The Compact Challenge 2010 (formally "Need help for a challenge")

pink_numbers

ok panic over. Spoke to my OH and mum, cried for the loss of my independence, and I'm feeling a lot better.

I'm actually thankful that this has happened now, and not last year. In the last place I lived, I would've been very isolated with no car, but here, I can just walk into town.

I'm also thankful of the £100 per month it's going to save me by not having a car.

I'm also thankful that I have an OH that is kind enough not to mind giving me lifts

ah heck, we wanted to become a one car house hold anyway!

pink_numbers

Woooo we're nearly at the end of the month!! yay!

I know this thread has gone quite, but I really hope this is no indication of all of us falling off the band wagon! :rotfl:

I'm really proud of myself, yes I felt off the wagon at times, but considering this is only the first month of the challenge, I think both my OH and I have really changed the way we look at stuff.

So this month, I ended up buying brand new:
Yarn
Bandages for my poorly kitty

second hand:
a sheet which I turned into speaker covers
a bin

fixed/made/found alternatives:
Woolly hats
Gloves
reusable tissues
speaker covers
blanket for present
cat toys
a bag
lots of hedgehog bags

I am enjoying how my thought process is slowly changing from "oh I need to go and buy x to do z with" to "hmmmm how can I do z without buying anything..."

How is everyone else getting on? What changes have you noticed in your attitude towards stuff?

MrsMoo2U

Hello,
Sorry I havent been around much. Very busy in work.
Well I had a massive declutter in the office last week. I made notepaper out of all of the scraps and envelopes instead of shredding them. They have been very handy when taking phone calls - no more post its for me.
I fell off the wagon today and treated myself to 3 books. The local Works is closing down so I got all 3 for £5 (one of which is 2 books in 1) but I console myself with the fact that I havent bought a new book for at least 3 years. I usually swap them with my friends but since I moved 200 miles away from all of my friends my stash has dried up. I will think about how I can recycle what I already have.
I sorted out lots of clothes that have been in boxes since my move so I feel like I have a whole new wardrobe.
I was really good because I found a lovely monsoon skirt in the cancer relief shop but I put it back and thought if I go for a walk and come back if it is still there I will buy it but I forgot to go back.Moral of the storyis I didnt really want it or need it. I was looking for a crochet hook but cant find one at the moment.
I gave my sewing machine away sometime ago to my friend. She has never used it so I have been thinking about asking if I could borrow it back so that I can make some bags with some remnants of material that I have found.

Sorry to hear about the driving Pink Numbers but it is good that you are seeing the positives in it. How compact living is that - somebody must have known that you were trying to reduce consumption - what better way than getting rid of a car. Think about the money you will save and if you sell it you could use the money you make for a good cause/treat that isnt breaking your challenge.

Any way keep up the good work. Hope that people pick up the thread again soon. You are really inspirational.

pink_numbers

Hi cherisong, it's great to hear that you are doing so well!

Not bought any books for 3 years? That is amazing. I don't think I could go for three years myself, nor my OH... so no, I honestly don't think there's anything wrong in buying 3 books, in three years!! Well done What books did you buy?

I also use envelopes as note papers. I figured that I have to cut those stupid windows out to recycle them anyway, it doesn't really take up any more time just to cut out usable bits for note paper. I usually keep all the envelopes and chop them up once a month at the kitchen table while the OH is sorting through his paperwork for the month.

Crochet hooks - I read somewhere (on MSE), that you have to ask the staff for crochet hooks and knitting needles, as they're no longer allowed to leave them out in the shop, in case children poke their eyes out or something crazy health and safety related stuff. So I would suggest asking them next time you pop in (and just walk pass the monsoon skirt!!)

It looks like everyone is busy decluttering... doesn't it feel wonderful when you finish, there are less things in your house and they are all organised

Aril

Hello there:D
Have been lurking rather than signing in these last couple of days on the boards as didn't feel I had much to add really:o
This month other than a present for my son's friend from £land my main big:eek:spend was the Wii. We're loving it and there's a lot of giggling going on in my household at the moment.
It's been very busy at work [I work full time and am the main breadwinner] so progress has been slow but there have been some baby steps. Many things have been freecycled and gone to the charity shop and I have only bought second hand bits from the jumble sale last week. That's topped me up on clothes, books and jumpers for DH to replace the ones that have worn out. We also made a bird feeding station completely from bits we had around. Our first lot of proper hm wine [rather than the kit version] has been bottled and I found more demijohns at the jumble sale. The frugal blind made from my fabric stash is taking shape gradually. My next small project is to take some items of clothing that have seen better days and take them apart to then recycle in future needlework projects and to make a Valentine card for DH from craft bits I have already gathered together.
Aril

pink_numbers

Hi Aril, nice to see you again

So glad to hear that the Wii is working out for you, it sounds like it's been a good investment, you cannot put a price on families laughing together!

to be honest, I don't know how you manage to work full time AND do all the thrifty things. I don't think I could do half the stuff I do if I had to work full time. So admirations to you!

I'm thinking of grabbing some old t-shirts and making them into produce bags to put loose fruits and vegs in at the supermarket, do you think the supermarket will let me stuff their vegs into old t-shirt bags?

wooo gosh, Valentines!!! *panics* thanks for the reminder!!

Aril

My friend has made her own special bags for wine and veg out of a lightweight fabric so she doesn't use plastic ones. Rhonda Jean on her blog also made bags for veg buying out of net curtains I think. I finally worked out today that the 2 silly sized guest towels I've had for years that I don't use because they're too small will be put to better use cut up and used as flannels. It's so obvious but hadn't occurred to me until today!
Aril

415SanFran

Sorry I have been AWOL for a time, seem to have had loads of appointments all at the same time.
But I have walked everywhere not once did I catch a bus, nor did I manage to spend on anything other than what was needed whilst I was out.
This month I have surprised myself, but my problem seems to be that I like getting stuff through the post, Ebay I have been really good with, but I have made three orders from Approved foods, that all together has cost me 100 pounds. OK so I do not have to buy cous cous, olives, rice, salad dressing, for the next year but I really have to keep an eye on this.
Hope everyone os well.

MrsMoo2U

Hello again. It is a beautiful day here and I have just arrived back from my walk in the forest with Max my great dane. I am now trying to motivate myself to start cleaning. i figure that if I get started by the time I finish it will be too late to wander into town and spend money. I havent worked out my months budget either so I will be doing that later.


Pink, although I havent actually bought any books I have read lots as, apart from having a backlog I used to work in an office with people who read lots and we used to swap them. We all had so many we never got to the bottom of them. When I left to live in Wales they all bought me books or gave me book vouchers. 12 months down the line and I have finally reached the end of my stash. I am afraid that books are my guilty pleasure. I love any kind of book - even just to look at them. I tried hard not to succumb but they were irresistable! They are Valerie McDermid, John Patterson and Michael Connolly. Dont panic I dont just read murder books! In truth I really want the last two Cecelia Aherne but I couldnt find them in the charity shops and following your example I am reluctant to buy new now.
San, it sounds to me like you have spotted your guilty pleasure too Not to worry at least you wont starve for the next year! lol

pink_numbers

Have been crocheting away the weekend have made big progress on my new blanky project

Aril - Thank you for reminding me about Rhonda's net bags, that is much better idea. I've stopped the t-shirt bag production line, and will go hunting for some net curtains on tuesday. Muji do big towels that are specifically designed to be cut down into flannel size when it gets a bit old to use as big towels. They have the fabric pressed down so it doesn't fray, in squares so all you have to do is cut them along those lines, no fraying to worry about

SanFran, glad you're back, I was wondering if you had got ill again... stop worrying us!! lol Are approved foods delivery a bit more reliable now? I know they used to be really bad with delivery.

cherisong - You would love my OH's book collection. He loves fictions, where as I don't, mostly due to my dyslexia. I do read A LOT of books, but they tend to be instructional, or non-fiction, educational, etc stuff. So our books NEVER mix! lol That is possibly how we've ended up with an entire WALL of books... Have you looked on Amazon second hand? I have that place reserved for when I get desperate to buy a book. Did you manage to stay away from town?