Flat Eric's 130 day challenge

Flat_Eric

I won an ebay item today so have paid for that (£2.70 odd). All the other items i had bids against have either finished (and I didn't win ) or I have been outbid :(:(. So apart from going on ebay to leave feedback, I won't have any reason to visit until the New Year. I feel upset because I love looking on ebay and grabbing a bargain but its all these small spends that end up biting you on the bum and leaving my bank account looking rather sick !

My avon consultant told me the item I ordered is out of stock so Im pleased about that ! I went into superdrug today and bought (one of the few items off my allowed list) shaving cream. I bought own brand rather than my favorite and saved 25% in the process because I used the 10% of £10 spend voucher. (but own brand items - you save 25%) Not related to my challenge really but in the spirit of money saving, returned to tesco with my overcharged items and got double the difference back ! (so £1.24 in credit) not much but it all adds up. I nearly didn't bother.

Think I will use some quiet time at the weekend to look at other areas of my spending and see where savings can be made and also see about setting appropriate budgets for different things. Its only the beginning but I am keen to see how much I can save during the month of september when previously I would have spent the pennies like water!

searching_me

flat eric .. im really finding your thread interesting and will be reading from now on .. i too am saving my £2 also have 2 other tins 1 for 1p and 2ps and one for silvers ..... i will not touch them til november for xmas and my DD birthday (22nd) .. but as i fell out with a friend im now up on my xmas stash ..

well done you though .. saving gets addictive its just changing habits thats the hard part ...

i shall be reading along .. you sound like you got the get up and go i need x

svb53

Hi Flat Eric,

I'd love to join you if that's ok? I completely understand what you've said in your post about appreciating the value of money. I'm lucky enough to be in a well paid full time job yet have still managed to get myself into debt, mainly through not appreciating both what I already have, and the value of what I'm spending.

So, if I may join you, my aims would be:

- to take lunch to work every day and not break into a fiver
- to do a PAD, however large or small, it all makes a difference
- to pay off Egg, Vanquis and Next before Christmas
- to cut down my extravagnce with "friends". I think nothing of sending a bunch of flowers, amazon parcel or some chocoloates if someone's having a rough time, but have learnt the hard way recently that not everyone who you think is a true friend. Yet the people that I haven't spent loads in gifts on have really shone through for me recently. Hmm.
- not to buy any more books or dvds until I've read or watched what I've got. Am I allowed to spend the two Amazon vouchers I got for my birthday recently?
- when I see something I would llike, note it down, then when people ask what I would like for Christmas etc I could ask for a smalll contribution towards said item, rather than just buying it for myself and not aprreciating it as much.

I think that's all for now, but no doubt I'll add some more to the list. Great challenge, thank you for inspiring me.

Flat_Eric

svb53 wrote: »

Hi Flat Eric,

I'd love to join you if that's ok? I completely understand what you've said in your post about appreciating the value of money. I'm lucky enough to be in a well paid full time job yet have still managed to get myself into debt, mainly through not appreciating both what I already have, and the value of what I'm spending.

So, if I may join you, my aims would be:

- to take lunch to work every day and not break into a fiver I suggest you allow one day a week where you can treat yourself to lunch - gives you something to look forward to and means you are less likely to lose heart.
- to do a PAD, however large or small, it all makes a difference (do you mean like a direct debit payment ? do it as soon as you get paid then you won't miss the money!
- to pay off Egg, Vanquis and Next before Christmas :j
- to cut down my extravagnce with "friends". I think nothing of sending a bunch of flowers, amazon parcel or some chocoloates if someone's having a rough time, but have learnt the hard way recently that not everyone who you think is a true friend. Yet the people that I haven't spent loads in gifts on have really shone through for me recently. Hmm. yes this is something I have thought about too. No more sponsoring people for £10 plus - its easy to be too generous me thinks. my money is my money and I am keeping it ! Christmas gifts for my friends and family is going to be a subdued affair this year. Some gifts will be really small. Im hoping to make some gifts to save money also. And given the stash of crafting bits I have, home made cards instead of shop bought or moonpig !
- not to buy any more books or dvds until I've read or watched what I've got. Am I allowed to spend the two Amazon vouchers I got for my birthday recently? YES OF COURSE !!!
- when I see something I would llike, note it down, then when people ask what I would like for Christmas etc I could ask for a smalll contribution towards said item, rather than just buying it for myself and not aprreciating it as much. Yes I agree that if I have to wait for something, I will appreciate it more. My worst habit recently has been hiring a book from the library, not reading the book but instead returning it to the library and buying said book from amazon. When it arrives from amazon, it gets put in a corner and remains unread ! I don't know how many books I have done this with !

I think that's all for now, but no doubt I'll add some more to the list. Great challenge, thank you for inspiring me.

Yes you are more than welcome. :j the more the merrier :D:D

Day 4 of my challenge today. I keep forgetting about itand my eyes still wander when I walk past shop windows! My ban effectively includes all non essential items so even charity shops are on my banned list!

You can't help but window shop though !

Im a tad annoyed, one of my last purchases before my ban has gone to the wrong delivery address and is thus stuck at the depot which is miles away from me. I phoned up tonight and they have requested the delivery company to redeliver to my office so we will see what happens. Old me would probably have ordered it again !



re my ebay habit - I am thinking of adding ebay to the forbidden list on my computer so there are no temptations.

The weekend is going to be interesting because I have this weekend hobby of browsing ebay and amazon etc and finding stuff to buy. No more ! My project this weekend instead is going to be sorting out my cross stitch threads so that I know exactly what threads I have - there was a wedding card I wanted to do and a driving test congrats card but I don't have all the threads. Old me would have ordered the threads needed and more stuff (well why not, silly paying postage twice?!) but new me is thinking, that thread is only one colour out, use that instead - hence the plan to sort them this weekend so I know where I am. Might also remind myself/sort my other crafting materials and perhaps vow to make one card a weekend so that I have a stash ready and waiting !

Flat_Eric

The first weekend of my no spend challenge.:j My typical Saturday pre-challenge would be spent with numerous cups of :coffee: and my browsing the Internet particularly e-bay and amazon. On ebay I search for stuff and bid on stuff i don't need and on amazon, I find stuff to buy. So this weekend will be interesting. I'm tempted to go to ebay just to have a look but I know that If I do this then I will get tempted so best to stay well away.

This week has been a bit of a novelty but in a month's time, I guess I will be a bit fed up about not being able to buy anything. Im hoping though that my bank account will be healthier and this will be enough to spur me on!

miss_empty_piggy

Morning Flat Eric
Have been reading your thread since you started and just wanted to say congratulations on the challenge so far. If you don't mind I am going to join you in your challenge as I have just discovered that my hours have been cut at work and really need to cut down on the spending.

The plan is:

* No spends on toiletries/makeup unless necessary (i.e. use the brown mascara instead of buying new black one!)
* No spends on household cleaning products unless necessary - I often find myself in Wilkinsons (1/2 minute from home) and lugging home a massive bag full of cleaning stuff costing 10-15 pounds when I already have enough stuff in to do the jobs needed.
* No spends on clothes for me or 2DDs unless absolutely necessary. Can't afford to go out so this shouldn't be too much of a problem. Besides we all have a wardrobe full of clothes (I need to loose weight to get in to most of mine, so there's another challenge).
* No spends on jewellry (love jewellry but feel I have enough to compliment my current wardrobe so should be ok)
* No spends on unnecessary food. Kids and dbf LOVE the cupboards and fridge to be FULL (I think it makes them feel good about having lots of choice) I will aim to shop once a week as am now back at work and the kids are back at school soon too. DD1 is going to seniors and will be having hot dinners (which I pay for on a card so will have to organise a suitable budget for that otherwise she'll rob me blind unintentionally of course); DD2 hates hot dinners and is very rigid: ham sandwich, crisps and a drink. She will not have anything else so should be ok there. Will also start to use slo cooker more as is so economical and easy to have hot dinner when walk in the door. Yay!
* Will not spend any money on takeaways despite being too tired to cook.
* Will not spend money on unnecessary book, DVDs videos etc.
* Will not spend money on entertaining the children. Will do bike rides and play games, make christmas stuff etc or bake - all equally as good as "Big Fun" or the pictures.
* Will use coal fire (once got chimney swept) as most of the fuel was free ( may need some coal to keep it going but will use it to the minimum).
* Will drive slowly or walk/use bikes when possible.

Not sure what else at the moment, but that's it for me.

Here goes!!

nattyt

I'm loving this its great! I've spent too much money today and not really in a position to do so, so has come at a good time for me. recently split with partner, have 3 kids and my income has probably dropped by over half even though he is giving me maintenance its a bit of a shock!!

ok what i think i need to do is:

1) Not buy lots of little extras when i pop to the shop for 1 thing
2) Plan ahead more so no takeaways for us.
3) Use up all toiletries
4) Try out some cheaper make-up (have nearly run out of a couple of bits so do need some)
5) No more keep meeting my friends for 'a couple' of drinks at pub and before you know it you're £40 worse off! They can come here!
6) Get stricter with my kids about having stuff eg mags sweets etc. Still have tonnes of sweet from a birthday party!! Its stupidness!
7) No buying clothes especially for my 5 year old daughter until she has grown out of the million things she already has!
8) Use up the 100 cleaning products i have.


I bet i have loads more but will add as i go along!!

Thanks Flateric for this! Its inspiring! xxx

miss_empty_piggy

Hi nattyt
Just wanted to say Hi as you sound like you're in similar situation to me. Myself and ex split up about 18 months ago and boy is it hard to begin with. Realising that you're not able to pop to tesco's for milk at 9pm as kids are in bed. Also, obviously, as you said the money situation is a bit of a shock. It is hard to start with, but you will get through, and especially with help and support on here. I hope that you are ok. Big hugs.:grouphug:

nattyt

missemptypiggy thanks for your message thats really kind. xxx

The £2 coin idea i have implemented! Got 6 quid in change yesterday so thats going in 'the pot'!! Wanted to have a no spend day today but may have to buy some vinegar for making some chutney! Also starting spending diary tomorrow.

Flateric the ebay thing is hard isn't it as its sort of not like spending money as you don't actually physically part with cash or hand over your card! I've deleted my searches except for stuff i'm looking at for Christmas pressies.

Been awake alot of the night thinking about what alot of money i've wasted over the years and thinking about stuff i have to pay asap! Eg £150 arrears gas and electric. Got a plan its ok!!

searching_me

natty for cheaper make up can i suggest collection 2000 ... you can buy it anywhere for next to nothing and lasts forever very MSE :money: ...

i suppose i should make a list ..

1) £2 coins in a tin, 1p & 2p in another and any silver in another (milk tins ive saved from when my son had formula) all to be opened on the 1st week or so (when i have a day off as i may have a second job soon) so pay for the kids/OH present ...

2) set up a savings account for xmas food .. £1 a day as a standing order you never notice a £1 a day but £7 at the end of the week you do ..

3) only buy things i need/use no extra spending on crap i dont need ..

4) rein in my food shopping .. like you natty you go in for 1 thing next thing you know you've spend £12 on crap .. generally for the kids ..

5) stricter with my DD pocket money .. i always add to it or let her have the pennies laying round the round .. from now we have certain rules .. £5 at the end of the week if shes good then for everytime she does something wrong (mainly bugging) 50p gets knocked off ..

6) stop dipping in my savings account .. honestly have nothing ..

7) seprate spending money from bill money and once its gone its gone ..

thats all i can think of but i know theres probably more x