The Illuminative Project.

Chandelier.

Ideas of things to save up for with money I've saved stopping smoking:-

- Wedding present for my sister next year (2018). I think I'd like to give a lump sum of cash. She's a wonderful person and I love her dearly.
- Overnight stays when we go on days out using annual passes. We can make a weekend of things then and experience more.
- Regular hair cuts & colours.
- New clothes when I loose weight and replace other necessities.
- Weekend/short breaks with friends.
- Pay more off debt each month.
- Holiday spends/save up for next hols.
- Decorate bedroom exactly how I want.
- Maybe once a month meals out with the boy. He loves our local Italian and asks to go. We haven't been in a while.
- Go to the cinema and see films I'd like to see.
- Put some into savings.
- Put some towards annual expenses.
- Maybe complete a basic makeup course. There's one local to me, unsure of price but looks good. Maybe I should price it up. If I practice and get good I could do my sisters bridal makeup (only if she would like).
- Add to the boys savings.
- Spa day maybe?
- Afternoon tea, pretend I'm a lady that lunches
- Buy new shoes. I live in converse and boots at the moment. My last pair of boots were from clarks and they have been wonderful. Would like to invest in a style of boots I've had my eye on for a while.
- Invest in new winter coat later on in year.

I'm sure there's other things I could add to it

Chandelier.

So it's been a pretty productive but spendyish day.

I went to h0me bargains and picked up things I required plus some other toiletries, I should be all stocked up now for a couple of months.

I then went to @ldi and picked up some fruit/veg and milk. There is enough again to last the full week dependent on how much gets eaten a day etc. I've noticed the price of food is slowly creeping up.

I then went to M0rrisons and picked up some of those quick mist sprays for my mum and I to help stop smoking. I've had one spray of it to try and it was pretty strong tasting - will take some getting used to. I don't want to get addicted to something like that and would rather use it in worse case scenarios. I need to fully crack the habit of nicotine on the head, not replace it for something similar. I've also stocked up on chewing gum and polo's. I've made two jars, one for things to do to keep myself busy and one is full of motivational quotes. If I find myself becoming irritable or craving I shall dip my hand in these. It's visual and do able.

So.. I smoked the last cigarette before 12pm and stated that would be my quit time. So far 7 hours in I'm not doing too bad. Usually after a couple of hours I'd be climbing the walls and worrying about when I'd next get a cigarette. I'm feeling meh at the whole thing and pretty much chilled out for now. That can always change- the morning is the worse time for me when waking up and will be hardest to crack. Also when faced with pressure. The next few days will definitely be challenging.

I spoke to my care coordinator today and asked what was happening. She will meet me tomorrow before meeting with consultant and will attend an appointment on Wednesday with me. We'll go from there. She is aware I'd like to get back to work. I think in some ways it's becoming a set back now though. I'm bored and running out of things to keep me occupied. There's only so much I can do at home. I miss the buzz and excitement of work and I miss the contact with others. Every day is different and no two days are the same.

I also phoned and confirm taxi journey to airport for hols in May. That's another job ticked off list. I almost forgot to do it until something triggered for me to remember. I'm glad it's over now.

I've had a brief nap before which must have been needed. I'm just waiting to go gym now. Class starts at 8pm. I'm hoping I enjoy it again.

Have a nice night everyone

Bobarella

Well done on the smoking goal! What a great list of things you could spend on instead too. That should be very motivating for you!

Chandelier.

Nearly 21 hours since I became smoke free. By 12pm it will be a full day/24 hours. Small victories and all that. The morning is the hardest part. I'm used to having a cuppa and going outside for a couple of cig. Also I will be tested later on when things are on a tight time scale. Hopefully I shall not give in!

This morning I shall be going with my grandad to the bank to make an appt and then I'll come home and crack on with some things on my to do list before appt with consultant this afternoon. After that I need to pick boy up and take him to activity he has tonight and then I'll come home. I think tonight I'll also go gym.

Balance transfer has gone through, just awaiting money transfer now then it can be all systems go on the debt front. I'll be saving another good amount doing this.

Topcashback checked - two of the bigger payouts have now been confirmed, just awaiting payment. That will be split between debts/outgoings.

Apart from that nothing else to report. Today should be a NSD. I have no spends about from those planned and budgeted up front- money set aside for these.

I still need to make my meal plan lol.

Over & out.

SpekySquarehead

Bobarella wrote: »

Well done on the smoking goal! What a great list of things you could spend on instead too. That should be very motivating for you!

I second that.

Good luck with quitting.

JoJoC

Excellent work on the smoking front - sounds like you're determined to make a change! Hopefully your list motivates you to keep going. It is worth it, i promise you. My husband said it's both the best and hardest thing he's ever done but he's so pleased he did it. You can do it too - you seem like a determined lady. Hope your day goes smoothly. J

monz

I smoked for ten years. I got a vape. Used that for few weeks and not smoked since. its been 5 months now n not even vapes. you can do itx

Chandelier.

About ten minutes to go then it's been a full 24 hours of being smoke free :rotfl:

I've been out with my grandad this morning to the bank. I walked and he rode his scooter. I tell you what he's lethal on that thing.. I honestly don't know how he gets about in one piece.

I've since come home and been pottering around and just had some spaghetti on toast for 'Brunch' lol. I am having to remind myself to eat as I keep forgetting and before I know it, it's 3pm in afternoon.

I still need to make a meal plan for myself. I just need the motivation. I feel really tired all of a sudden. I had a nap last night from around half five until quarter to seven and then I went to gym. Afterwards I came home and went to sleep around half ten until eight this morning. Weird.

The skies are blue here and it looks a lovely winters day. I still felt a small chill when I went out though earlier.

For the rest of the week I have no other planned spends really. Everything is just ticking along.. It's one appointment after another. They really drain me to be honest.

I'm not looking forward to taking the boy to his activity tonight as again it's in a different location then usual which is further from where we live. It involves a motorway drive and what not and can just be horrendous in the dark.

SpekySquarehead

Well done on going 24 hours. Here's to many more of them!

Chandelier.

It's been nearly 45 hours smoke free- longest I've been in a while haha. I have been using combination of mints and chewing gum with odd quick mist spray (2 sprays used in 2 days). Probably saved nearly two packs of cigs worth so I shall move that money into a side account. Some days I'd smoke more than others dependent on mood and what I was doing.

I ended up a bit irritable yesterday which was a combination of things (still looking for lost item that I couldn't find in December so stressing myself out) but I managed to calm down towards the end.

Consultant appointment went well, follow up in three months with him. He's just upped one of my meds slightly again so now I take all my meds at bed time as requested by myself. He noted how much calmer and less irritable/fidgety I was which must be a good thing.

Last night ended up resulting in a spend.. Me and the boy had a meal together after his activity at Burger King. Oops, anyway I'm not in a rush to have another meal there soon. I don't really enjoy it. I kind of get a craving for it once in a blue moon but always end up disappointed so must remember for next time.

I have another appointment today with a occupational health consultant re returning to work. I'm hoping that goes well and we can finally set a date and put a plan of action into place.

Apart from that not much else is happening.