Giving up Money for Lent

TurnaroundSue

kiwi88 wrote:

When does the bill have to be paid because if it's after the challenge and you're going to pay it off in full it sounds like a possibility

Actually that's a pretty big loophole in our challenge don't all rush to the shops now :rotfl:

If I order it next week then bill wont come in until end of April - well after our challenge finishes (mind you, I think I might just keep it up for as long as I possibly can!) Does that mean a 'yes' then?

This is 8/8 for me today, no spends for over a week - :j :j :j Got paid last Friday and haven't even touched mine or OH's wages yet - now that is a record. OH couldn't understand why I said no thank you to chips from the chippy tonite, as had just finished a 12 hour day and didn't want to waste any money on takeaway food. Anyway, he bought some for him and the kids out of his money and I didn't eat any (well except for a bite of DS's sausage) - so another success for me - hurrah!! :j

Seaxwyn

Well done on the chips Sue!

If you want the pot I think you should order it. This thread is surely about cutting out on pointless, unnecessary spending, and it shouldn't make you miss out on things you really want for a good reason.

That's my interpretation anyway.

I still think you should shop around, though, as you might find a potter prepared to make the same or similar item for less money.

Good luck with it

Seaxwyn

arcana_2

All power to you, CAFC and co.! I've decided to join you (slightly late as I've only just read this thread). As of today (01 March) I will give up frittering until 07 April, and possibly beyond if it becomes a habit. Obviously I still need to pay for luxuries such as travel and groceries (I need to make my packed lunches out of something), but what I intend to do is stop wasting money on doodads, i.e. that morning hot choc & croissant, mags, books, accessories etc.

One thing I've got into the habit of doing (which I'm sure you thrifty folks already do - I'm way behind here!) is emptying out all my small change each night into a piggybank. It's a really cute pig with blue flowers and he's called Luke Stywalker (it was either that or Ham Solo). When Luke is full to bursting I empty him into my ISA so the small change never gets spent, no matter how desperate I become.

Good luck with the challenge, everyone, and let's keep each other encouraged.

Love & light

Arcana

poohbear59

I know I'm a bit late but I want to try this too. The only problem I have is that I wanted to buy plants for my garden. I will try to wait til after Easter!!
I am also really keen on freecycle, as someone mentioned earlier. I got a vacuum cleaner and just got a really good printer, also got rid of loads of stuff.

the_optimist

Another good day. Although I had to get quite a bit of shopping, everything was essential. I'm getting quite good in the suprmarkets - in and out like a shot, but today I did all my shopping on the market and butchers. My problem now are charity shops. I love walking round them looking fo bargains and, of course, I would be supporting local shops and charities, BUT, no, I'm resisting and haven't been in a single charity shop since the beginning of the challenge (OH all those bargains I've missed :wall: )

ShirleyPark_2

poohbear59 wrote:

I know I'm a bit late but I want to try this too. The only problem I have is that I wanted to buy plants for my garden. I will try to wait til after Easter!!
I am also really keen on freecycle, as someone mentioned earlier. I got a vacuum cleaner and just got a really good printer, also got rid of loads of stuff.

Have you asked on freecycle for plants, you might find that someone has some spare seeds or cuttings that you can have.

I need stuff for my garden too, I'm refusing to buy it until I'm ready to actually plant / use it as I still need to remove some of the old paving slabs to extend the flower bed. Thankfully I have a house / garden budget as we're doing up our house so I can spend that though given all the rain we keep having I doubt I'll be ready to do the work before Easter anyway.

karry1412

Well done guys! You're all doing so well! I'd love to join you but I'm still trying to get my head around my budget! lol

TurnAroundSue - I think you should get the pot. You'll probably regret it if you don't

hypno06

Well, still not spent anything but people at home are starting to complain about the lack of "nice" stuff in the cupboards.....

I have not had chocolate for what seems like years and I could just MURDER a bar of Green and Blacks!

This has to be the longest I have ever gone without spending. Just hope I can continue for a little longer.......

Keep up the good work everyone!

CAFCGirl - hope the move went ok.

xxx_suzie_xxx

id jus like to say a quick well done to every1 with their progress so far!! if it wernt for me being nozy i wouldnt have fell upon this i i wudnt have a penny left out of my £91 fortnight dole money but insted i have everythink left :T :j although i have only ate soup n sketti for the last 3 days due to tonsitlits n i havent been out since monday... so technically i havent really been able to spend but its all good...... although i am really cravin a twirl n a can of coke from vending machines :EasterBun

well a couple of days ago a neighbour has been evicted from the hostel in were i live n she gave me 3 bag fulls of food :dance: which means my grocery shoppin will b minimalised to fresh stuff!! n i have a bottle of wine in for the upcoming weekend so i think i may jus be able to pay off some of my debts

brassiclint

hypno06 wrote:

This has to be the longest I have ever gone without spending. Just hope I can continue for a little longer.......

QUOTE]

Me too! And I don't know about everyone else but I got a fuzzy feeling inside on a recent trip to the shops for ESSENTIAL groceries. Not having that internal battle with yourself about whether you deserve that mag, book, that little indulgent treat, is such a relief. That's definitely what I find the most difficult ... always giving in to myself. But now, it's out of my hands, so to speak! I don't even have to think about it. Martin says no and that's the final word on the matter!! (Maybe I'm having a particularly good day).

I do have one problem though. I have a sports massage booked for Sunday which is quite costly (£45). It's been booked for ages and even though I'm not in any great pain, I do suffer from tension in my back and should have this treatment monthly. The massage will hurt like hell but it is also a little treat (this is the bit I'm struggling with). I can't really afford it but now I'm participating in this challenge I should ... I mean I WILL ... have some spare cash. Am I breaking the rules here? Did I say it's on Sunday!!!