Tag Archives: frugal

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!

Water, Paint And Avoidance Work

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My home has been in chaos for a few weeks now. Some of the mess has been for reasons beyond my control and some because of the apathy that develops when we start to wonder why we even try.

The source of the original chaos was an issue with the well. Then other issues developed following the fix of the original problem. There were days with some combination of no water, hot water only, cold and hot here but only hot there with what the heck is going on serving as the most commonly asked question.

It was quite the situation. Then there was the problem of sediment and mud in the water lines that clogged the fixtures and made messes everywhere.

Let me tell you, if you’ve never lived with water insecurity or with a well, count yourself lucky. You have no idea how frustrating and scary it can be. I’m grateful that my dad is the water whisperer after many decades of dealing with these problems.

County water is promised to be on the way this year so we just have to limp along a little while more. Meanwhile, lots of things needed cleaned, put away, thrown away or adjusted somehow.

So what was my reaction to the mess this week? Did I do the responsible thing and deal with the leftover mess from water issues?

I did not.

Instead, I removed almost everything from my laundry room, cleaned it, painted the walls and then slowly began moving back in the things that will stay. This process left my kitchen and dining room nearly impassable because of all the piles of stuff that needed a place to rest.

Now the laundry room is mostly done but there are still piles everywhere. There’s a pile of stuff that needs to go but I don’t know where and more stuff for recycling and even more stuff for the trash. There’s also a pile of stuff that needs decisioned.

If there’s anything that I have learned it’s that life is a series of choices. The most common choice in my past evidently was “should I get rid of it now or get rid of it later” and the choice was nearly always later.

Good. Grief.

Why do we hold onto the old, the broken, the unneeded and the unwanted?

Incidentally, in the middle of sorting stuff to go back into that room, I discovered I had some vegetable broth and canned beans nearing their use by date as well as some sad potatoes.

So I did the thing that any perfectly sane person would do: I abandoned my real work and created more work for myself by making a potato and bean soup. This allowed me to use up some carrots, celery and onion languishing in the fridge and now I have soup for a few days of lunches.

It was the frugal and reasonable thing to do.

So to be clear: I made the soup to get away from the sorting that I was doing as a means to avoid the real issue of cleaning to recover from the water issues.

Phew. It’s hard to keep up around here. But if you would like to try, I have a couple of bathrooms that need a good scrub! Come on over and I will put you to work!

January 31: No Spend Challenge Update

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It’s January 31 and that means my No Spend Challenge is officially coming to an end. However, I’m retooling the rules for February. That means I’ll continue a variation of what I’ve been doing only with a few exceptions.

Meanwhile, January went well. I mostly stayed within the confines of my rules with a few exceptions including dinner out with my cousin who I haven’t seen in ages and coffee shop drinks when I met a subject for an interview at work. That coffee shop is a local business and I didn’t mind at all spending a few bucks to support them. There were also some grocery items that I didn’t technically need but were on sale and I will use. With the rising cost of groceries, I’ll take a deal on staples when and where I can. 

The fact things went well doesn’t mean there weren’t unexpected expenses. For example, Scout developed an issue that required a vet trip and an allergy shot. I would never make my cat suffer for want of a vet visit just because of my challenge. I injured myself that same day, winning a trip to urgent care and to the pharmacy for meds. However, a No Spend Challenge isn’t an excuse to avoid seeking medical care for myself either.

Of course, I did stop at Dollar General on the way home to grab something I needed. In a fit of feeling sorry for myself, I bought a Diet Coke and some sugar free candies. This was purely off script and outside the rules but it sure did taste good after the stressful couple of days I had endured.

There were other things I learned and that I noticed this month. In addition to cutting out shopping, I have seriously reduced my exposure to things and people that influence my thoughts and actions. The more distance I put between me and social media influencers, the happier I am.  

I figured out that it took precious little to transform my bedroom. A fresh coat of paint (purchased in December) did wonders and I shopped my house for things to bring it all together. Three dollars worth of craft paint updated picture frames for a gallery wall. There are things that I want to find for that room but I’m going to be very particular about buying exactly the right things. In other words, there’s no rush.

Values based spending isn’t something I have talked about here yet. This has been intentional because I suspect this will open the door to some political commentary that really isn’t welcome here. However, I will say this. I value money in the bank more than stuff on my kitchen counters. I value supporting small businesses and those that support my worldviews more than big conglomerates that lack any hint of moral character. I value the promise of adventure and travel in the near future more than I can say. I value my peace more than anything else and how I spend my time and money help me to protect that. 

We have talked a lot this month about my No Spend Challenge. Why have I brought you on this journey? I suppose I just want to encourage folks to think about spending and accumulating stuff in a different light. I have wanted you to see that when you shop, you’re also choosing how you spend your time. In that moment, you’re investing precious time. More importantly, how much time did you spend earning the money you’re trading for things? Do you want to take a vacation or retire someday? It’s easier to do these things with money in the bank instead of clutter in the closet. 

I’ve had a wonderful month of sleeping in on the weekends, purging stuff from my home, working puzzles, reading and feathering my nest. While I have missed adventuring, the weather hasn’t been good for it and I have no regrets. I’m going to continue focusing on these things with a couple of small adventures along the way in February.

One question people often ask is what I’ll buy first when this is over. It’s like they think this challenge is something to endure and just get past. I do have a little list of things to buy for my new blue bedroom. There are a couple of books and I’m starting to think about freshening up my bathroom with paint and new floors. My aim is to sort out the bathroom updates before summer.  Nothing is urgent. I won’t be out shopping anytime soon. 

Tonight’s agenda includes a regular scheduled haircut and a few groceries and supplies from the store. When I tried to make a grocery list yesterday I thought it was interesting that I couldn’t think of a thing to write on it other than water, cat food and sunflower seeds for my birds. I do have a better list than that now but it took a while to figure out. 

We will keep talking about this No Spend Challenge and how it will evolve into February. I have some more practical tips to share so stay tuned.

Cooking, Food Waste And My (Not So) Weird Habits

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If reincarnation is real, I was once a Depression era housewife. This is never more clear than during a No Spend Challenge when more time at home allows me to consciously use what I have. I was thinking about this last night while making dinner.

I’m good on a regular day but am more conscious and stricter during a challenge. 

Today is January 12 and every meal I have eaten so far this month has been home cooked. I don’t eat out much but this is still good for me because it’s so easy to order lunch when I don’t feel like packing.

Last night I found a couple of random things from the freezer that I turned into a good meal. While that was cooking, I decided to face the music and do something with three sad overripe bananas that had been staring at me. I ultimately turned them into some delicious muffins to freeze for future enjoyment. 

I have a basic banana muffin recipe but don’t especially like banana flavored stuff so I doctor them up. Every batch is an experiment. Adam likes them so at least one other person finds them enjoyable! Last night’s batch included peanut butter, blueberries and dark chocolate chunks. Best of all, I know exactly what goes in them – flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, butter, salt, and egg – a far cry from the ingredients list on store bought muffins and certainly better than a box mix. 

There are lots of things I do that I take for granted but others seem to think odd. For example, I try to use up what I have. Things that others throw away without thought always get some attention from me.

For example, I use the heal of a loaf of bread. If it’s for a sandwich, I turn the end part to the inside of the sandwich to address the texture issue some have. Sometimes I will toast it and put it on a plate with an egg over easy on top. Odds and ends of excess bread might get turned into a french toast casserole.

When nearing the end of a jar of peanut butter or spaghetti sauce, I’ll use a silicone scraper to use up as much as possible. If you cut off the end of the toothpaste tube, you’ll find several more brushes worth of toothpaste that you just can’t squeeze out. Just hold onto the piece you cut off to slip over the end of the tube.The same goes for things like lotion, face wash and shampoo.

I lean into leftovers because they are great for lunches, easily frozen for later, and often delicious when turned into something else. For example, leftover mashed potatoes are great potato cakes and random vegetables are perfect for stir fry or quiche.

I also use the freezer liberally. It’s impossible to make a small pot of soup so I lean into the excess, freezing one or two servings per package for later. I like peppers, onions and mushrooms in omelettes and on pizza. Extras of these items get added to a bag in the freezer for future use. I do the same with carrots and celery for soups. I rarely have at risk fruits but, when I do, they go in baked goods like last night’s muffins or they get frozen.

Odds and ends can often be stretched into multiple delicious meals. 

What’s left, the actual waste, either gets composted or just tossed into the edge of the woods for opossums and other hungry creatures to find. 

Food and product waste is truly disturbing to me. After all, some farmer expended much energy and money to grow the produce. Some factory did the same to make the toothpaste or a jar of spaghetti sauce. Some trucker drove miles across the country to get these things to the store for me to take the time to drive to the store, find and drag home. That’s a lot of money, time and energy. Throwing away what can still be used is nothing less than wasteful.

My No Spend Months are often tidier times in my world. I suddenly stop leaving dishes in the sink overnight. My living room is nice and tidy. Even my home office is neater. Every day feels easier to declutter. Taking care of what I own feels more important than acquiring more. 

For the last ten days, I have been in a constant state of preparation for a power outage. When you live in the hills where there are more trees than you could ever count and the winter wind and a foot of snow put you at risk of downed power lines, you learn to be ready. We have been lucky though and I’m grateful. Still, I have my indoor tent ready to go if there’s no heat. Plus, there’s plenty of water ready for drinking, flushing and cleaning – important when you need electric to operate your well. I have also been prepared with food that is good eaten cold or that will cook quickly on the grill. 

I’m not a prepper per se but I am always prepared within reason for whatever comes my way. In other words, I keep myself in a place that I never have to go to the store if I don’t want to and that a winter storm won’t be catastrophic.

None of this is outlandish to me but people act like I’m odd because I don’t like waste and see value in things others consider trash. This world is just too disposable for my taste.

I have these tendencies anyway but the skills and attention are sharpened during a challenge. Today, I will inventory the fridge and come up with a game plan for food that needs used up this week. I’m hibernating today. There will be no shopping or spending today. I’ll entertain myself with things I already own. I’m excited to have this quiet day to relax and enjoy. I’ll read, do a load of laundry and perhaps take a nap. 

Doesn’t that sound lovely?

Tell me something – how’s your month going?

No Spend Challenge Update

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This No Spend Challenge is going pretty well. I haven’t really been tempted to break the rules and I’m proud that practicing gratitude has kept me satisfied.

I have chosen to spend some weekends sleeping in, doing some purging and organizing, and using the things I already own. Nothing makes you want to stop shopping like dumping a carload of donations at the thrift store.

That said, there has been some spending outside of bills, groceries and gasoline. Work lunches on travel days have added up more than anything else. Then there was the heat pump repair last week.

Cat food supply issues have posed a challenge. Scout only eats one brand and he doesn’t like anything that involves seafood or the the word pate. The three little boys who live with my folks eat a different brand and only want seafood flavors. They also don’t approve of pate. There are lots of rules.

It is rare to find more then a few cans of what they will eat so I am making frequent trips to the store to keep all these picky little mouths fed.

I tell you that to tell you this.

For most people, every trip into a grocery or big box store will cost a set amount of money more than intended. In other words, it’s more expensive to make frequent small trips than to make one big trip unless you are highly disciplined and willing to pass on your impulses.

Pre-pandemic that amount was about twenty bucks for me but it’s higher now.

This ties in nicely with the other issue I’ve had this month. Grocery shopping is one area that I’m not great at controlling. So when I pop to the store for cat food, it’s tempting to pick up snacks and things I probably don’t need.

After all, food is a necessity. Right? Never mind the freezer at home packed with supplies.

The other night, I finally found fully stocked shelves of kitty food that the little boys will eat so I bought a ton. Then I went to Kroger to grab some produce and bottled water. I got to the checkout and and realized I had somehow forgotten that there were only six things on the list – not the usual cartload of stuff.

I spent about $40 more than intended. Is this terrible? No. Could I afford it? Yes but I didn’t need those extras – especially during a No Spend Challenge.

I’ll have an opportunity to redeem myself this week as I really do just need some produce, water and yogurt. Luckily, I won’t need to buy eggs because my aunt’s chickens are laying again! They’re pictured above – aren’t they pretty?

As much as I hate to, I think I’ll order Scout’s cat food online to save myself some hassle this time. Here’s hoping I don’t develop temporary amnesia at the store again!

I’ll keep you posted.

Veggie Quesadillas From Leftovers

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A half package of tortillas has been languishing in the cupboard for a while. One of these days I’m going to learn how to make my own so that I don’t have to buy a giant package for one person. Meanwhile, I needed to do something with the leftovers.

It just so happens that I had an abundance of veggies and some vegan cheese waiting to be tried so it was veggie quesadillas for lunch! Actually, for a couple of meals because they were excellent and I had the supplies.

I just sautéed small amounts of veggies that I already had – onion, green pepper, mushrooms, squash and broccoli in one pan.

In another nonstick pan, I put down a tortilla, added the vegan cheese, and tossed in the veggies. Then I added the top tortilla and let it all warm up and brown on both sides.

Served with some lettuce, black olives, black beans, and barbecue sauce for dipping (you read the right- bbq sauce) and it was a delicious meal.

All ingredients were things I already had that would’ve been wasted and it came together in mere minutes. The green pepper had actually seen better days and was teetering on the edge of becoming compost so I was glad to give it purpose!

What’s your go-to meal for using up leftover veggies? I do a lot of stir fries and often sautée veggies to put on top of a baked potato. When I still ate eggs, omelettes were a wonderful way to use odds and ends.

Comment and share your ideas!