How to do a No-Spend Challenge

In a world that’s constantly encouraging us to spend, it can be difficult to resist the temptation to buy things we don’t really need. It’s easy to justify small purchases here and there, but over time, those expenses can add up and leave us wondering where all our money went. That’s where a “no-spend month” comes in. This challenge encourages you to cut out all unnecessary spending for an entire month, which can help you save a significant amount of money and become more mindful of your spending habits.

Be sure to download THIS NO-SPEND PLANNER to go along with your no-spend month.

What is a No-Spend Month?

A no-spend month is a challenge that involves cutting out all non-essential spending for an entire month. This means that you’ll only spend money on necessities like food, rent, utilities, and other bills. All discretionary spending, such as eating out, buying new clothes, or splurging on entertainment, is off-limits. The goal of a no-spend month is to help you save money, break bad spending habits, and become more mindful of your spending choices.

Why is a No-Spend Month Beneficial?

There are many benefits to doing a no-spend month, including:

1. Saving Money: The most obvious benefit of a no-spend month is that it can help you save money. By cutting out all unnecessary spending, you can redirect that money towards your savings goals or pay off any debts you may have. It can also help you realize how much money you were spending on things you didn’t really need.
2. Breaking Bad Spending Habits: When you’re in the habit of buying things you don’t really need, it can be difficult to break that cycle. A no-spend month can help you identify those bad habits and break free from them. By the end of the month, you’ll be more mindful of your spending choices and, hopefully, make more conscious decisions in the future.
3. Creating a Mindful Spending Plan: A no-spend month can help you become more mindful of your spending choices and develop a better plan for your finances. By tracking your expenses and seeing where your money is going, you can identify areas where you can cut back and create a more realistic budget that aligns with your financial goals.
4. Learning to Appreciate What You Already Have: When you’re constantly buying new things, it’s easy to take what you already have for granted. A no-spend month can help you appreciate what you already have and find new ways to use what you already own. It can also help you become more creative and resourceful in finding new ways to enjoy life without spending money.

Tips for Completing a No-Spend Month:

Taking a little time to plan will help you have a more successful no-spend month.  You’ll want to think about your motivation for doing this challenge, set a few rules, and write down any exceptions.

Define your Motivation:

Everyone’s motivation for doing a no-spend month will be different.  Take time to think through what you hope to learn from this challenge.  Write down why you are doing this.  At some point during the month you will get discouraged and be ready to give up.  When you hit this point, you’ll want to go back and read your motivation statements.

Define Your Rules:

Before you start your no-spend month, define the rules and guidelines that you’ll be following. Be specific about what is and isn’t allowed, and make sure that everyone in your household is on the same page.  For example, you may decide to allow essential expenses like rent, utilities, and groceries, but prohibit non-essential expenses like dining out, entertainment, or clothing purchases.

Think about what your rules for groceries will be.  Perhaps you allow the purchase of milk,  fresh fruits and vegetables, bread and other necessary food items that could spoil but try to eat as much as possible from the pantry and freezer.  You may also want to cut out junk foods, desserts, alcohol, etc.  (This could be a good time to work on your eating habits too!

Plan Ahead:

Planning ahead is crucial when it comes to a no-spend month. Make sure that you have enough household items like toilet paper, toothpaste, diapers, etc to avoid any unnecessary trips to the grocery store. If you know that you’ll need to make any essential purchases during the month, make sure that you budget for them ahead of time.  Plan your meals in advance to avoid any last-minute takeout orders or grocery store runs.

Warning: DO NOT go overboard planning ahead which would defeat the entire purpose of a no-spend month.

Track Your Spending:

Tracking your spending is essential during a no-spend month.  At the end of the month compare what you spend to an average month.

A few more tips:

1. Find Creative Ways to Repurpose What You Have: During a zero-spend challenge, it can be tempting to buy new things when you feel bored or unsatisfied with what you have. Instead, try to find creative ways to repurpose what you already own. For example, you might try revamping an old piece of furniture, creating new outfits with items in your closet, or using up ingredients in your pantry to create new meals.  If an item you consider necessary needs to be replaced during the month, try asking friends if you can borrow the item from them, or ask on social media if anyone is getting rid one. 
2. Find Free Activities: Just because you’re not spending money doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun. Look for free activities in your community, such as hiking trails, parks, and museums. You can also host a potluck dinner with friends or family to save money on eating out.
3. Avoid Temptation: To succeed in a zero-spend challenge, you’ll need to avoid temptation as much as possible. Unsubscribe from marketing emails and social media accounts that promote sales or new products. If you’re used to impulse shopping, try to avoid going to stores or browsing online shopping sites altogether. You might also want to consider finding an accountability partner or joining a support group to stay motivated and on track.

Remember, a zero-spend challenge is a personal challenge, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The rules you set and the duration of the challenge are up to you. The key is to be consistent and committed to the challenge, and to learn from the experience so you can make positive changes to your spending habits in the future.  Small savings are always better than no savings.  Celebrate your success no matter how big or small.

Ideas for no-spend family activities:

1. Have a family game night at home.
2. Go for a hike or nature walk.
3. Have a picnic in the park.
4. Visit a local museum or art gallery with free admission.
5. Watch a movie together at home.
6. Play sports or games in the backyard or a local park.
7. Have a DIY craft day at home with materials you have on hand.
8. Visit a nearby beach or lake for swimming and sandcastle building.
9. Go on a bike ride through your neighborhood or a local trail.
10. Attend a free community event, such as a festival or concert.
11. Visit a local farmer’s market or pick your own produce at a nearby farm.
12. Have a family karaoke or dance party at home.
13. Make homemade pizzas or other dishes together in the kitchen.
14. Visit a local library and check out books or participate in a free program.
15. Go stargazing in your backyard or at a nearby park.
16. Play a board game or card game tournament.
17. Have a family photo shoot in your backyard or a nearby park.
18. Have a backyard campout with a tent or fort.
19. Take a scenic drive or walk through a nearby historic district.
20. Visit a local animal sanctuary or petting zoo with free admission.
21. Explore a local park, playground or garden.
22. Go fishing at a nearby body of water.
23. Have a family talent show or open mic night at home.
24. Have a family photo scavenger hunt around your neighborhood or local park.
25. Go on a geocaching adventure in your area.
26. Visit a nearby botanical garden or arboretum with free admission.
27. Create a family time capsule and bury it in your backyard or a local park.
28. Have a family book club and discuss a book together.
29. Participate in a free online workout or yoga class.
30. Play charades or Pictionary together.
31. Have a family movie marathon with movies you already own or borrow from the library.
32. Visit a nearby community garden and learn about different plants.
33. Make homemade ice cream or popsicles together.
34. Create a family bucket list of things you want to do together and start working on it.
35. Have a family art day and create different types of art using materials you already have.
36. Visit a local historical landmark or monument.
37. Host a backyard Olympics with fun games and challenges.
38. Have a family music night where everyone shares their favorite songs or performs.
39. Take a virtual tour of a famous museum or attraction.
40. Visit a local fire or police station for a tour and learn about their work.
41. Have a family bake-off and see who can make the best dessert.
42. Create a family tree and learn about your family history together.
43. Make homemade decorations or crafts for a holiday or special occasion.
44. Volunteer together at a local charity or community organization.

Want even more ways to save money?

Check out this HUGE list of over 100 ways to save money.