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

pink_numbers

I think I have it quite easy when it comes to my dear OH, as a) he is more frugal than I ever could be and b) he will stick to what we agree to do. I think it's because I have asperger's and he has asperger's tendencies that when we say things like "ok only spend £10 for a present" or "no gifts", we both know we will stick to it, because that's the way we are. Neither of us are going to go behind the other person's back and spend an arm and a leg for a present!

I too have to be careful what I say I like, if I see something I like and I say so, I have to quickly follow it up with "don't buy it!!" but at least I know he won't buy it if I tell him not to

There must be something Mr America likes? I do like his philosophy of spend on quality but then don't buy many of them, I just wish I could stick to it!! :rotfl:However, you've got to have SOME spontaneity too.

I guess tho, with his sort of philosophy, do you feel pressured to buy him something expensive? How about something handmade? Surely, you can't put a price on that. Or a home baked cake? At least you know that you can give him more cake once he finishes with the first one! He sounds like a very nice guy tho, not many people would think to look after someone else's sister too

(yes, the thing about the carpet is a little crazy!)

415SanFran

Ha he has a VERY sweet tooth, I bake for him every weekend, and we always have some dessert when he comes for dinner during the week...

If the truth was told, I would like to be more than his friend but, I still feel that it is a little early after my husband dying, not too sure that the boys would take to kindly to it for a while yet, they like him but, but but, yanno?

pink_numbers

tbh, it sounds like you are more than his friend in his eyes. I don't know any girl that gets treated so well and showered with gifts and just be a friend

I would say just enjoy how it is now, and I'm sure he will hang around until you are ready

MrsMoo2U

Here here.
David and I were "just friends" when we were teenagers. I used to have a crush on him and my best friend was going out with his best friend so we ended up becoming friends, we were both not working at the time so we ended up spending a lot of time together. I always knew I wanted to be more than his friend but I was afraid of spoiling a good friendship. I decided that I would much rather have him in my life as a friend than scare him away by wanting more. As things do at that age we moved on, long story but I was barred from seeing my friends (I know I was young too long a story for here) and we didnt see each other for over 20 years. Anyway, I was visiting a friend who lives across the road from his mum and dad and I told her all about him. It so happened he had recently moved back to his Mum and Dads and so I left a note on his car windscreen. Two years later and we are now living together and have both owned up to having wanted more all those years ago but were too scared to do anything about it.
San Fran, stick with it I think as Pink says he is already thinking of you as, at the very least, a very special friend. When the time is right to move things on it will happen. Dont know how old your boys are or how long since your husband died but I am sure that they will want you to be happy and so just take it slowly and things will work out.

pink_numbers

awwww that's such a lovely story *gushes* thank you for sharing it with us Funny how life works out doesn't it

pink_numbers

Sorry for the lack of updating on here, these hasn't been much to report until today.

Had a very productive day today. Went to the market and at the car boot sale, we managed to bag four shelf brackets and 2 muffin tin trays (all second hand of course), so happy bunnies

Went to aldi to pick up some more salad veg, and saw that they still had three packs of those fruit bushes, so we bought them and planted them in pots in the garden.

Spot of writing on my thesis, then we made a triple batch of neem soap, which I hope will last us for the year. I've only ever made soaps in single batches of about 1400g, so a triple batch was rather tricky, and I don't think I will be doing that again in a hurry!

How are you ladies set for Valentines?

Aril

Hello all my compacting chums!
My watered down version is not going too badly. For Valentines I did buy my DH a bar of chocolate but his card was made up from some spare cardboard and those little paint charts you get so no expense spared there then:rotfl::rotfl:
Indulged in another book on Saturday but it was from Help the Aged and is one I've been on the lookout for that particular title since last year. Have also needed to get various bits for the small person as he camped with the Scouts at the weekend. His sleeping bag would not have been warm enough so we got him a fleece liner and he needed a much bigger rucksack to carry the equipment to get his badge. I am also going to have to get myself a swimming costume as mine is very old and no longer decent. Don't want to scare everyone by swimming without one when we go away later this month and there are just some things that I couldn't buy 2nd hand:eek:
Other than couple of exceptions I found a replacement brolly on freecycle to replace mine where the spokes had broken and I've swapped jumpers with one of my students so the inner material girl is happy shut back up in her box!!
See you all soon!
Arilx

pink_numbers

Hi Aril, lovely to hear from you!

Woooo where are you off to? Obviously somewhere a little warmer than here! Well done for finding the book you wanted second hand. It almost feels like fate when you find THE book you were looking for doesn't it? Rude not to get it!

How is your son getting along with his wii? Is it helping him?

In the end, for valentines, I gave my OH a jar, with 101 reasons why I love him on bits of paper *awwwwww* lol

Last week we bought some second hand shelf brackets (don't worry, it's for very very light work, it's going to hold up a piece of fabric!) and muffin tins. This week I must be good as all my money is spoken for already...

MrsMoo2U

Hello All,
looks like you are all doing really well.

I will have to really buckle down now. Just found out that OH's contract will not be renewed and so he is out of work from next week Guess an enforced compact living cant be all bad! Just in panic mode at the moment as I usually do when faced with new challenges.

pink_numbers

Hi cherisong, I'm so sorry to hear about your OH's job loss Is he in a job that he can easily find other work? How are you? Do you have enough to keep you going for a while (food, money, etc)?

You will be fine, don't panic the compact mentality will really help you see temptations as something that is no longer relevant to you and assist you in knuckling down financially until the storm is over.

Please keep popping in and update us on how you are getting along or even if you just need to rant!