The Stoptober 2014 Challenge - How much will you save?

OutofDebt-NOT-OutofDanger

I shall be using the good old fashioned "cold turkey" method as I don't want to risk replacing one nicotine addiction with another one!

I have been slowly cutting down over the last few days and missing out certain "key" ciggies such as the first of the day, first one from getting in from work, etc. - tonight it will be the one I usually have before bed.

I have a good stock of fruit to cut up and take to work tomorrow.

I've decided that whatever I save on the evil weed, I shall save 50% and use the other 50% for treats for being so good!:) As I currently spend approx £5 a day on them, over the 28 days for Stoptober that's £70 extra in the savings account and £70 to spend on me.

jayjay21

I'm in, cold turkey.

Yesterday and today were my 'trial days' to see how I can cope, so far it has been okay, during work hours I don't even have time to think about what I am missing, the biggest problem is coming home and trying to find little bits and pieces to do. Its sounds stupid, but this is the first 48hrs I've not touched tobacco for as long as I care to remember.

I tried the vape about 18 months ago, and although I went a few months without tobacco, I was still feeding my nicotine addiction, which led me to slip back to tobacco again.

Best of luck to one and all, a friend of mine told me he was once told not to think of the next month as a negative event as you'll automatically struggle, think of it as money saving, or health benefits.

Kiwisaver_2

Hope everyone is feeling okay, the first few hours and day will seem extraordinarily long, so just keep busy and nurse yourself through it with whatever props you can think of - take a walk, a bath a shower, anything else you can think of to do to fill in the smoko breaks and to help pass the time and distract yourself.

I had the cleanest house and car ever with some quite maniacal cleaning marathons during my first few days, it's all very cathartic though and helped me through the whole cleansing process.

It came as quite a shock to me to realise how much time I gained from not smoking; I can have an extra five minutes kip in the morning and still find extra time to pamper myself, or make some breakfast or lunch as I was always in a rush before to squeeze in a couple of smokes before going out.

I would forego breakfast in favour of the cigs and if pushed for time, then fitting in the smoke break was always the priority over fixing my hair and such like.

Flutterby83

Good morning, been up nearly an hour and found that distracting myself with anything and everything has worked so far, think the kids are going to be ready for school in record time today! Have managed to avoid the kitchen so far as that's where my other half smokes but he went outside instead bless him hope you all have a good day x

Woodster76

How's everyone doing?

I'm craving my first morning cig. Just missing it. Trying to keep myself busy. Now off to work where I'll be greeted by smokers by the entrance for work. Sigh.

I'll catch up later and hopefully I'll be a bit more positive. Good luck everyone.

Mullhon2

I've got a horrible cold, so hopefully that will help as I can't breathe properly. Although I'm still thinking about wanting a cig as I type this! :-(

Former_MSE_Megan

Morning everyone! Well done - you've made it past the first hurdle by signing up to stop smoking! We have a treat for you all - a celebrity Q&A with Lee Nelson, one of the Stoptober ambassadors. We're doing it today on our twitter account (link in my signature) so tweet your questions to us using the #AskLeeNelson hashtag and we'll pass them onto him

Any last minute sign ups, let me know and I'll add you to the post.

Former_MSE_Megan

The Q&A went fantastically! Have a look on our Twitter feed to see him answer our questions and a big thanks to everyone that joined in!

Dreaming_of_Kubera

Good luck Woodster (and all), hope you feel better soon Mullhon xx


Day 1: So far so good. I haven't snarled at anyone and didn't crumble at the shops...but did buy a ginger cake (£1 bargain!) and a Cadburys Caramel (60p not so much of a bargain - lol) BUT still both cheaper than cigs.


Savings today: £7.15! (20 cigs I didn't buy minus cake & sweets)


Keep up the good work all xxx

Flutterby83

Hope you feel better soon mullhon

How's everyone doing? I spent this morning at a craft course that one of my closest friends enrolled me on as she knew I was quitting today and would need help (she's a non-smoker, never touched the evil things) I found I've had a lot more time today, had time for breakfast much to my other half's amazement!! Eating more isn't a bad thing for me and I didn't realise how much I'd allowed smoking to take over my meals. I may have to use the money I save for a new wardrobe!
According to the stoptober app, I've saved £6.21 today