Fiscal Fast – 7 days no spending (at all)

modern_millie_2

Morning all, don't know about anyone else but I'm starting to feel a little oppressed by sales of Christmas stuff - not the useful things, but just the general decorative non essentials tempting people to buy what they can't afford. Haven't bought any, I hasten to add!
Need to stay away from the shops, I'm turning into a humbug.

Hope everyone had a good weekend. I counted my pennies and have £4.07 in the grocery purse, plus £1.03 in loose change! Spent an hour last night menu planning so I need to buy as little as possible - I think with some milk, carrots, onions and a parsnip plus a bit of fruit, I can do it. Plan includes a couple of soups, pasta dishes,dahl, omelette, nut roast, veg fried rice with cereal/porridge for breakfast, baked beans, p.butter, the odd egg or l/o soup for lunch. Have bread in the freezer, bread mix, plenty of apples still for puds, tinned fruit, dried goods. Cheap Lidl choc and crisps for naughty snacks. Made some scones yesterday with milk that was going off.

Chatted to someone at the weekend I don't know well, subject of grocery budgets came up, he was completely shocked by how little we spend. I think he left with the idea that we live on a diet of lentils and knit our own yoghurt! Anyone else get this sort of reaction?

So, tiny bit of shopping probably tomorrow - just 2 afternoons work this week, so a quiet week. Meeting a friend for coffee on Friday.

Take care everyone. MM.

Aril

Day 2 and another NSD. Instead I cashed in some of my Nielsen scanner points to order 3 cinema tickets so that we can all go and see the next Hobbit film in December for free. I have also joined John Lewis for free so that I can receive vouchers and it entitles me to a free hot drink and cake every month. Later on this evening Mr GBT [I live at Gnat Bottomed Towers;) are making raspberry jam. I have defrosted the ones we grew earlier in the year . A short fiscal fast is making me get on and finish a few things. I know what you mean about the shops this time of year MM- I try to keep away as much as possible.

Arilx

[Deleted User]

Aril you are so right ,this is the time of the year when the jingle of bells mean tills to the shopkeepers and not reindeer :) They are doing their utmost to get you to spend money you can't afford, on things you wouldn't give houseroom to, for people you really aren't that keen on anyhow.I find it odd that anyone would want to pay over the odds for a packaged box of talc and body lotion just because the box has Christmas decorations on it.By all means buy a talc or soap but wrap it yourself or get some of those cheapie little baskets and fill with small bits and pieces of goodies.I do this for some of my friends and especially the older ones who perhaps aren't as mobile.A basket with maybe a small jar of nice jam or honey and a few extra goodies for treats go down a lot better and are appreciated more than just a boxed gift from Boots or Superdrug.One of my sis-in-laws doesn't have or use a computer but enjoys writing letters I get some pretty paper and envelopes and half a dozen stamps and she is always pleased to get them, as its something she wouldn't go and buy herself
One of my other sis-in-laws makes mini Christmas cakes as do I at times and they are lovely gifts for someone who lives alone and wouldn't buy a bigger one just for themselves.I also make a nice box of biscuits myself and mince pies as gifts for neighbours.You don't have to spend a fortune and Christmas is about giving something not only as a present but I like to think of it as giving someone something I would like to receive as well.My DGDs know that nice shampoo or shower stuff is always welcomed and not slippers as I have around 5 or 6 pairs in the cupboard from previous presents :) I like Johnsons baby powder for after the shower in the morning,not expensive and very much appreciated.
I try to match the present to the person,and its not about how much I have spent but how much they will enjoy it.I have got one of my DDs a coffee warmer that plugs into a lap-top or computer so when she is at work it will keep her perrenial cup of coffee warm while she works.Costs about a tenner from Hawkins bazaar and a great little present.My youngest always gets a big family calender every year as she has a large family and it helps her keep track of appoinments and dates,she also loves a big amyryliss in a pot for her sitting room and I buy her one every year as her Dad used to before he died and its now a tradition for her as she loves the bulb coming out after Chrismas and it remindes her of her adored Dad.
So when you do your Christmas shop try to think of what the person would like to receive and iif you can try to have a go at making things for yourself.A busy Mum with toddlers would love an IOU a baby sitting nights gift.All that costs is a little time making up a voucher on your computer and an evenings time so she can have a night out either with her OH or with pals I have done that for several friends and god children who have young children Gives me a chance to look after little ones while Mum and Dad have a night off There is so many things to make or do for presents and they don't have to cost pounds.If your a keen gardener then a pot of bulbs or some seeds are a useful giftI bought my Dds pa-in-law a mushroom kit last year for about £8.00 and they had loads of mushrooms during the year

Aril

Day 3 NSD. Half of the SC chilli I cooked ahead at the weekend has reappeared as supper as today is my long day and it is all to easy to think aha fish and chips:o I have been given a big bag of medlars so that should keep me out of trouble.
Arilx

Winchelsea

Haven't been on here for a while, but am still working at having as many NSDs as possible. Just knowing others are doing it too really helps, doesn't it?

Had to shop today - needed milk, veg and fruit, also cat food. Quite pleased with the way it's going - I seem to have more in my bank account than I usually do at this time of the month. It means that I've been able to pay my share towards DDs 1 and 2's birthday surprise. They'll be 50 next year (unbelievable!), and we're taking them away for a couple of days. They, as yet, have no idea....!

modern_millie_2

Ah, Winchelsea, that will be a lovely surprise for them.

I have had 3 NSDs, partly because I've had a nasty bug so haven't been out for the last two! Conserving energy as I have work this pm and would rather not call in sick as it's a new job. I will need to buy milk and veg soon though.

Reading 'Gone with the Wind' which I've had in the bookcase for ages - is a real page turner and I'm learning a lot about the American Civil War. Never did watch the film so I will try to get hold of it sometime.

Good to hear people are sticking to their frugal plans.

Lots of sense about presents Jackie - might be a cliche, but it really is the thought (that you put into it) that counts.

Aril

Day 4 NSD. Was gifted a jar of jam which was a lovely surprise:D Supper made good use of a leftover parsnip and sprouty potatoes and onions in a sausage layered bake. We even got as far as baking all the peels as a crunchy accompaniment which is a first for me. I actually sat down with one of my old recipe books the weekend before last and marked any that caught my eye- this was one of them.

Day 5 NSD. I met up with a chum this afternoon to learn how to make air gel freshners. I already had the bits in I needed but I so nearly popped into the shops to buy her a packet of biccies like I normally would. Fortunately I caught myself in time and took a packet of mince pies along instead. The last of the mushrooms went into a toad in the hole tonight

Arilx

[Deleted User]

Good Morning fellow frugallers,well I haven't been buying any food at all this week ,but I had to buy some christmas gifts yesterday so spent around £50. of my alloted Christmas money that I have put by for presents I have just under £150.00 left and only 9 more presents to buy and three birthday things.My DD gave me a 20% off voucher from M& S which I used quite a bit yesterday Its useful for a week on almost anything apart from food instore.I got lots of bit yesterday at reasonable prices.
I haven't bought any food this week as I have more than enough stuff instock in my cupboards to keep me going.I am eating from the freezer and quite enjoying it.This week I have had a couple of veggie curries and last night a quarter of a steak pie that I had portioned up with brussels and mash.Nice warming food for this time of the year.I must make some more soup this morning I have three parsnips and some apples to use up so it looks like parsnip and apple soup.I love the taste of that as well its very 'autumy' iykwim.
Right time to get a move on.Have a good weekend chums and keep hold of those pennies .well done aril you are doing splendidly
JackieO xxx

Winchelsea

Hello all,
Well, I fell off the wagon yesterday. Went out shopping with DD4. Spent £5 in the market (half of a whole Brie for £2 - which I've chopped into quarters and frozen, 15 plums for £1, and a nice Thins*late hat for £2, which I needed.) Yes, I know I could have knitted a hat, but am busy making Christmas presents.....!



So all in all it was £5 well spent. Then, we went on to Morries, and I got two bags of bargains for just over £10, so, again, money well spent.


But, then, I treated the pair of us to a fish and chip lunch in Morries cafe, so blew over a tenner on that. Oh well, it was a rare treat - and we did enjoy it!

Aril

Last day of this FF and I have made it- Ishall try for the full 7 days in the New Year but I know that there's money going to be going out for various related expenses over the coming weeks. As I have put a temporary stop on spending it has allowed me to hold off buying a present for my friend's 50th. I want to buy her some silver earrings and have seen lots of lovely and good prices ones on Folksy instead of parting with more than that in a shop. Had another near miss today as I'd ordered a dozen eggs and had forgotten. However, my Mum wouldn't take any money for them this time. We had another supper from the freezer- reduced quiche and baked beans all heated up in the oven and I had made some biscuit dough a couple of weeks ago so that got defrosted and cooked on the shelf below to fill up the space. There will definitely have to be money spent tomorrow as I need to get food in but I have got some Tesco vouchers which should bring the cost down a bit.
Your support has been much appreciated this week!
Arilx