7 Day Challenge blog

Check out the 7 Day Challenge blog below, where CAP staff members will be blogging about their own experiences following the 7 Day Challenge. Watch this space for regular updates!

Christine Gilland: 10th August to 17th August

Christine, 16th August, 10.30am
Last day of the Challenge and breathing a sigh of relief that I didn't run out of petrol on my way to work (red light has been showing since Saturday). Unfortunately, I blew the budget finally - the culprit was a yummy savoury pastry at this really awesome cafe on Saturday. All of the repentance in the world will do no good now - although I did stay in Saturday and Sunday nights to avoid spending any more money and watched my DVDs (Paris, Texas is a great movie by the way). I refused to get takeaway at any point during the weekend (a first for me), making food from the pantry. But alas, it was all in vain! Today I need to buy some tomatoes for my lunchtime wrap, so I will be out of pocket again. 

On a bright note, on Saturday I trawled the second hand shops for a clothing purchase of $2. At first, I was beginning to despair of finding anything (one stained and worn scarf was going to set me back $3! They're dreaming!), but being the perservering type, I eventually found a cute paisley scarf at the bottom of a bargain bin in the seediest second hand shop I could find. I was quite relieved to find something wearable (my next best option was a peach tie dyed shirt).

I have to say, like Aimee, that the biggest problem for me with this budget thing is the fact that going out with friends is almost impossible - after you've bought the food you need for lunches and dinner (and might I say, eating wraps two meals a day for four days straight is not as fun as it looks) for one week you only have enough for say, two coffees if you're lucky. One really positive thing that I found though, was that doing the Challenge made me rethink everything - I spent more time with my flatmates at home, resisted peach shirts successfully, did the laundry on Saturday night and made meals from scratch. Feel slightly smug and domestic, although I expect the feeling will pass soon enough.

Christine, 13th August, 9.40am
Day four is upon me and I still have a few dollars left! Yusss! Last night I unashamedly sponged off my friends at a fundraising quiz night (I paid for the cover charge out of my savings), which meant that I didn't go to bed hungry. Does sponging off the friend I'm fundraising for make me a bad person? I didn't realise this challenge came with such moral dilemmas. To offset this, I contributed to the extortionate parking fees (I hope you read this, Auckland City Council) in the form of helpful suggestions, reading the sign and so forth...which I think is worth its weight in gold. I pressed the green button on the machine, as well. Good thing I have healthy self-esteem...

Christine, 12th August, 3.44pm
Well, day three has passed fairly uneventfully so far. I can't help thinking the axe must fall soon. Determined to get my $2 worth out of my generous "leisure" allowance, I got out a couple of DVDs last night from my local Civic. Given my poor budgeting record to date, I think these DVDs will be my lifesaver this weekend. This whole challenge is definitely making me rethink what I spend my money on and how blessed I am - I would never usually have to think about cancelling plans on the weekend to avoid spending money, but unless I inherit some money unexpectedly in the next couple of days I'm looking at a Saturday night at home.

Christine, 11th August, 3.22pm
Day two of the Challenge...again, last night I unthinkingly bought a totally unnecessary item which dipped substantially into my food allowance - a bottle of chocolate topping for a dessert night. Went shopping at the supermarket and bought the rest of the week's lunches (wraps and veggies) and some yoghurt which totalled $15. The yoghurt is in case I eat everything else before the weekend. For some reason, I thought this would be a good "staple" to ward off starvation. Never mind that I actually hate yoghurt and always have. I think one of the major trends I am noticing during this Challenge is the development of a kind of mindless optimism. I'm trying to counter this by thinking that I'm sure to come to a bad end. As you can see, I'm not overreacting at all.

Had a doctor's appointment this morning at the hospital and almost missed it as I searched the nearby streets for a carpark, so I wouldn't have to pay the hospital parking fee. Managed to find one eventually, so disaster averted for one more day. Makes you realise how close to the edge some people live though - a parking fine would be disastrous for someone on this budget!

Christine, 10th August, 4.57pm
Well, I have to admit that I have been counting down the hours (well, since yesterday) with a kind of feverish panic. I'm the last person in the Partnership Team to do the 7 Day Challenge and I have to admit, I'm scared I'm going to crack. I'm going to try and mitigate the shame a bit by posting longer blogs than them.

As soon as I woke up this morning, I felt impoverished. It's true. This may be in my mind, but when I took my money out of the ATM last night the number of bills seemed pitifully small. Also, ever since then I swear the temptation has increased exponentially to use my card. I can see this is going to be a battle of the will...

I forgot my lunch today, so I bought Subway (the six inch Veggie Delight). It's amazing how when you're on a tight budget you switch to some kind of survival mode - something that's been clearly latent in me for some time. When the assistant asked me what I wanted on my sub, I said "Everything. Even jalapenos," because it would stretch my dollar further. Felt somewhat less smug when I realised that I had just spent 10% of my total food budget on lunch, leaving me with $37! I have a feeling the end of the week is not going to be pretty.

Amy Campbell: 12th July to 18th July

Amy, 18th July, 6pm
It is done (well in 6 hours at least!)...luckily some of the flatties have been away for the holidays so have been able to enjoy a lot of simple food from the cupboards over the week. Excited to take the Challenge again in August but see if I can manage without the extra 20c! All in the name of love and respect for those who do it weekly...

Amy, 16th July, 4.44pm
The Challenge is definitely getting harder as time passes...if it wasn't for some lovely friends dropping me places or shouting me icecream, I'd have blown it by more than 20c by now (thanks Bex for taking me down Mount Albert Road to catch the B-line up Dominion Road this morning!) ... going into the weekend with not much petrol and a whole lot of humility to accept the occasional offer for a ride!

Amy, 13th July, 2.30pm
Managed 15.8 km on empty...nice to see it rise just slightly last night. Went shopping for the flat (including my $15 food contribution) and using some of last week’s veges cooked up a wicked cauliflour and cheese soup (cheers Jamie Oliver). Caught a ride with my awesome workmate this morning by meeting her on her way near my house...or so I thought. Discovered Christine goes a different route when it was too late...sorry hun, better drive tomorrow!

Amy, 12th July, 4.23pm
Started the 7 Day Challenge last night...couldn't put petrol in my empty tank until I had worked out how much I would allocate from my $56 budget for the week...done now, $15 Unleaded 91 thanks Shell...and thanks Pak n Save for a 4c off voucher from last week...will "fill her up tonight"...bring on the Challenge!!

Tara Solomon: 5th July to 11th July

Tara, 11th July, 9.10pm
It's day seven and it has all gone really well, although yesterday I had to turn down going to markets.  But that gave me time to catch up with everything in the house and I did really enjoy a winter walk in the park. Today went a bit wrong as Abhi wanted to go to the mall after church, and all the sales were on! The pressure to buy was just too much and it was such a good price so I buckled! :( The reality is I have the money but it did help me to see just how difficult it is to say no. I was only living on a tight budget for one week and can only imagine how hard it must be week after week. I'll still be donating the difference and its been a real eye-opener. Why not join us in August and give it a go yourself!

Tara, 8th July, 9.25am
Well the petrol is lasting and there is food in the cupboard but I have realised I have lots already in the house like cleaning products, herbs & spices clothes to wear. For a week its easy but not sure I could do it for much longer.

Tara, 5th July, 10.38pm
Day One of the 7 day challenge has been pretty normal, I filled my car with $14 of petrol for the whole week luckily I have 1ltr so should get me to work and back. I have enjoyed a quiet night in baking and now ready for a good nights sleep.

Aimee Cringle: 28th June to 4th July

Aimee, 4th July, 11.20pm
Oh yes I did it - finished the week and only spent 56 buckaroos and oh how much I have learnt. I got a glimpse into a CAP client's life - friends would offer to shout food or drinks or a ride for a while, then they'd start feeling like its all one way or even just feel uncomfortable that you never eat or drink when you go out, so they stop asking you anymore. Or you'd feel like you've got nothing to offer so would decline. Isolation and loneliness there you are! Hello depression and low self worth!

Aimee, 4th July, 2.28pm
Just about to jump on my bike to head out and watch my brother-i-law play hockey and realised I had a flattie. Hmmm no puncture repair kit and no money in the budget to fix it – will have to wait till next week. Sorry Renie, can’t make it to the game!

Aimee, 3rd July, 2:05pm
It's a weekend at home: reading, cycling and generally just chilling. Spent my 7 day challenge $12 petrol budget last night getting to the museum for dinner which blew the budget but was planned and saved for a while back. Being at home for the weekend is quite the welcome change for me, don't know how long it would stay this welcome but while it is i'll enjoy it!

Aimee, 30th June 10.58pm
Another day and no more dollars spent! I've come to the realisation that one week is no worries, people are more than willing to make the effort to come visit and stay connected but trying to sustain relationships if this 7 day challenge lasted more than a few months would be hard - I truly believe I'd lose friends. They'd drift away as they do when you don't invest time. When there is no money to visit, have a drink or dinner with friends it makes it hard. Hmmmm . . . no wonder people in debt feel isolated and depressed.

Aimee, 29th June 4pm
Hmmmm forward thinking is key when doing the 7 day challenge - working late tonight and only bought food for lunch which is gone now, I'll be biking home on an empty stomach.

Aimee, 28th June 6.06pm
One day into this 7 day challenge and I was nearly eaten by a dog on my way to work and cycled home in the rain...thanks Auckland! :)

Aimee, 27th June 10.57pm
Tomorrow is the start of the week I live on an average CAP client budget, a 7 day challenge, how challenging will it be?

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