Fiscal Fast – 7 days no spending (at all)

Secretstasher

Hi all, I know it's late but I have woman flu and can't sleep. I have had a very long day at work today and been fine all day apart from a couple sneezes but the minute I walked in the house the rest of cold symptoms came on... At least I am off,this weekend and hopefully will have eased by morning. I have been taking my echinacea religiously too, but can't have my flu jab while have any symptoms. I am devastated as had no sniffles or colds for over 3 years now. Guess as I had been poorly recently my immune system has been a bit low. ( gosh I sound full of self pity need to pull myself together). I have not spent a sningle penny today, had no time to,shop when finished, but was treat to not 1 but 2 coffees by colleagues during course of day, and when I got home tonight my hubby had made me a really nice casserole , I thoroughly enjoyed it too.
Ericadawn I find using cash makes me really think about whether I need something or not. I plan to do my shop tomorrow afternoon. Our central heating boiler has been out of action for 3 days but the part is being fitted tomorrow (thankfully covered by a service agreement). so will be ale to have heating again. I have been baking to make the kitchen nice and warm.
We also celebrate Halloween and trick or treating in the UK. It has become extremely popular more so in recent years with parties, costumes etc. when I was very young ( a long time ago:rotfl:..). We didn't know what a pumpkin was and we were given a turnip to carve out, was very tiring and hard work, then we put a candle inside and made a string handle. We then went to a couple of neighbours and received pennies or sweets. A lot more colourful now and I remember holding Halloween parties for my daughter and her friends over the years too which she loved.
I have never been to the states either but one day is somewhere I plan to visit.
I am visiting my daughter on Sunday really looking forward to seeing her , will take her out for lunch and stock up,her cupboards too. She is very frugal and really manages her money well, does menu planning effectively and recycles her clothes ie an old pair of jeans can become a skirt, shorts or even a bag.
Hope everyone has a lovely weekend. Speak soon x

EricaDawnCali

SecretStasher I hope you feel better!! I have a sore throat and am a little achey after the flu shot I got yesterday. I went shopping and Wa*ma*t today with my Dad. He bought us lunch.
I had a short list and could only use cash. I found myself to be very picky about what I put in my shopping cart. I questioned everything on my list, wether it was a 'want' or a 'need'. I found I passed up A LOT of the things I 'wanted', but I certainly am surviving without them.
The only thing I grabbed that wasn't on my list was candy for Halloween. I only got one bag because I don't get a lot of trick-or-treaters but, also don't want to be a Halloween 'Scrooge' and not give out candy.
I know I am going to get bills during my next FF along w/secretstasher, but those are nessecary. I've been reading some articles and such about the Great Depression in the US (Oct. 29, 1929) almost 84 years ago.
I am taking my elders advice and saving for those 'just in case' times. One of the peices of advice is to question every expence and trying to find where they can save more and get a better deal. I do that too. (Example: I was Paying $50 for Cable TV. Found a deal for Satilite TV for $35 a month. Saving $15 a Month AND I GET MORE CHANELS THAN CABLE!!!) So I consider it a great deal.
SecretStasher, WE DID IT!!! Although I don't think I will do another FF two weeks straight unless I HAVE TO!!!! Have a good weekend friends. Make it a No Spend/Low Spend weekend but HAVE FUN TOO!

EricaDawnCali

Well it looks like I am forced to extend my Fiscal Fast untill the 1st of Nov. My Mom borrowed some money from my emergency fund AGAIN and I have little to nothing in my Checking account untill the begining of next month.
Ugh...Why does everyone come to me when they need something? I live on a tight budget EVERY month and they all know that. I'm trying to be responsible and have a little emergency money incase someting were to happen.
Feeling Sad and frustrated, but greatful at the same time. I guess the fiscal fast continues. Almot 3 weeks of no shopping. But I did go yesterday to the 'big city' to get what I needed and paid in cash.
A Discouraged and Sad Erica Dawn

modern_millie_2

Oh Erica, that is disappointing for you. I don't know your mum's circumstances, but it doesn't seem right that she has to keep borrowing from you. I hope she repays you as soon as she can.
At least you have your shopping in for a little while I guess.

Maybe it would be worth keeping a little reserve of cash separately? Or talk to someone you trust about how to deal with the situation?

Anyway, keep coming on here, we are all trying to be frugal so you are not alone!

Well done with the TV package - that will be a good long term saving. We are in the process of swapping internet providers, should save us a few pounds a month.

Realised I have had a NSD without trying today - must be getting to be a habit! And have had a couple of small sales at the craft fair, plus a possibility of a part of a regular market stall - that would be great. I'll find out more next week.

Slight embarrassment today - waited until 2pm for my friend to come for lunch - reread her note and realised she is coming tomorrow! Luckily I can be here and there is plenty of soup - feel a fool though .

Hope tomorrow is a better day for you Erica. Take care everyone.

Secretstasher

Hi Ericadawn , so sorry you have to do another week. I agree with modern Millie, it doesn't seem right for her to come to you, but of course she is your mum and you were able to help. I am just thankful that you managed to get some shopping done so you will have enough food to get through. I am thinking of you and sending you massive hugs.
I also have bills during my next weeks fiscal fast but they are a necessity so any bill payments are not included as spends. Fortunately I pay everything by direct debit and don't notice it has gone, well until the bank statement at the end of the month or should that be
I have done shopping for my daughter and am taking her out to lunch tomorrow hopefully it won't rain (just one dry day would be good). She did make smile today as she had bought lots of veg that was good quality but reduced substantially so was letting me know she was making soup with some and par cooking and freezing the rest.
So she asked me not to buy any veg for her, so I bought a supply of chocolate for her for when she just needs a sugar hit a girl can never run out of chocolate and she never asks for anything like that when I ask her to send me a list of groceries.
Had to buy a new kettle today as my old one finally refused to work anymore. Luckily my local supermarket had a good one for £15, so that has had to come out of my small emergency fund.
I have drawn the rest of my cash out and put it into the relevant money bags, except I have reduced my monthly grocery by £50 this month to see how that goes, as I have a lot of meat and fish in my freezer plenty of ingredients in my dry goods cupboard so only need milk, fruit and veg as and when run low, (except fast weeks).
During my 2 weeks fiscal fast nothing has been wasted at all. Leftovers didn't go in the bin, they were made into something else or just reheated. So I feel pretty confident that I am going to continue that this month every week.
Ericadawn, you should only do one other week of fast in November as having to do until 1st of month is near enough a week.
To help and support you, although I can't do anything about my spends tomorrow I will do another fast with you until the 1st from Monday. Keep,your chin up,you have done brilliantly up to now and I know you will again. X. )

EricaDawnCali

((Hugs)) and Thanks to ModernMillie and SecretStasher!!! Right now your Support means EVERYTHING to me. I do have emergency cash, I always keep enough so that I can pay my rent and some food . I also have plenty of food now. Maybe this was meant to happen as a way to remind me to ALWAYS be greatful for what I have.
I don't think it will hurt me to Fiscal Fast for as long as I can this next month. I may have to get milk and/or juice but that will be it!!! I think I will only spend if I REALLY NEED to. :money:
The way I see it is, if my Great Grandparents:A lived through the Great Depression in 1929-39 and raised two small children on little (My Granny and Great Uncle) money, I CAN DO IT TOO!! I do know how to can/pickle vegetables.
If my Great Grandparents can survive tough/lean times SO CAN I!! :DIt is in my blood! (Giving myself a pep-talk/encouragment here while typing! LOL!!) :rotfl:
I'm feeling down and it makes me want to do the opposite of spend.
Hmmm... may have to buy a bag of potatoes (5 pounds weight) and will be eating a lot of potatoes and a lot of pasta.
At least I have A LOT of yarn (Always keep a good stash!) and can do what I love, knit. It makes my heart happy.
"Use it up, Wear it out, Make it do, or Do Without!!!" (Old Saying from the Great Depression in the U.S.)
I will be checking this site more often as I will need to read everyone's posts, for encouragement and support. Even if you don't reply to my post I will be looking through the whole FF thread.
The sunshine will come out after this storm. Maybe there will even be a rainbow??!!

boultdj

Erica, how about charging your mum intrest? ie: she can borrow the money if she then cook's you your dinner for the day and possably some extra to take home and freeze, or if she's good at baking do you some treat's to take to your church meeting's, I know it's checky of me to surgest it, but it might help her to realise just how hard it is for you to save that bit of money up.

modern_millie_2

Hi all , just popping in to say I hope everyone keeps safe during the predicted storm - Erica, we are expected to have a severe storm tonight in S. Wales and the South of England. We have trees v. close to the house so I'm a little worried.

I love the saying from the Great Depression - very suitable for the present!

Hope everyone is safe and warm at home.

See you all tomorrow.

EricaDawnCali

Boultdj: My Mom doesn't cook very often anymore. I asked her today about paying interest or giving me leftovers, I got yelled at!! She said she will pay me back when she can/has the money.
Modern Millie, it has been very windy here too! I am praying you are safe. We have a 50% chance of snow tomorrow, so it may get stormy. Winter is right around the corner.
I had a simple dinner of salad with olive oil and lemon juice. I didn't have any salad dressing, but the olive oil and lemon juice make a great salad dressing!! (Yum, Yum!!)
I had a small spend today as I needed to get lemon juice and a few other things. I went to our local 'discount' store, I can get some of the things cheaper than our local grocery store. But the discount store is small and doesn't have a lot of fruits, veggies, and meat.
I can quite often get spices, oatmeal, milk, and canned goods at half price or less than out grocery store. I bought a loaf of bread there for $1.59 compared to $4+ dollars at the regular store.
I spent maybe $6 at our discount store compared to the reg.Grocer, $15-$20 for what I bought today!
I hope those of you in the storms path are safe, and warm!! Know I am praying for you!
Love, Your friend from 'Across the Pond'.

parsniphead

Greeting from a very wet and windy North Wales.

I've not been doing the fiscal fast but have been keeping an eye on the thread when the internet connection allows.

Hugs EricaDawn. It's difficult when people ask for money especially family members. You work so hard to be careful with your money but it is hard to say no to others who can't/won't.

You have all been doing so well and i miss the challenge at the moment to be honest. I'm looking forward to be back with you all properly soon. Keep posting, it's keeping me entertained.

Ali