What is a no spend month and how does it work?
A no spend is a month is a month that you choose to make a commitment to drastically reduce your spending. You make a commitment to only use cash on the necessities like groceries, rent, utilities etc. This means that you set a spending limit. For this one month, you will not have the liberty to purchase various items like clothes, or go to the movie theater, hit the bars, etc. This method of saving is extreme but it is very effective!
Do you want to take the no spend month challenge?
There are a few things that you need to consider. Take note that it is a commitment that you must make for yourself. This means that you need to come up with your own rules to follow.
Why do a no-spend challenge
It is important for you to determine the reason why you want to participate in this no-spend month. Are you looking to save money to pay up your debt? Are you looking to buy or buy something? When you set a goal you will be able to stay motivated during the hard times. Having your goal in mind will help you complete the challenge.
Be prepared
You need to prepare for this drastic change in your lifestyle before you take the plunge into a no spend month or even week. This will enable you to plan properly and ensure that you can cater to your most basic needs. If you are a impulse buyer, it will be hard for you to eliminate your extra spending. Because if you impulsive person, you are most likely not packing a lunch to work, cutting out Starbucks trips and waking up early to brew some coffee, spending time meal planning and cooking . That is the reason why you need to prepare early in advance and make the appropriate life style adjustments.
The other thing that you need to determine if the length of the no spend month. If you are beginner, you may want to start with small goals like a no spend week. As you learn how to control your spending, you will be able to advance.
Accountability
Find someone to be accountable to It is going to be challenging for you to keep up with this no-spend month especially if you are a beginner. You need to therefore have someone to hold you accountable. Keep your family and friends in the loop. They will also be in a position to encourage you and motivate. You need to find people who have participated in this type of challenge before because they understand how it is done.
Retrospective
You should set aside some time after you complete your challenge and evaluate the areas you saved the most amount of money. What was the most difficult areas to cut cost and what were the simplest ways to cut cost. Like they say hindsight is 20/20 take this time to reflect upon how you were able to save so much money. You need to be careful not to fall back to your bad habits and be aware of your spending while enjoying your life and making the most important purchases to your perfect life.
What a great idea! Something for me to have a go at in the new year, I think. A week in January, then maybe a fortnight in February and go from there 🙂
WOW! This is a great idea. What a great way to start cutting back and saving!
I have chosen the worst month to do the no spend *week* challenge and that is 2 weeks in December. I have booked a trip to Nice, France and need to save up so apart from the necesities there is no spending for the next 2 weeks.
I would love to attempt this but need to plan of course well in advance. 4 kids to me seem like they will be a HUGE hurdle to tackle no spending. Im also on a tight monthly income anyways so what little I have I appreciate spending. I have gotten better with a weekly menu that helps greatly with not spending money on eating out so I’m partially there.
I’ve done a No-Spend Month before and it was tough the first time. After the second time, I realized my impulses and was able to save A WHOLE LOT!
I recommend anyone doing this at least once in their life.
I’m looking to cut back on spending these next few months, so this helps! Thanks for sharing.
xo, Elizabeth | txelizabeth.com
This is such a cool idea! I love this as sometimes those splurge purchases are unnecessary! 🙂
A no spend month is such a great idea, especially for me! I will happily take the challenge!
Very good goal for a no spend month. We’ve cut back on food and living a lot. I’d love to cut back on utilities so I’ll make that my goal this month.
I’m going to be on this plan for the next year it feels like haha. I’m back in medical school and …. Yeah. Enough said. Thanks for the inspiration!
Xo
Sami
http://MindfulHellos.co
Great ideas about controlling spending. The idea to do it for a month is very smart. A broad commitment to “never” spend needlessly is not realistic, but taking small steps to improve and show yourself how to be disciplined is a great.
This sounds amazing and I do need this very much. I might try this since I am traveling soon, and I definitely have to save up!
This is a cool challenge, however I would like to be realistic – I might be super thrifty and bargain diva, but not spending in a month might low my motivation. Sometimes spending a little give s me a kickass motivation, makes me happy.
Such a great challenge. This is a game we often play at home.
Very useful for saving more.