I got on the bus this morning and the driver said the machine wasn't working, so I got a free ride. nzd1.92 saved.

Spent 1.10 on carrots.

I got the plumber's bill - nzd67.28.

Payday. nzd289.15 in.

Out:
tomatoes 2.49
zucchini 2.25
avocado 1.99
lettuce 1.99
cauliflower 1.99
flour 1.59
tangeloes 1.26
soy milk 2.29
dates 1.99

I bought more B12 from the pharmacy, nzd22.00.

DS has high cholesterol and is finally taking an interest in healthy eating. He has cut out red meat, but still wants to eat fish and chicken, is complaining about the amount of stem on broccoli and is asking me the best way to cook oatmeal. Small steps but promising. Considering the length of time it took me to finally become fully vegan I can't expect him to convert overnight. I am doing my best not to overwhelm him with vegan propaganda. Softly, softly, catchee monkee.

Bought:
2 cans beets nz2.00
pasta .75

Our minister is a keen Labour Party supporter so tonight I was invited to a quiz nite fundraiser. I'm not all that interested in politics but it was a fun evening. Our team came third and our minister won 2 bottles of wine in the raffle so he was happy.

My jars are apparently working as intended; I paid for evening out of my Play jar and had a bowl of kumara chips (sweet potato fries). As it was virtually a donation I suppose I could have taken it from my Give jar but it didn't seem right.

Halfway through my $20 Challenge. Donig pretty well so far I think. In my envelopes I have:
food nzd16.00
medical/dental 360.00
necessities 9.40
education 16.80
financial freedom 17.40
play 2.40
gifts 1.40
Trans Siberian 128.50
change dish 9.60
mta vouchers 20.00
bus card 6.59

I also have nzd40.00 on my New World Christmas Club card. I dithered over whether I should use this money extra to my 20.00 a week food budget, but I will have to save up for next year out of the twenty so it evens out. I will also use my Trans Siberian money for othe holiday spending as I squirreled it out of my various twentysies a weeksies. I will start saving for Russia again in my travel account after I get back from India and have fully funded my Ef - which hopefully will be done in the next 12 months. Focused intensity, that's the ticket.

My cellphone has no money on it so I made a call from a payphone, 1.50. I had 50 cents left over so thought I'd see what I could find in the supermarket. There was nothing below .69, even the instant noodles are done up in packs of 10. Oats were on sale at 1.69 but I have plenty at home so only bought one bag. I also bought a can of spaghetti in tomato sauce, .69.

The water I'm drinking is not ideal when it comes straight from the tap, but if I leave it to sit for a while the taste is alright.

Bought:
bread roll .69
bread 1.00
strawberries 2.99
tangelos 1.17
mushrooms 1.94
baked beans .70
nutritional yeast 4.99

Not really hungry today. I had a bread roll in town which tasted pretty bland. The rest of the day I ate fruit. I find I am eating my food more slowly and mindfully.It took me 30 minutes to eat an apple savoring every bite. The strawberries were a disappoinment. They had been speed ripened rather than naturally by the sun and were quite tart. The banana was delicious and the dates pure ambrosia.

Maybe I could start a new career as a food writer?

Breakfast this morning was oatmeal and sultanas soaked in soy milk. At lunch I wasn't very hungry so just had an orange and a few gluten free crackers. For dinner I cooked my favorite: pasta, red peppers, canned tomatoes and half the last can of chickpeas. I prepared the usual amount but it was too much. I couldn't finish it. After meditation I had a handful of cashews and dried cranberries. My tastebuds are incredibly sensitive now, I can really taste just a little bit of sugar or salt.

I walked into town and had photos taken for my visa application, 19.99. Why do official photos always look like criminal mugshots? A friend saw it and said "That doesn't look like you!" Either she or the camera is lying. I also went to Veggie Boys and bought:
broccoli 1.99
potatoes 1.04
avocado .99
I decided not to continue with the All Saints produce bag as I like choosing my own produce. Also All Saints tend to be a bit limited in their variety.

My prayers have been answered. There has been a complete turnaround. This afternoon DS went out and bought green beans and carrots then asked me where the steamer was. I don't know what the doctor said to him but he is taking it seriously.

I finished my tenth day of fasting. I wasn't hungry and could have continued but the holiday season is coming up. I had an apple. It tasted sooooo sweet and filled me up for the rest of the evening. My stomach has shrunk. The trick now is not to go back to the amount I was eating before. 76 kilos.

I am concerned about DS' health. He has the same back issues as me and is currently unable to work. He has been advised to lose weight but his diet habits are not good. He has stopped eating fast food but now he just cooks some meat or fish and has it in a white bun. He hates all veggies except potatoes and always has. Thank goodness the Reagan administration declred tomato sauce to be a vegetable.

Out
soy milk 2.49
rice crackers 1.29

I was given a ticket for the Returned Services Choir. Great singing but the chairs were really uncomfotable, I got a backache.

Day 7 of fasting. 77 kilos. Waist 35" hips 44" BMI 25.4. I am still borderline overweight and have a lot of belly fat. After meditation this morning they were dicussing the 5-2 diet and fasting. I didn't let on I am currently fasting but chipped in with my own earlier experiences. I think I will go back to regular fasting on Monday and Friday. The traditional Christian fast days are Monday and Wednesday but Wed is not convenient for me. Let's not get legalistic here.

At church morning tea I felt a bit guilty as the preparer told me she'd baked vegan cookies especially for me, but the carnies ate them all. I did really crave a cuppa tea but stuck to water.

The weather turned really bad while we were talking. We had a thunderplump and hailstones. I haven't seen that for several years. The weather here has turned crazy over the last few years. One day will be scorching hot, the next it will be blowing a gale and pouring rain. Looks like climate change is already here.

Day 6 of fasting. 78 kilos. Feeling ok today. My body has switched to fat burning mode which is logical. The body stores up fat for times of famine so when you stop eating it uses those supplies. I walked into town and back with no more rests than normal and bought some groceries for when I break my fast Wednesday evening.
oranges .61
red peppers 3.00
bananas 2.49
popping corn 1.79
pasta .75
can tomatoes .70

I recieved an electricity bill for nzd57.93. It will come out automatically on the 29th.

Day 5 of fasting. Halfway through. The benefits are beginning to show. A friend commented that my face looked better and I look younger. My skin is softer and the the lines are less deep. The caffeine withdrawal headache has gone and I don't feel hungry. 79.5 kilos.

Day 4 of fasting. I felt rather weak doing my volunteer stint this morning and was strongly tempted to have a cookie to relieve the syptoms, but I know it will pass if I persevere. Down to 80.5 kilos.

Day 3 of fasting. I was rather sluggish and light headed on waking, but that's to be expected at this stage. Day 3 is always the most difficult for me. I wasn't physically hungry but mentally wanting to eat and thinking of chucking it in. Drank a lot of water. My weight is down to 81.5 kilos but that is water loss.

Payday nzd289.15. I only had to take out $20 because I am paying my checking account back from misc and not putting any more into medical. So I only needed $20 for food but I'll only be buying grape juice for communion.

I only spent 2.00 donation to Knit Squad. I saw a nice top in Orphans Aid but it was large size and I intend to get back to medium.

Day 2 of fasting. I had forgotten how the minute you start everyone wants to give you food. Today I was offered corn chips with salsa and buttered toast. I am not hungry but wanted to accept out of habit.
I am still drinking tea because I am addicted again, but the foul taste is beginning to develop in my mouth so I will only want to drink water soon.

I received $60 from my Bonus Bonds but can't spend it because it's automatically reinvested.

I have been reading some research on fasting. I used to fast regularly for spiritual reasons, and also found it beneficial for my health. The fact I also lost weight and saved money was jam for Sundays.

So I fasted today, and I'm not sure how long I will go. I'm thinking 10 days but will see how I feel. If I'm feeling ok I'll go longer.

Left in my cash envelopes:
food nzd5.00
med/dental 360.00
necessities 29.90
financial freedom 15.40
education 14.80
play 0.40
gifts 0.40
Russia 126.50
change dish 6.30
bus card 12.35
mta vouchers 20.00

I have enough saved in my medical envelope to see me thru till the end of January, so I'm not putting any more in till then. It can go in my EF.

I have done a poor job of teaching my child frugality. DS wanted some containers to put leftovers in, and I offered him a couple from occasional Chinese takeaway. Instead he took himself off to the supermarket and bought some brand new plastic ones. I suppose I should be glad he is using the leftovers.

I remember my grandmother putting food in bowls covered by a plate.

I have been feeling really fatigued for the last few days so spending time lying down. At least I'm not at the shops spending money.

I paid for the plane tickets, nzd2,620.00.

I have to stop keeping cookies in the house. I can't eat just one or two, I devour the entire packet. And my weight is up to 84 kilos. No more sugary treats. With the holidays coming up this is not going to be easy.

I bought a new smart phone for nzd99.00. I'm on a prepaid plan.

Only 3 more weeks and I will be halfway done with my challenge. I'm taking 3 weeks off in January while I'm in India.

This morning was pouring rain so I took a taxi to meditation nzd11.50. After church we went to the Steep Cafe which is on the world's steepest street. Very touristy and priced accordingly, nzd4.00 for a long black, and it wasn't very good coffee. I had zero money left in my food envelope so took it from my necessities jar, but I'm trying to break the habit of borrowing from other categories. It's easy done when you're only accountable to yourself, but I need a new cellphone so must use the money from my checking and pay myself back nzd20.00 a week.

Left in my cash envelopes:
food 0
medical 335.00
mta vouchers 30.00
bus card 12.35
change dish 4.70

in my jars:
necessities 48.80
financial freedom 14.60
play 20 cents
education 14.60
gifts 30 cents
Trans Siberian 126.40

World Vegan Day was celebrated in the Octagon today. I spent nzd15.20 on food, which was more than I intended, but it was delicious.

I got given 2 early gifts today; 4 balls of yarn and a packet of orange pekoe tea. I am happy.

My budget for November:

Income nzd1156.60

Expenses
food 80.00
property taxes 134.00
insurance 94.00
electricity 96.00
phone/internet 116.00
Kiwisaver 80.00
house maintenance 80.00
medical/dental 80.00
misc 80.00
TOTAL 840.60

available for saving and giving 316.60

I had nzd260 in my checking which I transferred to the EF, along with 100.00 from the Travel account.

Payday - 5th this month $289.15. Yay! I will buy produce tomorrow, apart from that I shouldn't need to buy anything this week.

There is a church picnic planned for Sunday, but the weather forecast doesn't look promising. The backup plan is to go to a cafe, so I may end up buying lunch.