a job I positively hate and have to try to find what ways I can to prevent myself just "throwing everything up in the air" and telling them what I think of them - so I can certainly understand where you're coming from. I have the feeling that - like myself - you only normally do what makes sense logically and wont let your emotions override that. But - we do still have emotions and have to acknowledge that they need dealing with.

Guess there's a mini brainstorming session coming on here? Is there anything else you can build into your routine instead that would serve the same psychological purpose? Is it possible, for instance, to nip out for a quick walk round the block so to say? Don't know if there are any "errands" that need doing frequently outside the building that would get you out for that little "breather"? Think of it as a "sanity break" - rather than as a "coffee break".

Softstuff

I think you're right Ceridwen (as always ). I already take the banking (once a day) and the post (twice a week), heck I even sit on the loo for a while longer than is purely necessary :rotfl:

It *is* just a point of balance in my day and I find myself having to build in more and more of those. I sometimes wonder at the money I would save not working.... no work clothes or shoes, no morning coffee, more time to do things at home that would save more.

Anyway, I welcome any suggestions on replacing the coffee yet providing that element of "not at work".

Pazu

Hi Soft stuff,
Can I join you? I can really relate to doing a job that you hate. I'm a deputy head in a challenged school and I loath the head I work for. I can't tell you how many ways she finds to be mean to me but my job is to support her so I can't say anything to any one. When friends comment on her behaviour I just say " I've got to pay the morgage." Does the 1000 days have to start at the same time as yours? My dad has just died (funeral tomorrow) and things are a bit odd at the mo.

shelley1977

good luck with your challange,i look forward to reading your updates

Softstuff

Hi Pazu,
Very sorry to hear about your dad, and hoping that the funeral goes as easily as is possible for you.
You're more than welcome to join me. You don't have to start at the same time as me, you don't even have to make it 1000 days, it's more about the idea of creating a light at the end of the tunnel for those who don't particularly love their current employment, it's up to you how long the tunnel is.

I'm going to put my start date in my sig now.

thriftlady_2

Morning Softstuff, although I guess you're probably asleep now,

I just wanted to say that if you haven't read it already do try and obtain a copy of The Tightwad Gazette. A lot of it is very American, but the principles apply to everyone. I think it has some great tips and ideas for really cutting your spending in order to achieve a particular goal. The author began practising 'blackbelt tightwaddery' in order to buy her large family home on one income.

Good luck, I shall be reading with interest;)

Softstuff

Hi Thriftlady,
I'm not asleep yet, though it is 8pm here. Have tried to get the Tightwad Gazette from the library here, but to no avail. Will hopefully pick one up the next time I'm in England.

That's something that isn't factored into the $50 a week; annually I fly over to see Mum and Dad in England. It isn't the most economical thing to do, but I have no alternative (neither of them are in good enough health to visit me, and that also makes it more important to go regularly). It costs about $2000.... Mum and Dad give me a little money for Christmas and Birthday which go towards this, other than that it is my major expense. I use it as best I can to save a bit of cash too.... I buy cheap socks and pants in asda for the both of us, make sure I leave all presents and cards for the year in England to save on postage, and of course visit car boot sales for anything else! Last time I visited, to save on the flight I had a 16 hour stopover in Abu Dhabi airport.... and stayed the whole 16 hours there! I also spent a while on the freebies and voucher boards here and managed to get quite a lot of free day trips and half price meals (so much so when I kept taking my mum out, she thought I'd won the lottery!).

fletch3163

Hi softstuff

Well, you certainly sound ready that's for sure. You remind me of ME when I'm about to start a weight loss plan. I'm so fired up I want to get to the other end just to see how I did:p . Then I get to tomorrow and discover bread once again:o

You've got me thinking now though, a thousand days, a thousand days...

I have a "speculate to accumulate" mindset with shopping, etc. It seems that I spend a lot up front to try to save a bit later. My home is currently awash with Daz washing powder that's on sale. I'm scared NOT to buy it:rotfl: . I'm worrying I'm acquiring some sort of seige mentality:o

I will watch (and particpate) as you travel but Good Luck