Living Below The Line _ Rhody now doing it

Hi Sue, you'll know about the "Butterfly Effect" where a small change can potentially result in a large change in a later state, well.......................

I've been following your thread with interest and this morning my wife and I took the decision to follow your lead and take up the challenge.

I'm really looking forward to it now (so my wife tells me) and it will be a learning experience for both us in so many ways.

Many thanks Sue for providing the inspiration and information - we're giving it a go and following your example.
 
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rhody said:
Hi Sue, you'll know about the "Butterfly Effect" where a small change can potentially result in a large change in a later state, well.......................

I've been following your thread with interest and this morning my wife and I took the decision to follow your lead and take up the challenge.

I'm really looking forward to it now (so my wife tells me) and it will be a learning experience for both us in so many ways.

Many thanks Sue for providing the inspiration and information - we're giving it a go and following your example.
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Well done.:clap: When are you doing it? It is definitely a learning experience.
 
We will be starting during the half term hols and we're already looking up recipes to see what we can achieve within budget.

All thanks to you Sue.
 
slightly off topic, however I think the free range egg salesperson could have made a bit more effort with their paintbrush............

Whilst I do not deny that several large companies employ very cheap labour and all we hear is x% of the worlds population live on $1 a day etc........... it's all relveant to the local economy. A point that seems to have been missed.
 
Thanks Sue and Gary - we start our 5 day task on Friday.
 
Lynton said:
slightly off topic, however I think the free range egg salesperson could have made a bit more effort with their paintbrush............

Whilst I do not deny that several large companies employ very cheap labour and all we hear is x% of the worlds population live on $1 a day etc........... it's all relveant to the local economy. A point that seems to have been missed.
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You could never really make it the same for us doing the challenge,as living on that money in Africa.However it just gives us a taste of what it is like for people living in real poverty. I really believe that it is possible for us to eradicate severe poverty and I will try to keep helping to move towards that.
 
ladysue said:
You could never really make it the same for us doing the challenge,as living on that money in Africa.However it just gives us a taste of what it is like for people living in real poverty. I really believe that it is possible for us to eradicate severe poverty and I will try to keep helping to move towards that.
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Seriously, well done on doing it, however whilst there is power and corruption in places (how much of the love aid money and aid "disappeared" , and whilst the western world turns a blind eye to cheap third world labour (yes, I am as guilty as the rest)) I think you are fighting a lost cause.

Since time immemorial, there has always been a divide on any level you choose to pick.
 
Lynton said:
Seriously, well done on doing it, however whilst there is power and corruption in places (how much of the love aid money and aid "disappeared" , and whilst the western world turns a blind eye to cheap third world labour (yes, I am as guilty as the rest)) I think you are fighting a lost cause.

Since time immemorial, there has always been a divide on any level you choose to pick.
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I am not denying the difficulties you mention. I think it is important to direct monies to the big charities that are well established in the countries as they know how best to get money to the people who need it..

A cause is never lost until everyone stops fighting for it.
 
There was a catalyst for my wife and I taking up this challenge.

We were already aware of Sue's goal and we were out shopping one afternoon and decided to go into a local coffee shop for a frothy coffee and a scone.

The coffee and scone were lovely but we came out £9.80 poorer - for 2 coffee's and 2 scones. That is what set us thinking - our lazy afternoon treat (which wasn't really necessary) cost us the equivalent of 10 day's food for the very people we were thinking about helping.

It seemed wrong with hindsight - so we decided there and then to take up the challenge and see how we coped.

Our gesture won't change the world - but it will mean a great deal to us to take part in the challenge and experience some hard choices.
 
rhody said:
There was a catalyst for my wife and I taking up this challenge.

We were already aware of Sue's goal and we were out shopping one afternoon and decided to go into a local coffee shop for a frothy coffee and a scone.

The coffee and scone were lovely but we came out £9.80 poorer - for 2 coffee's and 2 scones. That is what set us thinking - our lazy afternoon treat (which wasn't really necessary) cost us the equivalent of 10 day's food for the very people we were thinking about helping.

It seemed wrong with hindsight - so we decided there and then to take up the challenge and see how we coped.

Our gesture won't change the world - but it will mean a great deal to us to take part in the challenge and experience some hard choices.
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I hope your first day went well. Let us all know how you are getting on

SamuelSlade007 said:
very well put Sue...so true..
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Thanks. I hope the people in power keep up the anti poverty initiatives. I really think it is possible with the right people tackling the problem.

Meanwhile the little people like us try to keep it in the news and the consciences of those in power and raise little bits that probably save a few lives. I would love to think that over the years I have saved a few lives.
 
Well my wife and I have discovered that we really like the chick pea and tomato recipe to go with this challenge - enough to use it way after the challenge is over.

Started the challenge yesterday and no problems so far with temptation at meal times .

A friend gave us a big Lindt Easter Egg that they didn't want (not knowing we were on a challenge) - very difficult not to open it, but we've put it out of sight.

Edit:- Day 3 - Really struggling this morning with no coffee at breakfast - willpower being sorely tested.
 
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rhody said:
Well my wife and I have discovered that we really like the chick pea and tomato recipe to go with this challenge - enough to use it way after the challenge is over.

Started the challenge yesterday and no problems so far with temptation at meal times .

A friend gave us a big Lindt Easter Egg that they didn't want (not knowing we were on a challenge) - very difficult not to open it, but we've put it out of sight.

Edit:- Day 3 - Really struggling this morning with no coffee at breakfast - willpower being sorely tested.
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Keep at it. You are half way there. I missed my coffee too. Well done. Thinking of you both
 
I made some of the scones from the recipe you posted this morning Sue - we both really like them.

Made a tasty treat to go with the macaroni and peas dish from the LBL website.

Tonight we are having the Lentil Stew with chapati's.......... My wife has just informed me that the home made chapati's cost less than 4p each.

I'm only posting our progress here in your thread because it was you that inspired us to take up this challenge and we are using some of your recipes as well.

We will also be giving the difference in cost between our normal weekly shopping bill and the LBL week to charity.

We have also vowed to keep up with the spirit of LBL week and for one day a week now we will follow the LBL recipes.

See the effect your post has had on our family Sue - a mini butterfly effect in the making.

Best wishes to you
 
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I'm glad you are posting your progress here. I hope others will see what you are doing. I am glad you made the scones. Normally they wouldnt seem very exciting but when you are living below the line they are a treat.I think it must be day 4 for you today. I expect you are getting a bit bored and missing being able to go to the cupboard for treats.Once you get through today there is just one day to go.

I have had lots of people say that next year they will do living below the line with me so we are managing to spread the word.
 
Well the 5 days are over and I can honestly say it was a fantastic experience which has changed our lives and the way we think about things.

We will now have an LBL day every week of the year. The recipes are superb and very tasty; are quick and easy to prepare and provoke a lot of thought and comment.

I will look forward to the LBL day each week and very many thanks Sue for opening our eyes to this super challenge.

We have learnt so much from what Sue started in this thread.

Don't be put off by the thought of having £1 a day to live on for food - just try the recipes and see what you think.

The chapati's and scones are a real eye opener - tasty and fantastic value.

The lentil stew and macaroni and green peas are super dishes in their own right - well worth the effort of making on any occasion.

Very many thanks Sue - we've learnt a lot and in the last 5 days - and I've lost some weight as well as an added bonus :-)
 
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rhody said:
Well the 5 days are over and I can honestly say it was a fantastic experience which has changed our lives and the way we think about things.

We will now have an LBL day every week of the year. The recipes are superb and very tasty; are quick and easy to prepare and provoke a lot of thought and comment.

I will look forward to the LBL day each week and very many thanks Sue for opening our eyes to this super challenge.

We have learnt so much from what Sue started in this thread.

Don't be put off by the thought of having £1 a day to live on for food - just try the recipes and see what you think.

The chapati's and scones are a real eye opener - tasty and fantastic value.

The lentil stew and macaroni and green peas are super dishes in their own right - well worth the effort of making on any occasion.

Very many thanks Sue - we've learnt a lot and in the last 5 days - and I've lost some weight as well as an added bonus :-)
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Congratulations to you both.:clap::clap::clap:

Thats great that you are going to have a special LBTL day each week. I wont be doing anything til next May but have already commiitted myself to doing it with some friends then.
 
Sue - remember the Butterfly effect I mentioned earlier.....?

My wife is a teacher and has arranged for her large group of students to cook a meal in the college kitchens under LBTL conditions. They are really excited about it and think it will give them a good start as they head off to uni......

None of this would have happened without your posts Sue - so very many thanks once again - from my wife and me and also another 35 students as well.
 
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