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.
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!
The very best thing about January is that it’s the month of my annual No Spend Challenge. I started this tradition back in 2018 and look forward to it every year. While it started in 2018 as only a way to save money, it has evolved to be something more enriching. It is still about not spending but it’s also about better understanding my values, resetting how I spend my time, and perfecting a form of self care.
What is a No Spend Challenge? Well, that’s up to you. That’s because you make your own rules and set your own priorities. Here are mine:
I pay my bills.
I buy gas for the car.
I buy grocery, personal care and cleaning products that I need.
I stop eating out unless necessary. Sometimes I travel during my workday and lunch with colleagues is an allowed expense. Fast food because I’m too lazy to cook is not allowed.
Every other bit of spending must be assessed. If I break the heel on my favorite work shoes, I’ll shop my closet before going to the store. There will be a decent pair of shoes in there even if they aren’t my favorites. If I blow out a tire on my car, I have it replaced. My car is how I get to work and, in a rural area with no public transit, this is vital to my ability to keep my job.
This isn’t a license to be cheap. If someone is collecting cash for a coworker in need, I still give. If I eat in a restaurant, I still tip my server.
I try to make it fun!
So those are the ground rules but there’s a lot more to a No Spend Challenge than just the rules. You see, when I’m not out adventuring and spending idle time shopping, I suddenly have more free time and I spend most of it hibernating at home.
Here are some things that happen:
Less Online Time – I practice hobbies, read, declutter, clean and rest more. I purposefully walk away from my phone as much as possible given that I manage social media for work. I worry sometimes about what screen time is doing to my brain and attention span and how it will impact our society as more people exhibit signs of addiction. I still spend time on social media, googling random questions and playing in Pinterest but try to do it more mindfully.
Cook More – When I cook more, I tend to eat better. Plus, I’m using up things that might be languishing in the back of the cupboard. I went through my pantry the other day and pulled out a handful of things that are nearing their best buy date. Some canned apples will soon be apple cobbler. That’s hardly health food but I can make it with healthful ingredients and really, what’s better than a fresh baked goodie in winter? A bottle of salad dressing will make a great marinade for some roasted veggies and potatoes.
Waste Less – I am not a wasteful person but I’m more alert to potential waste during these challenges. For example, I will scan the fridge every day for things that need used or frozen. I keep a bag in the freezer for odds and ends of peppers, onions and mushrooms because this combo is my favorite in omelettes, quiche, homemade pizza and pasta dishes. Leftovers often get frozen for future enjoyment and I’m better at using what I have rather than stopping at the store for something better.
Use Up Stray Stuff – This may sound nuts but sometimes my hair gets tired of the shampoo I’m using. It’s like it no longer feels clean or it feels flat. So I switch to something else and put the other bottle away for later. But later never comes because I end up forgetting about it and buying something else. How many half used products do you own like lotions or random hair products? I shop these on-hand products more carefully before buying new.
Declutter– On a related note, I tend to declutter more in January. This year, my January goal is to declutter 100 items that I no longer need. Nothing makes you want to stop shopping quite like dealing with the massive amounts of stuff you have that you don’t need. It’s especially sobering when you realize how much you spent on that item you no longer like.
Practice Gratitude – On a related note, nothing makes you appreciate what you have quite like a No Spend Challenge. If you are satisfied and at peace with all that you have, you are less likely to want more stuff. I try to set aside time each day to stop and think about the many abundances my life provides.
Do Things You Enjoy – Every December, I begin making a list of things to do during my No Spend Month. My list includes hobbies, hiking, a chat with a friend, decluttering, movie day at home, planning a summer trip, making a new recipe, writing a short story, playing with my cat, exercise, putting together a puzzle, and rearranging things I already own to freshen up my home. My list is extremely home based and solitary because that’s how I roll. Your list might include free events at the library or hosting friends for a potluck and game night. There may be free activities in your community to get you out of the house. My list currently includes 71 activities that I enjoy.
Rest – Cutting out the extras and staying home creates more time for things that matter. For me, rest is extremely important. I don’t always sleep well and my body naturally makes me feel unrested even when it should feel good (thanks to my thyroid for this fun trick). In the winter when I’m stressing over a work project and fearful of all the bugs and germs people are passing around, I like to prioritize sleep. It’s good for you!
Build Better Habits – Ideally you won’t reach the end of your challenge and run wildly back to your pre-challenge lifestyle. I like to build better habits that will at least carry me through the season. For example, free activities, cooking at home, embracing the darkness for an earlier bedtime, creating a more healthful schedule, reading and avoiding things designed to create lifestyle dissatisfaction will make my life better.
Some years, my challenge will bleed into February. One year I made it to March 31! For the last couple of years, I have kept going through February with some modifications to accommodate an exception. This year, I would like to ensure that my better habits carry me through March. Maybe then I’ll reassess how to retool those habits to accommodate the rest of the year when I tend to be outward bound, seeking adventure and fun anytime I can. There has to be some balance!
While it’s important to make your own rules, it’s equally important to remember that there is no room for negativity and deprivation during this challenge. Unless it was in the first year, I don’t think I have ever been upset because I can’t buy something or go do what I want to do. Instead of thinking about what I can’t have or do, I focus on all that I already have and the excess room there is to enjoy it.
My challenge is different than others because I built it to suit my own tastes and boundaries, needs and interests. It’s easier for me because I don’t have a spouse and kids who don’t buy in to the idea. It’s easier for me because I genuinely believe it’s vital for human beings to embrace the winter season and that quiet time at home is as good for me as hibernation is good for the animals. The earth puts herself to bed for a reason and so should we.
So much of what I have touched on here is just a 10,000 foot view of my No Spend Challenge. I hope to take a deep dive into a few of these topics to help you make sense of them and perhaps find inspiration to do your own challenge. And if you’re not digging the concept, you still might find some inspiration for your own daily life!
I know people for whom every day is a No Spend Day because they don’t have money to spare. I know others who should be doing this because their spending habits are out of control. For many of us, the holiday season was expensive and there were demands on our time and money at every turn. This is a terrific way to reset your relationship with money, to reset how you spend your time and to just slow down your life to a more relaxing pace.
Want to know more? Ask your questions and I’ll try to answer them!
Today’s message isn’t one of frugality, creativity, encouragement or anything fun. Instead I want to share a story about an event that literally has changed everything about my life.
I spent one night last week at Mr. Wonderful’s house. This is a common but somewhat random occurance. I very easily could have gone another night but that evening worked so I went and all was right with the world. We made dinner, watched the Big Bang Theory, went out for a walk and lived our lives just as we would on any normal evening.
But at 4 a.m. I was awakened by a noise. We had a burglar inside the home.
He was just a room away from us when Mr. Wonderful ran him off.
This person picked the locks. He had a gun with a night laser. He would have made it all the way to our bedroom without us waking had it not been for a minor detail that caused him to make noise.
Up until that moment, that dark, shadowy moment on an Ohio morning, we believed that home invasions happen to other people. We believed that security systems were for other people. We believed we were safe in our own homes.
For the six people reading this right now, I am here to tell you this simply isn’t so.
Personal safety and security in your own home is just an illusion. The tooth fairy is more real than your safety. I don’t care who you are or where you live, crime can find you. And when it does, you will understand what I mean. I pray that it never happens to you but, if it does, you will understand when I say that you cannot place a value on that sense of security you have at this moment.
Regardless of your assets, regardless of how much money you have to spend, look at your home through the eyes of a would-be criminal. Are your doors secure? Locks can be picked, you know. Would you hear someone coming in a door or window? I’m guessing not. We didn’t.
What would you do if someone entered your home at 4 a.m.? Where are your kids? Would they know to hide? Would you have some way to protect yourself? How long would it take police to arrive if you called for help? Five minutes? Ten? Thirty?
You can be dead within thirty seconds of entry. They just have to find you. And if you’re asleep, if you have no warning, you are an easy target.
If you have some warning they are coming into your home, how will you defend yourself? Do you have a gun? Is it loaded? Do you even know where it is? Believe me when I say that you don’t want to go digging through a closet for your weapon if someone is already in your home. There is no time.
Load it. Use the safety. Put it close to your bed. Put it somewhere that curious little hands can’t reach it. Better yet, put it somewhere they will never find. But keep it somewhere that you can reach in a hurry. We had just a few seconds from the time they entered the upstairs. If Mr. Wonderful hadn’t acted so quickly and so beautifully, chances are we both might be dead today.
Please. As a personal favor to me – this stranger who normally shares recipes and inane thrifting tips – please take a moment to protect yourself and your family. A security system may be a good solution for you. If your budget is limited Lowes sells some home security items like door and window alarms, locks and chains and even door props that prevent your doors from opening from the outside.
Find some combination that works for you and teach everyone in your home to be safe. And then go tell your loved ones they need to protect themselves too. I don’t mean to sound like an alarmist but I really wish that no other person has to ever experience what we went through that night or live with the subsequent fear that has entered our lives.
Mr. Wonderful had a couple of valuable items stolen but they are just things. The stuff they take can be replaced. The piece of mind they take can’t be bought and sold.
I fear that it will never return to my life.
But I’m so grateful I was there that night. My fella may not have awakened on his own. If he had it may have been too late. So I’m good with trading my piece of mind for his life. I just wish it had never happened.
