The ‘Replacement Basis Only’ Challenge: 4th update

Replacement Basis Only Challenge Wk7 Wk8 money saving low spend

The ‘Replacement Basis Only’ Challenge has gone past the halfway mark now, and we’re still sticking to buying only the items that we most need to replace. It’s a simple way to carry out a very low spend challenge over a period of a few weeks, as a true zero spend challenge is almost impossible without cheating.

Here’s how I got on during Week Seven and Week Eight, ending up two-thirds of the way through the 12-week challenge on the last day.

Let’s kick off with a peek at Week Seven.

Replacement Basis Only Challenge: Week Seven

Week Seven was not cheap. It saw quite a big outlay because it was time for me to get some new specs. If your glasses prescription changes then the old ones have to be replaced, so sadly there was no getting around it. Health is the first wealth, as they say.

Anyway, I did manage to get quite a good deal in the end because I chose one of the offers at Specsavers, as well as a free frames trial to see which ones fitted and suited me best. There was a discount on the lenses and the frames, plus I picked my main glasses from the ‘2-for-1’ range so I got a second free pair, and there was free P&P too.

They arrived faster than expected six days later and I’m very pleased with both pairs. It’s always good to have a spare set in case of emergencies, and even better if they’re free.

We also ended up doing a quick top-up shop as well as the usual weekly regulars-only shop. That’s because we ran out of teas and bananas, and their own-brand soup is cheaper than big name brands.

Oh, and Beau decided to have a couple of soaks in the bath which finished off the last bit of bubble bath. It wasn’t possible to get an exact replacement because they’ve discontinued that particular scent, but it turns out that the Baylis & Harding Goodness range has a similar Coconut Vanilla & Shea Butter Bath Soak (500ml).

It’s actually nicer than the original one (IN YOUR FACE, Radox!), and it smells like a giant Bounty Bar, so you can still pretend to be on a tropical island. The RRP is £4.00, but most places sell it for £3 including Boots.

Week Seven Summary:

Top up shop: teas, bananas, soup
New glasses + free 2nd pair
Regulars-only food shop
Chemist: paracetamol, bubble bath

In retrospect, a bit of a pricey week. But at least I found discounts and/or reward points on just about everything.

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Replacement Basis Only Challenge: Week Eight

After the expense of Week Seven, we managed to keep it largely under control for Week Eight. I did run out of face wash and had to get a new one, but at least it was free delivery and it should last for months because it’s in a big bottle with a pump on top and you only need a little bit.

The only other physical items bought in this week were the regulars in the weekly food shop. It came in just under budget due to a couple of things on random discounts, plus a helpful money-off voucher.

Looking around there are a few things in the house that we’re running low on, but I decided to worry about that next week instead. Fingers crossed nothing breaks or randomly vanishes in the meantime (I’ve just jinxed myself now, haven’t I?).

Thanks Brain, so very helpful

My brain has also gone back to looking for loopholes so it can go shopping for trinkets and other pretty things, which is super annoying. I’ve had to stop myself looking in shop windows and browsing online, and shutting down Vinted shortly after opening it.

The sneaky urge to shop’s definitely getting worse over time, and now my subconscious seems to be trying to kid me that it’d be a great idea to book in for loads of services like a fancy mani-pedi, a back massage, a glowy facial, a new haircut, a spa day and heaven knows what else.

Technically it’s not cheating because services aren’t physical items, but it’ll wipe out a lot of good work if I give in. So, if you see me scrolling through Treatwell do please stage an intervention for the sake of my budget. Eep!

Week Eight Summary:

Face wash gel
Regulars-only food shop

That was a much quieter week for the general budget, which partly made up for the spendy week before. Somehow managed to avoid binge shopping too, but who knows how long she can hold out?

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The ‘Replacement Basis Only’ Challenge: 4th update