Yep, you read that title right – I went a whole 5 months without spending unnecessary money! You see, I took a contract job, so I decided to embark on a no-spend challenge for five months. Five months of saying “nope” to all the extra spending. What started as a wild, yet necessary idea became one of my life’s most eye-opening experiences.
First things first, one thing I learned from following other people’s No-Spend Challenges – I had to have some ground rules:
- Essentials Only: Rent, utilities, groceries, and necessary transportation were cool.
- No New Clothes or Accessories: Unless something crucial bit the dust.
- No Eating Out or Takeout: It was all about home-cooked goodness.
- No Entertainment Purchases: No movies, concerts, or new subscriptions.
- “Shopping My Stash” Over Buying: If I needed something, I had to see what I already had before I bought something I truly needed and budgeted for.
How it started…
The first couple of weeks hit me like a ton of bricks. Y’all, I didn’t realize how often I was dropping cash on eating out due to laziness, random grocery store runs, and Ms. Amazon! LOL! It was like a financial detox—painful at first, but by the end, I felt so much more in control. I started noticing how much I was spending out of habit rather than necessity.
One of the biggest eye-openers was DoorDash and UberEats. Man…the amount of money I was spending on the actual meal plus the tax, plus the delivery fee – I could have just got in my car and picked it up! Not giving in to this temptation saved me a pretty penny!
Cooking at home was another game-changer – I truly became Ms. “I Got Food at Home”, as I started meal planning and experimenting with new recipes. It was cool getting creative in the kitchen – I learned that I make an amazing sushi bake, and I even made it for my family for Thanksgiving! Turns out, saving money can also mean leveling up your life in unexpected ways. 🙂
Then there were the impulse buys. You know the ones—those cute little trinkets you don’t really need but can’t resist. It felt oddly liberating to walk past them without reaching for my wallet. By the end of the month, I was already seeing the benefits in my bank account.
By month two, I was all about that DIY life. Instead of splurging on new books on Amazon (that I never even read lol), I hit up the library like it was my second home, especially on days when I didn’t have meetings. Who knew libraries had so much to offer? Free books, magazines, and even workshops! It became my go-to spot for some quiet time and free entertainment.
By the holiday season, I was on “The Struggle Bus” and I still had about 3 more months to go (*sigh*). Something I should bring up (and I will probably go into more detail in another CGS article), but around the time I decided to embark on this “No-Spend” journey, I also decided to become alcohol-free as well! Well, it was a bit jarring, but that came with some social struggles.
Telling friends I couldn’t join for brunch or a night out because not only did I not want to spend money, but also because I was venturing into the sober life, was rough. Rough, because I wasn’t too vocal about that part of my life. But guess what? They were surprisingly supportive and even got curious about my challenge(s). We ended up doing holiday potlucks (Friendsgivings), movie nights at home, and exploring free events. It was a game-changer—proof that you don’t need to drop dollars to have a good time.
One of the toughest parts was saying no to spontaneous plans. Friends would text last minute for boba, dinner, or drinks, and I had to stick to my goals. At first, it felt like I was missing out, but I soon realized it was an opportunity to suggest more free adventures, like going on walks around our neighborhoods or downtown areas.
Hard holidays…
Whew, those holiday months were all about resisting temptation. Sales, deals, and all those marketing emails tested my willpower. But I kept my eyes on the prize, remembering why I started this journey. Keeping a journal of my progress and savings helped keep me on track and motivated.
As you all can imagine during those holiday months – everywhere I turned, there were ads for sales and festive decorations (I had to resist going to HomeGoods and just use the decorations I had from last year lol). It was so tempting to splurge on gifts and treats, but I stuck to my no-spend goals. Instead, I told my loved ones that “I was their gift” haha!
My birthday is January 10 (#CapGang) – and I was a bit sad that I couldn’t do anything for my birthday. In fact, I worked on my birthday…in the office…and I had to stay a bit late because my boss was on a tropical cruise that week…right before we were launching a big marketing campaign…it was lovely!
But you know what happened? After January, this challenge became a lot easier! The final stretch was a time of deep reflection, as I’d formed new, healthier spending habits and appreciated the things I already had so much more. I found joy in experiences rather than stuff. Wrapping up the challenge felt like a major win—I was proud, grateful, and a whole lot wiser about my finances.
Looking back, I realized how much I’d grown over those five months. My mindset had shifted from wanting more to appreciating what I already had and I truly understood what it meant to “Romanticize Your Life”. I became more mindful about my spending and more grateful for the simple things in life. This “No-Spend” challenge wasn’t just about saving money; it was about gaining a new perspective on what truly matters. 🥹
I also took some time to reflect on the financial goals I wanted to achieve moving forward. With the money I’d saved, I started an emergency fund and saved the most money I’ve ever saved in my life thus far! It felt empowering to take control of my finances and plan for a more secure future!
The Results
So, what did five months of no spending get me? Ohh, I love a good list of things lol!
- Money in the Bank: I saved a chunk of change, which went straight to my emergency fund in my Ally HYSA (high-yield savings account).
- Mindful Spending: Now, I’m all about intentional purchases. No more impulse buys!
- New Skills: From cooking to picking up new hobbies (and creating a list of new hobbies I’d like to explore), I picked up some dope new skills.
- Simplified Life: I discovered the beauty of simplicity and found happiness in non-material things.
- New, Grown Woman Confidence: I mean…you can’t tell me I can’t do sh*t now!!
Beyond the tangible benefits, the challenge taught me a lot about myself. I learned that I’m capable of more self-discipline than I ever imagined. I also discovered the joy of simple pleasures and the value of quality over quantity. My mental health was better too, as I didn’t feel so “cluttered”. It’s actually quite funny that I’m writing this, I got an insight – whenever my mental health is the best is when I’m leaning towards the minimalist lifestyle. Hmm…🤔
As my contract job came to an end, I rewarded myself with an amazing 24 hours at the Korean Spa in my area!! When I tell you I had the time of my life there by myself – it was well-deserved! Also, since my contract did come to an end (as they were not able to extend it past five months), I’m so grateful that I did this challenge because I had a bit of a cushion! I’m proud of myself! 😊
Final Thoughts
My “No-Spend” challenge was a game-changer. It reshaped how I view money and consumerism. Yes, it was tough at times, but the benefits…Totally worth it! If you’re thinking about trying a no-spend challenge, do it! It’s not just about saving money—it’s about gaining control, sparking creativity, and appreciating the abundance in your life.
Ready to take on the challenge? Let’s do this, as I plan to do these often to reset my finances. Now, I may not do them for five months again lol, but I’ll definitely be rooting for you on your journey! 🙂
Related: 7 Hobbies to Learn for Self-Confidence
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-Lena
The CGS Team
