The ‘Replacement Basis Only’ Challenge: 6th update
Here’s the final progress report from our early 2026 ‘Replacement Basis Only’ Challenge, our latest low-spend activity that’s been spread out over the last 12 weeks.
You really have to think before you shop with this one! That said, calm and considered purchasing behaviour is generally well worth that tiny bit of extra effort.
Here’s how we got on right at the end, in Weeks 11 and 12.
Replacement Basis Only Challenge: Week Eleven
Week 11 was unfortunately a busy one, shopping-wise. Following on from Week 10 quite a few things were running out around the house, and they weren’t purchases most people would want to put off. When you need some lip balm, you need some lip balm, right?
Nobody wants a dry, scabby pout, or a dry scabby anything else to be honest. So basic toiletries had to be purchased, along with some stationery for keeping things organised.
Then it was time for the weekly food shop, and fortunately it came in just under budget due to multi-buys and supermarket discounts. We were able to add in a money-off coupon code as well which helped with the final price.
The supermarket was out of stock of a couple of items, so we ended up spending those savings on a top-up shop in the end anyway but it wasn’t too bad. We bought fruit, tea bags and some Friday treat chocolate, plus baking potatoes and some coleslaw.
Week Eleven Summary:
- Notepad
- Toiletries: night moisturiser, day moisturiser, lip balm
- Regulars-only food shop
- Top up shop: potatoes, coleslaw, bananas, tea bags, 2 choc bars
Things were reasonably under control with the weekly budget in the end, and it was all fairly sensible. Could have been worse, as they say.
Replacement Basis Only Challenge: Week Twelve
Finally we headed into Week 12, and the last few days were fraught with various temptations. It was definitely the worst week of all, probably because I was looking ahead a little too far. Ooohhh, freedom was beckoning.
There was a real itch in my brain to go shopping, and I wondered whether it might even lead to a sudden bout of overspending. I updated two of my lists to maintain focus and keep busy: the ‘allowed to buy’ list I’ve been using througout this challenge, and a general wish list.
Interestingly, I decided I didn’t really want several of the things on my wish list any more, so they ended up being crossed out instead of being added to. Also I completely deleted the ‘allowed to buy’ list the following Saturday because the challenge was over.
The pressure was off, and the rest of the week became much calmer after that. We kept things extra simple with one big shop for the groceries, and a run-in-run-out trip to a skincare website where to my joy they added a random 30% off the basket.
Week Twelve summary:
- Toiletries: night serum
- Regulars food shop
All things considered, the shopping list for Week 12 was very restrained. It could have been so much worse, and we didn’t even need a top-up groceries shop in the end either.
It was such a nice relief to go out on a successful note at the end of the final week!
Did I go on a big spending binge after the challenge was over? Well no, but I did treat myself to a new sunhat and a £15 day dress in the sale at Peacocks. The sunhat was genuinely needed as a replacement because the last one’s given up the ghost, but the dress was a little bit of frivolous fun.
The dress is here at Peacocks, by the way. It’s hella cute, especially if it’s 25% off in a special offer.
Enjoying this post? You may also like:
- The ‘Replacement Basis Only’ Challenge Rules
- ‘Replacement Basis Only’ Challenge: 1st update
- ‘Replacement Basis Only’ Challenge: 2nd update
- ‘Replacement Basis Only’ Challenge: 3rd update
- ‘Replacement Basis Only’ Challenge: 4th update
- ‘Replacement Basis Only’ Challenge: 5th update
- Lessons learned: ‘Replacement Basis Only’ Challenge
There have – of course – been plenty of ups and downs throughout this Replacement Basis Only Challenge, but I’ve learned so much over the last twelve weeks. Come back soon for some tips for success, and maybe a confession or two about bad habits.
Have you tried doing a ‘Replacement Basis Only’ low-spend challenge of your own? How did you get on?
