Fiscal Fast – 7 days no spending (at all)

[Deleted User]

Hello folks I am still around and still making a pound do the work of three :)
I got home from a visit to see my big brother in France yesrterday and had to get some diesel for my car so I went to Morrisons in Sittingbourne which is around 6 miles from where I live (well worth it though as diesel is about 10p a litre less than locally and I get points to add to my stash)I rarely shop on a Sunday and as it was 3.30 and it shuts at 4.00 I thought I'd just whizz around and have a look-see.Got three bagsfull of reduced bargains which was well worth it.Came to about £16.00 odd ($30 dollars) roughly.Meatwise there was enough for 15 meals I worked it out when I was wrapping to freeze most of the stuff,plus lots of veg.A huge bag of mixed fresh veg of which some will go to make me a vat of chunky vegatable soup to last through the week for lunches.I also got some gorgeous yoghurts reduced to 15p each from 45p.I was really pleased with all I had snaffled for my stores and have no need to shop for at least a fortnight for anything.I have got stacks of longlife milk in the fridge, and as I have given up bread for good now (gone on to crispbread)I think I won't need to shop for much at all for a good fortnight.
good luck with you all for fiscal fasting,Christmas is looming over the horizon and that will be an expensive time I expect.I start to make small Christmas cakes next week as gifts for my friends who live alone.I make a batch of mix and cook in my stash of half size empty baked bean tins.Once cooked I ice and decorate them.Great little gifts for those who like me would find eating a big cake a bit too much if you live alone.I shall also start to make my Christmas cards as I have quite a stash of crafting stuff in the spare room to use up.keeping busy making things will also keep me away from the shops :)
Good luck everyone onF/Fasting
JackieO xxx
P.s. my monthly budget is now £60.00 cash ($110) and I usually have some left over to put away towards my next years holidays.Only use cash and only take enough out when shopping to cover what you want to buy for groceries that way I'm never too tempted (although I was yesterday it was well worth it for all the stuff I bought) and I have worked out a menu plan for the next fortnight :):)

modern_millie_2

Hi everyone, great to see this thread re vitalised (is that a word?), I'm finding it's just giving me that bit of determination I need to avoid the unnecessary spends, and make the most of what I already have.

Erica, well done avoiding the shops! If you need something to drink, maybe just take money to the store for one item - coffee, or juice or whatever - so you are not tempted to buy other stuff. Glad your dad liked his present. Any news on the shutdown?

Parsnip, I'm lucky to live where I do, it is lovely, downside is there is not much work, and what there is tends to be seasonal and poorly paid. But when the weather is good it's worth it! I like North Wales too (I live in SW Wales) and might spend a couple of days up there over the winter as my daughter is at Bangor Uni.

Jackie, lovely to 'see' you back, hope you had a fab time in France. Well done on the bargains!! I really like the idea of the mini Christmas cakes, it's years since I made one as I'm not really happy with my oven for cakes, but I might give it a go. My lovely mum used to make mine and I still have her recipe somewhere.

Today is going to be a day at home, bit grey out tho' I might go for a walk later. Loads of apples still to cook for the freezer, I gave some to the children who live at the top of my road yesterday, hope their mums weren't offended but they are big families and must cost something to keep them in fruit and veg!

Should clean windows but...we'll see! I'll probably make some scones for snacks, freeze some for the weekend when DD is home.

I haven't had a grocery budget recently, but think I'm going to go for £100 per month for 2 of us and the cat, find the winter is usually a bit cheaper with lots of stews, chilli, curry etc.

Right, coffee time then on with the chores! See you later.

MM.

couteaux

Hi All,

Glad to see this up and running again too! I was reading and lurking and tried the fast a couple weeks ago. It was liberating! I really enjoyed it and made a big attempt to use what we have. I used my imagination more, didn't nip out to the shops lots and got lots of time back over the weekend!

I do have to spend out on fresh fruit and milk for my children, but we have everything else we need for school lunches and dinners etc.

I have taken out cash for the rest of the month, but should be able to stick to no spending for the next 5 days at least! As long as no unexpected kiddie stuff crops up

Good luck all.

lilian1977

I want to get back on this bandwagon - starting today. Will need to spend on Friday as have already agreed to meet friends at a playgroup that costs £2 but will attempt 4 in a row.

parsniphead

Hello all

Day 2 of the fiscal fast and not a penny spent. No chance either now as I'm not going anywhere for the rest of the evening.

I mustn't take money to work either tomorrow as I will end up in the cafe buying cakes when I get bored. I get a free lunch so that's covered too.

Have a good evening everyone.

EricaDawnCali

Hello all, I had a small spend today, I had already planned for what I bought before I decided to do a fiscal fast . My former English teacher from middle school and high school just published a book a few weeks ago, I just had to buy it from her. (Autographed of course!!) And a small spend at a store for another something I needed. I maybe spent $20 US Dollars maybe less. So it was a good day!
I have a prayer shawl meeting after Mass tomorrow morning!! I just gave away our 36th prayer shawl!! (Yay!!!)
Also my Dad LOVED his birthday present, a prayer throw. Although I spent a little bit today, it was much less than I usually spend at the store.
I also got my phone bill that I have to pay. I hope that doesn't break the fiscal fast? I need my phone.
It's 6:30 pm here. Hope everyone is well. Sometimes I think we are just 'ships passing in the night, because we are so far away from eachother.
Keep going all... We CAN master the fiscal fast!!!!!

parsniphead

Morning all and good evening Erica (I think -confused)

We are far apart in distance but just a few taps on the keyboard and a click of a mouse can bring folks together. Boo to the phone bill but I guess it has to be paid.

Modern Millie, I have only visited SW once but it was lovely. I would really like to go back again soon. To be honest I think I need a change from NW but being from the Midlands it's kind of a default location. I think we are all programmed to go there. It was always the place to holiday when I was a child in the 70's.

JackieO. I have read so many of your posts over the years and they are always facinating. I love it when you have a good reminisce about times gone by. You should write your memoirs, they would be brill.

Hello lilian1977 and courteaux. Nice to 'meet' you both.

Feeling very rough today, I seem to be coming down with something. I'm usually fairly healthy but the past couple of months it's been one thing after another. I think a good look at diet and exercise is needed. I don't eat badly but do no exercise apart from running after a two year old.:eek:. Anyway at least it means a no spend day as I have no intention of popping to any shops.

Anyway enough waffle. Have a lovely day everyone.

Ali

couteaux

Hi EricaDawnCali Well done for the low spends today. Hope all is good there!

I just wanted to post re this

EricaDawnCali wrote: »

I also got my phone bill that I have to pay. I hope that doesn't break the fiscal fast? I need my phone.
It's 6:30 pm here. Hope everyone is well. Sometimes I think we are just 'ships passing in the night, because we are so far away from eachother.
Keep going all... We CAN master the fiscal fast!!!!!

I am of the opinion (might not be the same for everyone else..) that regular bills for things like phones/utilities/homes etc need to be separate to this. I know this isn't the thinking of the original fast, but we can't just stop paying for insurance/ gas/electricity etc. My take on the fiscal fast is all the extras. Those shopping trips for milk that turn into a huge trolley or basket full of stuff If I didn't pay my bills for my home stuff, I would start having issues with non payment/arrears etc. So I leave them as things that HAVE to be paid for if I like it or not, and all else is in my control

So I wouldn't worry about that

As I said in my other post, I can't have a 100% fast due to needing fresh fruit, milk and veggies for my children. I could do without them for a week myself, but I won't do that to my kiddies (I doubt they would complain that much though lol) suppose we just need to work with what we can in our individual circumstances.

Have a great day all

lilian1977

Good morning all

Yes Erica, I would agree - that phone bill needs to be paid!

Day 2 of my 4 today, hoping to not need to spend anything. I am buying some books for DS from a friend but am taking that money out of the money I made selling his old stuff.

Good luck all xx

Winchelsea

Yes modern millie, you were right, I'm a veggie too! And thanks for your welcome, parsnip head.

When I started this again I completely forgot that I've got a really full diary this week. Went on the train to see DD3 yesterday, and had promised to take her out for lunch as a birthday treat. Today I've been up to the airport (free on the bus with my granny card) and got Euros to take to Germany when I go to visit DGD2 in Cologne at half term. It's cheaper to order them in advance then collect in person. It made a nice trip, I have to say.


On Thursday DD4 and I are going to the Knitting and Stitching Show in London. Going by coach as cheaper, and tickets bought in advance as that's cheaper too. We'll take packed lunches and flasks, and are both a bit skint, so have vowed not to buy anything. Love to go though, as there's always so much lovely work on display to inspire us.


And next week, as I said, I'll have visitors, so some money will be spent! But, by being careful, the damage won't be as bad as it might have been. Good luck all!