More temptation!

This week, my work returned to normal.  No more exam period - so no more marking at home in slippers by the fire with the dog.  Today, I was back to my usual routine of wearing my smart clothes and going into the office for meetings and preparing for the next semester of teaching.  With these changes, comes more daily temptation to spend.  First there is the car parking, then the bottle of water from the newsagent, snacks for the day to sustain me - not to mention having to walk past Rymans (I love stationery) and the Oxfam bookshop!

I didn't do badly for my first day.  I stuffed my smart boots into a carrier bag and parked by the Common so that I could walk in, wearing my wellies.  The reason for this was not so that I could wear my wellies, although they are very comfy, but actually to save money on the NCP that can eat £20 of my money a week if I am not careful.  So first mission accomplished!  I also remembered to fill up my water bottle, so no need to buy bottles of water today.  I glided past Rymans and Oxfam - no problem!  The only slight set-back was buying lunch - but I didn't have home-made bread ready at home, and so I guess that was a necessity and after my long, energy sapping day, I did buy a box of cereal bars to keep me going.  I do think food is a special category and I do promise to return to this topic another day.

I was happy to get home and back into my slippers, away from the shops and with time to sit by the fire with my children and my dog - and without too much damage done.

Bye for now

The year on a shoestring begins!

Sophia & Nuri

Since having this idea of not spending money for a year, I began to have slight anxieties about the challenge.  So my solution was to spend in the last few days of December!  I know this defeats the object slightly but it did make me relax about the task ahead and I rationalised the spending as it was only boring things such as a clothes airer and duvet covers for my daughter's bed!  On a positive note, I had a trial day at the end of November and was pleased with my small achievements!  I felt very satisfied in saving money by parking further away from work, for free on the road, and walking in - and making my own lunch rather than paying for expensive shop-bought sandwiches.  Simple but pleasing and encouraging for the year ahead, although the novelty may wear off!  I am always game for a challenge and looking forward to mending and making do and appreciating what I have rather than conforming to the throw away culture which we all seem to have adopted rather easily in our commercial, modern world!  Wish me luck.  Bye for now and enjoy the simple things in life.