Northern Cheapskate » Soda

Reflections on the 30 Days With No Soda Challenge

Christina Brown — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Well, I survived the 30 Days With No Soda Challenge.

And I must admit, the month was not soda-free as planned. On two occasions, I slipped up and drank a pop without thinking. Sometimes doing things on auto pilot isn’t a great idea! On the third occasion, I just really, really wanted a soda, and I was at a fast food restaurant with the kids and getting a water would have been an extra hassle, and well, I just really, really wanted it.

But three sodas in 30 days is not too shabby. Here’s what I learned from the experience:

Mind over matter. Ninety-nine percent of my soda addiction is all in my head. I’m finally able to tell myself that I don’t want a soda and truly mean it.

Not buying soda saves money. I estimate that I saved about $30 by not buying soda in September. This number is actually probably a little low since I normally buy a soda at restaurants and I didn’t this month. (And restaurant sodas are ridiculously overpriced!)

Not buying soda saves energy. I didn’t ponder the Sunday fliers trying to find pop on sale, I didn’t have to lug the cases of pop around the store, out to the car, and put it in the fridge. I didn’t have to recycle my cans (okay, my hubby always did that anyway, but, still….)

Drinking less soda made me feel better. My stomach felt better and my mood felt better. I just feel healthier overall.

I lost weight. I was only drinking caffeine-free, diet soda when I took this challenge, and yet, I still lost two pounds and kept it off. I don’t crave as many sugary snacks when I’m not drinking soda. Just imagine what I could do if I really tried to lose weight!

So does this mean I’m giving up the fizzy drink forever? No. I’ve decided that it is far too risky for me to have soda in the house (my husband still drinks soda, but he’s been buying stuff I don’t like), but I will allow myself the occasional soda at restaurants and other outings.

I learned that sometimes saving money doesn’t have to be an all or nothing kind of thing. I can enjoy the occasional soda just as I can enjoy an occasional shopping trip. The key is moderation!

How did you do on the 30 Days of No Soda Challenge? Share your stories!

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Would a Soda Tax Help You Kick the Habit?

Christina Brown — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:20:00 +0000

I’m nearing the end of my 30 Days With No Soda Challenge… which, in all honesty, has not been soda-free. (I’ve had two Diet Cokes – Not bad for someone who was drinking 3-4 cans a day!)

I’m drinking more water and feeling healthier. There has only been a handful of occasions that I’ve really missed drinking pop.

One thing I haven’t missed is the cost. I’m estimating that over the course of September, I’ll save more than $30 by giving up soda.

I recently read a discussion of a possible tax on soda on MSN’s Smart Spending Blog . If enacted, the tax could add as much as $1.44 onto the price of a 12-pack.

A tax like that may be just enough of a motivator to keep me pop-free.

What do you think? Would a soda tax help you give up soda for good? Would you cut back? Or is soda a treat you’ll indulge in no matter what?

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How I’m Surviving With No Soda

Christina Brown — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0000

I’m now starting my third week with no soda. (With one stupid slip-up).

I’m feeling great, but it hasn’t been easy. There have been some days where I just really, really wanted a Diet Coke… but I resisted.

My addiction to pop doesn’t even have anything to do with caffeine – I’ve been drinking caffeine-free pop for more than a year. I just really love the bubbly, artificially flavored beverage.

I’ve learned a few things so far – and one of them is to surround yourself with supportive people. Friends, family and some dear, sweet readers have sent me e-mails of encouragement and ideas.

One reader had this to say:

“Although diet [soda] seems to be better; it’s not. You will go through withdrawl like anything else a person is addicted to but once you get past that point you will be okay. I never thought my daughter would do it, but if she can – you can. Don’t try to taper off. Your cravings will still be there. If you slip, don’t beat yourself up just strive to do better. Impossible to avoid it, but stay away from the soda aisle.”

This was definitely true for me. Once I’d gotten away from the caffeine, I knew I would have to go cold turkey. I had one slip-up, but I just shook it off and moved on. I am now making my husband buy his own pop!

Another friend reminded me to refocus my attitude… I shouldn’t look at pop as something I can’t have, but rather, something that I don’t want. I found changing my thinking about soda in this way to be very helpful.

A few other things I’ve noticed since I’ve given up soda:

I’m eating a little better. One of my favorite pairings is chocolate and Diet Coke. Without the Diet Coke, the chocolate just isn’t the same. I’m finding that I’m eating things that go better with water (like fruits and vegetables (gasp!).

I’m feeling a little better. Not as much gnawing in my stomach when I’m stressed out.

I don’t miss buying pop. It’s spendy and it’s a pain in the rear to carry, store, refrigerate, recycle, etc.

I need something to spruce up my water. I have a hard time with plain water. A little lemon or other flavoring (like Crystal Light, which I am using very, very sparingly) helps with the transition.

It’s good to have a plan when you are out and about. I bring a reusable water bottle with me in the car, and I try to think more about my beverage choices when I’m at a restaurant.

I feel pretty confident that going soda-free is a positive change I’ll be able to stick with in my life.

How is the challenge going for you?

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Automatic Can Be Good and Bad

Christina Brown — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0000

I’m just over a week into my 30 Days With No Soda Challenge and I’m happy to report that we’re all surviving.

I am enjoying a lot more water and lemonade these days, and I miss soda, but I seem to be making the adjustment just fine.

I do have to confess: I did slip up once. By accident. Really It’s true!

Here’s what happened. In day 3 of the challenge, my son and I met up with my parents for lunch at Subway. My mom said, “It’s my treat, I’ll get the drinks.”

And being the cheapskate that I am, I said, “Thanks. Sounds good!” And completely forgot to tell her to get me lemonade or water instead of soda. And completely forgot about the challenge and drank an entire Diet Coke. I guzzled that drink down without a second thought!

I didn’t even realize I’d messed up until 2 hours later when I thought to myself, “It’s too bad I drank all my pop, I’m thirsty.”

And then I was mad at myself!

My mistake really reminded me of how so many of our purchases are automatic. We do a lot of things – including eating and drinking – without really thinking about what we are doing. There are probably many more purchases I make that I don’t even think about, but probably should.

And I realized that these absent-minded purchases can really affect not only my personal health, but my financial health as well. It makes you think about all those little wasters of money.

Of course, doing things automatically isn’t all bad. We have my husband’s paycheck deposited automatically, and that has helped us save more money. We have many of our larger bills set on auto-pay, and that’s helped us avoid late fees and spending money on postage.

The lesson learned is to stop and think a little.

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30 Days With No Soda Challenge

Christina Brown — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:00:00 +0000

I’ve decided that my soda habit has got to go. I’ve been battling my addiction to the fizzy beverage for nearly two years. And I’ve finally determined that I’m just going to have to put it out there as a challenge to myself on this blog.

My goal is to go 30 days without any soda starting on September 1. I figure if I can go 30 days without cola, I’ll be on the fast track to breaking the habit for good.

I’ve really let my soda habit creep up – to the point that I know it’s affecting my health. I just don’t feel as well when I’m drinking 2-3 cans of pop a day. I am also sick of buying the stuff – it’s expensive, it’s a pain to pick up at the store and it takes up a lot of space in my fridge where I could be storing vegetables I won’t eat.

I’ve almost been soda-free before…. and I’ve definitely got friends who will encourage me on my quest to be free, so I know that this is possible.

My plan is to transition away from pop slowly – I’ve got some Crystal Light that I scored for free that I need to use up, and I’ve also got a few True Lemon free samples to spruce up my water. From there, I’ll move onto water, straight up!

I’ll also keep track of the money I saved by not buying soda. I think that will be a good motivator for me!

Are you addicted to soda? I’d love for you to join me in this challenge. Have you already kicked the soda habit? I’d love to hear some tips of what has worked for you!

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Getting closer to soda-free!

Christina Brown — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:57:00 +0000

I have only drank three sodas in the last 24 days!

This is a big accomplishment for me. The only other times in my life that I have foregone soda have been the two times I was pregnant – and that wasn’t because I was trying to be healthy, it was because I had such bad heartburn any kind of soda burned going down.

So, now I can happily say I am nearly soda-free AND I’m not pregnant!

I started weaning myself off soda slowly a few weeks ago. I was drinking 2-3 cans of diet soda a day when I made the decision. Then I cut it back to one a day, and later to one every other day. I was inspired by my frugal friend, Susan, who gave up caffeine (and consequently, soda) cold turkey (so brave!).

She sent me a great link from the Simple Dollar about the hidden expenses of drinking soda and how to kick the pop habit. It was inspiring.

I’ve noticed that I am feeling healthier and that I am not craving junk food as much as I used to. I have lost three pounds since I’ve laid off the pop. The few times I have had a Diet Coke, I find that I can’t sleep at night.

I’ve definitely noticed a signifcant change in my montly budget. I estimate that by drinking water instead of soda, I’m saving about $20 to $30 a month.

It hasn’t been easy… in fact, the first time I broke my soda-free streak was completely by accident… I drank without thinking! I find that it’s definitely more psychological than physical need. Once you break through the mental part, it’s not that bad. I’ve noticed I’m even rubbing off a little on my soda-swilling hubby. I actually saw him with a glass of ice water the other day!

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