With great relief I can say I have now finished my week living below the line. I will now say some very meaningful things about the experience as a whole.
Of course it was difficult and I was often woken by my stomach rumbling. However the budget did not include things like travelling, water, electricity - all luxuries most of us are lucky to have in this country (even if petrol is ludicrously expensive at the moment). Those in developing countries may not have the same privileges and still have to live off of a tiny amount a day. Also it was made a lot easier having supermarkets offering value goods. Plus the vast range and variety we have available to us.
The biggest motivation was definitely today, the day I get to eat what I want when I want. Again, this wouldn't be the case for people in poor communities - their tiny budget doesn't have an expiry date and so can't indulge themselves in all the left overs on the last day. Their supplies have to last without a foreseeable end.
Some less serious points I discovered are it is horrible losing any item of your weeks supply of food to mould. Also Sainsburys basics oranges are hit and miss - some are lovely, others are vile! But you get what you pay for I suppose. Badminton hits the body a lot harder when all you have eaten that day is one poached egg on toast.
I have received a few donations whilst doing this but I hope it encourages people to give a little more now I have completed it.
All in all it was an interesting test of will power, resisting temptation and also a bit of an eye opener about how fortunate I really am.
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