You’ve decided to go on a one month no spending challenge! Yay!
Whatever the reason may be, you’ve decided to take a month off from spending.
If you’re trying to pay down debt quickly, this could really jump start your journey.
Perhaps you’re trying to save for something that means a lot to you. A month of incredible saving success may make you feel like you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.
It’s going to be challenging at times, but you got this!
Let me help you set yourself up for success.
The Rules
Pretty much the rule: Don’t spend on anything other than what is absolutely necessary for one month. It’s a one month no spending challenge, ladies.
It’s a challenge because it may be difficult
Necessities include:
- Pre-planned meals, while hopefully utilizing a good portion of what you already have in your refrigerator and pantry. If you can – take this out completely and eat from only what is already in your refrigerator and pantry.
- The gas to get to/from work and any other events or activities that were already planned.
- All necessary medical appointment co-pays and/or prescriptions.
- Any required monthly payments, such as car insurance, utilities, and debt.
Do not step foot into anywhere that may cause you to be tempted to buy something and derail your no spending month.
Some examples of where not to go this month:
- Department Stores
- Target
- Any types of Grocery stores- Walmart, Whole Foods, Kroger, etc…
- Inside of Gas stations
- Convenience stores
- Restaurants
- Craft stores like Hobby Lobby or Michael’s
- Services – like nail salons
In summary, try and not go into any establishment that sells anything or any service. 🙂
You Have to Eat
You obviously have to eat, but I included grocery stores as one of your forbidden locations.
How much you can eat out of your pantry and refrigerator will depend on your current living arrangements.
If at all possible, I would try to stick with the monthly budget at $0 for food this month. There should be plenty of ramen, rice, beans, noodles, frozen stuff, etc… in your kitchen.
However, if you already have “nothing”, rent a room, or some other reason….
Grocery online ordering for pick up is your new best friend. It’s free of charge. You can order exactly what you need to make food but not be tempted to buy anything outside of your list. Check out this article on how to save money on groceries for more detail.
Stay out of restaurants. If your friends/family invite you out to eat, explain that you’re currently on a strict budget and you’ll have to pass.
To avoid this, tell all your close friends and family that you’re going on this “no spending challenge” journey in advance so they aren’t put in an awkward position when they ask you to go out.
Let them know that you’re totally fine with taking turns eating at each other’s homes.
You have to eat but you can limit yourself to 0 going out to eat meals. Plan the whole month out so you’ll know what you are eating each day. Don’t let any leftovers in your refrigerator go uneaten.
Going out to eat is a huge expense that adds up quickly. Your one month – no spending challenge does not mean you do not eat. It does mean stay away from restaurants and fast food.
It’s 30 days. Place a countdown board somewhere you can see it and stay focused.
Take a Food Inventory
During the beginning of the month, go completely through your pantry and refrigerator.
First, throw out all the items that are expired.
Then, find the foods that are about to expire and bring them to the front of the refrigerator or pantry.
Next, go through each item and figure out what meal you can create with it. If you have pasta that is about to expire, google meals you can make with that pasta. If you’re extra savvy, come up with meals using only ingredients you already have.
Keep these items in your sight for the next 30 days and don’t shove them to the back of the pantry or refrigerator.
This will serve as your reminder that you do have things to eat. You spent hard earned dollars on each one of these products – don’t let any more expire and go to waste.
Additional Income
You’re most likely going to find some extra time on your hands while you aren’t spending money. Do not get bored and go crazy while you’re staying at home.
I would suggest finding a side hustle or hobby. You have plenty of time to research during this month and potentially create another income stream.
Find a hobby that can also earn you some side cash.
If you have 0 skills (which I doubt), get a temporary second job. If you’re somewhere working, you aren’t spending money.
Staying Out Of Stores
I’m speaking on behalf of my own issues when I say stay out of Target or anywhere similar.
You will go in for one thing and pass by 10 things that you remembered you “need”. I’m pretty sure Target has mastered the ability to strategically place items exactly in the spot that guarantees you will pick it up.
I love Target and that’s somewhat of a personal problem.
When I say stay out of malls and department stores, I mean do not come within a mile. I’ve heard of the “wait 24 hours before purchasing something” to make sure you truly want to spend the money. However, why would you even put yourself through this agony? Just don’t go in the store.
Clothing
Do you have a shopping addiction?
Change your regular habits to break the cycle.
If you start to feel bland and bored with your clothing selections, spend a weekend day creating unique choices for the coming work week ahead.
Additionally, see if you have any boxes of clothes in the back of your closet or stored away that you haven’t looked at in months or years. Make it your own personal game to design unique outfits for the coming week.
While going through your clothes, this is a fantastic opportunity to see if there are items you can sell online or at a local clothing reseller. If you haven’t worn it in a year, you most likely are not going to wear it at all.
Take every opportunity to turn this free time into cash.
Gas
Gas is expensive.
You probably need gas to get to work, but obviously you can’t stop working during this month.
So stop for gas, get out of your car, pump the gas, and then get back into the car.
Stepping through the gas station doors will bring on temptations that you don’t need.
That soda bottle + snack + a candy bar can quickly add up to $20+. Furthermore, these aren’t needed items since you ordered your grocery pickup online and you have all the needed items at home.
Your month of meals is planned out.
Social Media
We’re constantly on our phones.
While we’re on social media, or even just surfing the internet, we’re bombarded with advertisements. Don’t let these tempt you, because temptation is their ultimate goal.
I suggest spending this time focused on strictly reading about budgeting, investing, and frugal living to keep you on task.
Staying busy with side hustles or picking up extra hours at the office will occupy your time. Check out Five Books’ article on The Top 5 Essential Personal Finance Books for Women to keep you motivated.
The word “sale” is just so attractive. Stay focused this month! This word means nothing to you!
Get Your Friends on Board!
Wouldn’t this be so much easier if you had someone that could do this with you?
Having positive, emotional support is so important.
You could have dinner at each other’s house once or twice a week. Take turns and save money together.
You could find hobbies to do together that could potentially earn you some cash. What if you started a side hustle as a pair?
Finally, you would have someone who could pick you up if you’re feeling like giving up.
Final Thoughts on a One Month No Spending Challenge
If you fail at the no spending challenge for the month, know that it is not easy. Try taking a shorter approach. Perhaps you take four months and pick one week a month where you do zero spending. Find the root of your problem. Is it financial peer pressure from friends or family? Maybe it’s your own addiction to shopping. Whatever the source is, make that change.
If an emergency comes up and you spend, make a rational decision to either pause the month or accept that the emergency was just that – an emergency that couldn’t be avoided and continue your no spending month more determined to make this work.
In addition, keep track of how much money you spent (and saved) this month. Make a goal that in 6 or 8 months, you’re going to do this again and do it even bigger and better.
Surround yourself with people who support your decision. Make sure the people close to you know that you’re on this journey so that they can help steer clear of offering any temptations.
Lastly, when the month is over, do not crazy spend like your money has been jailed for a month and it’s begging to go out on the town. You just completed a fabulous “no spending month” for a reason. Use the saved money for what your original plan was – to pay off debt, go on vacation, make a down payment, etc.…
Finally, know that you can and will make this month of a no spending challenge work.
loved your post.
Here is what I think
This article provides great tips and motivation for taking a month off from spending. It’s an excellent decision to jumpstart your debt repayment journey. Stay focused and you can definitely make this work!
Ely Shemer
Thank you for reading and commenting, Ely!