Monday, August 1, 2011

the 100 day challenge: half way point...

Just over half way actually...53 days to be exact. So what's it all about? You can read the original post here but essentially I challenged myself to go 100 days without buying anything I didn't really need, in order to think a bit more deeply about what I needed as opposed to what I just wanted.
I had a long list...here's how I'm travelling.

  • Magazines: Remember that I am a self confessed magazine tragic. I have bought one magazine. One. This month's Country Style at the airport  last week.
  • Appliances: the kettle gave up the ghost about two days after I started the challenge (of course!) and it was dangerous to continue using it, so I had to buy a new one. I suppose I could have boiled water on the stove, but nah, that wasn't going to happen.
  • Clothing, shoes and accessories: Clothes ~ nil. Shoes ~ one pair of beaded thongs when I was in Bali for the princely sum of $8.33. Accessories ~ two beaded rings in Bali at about $2.50 each. I didn't buy a beautiful necklace there that cost $300. It was a close call!
  • Craft materials: some fabric to finish Ruby's quilt and some wool for the first born's crochet blanket. Alas neither of them are quite finished yet!
  • Anything decorative for my house: nope, not even a Buddha in Bali!
  • Linen and towels: that's another no. But I did buy a new ironing board cover the other day. Does that count?
  • Cosmetics: a bottle of duty free perfume on the way to Bali. Femme by Boss - 'tis very nice and one of my perfumes had run out so it was a replacement, sort of. Don't you think?
  • iPad applications: Blogpress. Well that's an essential for a blogging girl on the go isn't it??
  • Op shop purchases: haven't set foot in one for 53 days!
Pretty impressive don't you think?
What's that you say? What about books Kerry? Weren't they on your list too?
Ah, yes, well...I may have bought a few of those.
But I'm certainly not going to beat myself up about that. They are, and of course I knew this already, my one necessity. I have always answered "a book of course" whenever asked the question "what would you buy with your last $20?" 
Not that anyone's ever actually asked me that question, but that's hardly the point :) And I have been doing an awful lot of reading lately.
I feel really good about this challenge. I am most surprised by the fact that I'm not missing the magazines very much at all. I still have a subscription to Real Living and that's doing me nicely, and I'm not all that interested in going shopping. It's a bit of a revelation actually.
So I will continue until September 18th when my hundred days are up and then I'll see how I feel. I'm not even all that inclined to reward myself at this point, but I probably shouldn't speak too soon!
Has anyone else been on this challenge with me? How are you going with it?

20 comments:

  1. I'm very impressed Kerry! I have been going along with you, not by choice (thongs are terribly tight) but it's amazing what you can do without. Bit of a bummer when all your socks seem to have holes though! Magazines are difficult to resist though I have a Real Living and BBC homes and antiques subscriptions so that's keeping me going.
    Keep up the good work! X

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  2. I think you are doing rather well. I have to tell you books and magazines are my downfall. I would not be able to do this challenge because of that. I will have to think about this.

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  3. Wow! You're doing well. I'm frugally minded and very rarely shop for myself. I have to do the reverse of your 100 day challenge because it's good to have a balance between needs and wants. It's nice to buy what you want occasionally and not feel guilty about it. xx

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  4. You're doing well, Kerry - taking it seriously yet not obsessively. It's a strike against advertising and against over-consumerism, and yet you don't abandon your ironing board in its hour of need. Bravo!

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  5. The point is that you are putting so much consideration into a purchase - it isn't punishment, but an exercise in awareness.

    Magazines: my neighbour gets every one know to woman and hands them on to me when she has read them. Within a short time reading them had become an obligation, and now I just hand them on myself, skimming a couple from time to time. I get more pleasure from blogs by far as they are more specialised/focused, and the general magazines strike me now as silly! Design mags are better, but I can get them online so why wade through the ads?

    Maybe I am getting old.... I don't need to read them, I could WRITE them for heavens sake!

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  6. well done you!! poiwer on darl, that's impressive xx

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  7. Quite unintentionally I appear to be doing it with you. Nothing purchased not even the magenta ink for my printer which now won't print!!!! I suppose that is really now a necessity so I should think about it.
    I am so proud of you xx

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  8. Well done Kerry! I am so impressed. I should be doing this with you but alas I would have failed countless times over. xx

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  9. I noticed one thing in your blog that you have done a great job setting up new business venture and all your designs looks so bright and modern. Wonderful creation.

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  10. I'm wondering if you are becoming less interested with "stuff" during this or if you are finding it harder as time goes on... It may do me well to break my "browsing" habit :)

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  11. Hi Kerry,
    As you know, I said that I would join you in your '100 days' but, I fear that I'm not doing as well as you.....not too bad, but I have bought a few clothes that I don't need. Apart from that, I have resisted quite a few things so that must be better than nothing !!
    You on the other hand, are doing famously and you can pat yourself on the back when the 100 days are up and class the project as a success.
    I'm proud of youy Kerry !!!! XXXX

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  12. Most impressed by the "not even a buddha from Bali" - that would be been tough for a traveller with a love of buddhas

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  13. I'm very impressed with how well you've done so far with your challenge!

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  14. Its a great idea. Im thinking of trying it myself - have been doing way too much retail therapy lately. Takeaway coffees will be my downfall, I just know it!

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  15. I've just found your blog - gorgeous images and inspiration, I thought. Then I read about your 100 day challenge and was so impressed that I have just had to start 'following'. I'll look forward to updates!! I'd like to give it a go.I might have to do a spot of retail therapy immediately, though, and start my own challenge tomorrow.... Does that count?? Cheers, Rachel

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