Flat Eric's 130 day challenge

Flat_Eric

As the end of the month beckons, I firstly wish I had been paid yesterday and thus didn't have to wait until next week .... and I also feel rather strange that I took on this challenge in the first place and that today marks two months since I started.

I repeat my aims below with appropriate comments !

Here are my aims: -

1. Save all £2 coins I receive in my change.
Haven't really been doing this - must try harder. Must remove coins from my purse as soon as they come into my possession. I would try to avoid spending them but there have been a couple of occasions when I have been in the local shop where my goods don't come to enough to qualify me to pay by debit card and I only have my £2 coins in my purse and little else.

2. No extra lottery purchases I.e scratchcards/extra lottery tickets either online or from shops) Haven't been online and bought any scratchcards nor any extra lotto tickets but did buy some euro millions the other week when 113 million was up for grabs....

3. No ebay purchases. (this is going to be really difficult !)
Success - no ebay purchases whatsoever !

4. No amazon purchases (unless its Christmas presents!)
Have ordered my calendars for next year..... pre-ordered the monopoly game ? ordered some books for my holiday ?!

5. No craft purchases (for card making / knitting / cross stitch etc). The occasional magazine is allowed ! The odd craft purchase to be allowed in December if it is for an xmas gift (i.e. not allowed to buy now just because Im on a financial no spend ban from tomorrow)
Since my last confession I spent £20 ordering some material and threads to stitch a design I have seen in my cross stitch mag! naughty me ! this along with the threads and material I bought for another design I saw and fell in love with. Was also tempted to order some material and the threads for another design I have had for ages that I really like but know that I could substitute the colours required for what I already have and use whatever material I can find (I have plenty so not an issue!)

6. No farmville or cafeworld cash purchases !
FAILED ! MISERABLY ! I don't understand why I feel the need to waste money on such a silly thing ? In my defence though, I did find playing the games relaxing because you in effect, switch off from everything that is going on around you. So I justified this unnecessary expense to myself despite feeling cross that I was spending money on such a ridiculous thing when it could be put to much better uses. My solution now though is not to play it ! because then I can't be tempted to buy more cash... and the game makers are so clever - they keep adding new things and to get the full benefit, you have to buy the cash - so i think its a good plan to just avoid completely.

7. No book purchases including charity shops !
Another failure. Went on holiday at the beginning of this month and had to have some "new reads". Must try harder. Have avoided the charity shops though !

8. No Lush shop purchases (I could open my own lush shop with the stash I have!) Success ! although very tempted this last week because new items out ! will ask for lush vouchers for xmas though !

9. No toiletries to be purchased until my stash of products is all used up. Only exceptions / shaving cream, totm stuff and dove soap (other soaps (apart from lush) irritate my skin.
Success I think

10 . No avon purchases (sorry to my avon consultant)
Another success although now the avon book has the xmas bits and pieces in, I will be buying xmas presents.

I would like to think that I could undertake my no spend challenge for the whole of 2011 but If I can't even manage 130 days then I fear a whole year would be an impossibility. I would like to give it a damn good try through. Perhaps I should work along the lines of two months of no spending - third month - allowed one thing etc.

littlepinkstars44

This sounds brilliant!!!! I want to join to!

From now until the 130 days are up i pledge to:

1. Save all £2 coins i get
2. No buying scratch cards ( i don't play the actual lottery)
3. No Ebay purchases
4. No Amazon purchases
5. No Frontierville purchases
6. No buying books
7. No buying in Lush (except for best friends birthday pessent)
8. No buying toiletries (unless moisturiser runs out, as i don't have another one in my stash)
9. No more Starbucks!

If i think of any more i will add to it

nattyt

ITS ALL GONE WRONG!!!! Back to the challenge....so MAD with me!

miss_empty_piggy

Don't worry nattyt, I'm sure you will be back on track soon. It's not easy and we all have some areas that are harder than others, and sometimes life just gets in the way. Don 't beat yourself up, just write it off, and start again. You're doing great just by trying. Well done you. x

And Flat Eric, as I said to nattyt, there are areas that are harder than others but every little helps. I think the fact that we're all trying is better than just burying our heads in the sand!!!

Flat_Eric

Hi everyone. This is just to let you know that this challenge is abandoned !!! Please see the link to my new thread at the bottom of this post !

I have decided to abandon this challenge as I have had a mad couple of weeks where I have spent loads and don't really know why. So I am starting afresh. I haven't set the new thread up yet but will come back here to let you all know when its up and running. :j See you all again soon :j:D

ETA new thread up and running see here

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/38170080#Comment_38170080