Fiscal Fast – 7 days no spending (at all)

modern_millie_2

Hi parsniphead, welcome! Hopefully we can support each other on the FF challenge. Last time I took part I realised what some of my weaknesses were (mainly coffee shops and clothes!) but it helped me to stay focussed knowing others were cutting down/not spending alongside me.

Your quiche and fruit pie sound good - I make a crustless quiche as I'm not much good at pastry, might make one tomorrow as we have eggs and a few mushrooms and tomatoes to use up. My friend gave me a few homegrown toms today in return for the apples, useful as I don't have a lot of veg in, but I'll try to use what I have (mainly potatoes and onions) plus tinned and frozen.

Parsniphead, I will be doing a small foodshop on Friday too as my daughter will be visiting, then we will be away for a couple of days from Sunday, after which I'll probably need to be on the frugal bandwagon again.

Good luck this week, let us know how you get on.

EricaDawnCali

Hello Everyone!! Hope you are doing well. I had to do a small spend yesterday, so I think I will start the FF officially on Monday.
'Ghosting Money is writting in a little less money in your checking ledger than you actually have. Example: I got a check for $800 (I don't know how to convert it into the UK Money Sorry ) Instead of writting that I deposited $800 I would put in the check ledger that I only put in $700! So at the end of the month or whenever you get paid, you have that extra money!
I have found that to be very helpful in how I spend my money. I really have to think whether or not it is a 'Want' or a 'Need'.
I hope I explaind that alright for you, Parsniphead. (Your name always makes me smile in a good way!!!I've been needing to smile more. ((Hugs))
Erica Dawn

EricaDawnCali

My Dad also just brought over some tomatoes, zucchini, Peppers and fresh thyme, basil and oregano from his garden. So it will be a good dinner tonight. I can't pass up free food, especially straight from a garden!! Let's see how creative I can get with those veggies & fruit. (Tomatoes are a Fruit, strange I know!!)

parsniphead

Morning everyone

Crustless quiche sounds nice and light, I think I may have to try that Modern Millie.

Thanks for the explanation about money ghosting Erica Dawn. That's a good idea. I'm glad my name made you smile, it is a silly name though. I hope you have a nice day using up all that lovely veg. Nothing tastes as good as home grown.

I have some onions and garlic to plant out today. Hopefully they will come well and help with the food budget next year. I can't wait to get properly started again next year. I have made my plans to grow only the things we eat and use lots of.

My first day of the fiscal fast today.:j I have no intention of spending any money until shopping day next Friday. As far as I can see I have everything I need. If I haven't I'm going to have to get creative.:)

modern_millie_2

Hi all, having a quiet day here catching up on chores and reading. I had a lovely walk earlier, a short drive takes me to the coast, saw oystercatchers and a cormorant (I think). Didn't stop for coffee, but had a sandwich, stewed apple and a chocolate bar (!) at home.

Apple crumble is made, I will probably make a nut roast later.

Parsniphead - I love the name too - to make the crustless quiche, just put any cooked veg, raw sliced tomatoes, gratted cheese in a casserole dish, cover with eggs and milk beaten together - I use 4 eggs and 4 tablespoons milk - top with a bit more cheese and cook in a med hot oven until set and the top starts to brown, about 25 mins.
We will have this tonight with new potatoes and peas.

Hope the planting goes well. We have a few garlic bulbs still in the ground, they have a really good flavour.

Erica, lovely to have the veg from your dad - what did you make?

Noticing a few things which are making me think many are having to budget harder - I live in a rural area, I'm seeing more cars being left at public transport sites - bus stops and train stations - also Aldi (discount store Erica, don't know if you have it) has never been more popular! So not just us needing to cut back.

Interesting to hear how money ghosting works.

Well, I won't be going out again so this is a no spend day for me.
Hope everyone is having a good day!

Winchelsea

I was doing this not long after the thread started, in Spring last year, and I think it's time to return to the fold!

My store cupboards are full, so is my (small) freezer, and I spent about a fiver in A'di yesterday, on a few things I needed - onions, oats, dried apricots (to have on the porridge) and milk, so have no excuse for spending over the next week. The following week will be harder though, as I'll have visitors.


Anyway, here goes!

Allegra

<Waves Hello to all the Fiscal Fasters>

I was just browsing round the Old Style and seeing this thread (which I lurked on when it first started up) made me think that you guys might be interested in the STOP-tober challenge over at MortgageFreeInThree: http://mortgagefreeinthree.com/2013/09/stop-tober-money-diet/

In the meantime, happy no spend day to all

modern_millie_2

Hi Winchelsea, I remember you! I think you're another veggie, is that right? Anyway, good luck, keep us posted.

Allegra, thanks for the link, had a quick look, looks well worth a read. Lodgers - something I think of from time to timeas an option if work becomes really scarce. I'll read with interest!

parsniphead

Modern Millie, I'm so jealous as I would love to live near the coast. I have to make do with a visit or two a year when we visit North Wales. Mind you we will be heading there during the half term hols so not to long to wait.

That quiche sounds lovely, I will definitely try that soon.

Hello Allegra and winchelsea.

I've been using our local Aldi for a couple of years now. It's always so neat, tidy and well stocked. I popped in on Saturday and I have never seen such a mess, stuff everywhere and empty shelves. Plus you couldn't move for people.

I didn't spend a penny today:j but spent a lot of the day in the garden planting garlic and onions. Its been such a lovely day, I hope it lasts a few more before autumn starts properly.

Have a lovely rest of the weekend all.:)

EricaDawnCali

Hello All, I was really tempted to go and spend today just because I was bored. But I 'ran' to the internet and this thread for inspiration. I will not spend!!! Although I have a planned spend tommorow, I am buying a book my former English teacher wrote. So proud of her and to say I was one of her students!!
The only concern about my two week fiscal fast is wondering if I am going to run out of things to drink? Other than water. I know I have plenty of food. Reading about the quiche made me hungry. I've never made quiche before, I may have to try it.
I gave my Dad his birthday present early because he will be gone on his birthday, he'll be working several hours away and will stay in a motel! He really loved his prayer throw!! I am so glad because it will help keep him warm when it gets cold.
Great Job on the Fiscal Fast everyone!! Keep going, we can do it!! (BIG HUGS TO ALL!!)-Erica Dawn