Category Archives: No spend challenge

No Spend Challenge And Shoe Buying

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When I talk about doing a No Spend Challenge, people often dismiss the idea and tell me that I’ll just run out and buy a bunch if things when it’s over. I’ve been doing this every winter since 2018 and can honestly say that it has never worked that way for me.

I think that’s because I use this time to work on habit and mindset changing rather than just on not spending money.

January was pretty strict but February allowed for a some spending including for Valentine’s Day and my mother’s birthday. I had to eat out a couple of times and spent $25 on a congratulations present for myself after receiving good news at work. Otherwise, I bought groceries and paid bills as planned.

Last night I bought a pair of shoes for work that wasn’t budgeted for but was needed. There’s actually a story behind this.

I found myself at the office one day this week wearing a pair of dress boots that look fine but that are worn out. Foot health is important so I’m a firm believer in good shoes.

Yet, there I sat wearing painful shoes all day long.

I started thinking about how many times lately I’ve had sore feet and how I have a couple of other pairs of shoes that need to go. I am not a poor person and I can afford to buy what I need. So I went to the shoe store last night with a list. I was in the market for dress shoes, dress boots and walking shoes. I found one of the three and was glad for it.

The problem is that the selection in stores isn’t that great and what they have often isn’t made that well. I hate to keep buying shoes that will wear out in no time.

As I stood in a sea of shoes that I didn’t want, I thought about all those people who told me I was wasting my time because I would just overspend later. Even when I need l to spend and have an excuse to do so, I just can’t seem to pull it off.

I’m continuing the challenge into March with a budget line item for shoes. As part of this process, I’ll be decluttering the shoes in my closet.

I’m trying to think of anything else I might need to budget for this month and am coming up dry. I have a trip planned for late April so I’m hoping to carry the challenge through the end of March or perhaps mid April.

It seems to me that the habits I wanted to change are in good shape. I’m cooking most meals, solving food waste issues, cutting impulse buys, and changing how I look at the excessive amount of badly made stuff in stores.

That’s pretty darn good, if you ask me. Best of all, the money saved now will fund things I value later this year. Adventure season will be here before we know it!

Are you doing a No Spend or Low Spend Challenge? I would love to hear about it.

Around Here- February Edition

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Around here, we are solidly in winter and it’s a real winter unlike some recent ones where there’s been little snow. It’s cold AND snowy right now. I like the snow but dislike waking up on these subzero nights to run water so it doesn’t freeze. Keeping the bird feeders full has been something of a project as well. My feathered friends are desperate for nourishment in our frozen world.

Around here, work is keeping me occupied and is occupying my thoughts outside of work hours too. It’s that time of year and I have to remind myself that this too shall pass. Consequently, I’m throwing all my energy into protecting my own mental health.

To that end, I’m spending a lot of time curled up with a blanket and a book. In fact, I’m about six books ahead toward meeting this year’s reading goal. Don’t be impressed though. I’ll soon start falling behind. When the weather warms up, I’ll be out adventuring instead of home reading. I’m savoring every word and every page right now, grateful there are so many smart people out there who write good books.

I am thoroughly enjoying my reading and quiet as I chip away at the book stack that’s now occupying a good chunk of my dining room table. It’s a visual reminder of all the amazing books awaiting my attention and a reminder of how much I enjoy the written word.

Around here, I’m also enjoying the sixth season of All Creatures Great and Small. This is not a reboot of the original tv show but a reimagining of the amazing stories written by author James Herriot. Set in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales in the years leading up to (and now at the end of) World War II, this show is quite literally the only thing I look forward to seeing. It is a tragically short season of just seven episodes. It’s one of those shows that I will watch and rewatch because it’s simply that well done. I once heard a critic refer to it as slow tv, an annoying but apt description as the show focuses on the people and animals rather than explosive one-upmanship like so many other modern tv shows.

Around here, slow tv is a welcome part of my attempts at slow living. Those slow living efforts are made easier by the continuation of my No Spend Challenge. This continues to go well and be fun but I’m suddenly very tired of deciding what to cook and feeling like doing dishes is my full time job. I know this is just a phase but I sometimes think how delightful it would be to just order pizza.

Around here, Scout has been cozying up in the strangest places, finding warmth and comfort wherever he can. He’s a funny guy and a good little companion who is thrilled to have me home more this winter.

Around here, I’m snug and happy in my snow globe world, thankful for my job and all the comforts it brings to my life -even if I’m in the midst of a rough patch.

And as always, I believe that having things to look forward to is a key to happiness so I’m working on making sure that I have plenty to anticipate including a weekend away with my Pittsburgh pal this spring.

Around here, life is pretty good.

No Spend Challenge Month One

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Scout is always watching.

Today is January 31 and technically the end of my No Spend Challenge. I started on December 30 so I’ve had a pretty good run so far. This isn’t the end though. I’m just going to recalibrate and keep going for a while longer.

This month has been great. I accomplished some goals but still have some work to do. This challenge isn’t about saving money so much as it is about changing habits. I’m not fighting urges but still need more time because the world is a rough place when you live in such a consumeristic time.

It’s amazing to me how much advertising and suggestion we are exposed to in a day whether you’re out walking around, home watching tv or scrolling on your phone. Even when watching a tv show with no commercials you are being sold products and lifestyle.

Social media has rebranded overconsumption as cute, organized, chic or simply the thing that everyone is doing. If you see videos of people unpacking Walmart hauls, redecorating their homes with new furniture every year, or decanting their prepackaged snacks into cute little containers that make their pantry look like a store you know what I mean.

It’s no wonder Americans are so wasteful with money and other resources. We see it modeled everywhere we look.

Meanwhile, I’ve cooked most meals this month using mostly things I already had. Bills are paid and my budget has been obeyed this month. Mind you, my challenge these days isn’t nearly as strict as it once was. For example, I allowed myself to keep the Book of the Month subscription. My job took me to a bookstore for a writing assignment and I bought two books while there because I couldn’t go representing my job and leave empty handed.

These things were budgeted but the budget was for the amount of books, not the cost of them. Remember, I’m here to change habits and buying books is a hard habit that I don’t want to break but do need to harness.

I’ve barely been inside a store since last month and haven’t been tempted by any online shopping. Life in my snow globe using what I own has been pretty awesome.

Last night I combined a can of tomato basil soup with half a bag of frozen cheese ravioli to make the absolute best and unexpected comfort food. The leftovers will be amazing. I intended to use half the contents in my refrigerator freezer this month and probably have. It’s not nearly as full even though I’ve added a few leftovers for later.

Mt craft room is as organized as it has been in years. I still need to vacuum in there. Some shelves need organized better and I have two containers to sort but I’m gonna go ahead and start celebrating the fact it’s safe to open the door and let Scout explore.

Plus, I have read twelve books this month.

I’m calling January a success.

Next month, I have budgeted for a birthday gift for my mother and a Valentine’s Day excursion with my fella but will otherwise continue with the January rules.

I know people whose No Spend Challenges are extremely strict. Mine were in the beginning years too but I’ve found over time that it’s more productive to plan for life’s extras rather than pretend they don’t exist. I’m not going to say no to our Valentines tradition just because it involves spending a little money when it’s something we both enjoy and delaying it a month sounds silly.

If you’re thinking about trying a challenge like this, I want you to know that saving cash is a wonderful side effect but that’s temporary if you go back to your old ways as soon as the challenge ends. In my world, there is no list of things to go buy when it’s over. That wouldn’t contribute to habit change at all.

My goal is to learn my own triggers and find ways to combat them in the future. And yes, the past has taught me that I will eventually fall back into some bad habits.

That’s why I do this every year – to reset and improve. I am human after all.

If you’re considering a No Spend Challenge, February is a great month to try because it’s the shortest. It’s only 28 days!

No Spend Update: January 20

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It’s January 20 so I’m about a third of the way through my January No Spend Challenge. After doing this for nine years, I’m surprised to still learn things about myself and still enjoy the creativity that the rules foster.

If you don’t know what my No Spend Challenge is all about, you can get the details here.

In case you’re following along, here are a few notes since my last post.

  • I’m working through some odds and ends from the refrigerator freezer. It’s a mishmash of leftovers, remnants, and good intentions. My goal is to whittle it down to less than half full by month’s end. So far, I’ve used up leftover Beyond meatballs, frozen veggies, pasta and cheese for a creative dish that turned out great. Half a bag of tater tots and some stray steak fries were the base for a delicious breakfast casserole. Several leftovers that were frozen in the last month or two have been used up. Things are going well and I enjoy getting creative.
  • Grocery shopping remains my hardest area. My pantry and freezer are stocked but it’s hard for me to not grab deals when possible. I rotate my stock but tend to keep the shelves overflowing. This is what happens when you grow up in the country, influenced by people who remembered the Great Depression. You never know when a winter storm, illness, or some other life event will prevent you from getting to the store. In my defense, I understand my own habits. A stop at the store to pick up one need typically leads to buying a bunch of extras I don’t need. Ultimately, staying stocked up within my own boundaries will save money, This is still an area I need to focus on. To that end, I hope to make it until the end of the month before my next grocery shop.
  • All of my meals except for four this month have been prepared by my own hands. Two were fast food after work when packing food wasn’t possible and when I couldn’t wait till I got home. The the third was with my folks, and the fourth was in a restaurant with my fella. Once upon a time, I was strict about not letting someone else buy because they thought the challenge was brought on by hardship or because they were trying to give me a way to skirt the rules. It’s not brought on by hardship and I don’t want a break but I do allow my fella to treat me when we are out because it makes him happy.
  • I got an alert from Ebay that something I really wanted was available and on sale. Southern writer Rick Bragg narrated the audiobook for his near masterpiece “The Best Cook In The World.” It was published on CD but is no longer being made and has been nearly impossible to find used. This is something I really want and I can hardly wait to listen to it. The $19.21 spent was a good investment as far as I’m concerned and waiting a few weeks wouldn’t serve me well at all because it may not be available by then.
  • I got a haircut. This was a planned and budgeted expense. Since my beautician is thirty minutes from home, I always batch the haircut trip with other things. This time it was a grocery trip and a stop for gasoline. And yes, I did tip her. Remember, a No Spend Challenge is no excuse to be a cheapskate.
  • I haven’t made any kind of lists for future purchases. This is a good tactic if there’s an itch you want to scratch but don’t want to actually buy. Sometimes shopping for the thing or writing a list is enough but I haven’t needed this coping mechanism. People seem to assume that a challenge like this is followed by binge shopping but that isn’t how I roll. Instead, I like to hold onto my newly improved mindset as long as possible.
  • I’ve been doing some decluttering and am gradually organizing my craft room. Some years I gamify decluttering but don’t feel the need to do that right now. I’m just trying to keep it front of mind. The craft room is on track to be mostly organized by January 31. Nothing makes you want to not shop quite like decluttering all the stuff you once thought you couldn’t live without. On a related note, I found the painting that’s pictured above while doing some organizing. It’s a winter scene on slate that my aunt Florene painted long ago. I have always admired her skill and was excited to find a good place to display this.
  • I’ve been reading a lot more than normal and am several books ahead of pace in my 2026 goal. I’ve been cooking more than normal and focusing my attention inward which is a wonderful side effect of my version of a No Spend Challenge. Another behavioral change is that I make sure my water bottle is always full when I get in the car. There’s no reason to stop for a drink when I can stay hydrated with what I have. This is a small but important thing because this small purchase often leads to more.

It’s hard to believe that we are already in the second half of January. At this time, I plan to keep the challenge rolling into February with a budget modification that includes a Valentine’s Day excursion with my fella and a birthday gift for my mother.

I’ll keep you posted!

No Spend Challenge 2026

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Here we go again. It’s January and that means I’m in the midst of a No Spend Challenge. This tradition began back in 2018 and it has gradually transformed from something that was endured to something I enjoy.

The last couple of years have also reminded me of how privileged I am that this is something I do for a a month or two a year rather than a forced and permanent lifestyle.

So many people are truly struggling. I don’t know how people are feeding and keeping shoes on their kids. Many elderly folks are choosing between food and medicine for themselves and care for beloved pets. So I know that my rules, lessons and reminders sound downright tone deaf in a society where so many struggle.

Don’t think that’s lost on me.

Here are the basic rules I set for myself.

  1. Pay bills.
  2. Buy gas and pay for vehicle maintenance. This is how I get to work and a non-negotiable.
  3. Buy groceries when needed. This means I use what I have first and buy what may be needed to complete a recipe or pull together a meal.
  4. Buy what is needed and pay for necessary repairs. If my hot water heater dies, I replace it. If I realize my snow boots are worn out, that could pose harm to my body. They need replaced but I don’t get to go shopping for other shoes for fun.
  5. There are sometimes pre-approved non-essential expenses. One of those is coming up this week when I interview a small business for work. I never like to leave one of these interviews empty handed and will give myself a budget to buy something.
  6. Eat out when there’s really no choice. This means packing lunch and carrying a water bottle and snacks when I leave home. Sometimes I find myself in work situations that require eating lunch out but I can’t pick up pizza just because I’m too lazy to cook.

What’s the point of all this?

Well, it’s nice to save some money. It also teaches me something about myself and helps me reset habits, ultimately leading to some long term benefits.

When I can’t stop for a Diet Coke, I drink the water that’s in the cup holder next to me. That saves a couple of bucks but, more importantly, it’s better for my health. I’m not stopping at the Dollar General down the road just to see what they have or to get one $5 thing that quickly adds up to $30 worth of impulse buys.

These things sound small but 24 ounces of water instead of a fake sweetened drink is a lot. Thirty dollars here and there add up.

We are, after all, a sum of our habits.

When I’m not spending, that means I’m not running around so much. I’m staying home more. I’m using what I have to prepare delicious meals and experimenting with baked goods. This weekend I discovered a woman in Kentucky named Mamaw Gail who gifted the world her biscuit recipe via a Facebook video. They are delicious, simple and easy.

I’m taking care of what I have, cleaning my home, decluttering what I no longer need, and getting more rest.

This time I have some more refined goals.

One is health related. Water, sleep, relaxation, nutrition and movement are all part of this attempt to calm my nervous system. Less stress and more relaxation. Less sitting and more doing. More play. More of what makes me happy.

Another is to focus on using up the odds and ends in the refrigerator freezer. I have a chest freezer for longer term storage but the refrigerator is where I keep things that need used up. Half a bag of frozen broccoli, two veggie burgers, and tomato soup I froze last month languish next to a bag of cauliflower rice I’ve been meaning to use. I accidentally bought frozen spinach which I do not like. I need to find a recipe that uses it up. My goal is for that freezer to be half full instead of stuffed to the gills by the end of this month.

I also intend to read a lot. Plus, there’s a writing project gnawing at my brain and a craft room with so much potential. I’m getting closer to making it nice enough use!

What won’t I be doing?

I won’t be shopping for entertainment. I won’t be seeking out new products to try just because they exist. I won’t be clicking on ads. I won’t be accumulating lists of things to run out and buy at the end of the challenge. I won’t be counting down the days until it’s over. I won’t be looking for loopholes or pouting because I can’t buy something.

If there’s an impulse to buy something, I can look through what I own and see if there’s a good alternative already in my possession. What can I use or do instead of running out and buying something?

You know, it wasn’t that long ago that people didn’t go to the store or eat out all the time. They couldn’t order from Amazon the random things they think they need the minute they think of them. The Great Depression forced people to live with the mantra “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.” I’m not advocating that anyone do without but there’s something to be said for using fully the thing you already own.

A No Spend Challenge is meant to be personalized to your own lifestyle but it isn’t for everyone. I know people with spouses or children who would simply refuse to participate. Others among us just aren’t interested or have an incompatible lifestyle.

For me, it’s a lifestyle reset and a chance to gain insight into my own habits and preferences. I always learn something about myself and one of those things is that I often curate bad habits during the holidays. There’s way too much shopping, eating out, and overall abundance that can easily become longterm habits.

I’m not saying that anyone should do this. I’m saying this is what I do and it has served me well. That first year or two were hard but it now almost feels like a game. After the gluttony and overconsumption of the holidays, this is a timely reminder that my value in this world is more than just a consumer.

I have written on this topic in the past if you want to search for previous challenges. I’ll write more this month too!

First Saturday

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It’s the first Saturday of a new year. How will you spend it? We get just 52 of them in 2026 so it’s best to spend the time wisely.

It’s also the first weekend of my No Spend Challenge so I’ll be home, doing home things and hopefully reading. I’m in the middle of a page turner. In fact, I fell asleep reading last night, waking up to the book hitting my face.

How lovely it is to fight sleep in favor of just one more page!

It’s also lovely to have a furry little friend to check on you and curl up close. Scout will be glad to keep me company while we relax today.

This is how I want to spend this day. It’s a choice and I’m glad for it. Wherever you are, I hope you are choosing to do something that brings you joy and peace as well.