Tag Archives: No spend challenge

No Spend Challenge Update

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Even after all these years of doing an annual No Spend Challenge, I have to occasionally remind myself why I do what I do. It requires checking in with my habits and employing my 2024 word of the year. In other words, I REJUVINATE the why and the commitment behind my temporary no spending habits. 

If you’re not familiar with my No Spend Challenge, you can click here to read a recent story and here’s the story about my word of the year.

The fact something is important to us doesn’t mean we can take our commitment for granted. We all sometimes need a boost to keep us on the right path. So far, this month has gone pretty well. 

  • All bills are paid.
  • Groceries have been purchased.
  • Things that are important to me are taken care of.
  • No shopping for entertainment.
  • Eating out has been avoided as much as possible.

In case you’re struggling with your challenge and think I’m bragging about being perfect, let’s take a deep dive into what I’m saying here. 

  • Groceries – I keep my pantry and freezer stocked well enough that I never have to go to the store. This week, I needed specific ingredients for a special meal and I stopped at the store to grab a few needs that were accompanied by some frozen food deals outside my regular grocery shopping.  I didn’t need them right now but stashing them away for cheap now means I don’t have to buy them for full price later. Why is that important? Those dollars saved will mean gas in the tank for a daytrip this summer!
  • Things that are important are taken care of – This is vague, isn’t it? When I went to pick up a rental car last week because mine lost the contest against the deer, they required a cash deposit. This was a need and it was important. I’m gathering items to donate to a thrift store with a cause I support and plan to give them some cash while I’m there. This isn’t necessary but it’s important to me. 
  • Entertainment shopping – This one is the hardest for me because I truly enjoy shopping even when I’m not buying. Antique malls, thrift shops and TJ Maxx all call my name. I don’t think I’ve bought a single thing in a store other than groceries since late December with one exception. I was in downtown Chillicothe Friday night. I long ago made a pact with myself that anytime I’m close to Wheatberry Books I will stop and make a purchase. Even if it’s small, I want to support having a bookseller nearby. This probably aligns more closely with taking care of important things. I gave myself a budget for one book but panicked when I got inside and bought two. Imperfect but that’s ok. Supporting a small business I like is important to me.
  • Eating out – This one is tricky. Technically, I have paid for one fast food meal. That was the day I picked up the rental car at lunch and really didn’t want to wait to eat at home. Nine bucks on a fish sandwich, fries and drink. However, I have actually eaten in restaurants two other times when other people were buying. One was a work lunch and it was a fluke that I didn’t have to pay. Also, I went into this challenge planning to buy a meal out with a friend. However, my handsome fella went with me to meet my friend and insisted on buying. He’s such a gentleman. Otherwise, my tally would ordinarily be much higher. Also, I bought a bottle of water one day because my water bottle was in my banged up car. 

There are things not reflected in the bottom line. For example, I spent a lot of Sunday fighting off the temptation to go antiquing because I was just “in the mood” to go see what was out there. So I spent a lot of that day cleaning in my craft room. This is the place where all my extra home decor, craft supplies and every other random thing gets shuffled around like deck chairs on the Titanic. Truly, the room is awful and is tangible, undeniable proof of bad decisions made over the years. Nothing makes you want to not shop like facing a pile of stuff you have bought. 

I gathered up about 80 things from this room to give away. There’s a large stack of boxes to recycle and a bag of trash to go out. This went a long way toward scratching that itch to treasure hunt outside my home. 

The point of all this is to say that, even after all these years, I still need gentle reminders that I do this challenge for a reason and that the reason is controlling bad habits and cultivating better ones that will serve me. It seems I would have learned the lesson after all these years of repetition. You know something? That’s ok. I am only human after all and sometimes humans need reminding that what’s easy or what we want right now may not be the thing we need or want for the long distance.

A little rejuvenation goes a long way!

Who’s doing a No Spend Challenge? Comment and tell me all about it!

No Spend Challenge – Day Six

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This is day six of my No Spend Challenge. So far, things have mostly gone as planned. There was an unplanned doctor visit and some OTC medicine and I stopped at the store for some produce to get me through this coming week. Every dollar spent was well within bounds of my rules and nothing was spent on anything unnecessary – not even a book! 

This was my first week back to work after the holidays and I was a bit sluggish so evenings were quiet. I decluttered a few things and tidied my laundry room. I enter the house through this room. It’s where shoes are kicked off and where a tall open shelving unit serves as a pantry. It also tends to be messy so it  was a relief to clean up this space because it was starting to cause anxiety. 

There remains a long list of things that need done and things I want to do that will keep me entertained through the winter. 

The No Spend Challenge is most successful when I focus on my own thoughts and actions. Nothing makes me appreciate not shopping like decluttering and nothing makes me appreciate staying home like feathering my nest and being cozy inside. While cleaning last night, I discovered no fewer than a half dozen bottles of shampoo of different brands languishing in the cupboard. There’s clearly no need to buy more until this supply is exhausted. It makes me wonder how much more excess lurks in the corners of my home. 

THIS is part of the purpose behind a no spend challenge. It isn’t about deprivation or about being miserable. It’s about taking a hard look at how you live, the excess that fills your home and the choices you make. It’s about being happy with what you have. 

One day next week, I’ll have to buy lunch while out with colleagues. Eating out right now is problematic because of nutritional changes I have made but, as far as the challenge goes, this is fine. Dining out because there’s no choice is acceptable but it’s not ok if I’m just doing it because cooking is hard. So far, every morsel of food I have eaten since January 1 has been prepared by my own hands – nothing processed and nothing from a restaurant – and I’m much happier. 

Are you doing a No Spend Challenge? How’s it going? This is my sixth year and I look forward to it each time. I’m always curious to hear other people’s stories!

No Spend Challenge 2024

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My annual No Spend Challenge is about to begin and I am looking forward to it with enthusiasm that ought to be reserved for the release of a favorite author’s new book or a hot shower after a long day. 

This will be my sixth January challenge and it has become such an important part of my annual routine I can’t imagine not doing it. 

Here’s what happens: 

I don’t spend money on anything unless I have to. It’s that simple. Yet, it’s not that simple because it’s not really about the money. It’s about realigning behaviors and expectations. It’s about helping myself to lean into this delightful season of hibernation and of hygge. It’s about socking away money for adventures later in the year. It’s about exercising my creative muscle to problem solve without spending money and about using what I already own to focus on a life of plenty. 

It’s about proving that my value is more than just being a consumer in a society where consumption is king. 

After months of adventure, months of scouring antique malls, months of doing as I please out in the world, it feels amazing to come home and stay here. After a holiday season of excess, it seems important to take a step back – to put together a puzzle, read a book, go for a hike and dig around in the freezer to make something fabulous with ingredients I have on hand. 

January is one of my favorite months, partly because of this challenge. 

Lots of people do these challenges throughout the year. Some wait until February because it’s a short month.  It’s my challenge so I make my own rules and try to stretch it through January and February. Here are my rules:

  • Bills are paid. 
  • I buy things I need. This includes gas for the car, toiletries, cat food and groceries.
  • This is not a time to shop for entertainment. No browsing antique malls and thrift stores or stopping at the dollar store to see if they have anything new. No online browsing either. 
  • I shop my pantry and freezer first and buy what’s needed to piece together healthy meals. My grocery spending is mostly fresh produce and eggs because I keep everything else well stocked. This is my chance to use that can of pears that’s been languishing in the pantry for two years. 
  • Self care is important. That means meals still need to be healthy, doctor visits, dental care and chiropractic tune-ups still happen when needed. 
  • Habit awareness is important too. I know some things about myself that I need to look out for and prepare to avoid. One is that I either carry my reusable water bottle everywhere or take it nowhere. A drink on the road is just a few bucks but it’s unnecessary and it’s avoidable if I have my bottle. Also, every trip to the grocery store costs a baseline amount of money so I like to limit my exposure by going to the store less. This means being conscious of the things that keep me running to the store. I can’t run out of toothpaste, cat food, deodorant or eggs. A quick trip into the grocery for a dozen eggs will cost much more than just the eggs. 
  • An urge or a belief it’s necessary to buy something is an opportunity to explore motivation and creative possibilities. Do I really need the thing? Can I delay the purchase  to give it more thought? Will my interest wane if I wait a week? Can I borrow what l think I need from someone else? If I lose my good gloves, can I shop my closet for another pair? If I really don’t have anything that works, I can go buy what I need but am not permitted to shop for other fun stuff.
  • Having fun is important. That’s why I always sit down and make a list of things I can do that don’t require spending money. Hiking is a favorite activity and there’s no admission. Staying in and reading a book or taking a bubble bath feels luxurious. Free events and resources can be found at your local library. Consider the things you value and look for free ways to enjoy them.
  • There may be exceptions. I want to meet a friend for lunch one day soon and will need to pay for my meal. I will absolutely allow for this. If I have a work meeting and need to eat with my coworkers, buying lunch and leaving a good tip is still allowed. If I’m just hungry and too lazy to go home and cook, this isn’t a reason to make an exception. 

There are a number of ways to stay focused on the challenge. One is to track how much money you’re saving by writing down how much you didn’t spend every time you feel the urge to buy. This is shocking the first time you do it. Transferring extra money to savings is fun too! 

Decluttering is a terrific way to stay on track and to improve your home. After all, nothing makes you want to not drag home more stuff than studying how much stuff you already own and letting go of what you don’t need.  

I want to take a delivery of decluttered items to the new thrift store in Athens that I wrote about last week. While there, I will likely give myself a small budget to either donate or maybe nose around and see if there’s something truly special that I need. Honestly, anytime I do this, I find the budget is unnecessary and leave empty handed. My mindset has changed.

A couple of things to note:

  • This challenge isn’t about deprivation. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. It’s about living a life of plenty by retraining your brain to find a solution other than buying more stuff or thinking that entertainment must cost money. 
  • A lot of people reward themselves when they’re done by saying they can buy a treat or even go on a shopping trip to celebrate their successful challenge. Say no to this. Instead, reward yourself along the way with free things you enjoy. This could be a walk with a friend, baking cookies for a movie marathon with your family or taking time to sit and practice a favorite hobby. If you keep a running list of all the things you don’t buy during your challenge and then go buy them when you’re done, you have accomplished nothing. You have only delayed the inevitable. 
  • This challenge is designed to change mindset and behaviors so you have to put in the work to do just that. It really isn’t about the money. It’s about learning to manage your time and live your priorities without believing that it takes money to do those things. 

Of course, if you’re experiencing money trouble or trapped in a paycheck to paycheck cycle, it IS about the money. Everything I have said to you here still applies but a No Spend Challenge could revolutionize your money habits. 

There are extra steps you can take during this challenge that could bring long lasting change. When you stay home more, you have more time to focus on frugal choices and activities like cooking real food instead of eating convenience food. Not a good cook? Now is the time to learn some basics like scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, roasted meat, spaghetti, vegetable soup and brownies (even if they come from a box mix). 

Contact your insurance agent and ask them to shop your car and homeowners insurance. It’s a good idea to do this every year and there’s no time like the present. Look for ways to trim your expenses or to make some extra bucks. 

I read an article last week that flat out said that a no spend month is a waste of time and more or less called the act damaging. But the author clearly thinks of it as a means to deprive happiness and to just delay the random buying for another day. 

If this is what you think, I’m here to tell you that anyone who does it this way is doing it wrong. View this as an opportunity to lean into the season, to use your own smarts to be creative, and to change your mindset about collecting stuff and spending mindlessly. Learn about yourself and your habits and about how your family views money.

This should not be drudgery. It should be an enriching experience that leads to at least some permanent change in your mindset and your routines. You are more than a spender and a consumer.

Think you can’t last a month? Try a week or two and see how it goes!

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.

No Spend Challenge 2023

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Each year, I challenge myself to not spend money on unnecessary purchases during the winter. This No Spend Challenge began on December 30 so I’m starting day seven and feeling good. My initial goal is to make it through January but I really want to go through February.

Here’s the deal. This isn’t an excuse to shirk responsibilities. In my version of the No Spend Challenge, bills are paid and gas goes in the car. I eat out if I have to (almost always because of work) and I still tip generously. I buy the things I need. So if I blow the heel on my work shoes, I first shop my closet to see if there’s something usable. If not, I will go buy the needed shoes but won’t go looking for other stuff for fun.

My pantry and freezer tend to be well stocked enough that I am able to use some of those reserves. This is intentional as I live in the country and you never know when you won’t be able to make it to a grocery store when the weather turns sour. This week, I need some cat food and a dozen eggs. Maybe some bananas.

You get the idea.

It’s actually kind of fun. Ohio winters are an ideal time to hibernate. I stay home, try new recipes, feather my nest and catch up on my rest. This week I actually sat down at the piano for the first time in over a year and I have a list of small indoor projects to work on.

In fact, I wrote out a list of about fifty things I can do that don’t involve spending money. It’s mostly things here at home and using what I already own.

Society pushes on us these ideas of buying and needing stuff from the time we are born. It’s easy to forget that we are more than consumers.

When I was a kid my She-Ra action figures came with a small story book and checklist designed to help kids see how many more action figures they needed to collect the entire set. Spoiler alert- you could never have the entire set because there was always something new.

That’s right. There is ALWAYS something new. From home decor to fashion to a new flavor of chips, there is always something new to buy.

Advertising messages as far as the eye can see sell us creams to make us younger and pills to remedy all our problems. Foreigners are often surprised that pharmaceuticals are advertised as commonly as a box of cereal in America. There’s no end to the products being sold.

We even have access to the perfect pant. Yes, ladies. According to an ad in my Facebook feed last night, Spanx has created a fashion marvel so incredible they literally have named it “The Perfect Pant.” At just $158 a pair, these black pants are guaranteed to change your life or at least drain your checking account.

There’s a meme that sometimes appears on Facebook. I have mentioned it before. It asks what it takes to blow $10,000 a year. The answer is $27.40 in needless daily spending. You might not be wasting $192 a week…. Or maybe you are. It’s an interesting thing to consider.

Classic marketing slogans like Burger King’s iconic “Have It Your Way” and the unforgettable contribution from Rent To Own that assures consumers that we all deserve nice things tell us that it’s our right to drain our wallets by spending with their companies.

If I am to really have it my way, I’ll have my money in the bank where it can gain a few cents interest in anticipation of adventures on the horizon. And that is a great motivator – this idea that a dollar saved today will fund a trip to somewhere memorable later.

Lots of people seem to think I’m somehow neglecting myself or denying myself things I need. They often try to find ways around the rules on my behalf. They’ll offer to buy my lunch or argue that a gift card gives me permission to go shop. A kind, if not misguided gesture.

I tend to be quite strict with this, only occasionally stepping outside the box to buy deeply discounted items that are both a future need and a robust bargain. Last year, I found a box of Christmas cards for ninety percent off at the grocery store. They were cute and I was glad for my $1 box of cards this Christmas. Before purchasing, I did at least stop and consider my decision, choosing also to forgo the rest of the clearance section which was packed with stuff I did not need.

It is a fine line to walk. If there’s a true deal on something you will need soon, it’s silly to pass up the deal in favor of following the rules and spending more later. There’s another line to walk in all of this. You see, it is tempting to say no to everything now and then binge shop when the challenge is done. That’s why it’s important to modify behavior and thinking so the urge to spend is lessened by the end of the challenge. This could actually be a future blog story as there are several things I do to make not spending money much easier.

How will I occupy my time through this No Spend Challenge? Come back tomorrow and we will talk about it. I can assure you, I will not be bored.

Have you ever done a No Spend Challenge? I would love to hear about it!

A Key To Happiness

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Anticipation is one of my personal keys to happiness. No matter what, it’s important to always have something to look forward to. Luckily, that something doesn’t have to be big.

Sure, it’s amazing having an exciting trip to anticipate. Yet, it’s just as effective to look forward to browsing at the library or settling in on the couch with some popcorn and a movie this weekend.

I suppose this is why I like to plan as much as I do. I looked forward to my trip to see the Franklin Park lights starting the minute we scheduled it. Today I’m looking forward to a much needed tune up at the chiropractor. I lead such a glamorous life!

It is much healthier to dwell on the good in life so I’m always looking for ways to be more satisfied with what I have and to be generally more happy.

I’m also anticipating the start of my No Spend Challenge. Officially, it begins on New Year’s Day but I’m thinking Friday would be a great kick off day.

I have enjoyed months of excess – holiday shopping, eating out, travel and fun have again defined this year. At least the good has tied with the bad – the thyroid issue – for top billing.

I crave the quiet of winter and the calm that comes from a No Spend Challenge. Consequently, I’m excited to get started.

When I do this, I focus more on self care and relaxation. I go to bed early and cook nourishing foods. I read more and cozy up with a soft blanket more often. I am kinder to myself during a No Spend Month than any other time of the year. That doesn’t mean I don’t do anything. Part of this month involves decluttering, getting organized, picking up old hobbies or even trying something new.

If I adventure out of the house, it will likely be a cold Saturday hike on the way to the grocery store or maybe a morning getting lost at the library. But don’t worry. Adventure season will be here in a few months and I’ll be back at it sooner than you think!

It is incredible how full and beautiful life can be when you focus on appreciating what’s before you at home rather than constantly running around seeking more.

Stay tuned. I’ll write another day about my own No Spend Challenge rules and my perspective on what it really means. I was kind of surprised that this will be my sixth year in a row and I’ll tell you about how it all has evolved since that first year.

It wasn’t always so easy and I have never before anticipated January so eagerly as I do now. Just a couple more days of commitments and vacation fun and I’ll get started!