Musings - Agatha Christie's Plays

 

Agatha Christie's play The Mousetrap is the longest running play (since 1952) in the world with a break only during the Covid pandemic.  The story is loosely based on the real Dennis O'Neill case. Mousetrap is coming to Broadway in 2023 for the first time after 70 years in London's West End at St. Martin’s Theatre. It has been performed more than 28,000 times for more than 10 million audience members.  Link to the Broadway play for more information. 

The play takes place at a guest house (like a B&B) where they are snowed in with a murderer.  There is the husband and wife who run the guest house, four guests (one unexpected) and two police officers.  At the end of every performance they ask that the audience keep the killer a secret to not spoil the show for future audiences.  It seems to have worked, I understand that the end has quite the twist.    

Not many people think of Agatha Christie as a playwright, but the following is a list of her plays:

Akhnaton (Play)

Alibi (play)

And Then There Were None (adapted)

Appointment with Death (adapted)

Black Coffee (play)

Butter in a Lordly Dish (radio play)

Cards on the Table (adapted)

Chimneys (adapted)

A Daughter's a Daughter (adapted)

Fiddlers Three (play)

Go Back for Murder (play)

The Hollow (adapted)

Love from a Stranger (adapted short story)

The Mousetrap (play) Longest running play Guiness World Records. Finally coming to Broadway

Murder at the Vicarage (adapted)

Murder Is Easy (adapted)

Murder on the Nile (adapted)

Peril at End House (adapted)

Personal Call (radio play)

Spider's Web (play)

Three Blind Mice (radio play and short story) became Mousetrap

Towards Zero (adapted)

The Unexpected Guest (play)

Verdict (play)

Wasp's Nest (adapted short story)

Witness for the Prosecution (adapted short story)

The Yellow Iris (radio play)

I hope to see Mousetrap at some point, how about you?

Review - Murder at an Irish Castle

The promotion for this new series claims "Fans of Hannah Dennison and Carlene O’Connor’s mysteries are in for a treat with Ellie Brannigan’s captivating debut cozy mystery, complete with a sharp and endearing protagonist."  That along with the Ireland setting got me to give it a try.  This is a new-to-me author so I wasn't sure what I was getting into.  Read on to find out about this new cozy mystery series and my thoughts.

Author: Ellie Brannigan

Copyright: February 2023 (Crooked Lane Books) 313 pgs

Series: 1st in Irish Castle Mysteries

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: cozy mystery, amateur sleuth

Main Characters: Rayne McGrath, Upscale bridal gown designer

Setting: Modern day, Utah's Heritage National Monument

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review, Netgalley

Book Blurb: "Rodeo Drive bridalwear designer Rayne McGrath expected her thirtieth birthday to start with a power lunch and end with champagne, lobster, and a diamond engagement ring from her fiancé. Instead, flat-broke [fiancé stole all her money]  and busted, she’s on a plane to Ireland where she discovers that she’s inherited a run-down family castle. Uncle Nevin’s will contains a few caveats—for example, if Rayne doesn’t turn McGrath Castle around within a year, the entire village will be financially destroyed.

 With the fate of the town in her hands, and rumors that Rayne’s uncle’s death wasn’t actually an accident, she can’t possibly go back to her old life in L.A. As the devastating truth about her uncle dawns on Rayne, it’s not just her reputation that’s on the line, it’s her life.

Featuring a sharp and endearing protagonist, a colorful and quirky locale, and replete with twists and turns befitting an old Irish village, the first in Brannigan’s mystery series transports us to a milieu as romantic as it is deadly." 

My Thoughts:  This book features: Rayne McGrath who is a down-on-her-luck bridal dress designer used to California glitz thrown into the low-tech Irish world; Uncle Nevin, who passed under questionable circumstances, left his castle to be run by Rayne-but she has to live there; Cousin Ciara, an out-of-wedlock daughter of Uncle Nevine, is to co-own the castle and run the livestock and land; Hunky Amos who works on the castle grounds and immediately likes Rayne; plus the adorable dog Blarney.  

The castle and people are great and I felt like I was there with them.  The plot really got going when Ciara insists that Nevine was killed-it was no accident.  I really felt Rayne's distress with all the dramatic events in her life and being in a foreign county.  I was glued to the book and sped through reading it.  The killer confrontation was short but effective.  I really liked the wrap-up that left me wanting the next book.  This was an enjoyable mystery filled with delightful characters.

Rating:  Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list

Musings - Book Themed Party

I recently went to a birthday celebration for an adult where her children honored her love of reading with a book theme.  I loved the idea and wanted to share it with all of you.  

Step 1 - Find Your Theme

The party I attended had the general theme of books/reading, but you could pick a specific genre, like mysteries, Sci-fy, romances, or history,

You could use a specific book for the theme, like The Great Gatesby, if the party's guest of honor is a fan of the book.  Imagine a Dune, Hunger Games, or Harry Potter themed party.   Just make sure the book has lots of recognisable content for your guests. 

Perhaps focus on the favorite author who has a lot of books the guest of honor loves, like Agatha Christie, Jane Austen, Stephen King, Tolkien, Dan Brown, or Anne Rice as a few examples.

Or you could go with a BYOB (Bring Your Own Book) theme where guests can dress up as a character or bring something representative of their favorite book.  At some point everyone can try and guess what is each guest's book.

Step 2 - Invitations 

Once you have your theme the invitations can be designed to follow that theme either with book covers or a prominent key item from the story/author.  An example might be for a Harry Potter themed invitation having white owls on the front.  Get creative but stick to recognizable items from your theme to use on the invitations.  Don't forget to include the place, time, and dress code.  The invitations I received were done with pages to a book as part of design and a photo of the birthday lady when she was a child. 

Canva and Crello can also be used for party invitations that you can download and print out on card stock yourself or find a print shop.

I found this website that has a few that you can download and print (click here).  Also look at Etsy for more downloadable invitations that will fit your theme.

Step 3 - Get Planning 

The cake or cupcakes (edible cupcake toppers) can follow your theme at the very least.  But if your theme (book, author, genre) has recipes featured in the books you may want to make some of those.  For example, mystery authors have done a few recipe books with dishes featured in their books such as the cook books I featured in these blog posts (click here, here, and also here.)  Check and see if there may be a cookbook that coincides with your theme in some way.  See all the cakes that are fashioned like books below.

Besides food, think about a few book-themed activities.  Two to four will keep things moving and provide some laughter and fun.  I found these on some blogs about party activities and adapted for book themes.  

Book Trivia/Charades

Trivia or charades are classics and easy to play.  If you have a lot of guests, split them into teams.  Do a google search from quizzes on your theme to easily put your trivia together on a master sheet.   For charades, think of things from your theme that could be acted out and write on strips of paper to be picked out of a hat. 

Scavenger Hunt

A classic that may take a little more coordination and is always good no made the ages of participants.  Of course you hide items related to your book theme or maybe books that coordinate with your theme and  provide a few clues to help teams/individuals get started in the correct direction.  You can have a prize for the winning team/person.  This blog gives some good directions for setting up a scavenger hunt (click here.)

Bookmark Making 

You can make bookmarks fairly easily with some heavy cardstock cut into 2” x 6” and print out theme-related graphics or from magazines (remember those?).  Affix with craft glue (click here) or double-sided tape, punch a hole and thread a ribbon or tassle through to finish.  For an extra touch, attach a theme-related charm to the ribbon. 

Book Balance 

This is a very basic idea, balancing books on your head while walking.  But you can make it more challenging by balancing while doing an activity, like doing five squats or walking a line. Kick it up a notch by making it a race, or a relay.

Costume Competition 

If you had guests show up in costume in accordance with your theme, a simple competition is natural.  

Step 4 - Decorations  

Check your local party supply for things that may fit with your theme.  The collage above shows a large wreath that was made with book pages and a basket of party favors in pockets made from book pages.  The wall hanging is available on Amazon (click here).

Here too Etsy may have some creative items that can fit your theme.  Check out images related to your book through a google search and print out and hang around.  Other ideas for decorations include book pinwheels (click here), book banner flags (click here), book page paper flowers (click here), book page paper chain garland (click here and here), or book page paper treat bags (click here).  If you don't want to use actual books, photocopies of pages can work too.  

Step  - Party Favours  

Naturally a physical book related to the theme is a good idea, and if you can find copies second hand-even better.  

I hope you enjoyed this overview of throwing a book themed party.  You can make it as simple or elaborate as you like, but these resources and ideas will give you a starting point for creativity to run with.  Enjoy.

Review - The Omega Factor

International bestselling author Steve Berry gives us a new main character. Nicholas Lee is a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) investigator working in the CLIO (Cultural Liason and Investigative Office.)  When Publishers Weekly says "Dan Brown fans will want to check this one out," I just had to see for myself. 

Author: Steve Berry

Copyright: June 2022 (Grand Central Publishing) 465 pgs

Series: 1st in Nicholas Lee Thriller (maybe a stand alone)

Sensuality: Some action violence scenes

Mystery Sub-genre: Suspense Thriller 

Main Characters: Summer Westin, Wildlife biologist for Save the Wilderness Fund

Setting: Modern day, Utah's Heritage National Monument

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Book Blurb: "The Ghent Altarpiece is the most violated work of art in the world. Thirteen times it has been vandalized, dismantled, or stolen. Why? What secrets does it hold?  

 Enter UNESCO investigator, Nicholas Lee, who works for the United Nations’ Cultural Liaison and Investigative Office (CLIO). Nick’s job is to protect the world’s cultural artifacts—anything and everything from countless lesser-known objects to national treasures. 

When Nick travels to Belgium for a visit with a woman from his past, he unwittingly stumbles on the trail of a legendary panel from the Ghent Altarpiece, stolen in 1934 under cover of night and never seen since. Soon Nick is plunged into a bitter conflict, one that has been simmering for nearly two thousand years. On one side is the Maidens of Saint-Michael, les Vautours—the Vultures—a secret order of nuns and the guardians of a great truth. Pitted against them is the Vatican, which has wanted for centuries to both find and possess what the nuns guard. Because of Nick the maidens have finally been exposed, their secret placed in dire jeopardy—a vulnerability that the Vatican swiftly moves to exploit utilizing an ambitious cardinal and a corrupt archbishop, both with agendas of their own.  

From the tranquil canals of Ghent, to the towering bastions of Carcassonne, and finally into an ancient abbey high in the French Pyrenees, Nick Lee must confront a modern-day religious crusade intent on eliminating a shocking truth from humanity’s past. Success or failure—life and death—all turn on the Omega Factor." 

My Thoughts:  I am used to Steve Berry's series featuring Cotton Malone but this is a new series with Nicholas Lee as the main character.  Nicholas Lee started in the army as an MP, tried to get into Magellan Billet at the Justice Department but didn't get hired on.  That's when he got into UNESCO as an investigator.  He is an official UN representative which grants him access during investigations to preserve the world's art treasures.  Nicholas Lee pushs the envelope in this investigation because it involves a very special nun, Kelsey, who was the love of his life-until she left him for a convent. Kelsey is not just a nun, but a talented art restorer and she is the one who asks Nicholas to help.

The action starts with the building on fire where he was supposed to meet Kelsey.  The pacing is on target with just enough breaks between action to catch your breath and understand more of the plot before more action. I loved the various settings, I always travel vicariously and these were great. The climactic confrontation had twists as well as high tension.  The wrap-up explained all the events, the history, and how it all ties together.  

I recommend for political/conspiracy thriller fans and I vote for this new character to be an ongoing series.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list

Here is a Steve Berry interview about this book: 

Mystery Movie Review - Enola Holmes 2

I reviewed the first movie in this Netflix movie franchise (click here).  While Sherlock pureists won't like this for the few liberties taken to fit a younger sister into the Holmes canon, this is still a great Sherlock-adjacent mystery/adventure.  Originally based on the books by author Nancy Springer with 6 books in the series thus far at this writing.

What it's about:

"Fresh off the triumph of solving her first case, Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown) follows in the footsteps of her famous brother, Sherlock (Henry Cavill), and opens her own agency -- only to find that life as a female detective-for-hire isn't as easy as it seems. Resigned to accepting the cold realities of adulthood, she is about to close shop when a penniless matchstick girl offers Enola her first official job: to find her missing sister. But this case proves to be far more puzzling than expected, as Enola is thrown into a dangerous new world -- from London's sinister factories and colorful music halls, to the highest echelons of society and 221B Baker Street itself. As the sparks of a deadly conspiracy ignite, Enola must call upon the help of friends -- and Sherlock himself -- to unravel her mystery. The game, it seems, has found its feet again!" IMDB

Cast:

Millie Bobby Brown as Enola Holmes

Henry Cavill (Superman) as Sherlock Holmes

Helena Bonham Carter (The Crown as Princess Margaret, The King's Speach, Harry Potter as Bellatrix Lestrange) as Eudoria Holmes -Enola's mother

Louis Partridge as Tewkesbury

David Thewlis (Prof Lupin in Harry Potter, Wonder Woman)

Susan Wokoma

Rotten Tomatoes and critics reviews:

Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%

"These Enola Holmes films are just great, striking an excellent balance of action, witty humor and a dark edge." Tim Cogshell, FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

"The plot hitches up its skirts and races along from the very first scene and the style and tone very much echo the original with Enola’s occasional cheeky fourth wall breaking..."  Paul Mount, Starburst

"Enola Holmes 2 triumphantly builds on the first film with added layers of charm, action, empowerment, and even a bit of romance." Kristen Maldonado, Pop Culture Planet

"While much of writer Jack Thorne’s screenplay copies tropes from the previous film, the additional Sherlock Holmes lore that is expanded in this film, and the return of the characters we love, make this adventure well worth taking." 

Josh Flanders, Chicago Reader

"Even though it’s a sequel, set in a familiar world with characters who have appeared on screen in countless iterations, Enola Holmes 2 still manages to feel fresh."  Kimber Myers, Crooked Marquee

My Thoughts:

Pure entertainment and a fresh character in Enola. Millie Bobby Brown provides us with a determined, smart, and capable young woman with just enough comedic touches and vulnerable moments to make her endearing. This second outing is a challenge for a movie to try to replicate the magic of the successful first movie.  But, this second Enola may be even better than the first with so many twists and non-stop action (you might need a nap after watching it!)  I love this second movie, I recommend for a fun movie with plenty of action.

Movie Trailor:

https://youtu.be/KKXNmYoPkx0

Review - A Trip with Trouble

If you like a more "mature" heroine for your cozy mystery, this is the book for you with a 50 year old starting the next chapter in her life after a divorce.  I reviewed the debut novel is this new series and now I'm happy to review the second.  Read on to find out the details.

1) Getaway With Murder (click here)

Author: Diane Kelly

Copyright: October 2022 (St. Martins) 297 pgs

Series: 2nd in Mountain Lodge Mysteries

Sensuality: mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy Mystery

Main Characters: Misty Murphy, new owner of the Mountaintop Lodge

Setting: Modern day, Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review (Netgalley)

Book Blurb: "When the ladies of the Dangerous Curves Motorcycle Club take over the Mountaintop Lodge for their annual autumn ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Misty Murphy couldn’t be more thrilled. Every room is full and the adventurous women even invite Misty and her assistant Brynn to join them on a ride to admire the colorful fall foliage. Hotel handyman Rocky Crowder is happy to keep an eye on the lodge for the day, and the ladies set out for a fun ride on the scenic road.

The skies are clear, the air is crisp, and the leaves are gorgeous. But what starts as a perfect ride turns worrisome when the tail gunner – the last rider in their group – fails to show up at the Craggy Gardens overlook. Cell phone service is spotty in the remote, mountainous area, and the group is unable to connect with their friend. Might the missing woman have simply run out of gas? Or is something far more sinister afoot?

The ladies are determined to locate their ride or die, and Misty is equally determined to help them. But will they be able to solve the mystery when the scenic route seems intent on hiding its secrets?" 

My Thoughts:  Features heroine Misty Murphy as a newly divorced and just turned fifty woman who is  independent, resourceful, organized, and good with people heroine, Rocky is the hunky handyman interested in her and is daughter visits in this story, Brynn is her new-age housekeeper, and Patty is the diner owner from across the road and her new best friend. The characters were all fun and relatable. The delightful animals: dog named Molasses and cat called Yeti.  The women's biker club staying at the lodge provide interesting characters and plenty of drama.

The lodge setting amid the Smokey Mountains is excellent and the murder mystery has plenty of twists and viable suspects.  The book flows smoothly and kept my interest, it is a delight to read. The killer confrontation is short but exciting and while I had run through all the suspects so it wasn't a complete surprise, it wasn't my top guesses.  Well done.  

This series provides a more mature sleuth that has been around the block and is in her second chapter of life which is a welcome lead. I highly recommend this cozy mystery. 

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list

Mystery Movie Review - Three Pines

The bestselling Inspector Gamache mystery series by Louise Penny is the basis for this television series.  The books are up to 18 in the series at this writing. There was a made-for-TV movie of the first book, Still Life, staring Nathaniel Parker in 2013.  But this television series is through Amazon Prime and stands out as exemplary.  The first season has eight episodes containing four murders in two-part segments.  A season two is hoped for but no definitive decision has been reached by Amazon studios yet.

What it's about:

Three Pines is a police procedural where murders are investigated in the small Canadian town of Three Pines in Quebec.  "The empathetic and astute Chief Inspector Gamache is tasked with solving a number of mysterious and perplexing murders in the strange but beguiling village of Three Pines. Assisted by his trusted team; the combative and troubled Sargent Jean-Guy Beauvoir, the intelligent Indigenous working mother Sargent Isabelle Lacoste, and the accident-prone rookie Agent Yvette Nichol, the group are initially treated suspiciously by the village's residents. Despite the cool welcome, Gamache can't help but find himself oddly drawn to this unusual place and its eccentric residents, including the owners of the Bistro, Gabri and Olivier, artists Peter and Clara, psychologist turned bookshop owner Myrna, gallery owner Bea, and the irascible poet Ruth. 

The deeper Gamache delves into the secret lives of these people who have found sanctuary from the outside world in Three Pines, the more it affects him. The series also interweaves a dark, mysterious, serial-story, which uncovers police failings to properly investigate cases of missing Indigenous women, as well as corruption at the heart of the provincial Sûreté du Québec police force." IMDB "Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec police force sees things that others do not: the light between the cracks, the mythic in the mundane, and the evil in the seemingly ordinary." Wikipedia

Cast:

Alfred Molina (DaVinci Code, Chocolat, Spider-Man2) as Inspector Gamache

Rossif Sutherland (son of Donald Sutherland) is Sargent Jean-Guy Beauvoir

Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers plays Sargent Isabelle Lacoste

Sarah Booth plays Agent Yvette Nichol

Tantoo Cardinal (Dances with Wolves, Longmire, Wind River) plays Bea Mayer

Rotten Tomatoes 78% 

"A collection of intelligent two-hour mysteries that fans of Agatha Christie or even Columbo should watch." Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com  

"For now, this short-but-sweet adaptation offers a sweeping cinematic taste of cultures and stories that are deserving of the global platform Prime Video offers, all while doing justice to the best-selling novels on which they’re based." Amber Dowling of Variety

"The adaptation for television depicts the mistreatment of First Nations people in Canada and has drawn praise for its unflinching realism." Dan Bilefsky of New York Times

Trivia:

• Filmed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada by Amazon Studios production company. Specifically, outdoor scenes in the village are filmed in Saint-Armand.
• Alfred Molina says Gamache's super-power is his intelligence and compassion.
• While the show is based in a fictional town, it is believed that Three Pines is based on author Louise Penny's hometown, Knowlton-located in the town of Brome Lake in Southern Quebec.
• The Canandian author of the books, Louise Penny, is also executive producer on the series

My Thoughts:

I love Alfred Molina's portrayal of Inspector Gamache. He gives a stellar performance making Gamache a true example of what a police officer should be.  The other cast members elevate their characters as well.  The cinematography is both unobtrusive, grand, and atmospheric in turns.  The slight mystical touches are deft and nuanced.  I highly recommend this polished and stylish adaptation of the novels and eagerly hope for another season.  This is absorbing mystery television.

Movie Trailor:

Review - Front Page Murder

Today we are checking out a brand new historical cozy mystery series. One of my favorite eras for historical books is the World War II time period and this book puts us in small town America during the war.  I had to check it out.

Author: Joyce St. Anthony

Copyright: March 2022 (Crooked Lane Books) 300 pgs

Series: 1st in Homefront News Mysteries

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical Cozy

Main Characters: Irene Ingram, Acting Editor-in-Chief of Progress Herald

Setting: WWII era, small town Progress Pennsylvania

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review, Netgalley

Book Blurb:   "Irene Ingram has written for her father’s newspaper, the Progress Herald, ever since she could grasp a pencil. Now she’s editor in chief, which doesn’t sit well with the men in the newsroom. But proving her journalistic bona fides is the least of Irene’s worries when crime reporter Moe Bauer, on the heels of a hot tip, turns up dead at the foot of his cellar stairs.

 An accident? That’s what Police Chief Walt Turner thinks, and Irene is inclined to agree until she finds the note Moe discreetly left on her desk. He was on to a big story, he wrote. The robbery she’d assigned him to cover at Markowicz Hardware turned out to be something far more devious. A Jewish store owner in a small, provincial town, Sam Markowicz received a terrifying message from a stranger. Moe suspected that Sam is being threatened not only for who he is…but for what he knows.

 Tenacious Irene senses there’s more to the Markowicz story, which she is all but certain led to Moe’s murder. When she’s not filling up column inches with the usual small-town fare—locals in uniform, victory gardens, and scrap drives—she and her best friend, scrappy secretary Peggy Reardon, search for clues. If they can find the killer, it’ll be a scoop to stop the presses. But if they can’t, Irene and Peggy may face an all-too-literal deadline." 

My Thoughts:   The characters range from Irene Ingram, a very capable acting-editor for the town paper facing the men challenging her leadership, her best friend Peggy Reardon encouraging her, her fiance's father is the police chief and genuinly likes her, and her mother's boarder Katherine Morningside who looks like a movie star and works in the factory.  The townspeople and main characters were all believeable and well drawn.  I felt the character of the town with its good folks and prejudice ones.  I loved how the era was brought to life with loved ones off fighting the war, rationing begining, and victory gardens etc.

The mystery got hold of me and the plot and pacing had me eager to read.  The climatic killer reveal was dramatic and tense just as I love it. This new series has me hooked and I highly recommend to fans of historical mysteries. A great addition to the historical cozy genre that I am eager to read the next in the series.  

Rating:  Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend. 

New Year-Fresh Start

Happy New Year!  Ready for 2023?  

As we face a new year, many are setting resolutions or goals for the next twelve months.  While it is good to have goals, check out the post I wrote two years ago about micro-changes that makes it easier (click here).  

Also, as you look at the next twelve months and what you want to accomplish, consider a vision board.  Vision boards don't have to be big, you can always use a sheet or several sheets of paper and doodle, write, and attach pictures.  

However you approach setting your desires for the year into goals, here are some tips: 1) write it down with details, 2) define how you will measure your progress along the way, 3) make sure your goal is achievable-actually doable, 4)  acknowledge the practical requirements necessary to meet your goals.

For well rounded goals here are some life areas to consider, although you don't have to do a goal for each area this provides a beginning point for defining what you want that you may not have considered before.  Here are 9 life areas to consider:

• Self (talents, values, character, mental enrichment)
• Emotional Self (emotional outlet, support system or therapy, self-love, and self-compassion)
• Spiritual (practices, uplifting, sacred spaces, soul nourishment)
• Relationships (family, friends, colleagues)
• Financial (cash flow, budget, investments, savings)
• Network (key people, online communities)
• Physical environment (home, office, possessions)
• Body (strength, health, radiance)
• Nature environment (wildlife, seasons, outdoor spaces)

In case you have financial goals that involve saving money, Here is a expense tracker to help you with budgeting (click here).  I did a post a few years ago on the 52 week saving challenge that also might be of interest (click here).

Another financial concept that has gained some traction in the last several years that might be of interest is a "No Spending Challenge."  A no-spend money challenge is where you don’t spend any money (besides essentials if absolutely needed) for a specific time period.  The time period can be for just a weekend, a full week, or even a full month.  This sort of challenge helps you to save money for many things, including building savings for unexpected expenses that arise, such as a last-minute trip, or car repairs. Or even to build an emergency fund, or to pay down debt. Some people have specific debts they want to pay off or down, like a car or save for a home down payment.

If you are considering a full week there is planning involved to make sure you have enough food and regular/necessary supplies ahead of time. A full month is even more planning and preparation for necessities.  

You’ll also have to cut all extracurricular activities from your schedule that aren’t free.  Keep track of your spending with a visual tracker. Having a visual tracker that you can look at daily will get you excited about saving.  Here is a tracker you can download if this is of interest (click here).

This is a list of non-essentials that you don't spend on during the challenge:

• Entertainment
• Impulse purchases
• Take-outs
• Alcohol
• Non-essential personal care such as makeup or perfume
• Tickets to most events
• Starbucks
• New clothes or shoes
• Home decor
• Hobbies
• Eating out (make meals at home, pack a lunch for work, thermos of coffee to work)
• Unsubscribe from "deal" or "Sale" email alerts

Whatever your goals, don't create stress with unrealistic goals.  Keep reading my friends, you don't need a goal or target, just enjoy!