looking forward to 2014
Posted: December 22, 2013 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: aims, budget, challenges, goals, money, self-denial, weightloss, what am I doing? 3 CommentsHaving a rest from spending challenges this month has been nice in some ways but I’ve started to feel a bit queasy about the amount I seem to have spent on nothing.
I haven’t been keeping accounts, but I’ve gone over the vague goal I set myself, and I don’t even have the excuse that I’ve been buying presents, because with the exception of a couple of token gifts I’m having a giving truce with everyone this Christmas. The main spending has been on eating out and drinks, which isn’t really surprising. Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t gone into my overdraft from quaffing champagne, but maybe I shouldn’t have any more thalis for a while.
Several things are happening in January. It’s common for people to try and kick or curb bad habits after New Year and you may have noticed that charities have now started trying to cash in, there are at least two with “Dry January” sign-ups being pushed and since I’ll be back on a tight budget with no money for booze I’ve signed up for the Alcohol Concern campaign.
Talking of that budget… since the previous two challenges came in under target I’m going for another reduction. £2 a day, that’s £62 for the month. Haha, this is going to be horrible, isn’t it? But I am strong. STRONG, I tell you!
And finally, the 20lb challenge is done, but from January to June the next weightloss goal is another 10lb, which will put me squarely in the middle of the “normal” BMI range. Again, there is a £100 forfeit at stake if we are heavier than the target at final weigh-in.
If anyone would care to join me in any of these endeavours please leave a comment, or if you have a different aim you’re working towards please let me know! I might even join you 🙂
dropscone 
I too am feeling queasy about spending money. It seems to fly out of wallets at Christmas.
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I think the break from challenges would have done you good. I know it helped me, now I’m feeling refreshed for January instead of daunted. I’m going to be sticking to a budget too, I plan to blog about it after Christmas 🙂
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I think a bit of self-indulgent spending between frugal periods can be useful. My dh and I went close to 3 years at one time in our relationship on an extremely tight budget. Rode our bikes or walked everywhere because we had no money for the bus, no new anything – it was very challenging. As soon as we had some extra money we went nuts with it for several months, which is, I think, a common reaction to extended deprivation. A bit of fun food and drink every couple of months could prevent more severe financial damage down the road – but that’s just me.
Glad to see you back. Have a wonderful holiday
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