NOT BUYING IT! 2015 - A consumer holiday

pm2326

Finally managed to get out on my bike for the first time today...went to the seaside and sat and watched the sea coming in for a bit, was glorious!

covered 10 miles so really chuffed seeing as only time I've been on a bike in last 15 years was when I cycled the 4 miles home when I bought it 2 weeks ago :rotfl:

This weekend's turned into a NBI time as didn't venture out yesterday due to weather forecast...thunder and rain turned up late last night and lasted 3 hours! And I didn't take any money with me when I went for bike ride.

All food has come from freezer/cupboards, which also means no sweets, crisps or biscuits :T have had a slice of carrot cake from freezer though

Haven't been for a full shop for 2 weeks, only top ups for fruit & veg, starting to get low on some stuff so will have to go this week but I'm hoping I can get to Thursday

Have set up a new cross stitch project this evening ready to start working on over the coming months.

Night all x

Caterina

Please Aril can you explain what's the Compact? I googled it but there is a lot of stuff about the government, I can't imagine it's that! Thank you.

katsu

Smarter do add a set of jump leads. If your car won't start (eg you leave the interior light on and flatten your battery) it is so easy to jump start a car - but only if one car has jump leads! Saves you having to use a breakdown service.

In terms of good value breakdown service auto aid is great value if you have a credit card as you need to pay and get refunded by them. Otherwise GEM are great and I got mine via top cash back so saved even more! Lots cheaper than AA and RAC.

Aril

The Compact and how it started https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Compact It gives me a good starting point. I should stress that I'm only doing it for a month but it gives me a framework. There is always money for treats and experiences I'm just not a great one for buying new.

Arilx

Caterina

Thank you Aril, it sounds interesting, is there any more information? Or a UK group? I keep struggling with trying to reduce consumption, so I would like to find out more.

nursemaggie

I joined something like the Compact shortly after this thread started. I soon gave up they were all about giving up things I would have never dreamed of buying.

Aril

Katy Wolk Stanley is the name I'm familiar with in connection to The Compact. I can relate to her lifestyle and how she follows it. Article here http://www.huffingtonpost.com/katy-wolkstanley/frugality_b_3781535.html She blogs as the Non Consumer Advocate [I have no connection with this blog][
Arilx

Caterina

Thank you, Aril, I had a look at her blog and it has a lot of interesting posts.

[Deleted User]

My DGS g/f Katie is lovely,she has been on holiday with us for a week,a couple of days ago she came back to the holiday house beaming as she had bagged a really nice weatherproof jacket from the local charity shop in Cowes, not only was it a great buy at £3.00 ( quite a posh area here :)) when she tried it on to show us she found a pound in the pocket.Being a hard up med student she was more than happy with her purchase

pm2326

It's payday today and I feel like celebrating......I've just made the final payment on the last of my loans so I'm now debt free (unless you count the mortgage) :j :beer:

I couldn't have done it without this thread as I've actually overpaid one of them and managed to pay the loan off 7 years early!

Thank you !