It’s time for another no-spend January, friends!
If you’ve been here for a little while, you probably remember I did my first no-spend month last January in 2020. You can find that post right here with all of the details, and my results post here.
In short, I found it to be SO helpful. Especially right after a month or two of heavy spending for the holidays. After the dreaded year of 2020, I definitely need this no-spend month and hope you’ll tag along with me!
I’m going to keep this challenge simple.
Just a few main things that I’ll be cutting out with this no-spend, as well as what I’m gaining by doing so! I think to really set myself up for success, I can’t just focus on what I’m cutting out (that’s depressing!).
I have to be able to shift my focus to what I’m gaining by sacrificing what I think I want or need on any given day.
Track ALL Spending
This was a huge eye-opener for me last year. I couldn’t believe how much I was spending on silly things, mostly fast food/restaurants, and how much I saved when I cut those things out.
Oftentimes, it just takes seeing where our dollars go to help us be more mindful.
I want to get back to that mindful mindset by tracking every penny I spend in January, and seeing how all of those things add up.
What I’m gaining by tracking every penny:
By tracking my spending, I am gaining a mindful money mindset. I will be seeing where my money is going instead of frivolously swiping my card. I will have a record of how much I spent and what I spent it on, so I can go back and see where I can tidy things up in the future.
I’m gaining clarity by tracking my spending.
No Fast Food
I ate more than my fair share of fast food in the past few months. Honestly, for the past year. When the virus hit early last year, it just felt like a downward spiral that continued for so long.
I am an emotional eater. After really taking some time to think about my food habits, it became very clear to me. I am accepting that it’s a part of me, while also working to make it better this year.
Knowledge is power, and I’m using that power to try to build a healthier relationship with food. I always look to food for comfort when I’m struggling or just having a bad day. It makes me feel a little better afterwards, but it’s not actually fixing the issues that I’m going through at that time.
This doesn’t mean that I will be cutting out comfort food entirely, just that I don’t want it to be the first choice every single time I’m having a tough day.
What I’m gaining by cutting out fast food:
By cutting out fast food, I’ll be gaining healthier meals that I’ll be making at home. This is not only better for my body, but gives me the opportunity to get out all of my cookbooks and try something new!
I am a creature of habit and tend to stick to the things that I know I like already. But this year, I want to branch out and make some new, healthy recipes.
I’ll be sharing those recipes on the blog this year, too!
No Shopping for Non-Necessities
I am cutting out any shopping except for absolutely necessities, like groceries, toiletries, etc. I won’t be buying clothes, shoes, movies, books, or anything like that during my no-spend challenge.
For me, most of my money goes to food rather than shopping for these types of items – but it’s still worth noting and I don’t want to get caught up in all those sales going on. 😉
Does anyone else see the word ‘sale’ and think you just have to get it? That’s definitely me!
What I’m gaining by not shopping for non-necessities:
By not shopping for non-necessities, I’m actually gaining more of the things I do truly need. I’m also saving money! Just like food, I think it’s easy to find comfort in retail therapy. While it’s definitely good to treat myself every now and then, I do not want to make this a heavy monthly habit that’s putting me into debt.
That’s a wrap on the details of my New Year’s No-Spend Challenge! You can certainly change the fine details to something that will fit your lifestyle best. Let me know what you think below, and if you want to join me!
On a side note, I hope each of you had a beautiful Christmas with your family!
Let’s Chat!
Do you want to join in on the no-spend challenge with me?
Have you ever done a no-spend month before?
What is something you’re looking forward to in 2021?
May this year bring new happiness, new goals, new achievements, and a lot of new inspirations on your life. Wishing you a year fully loaded with happiness.
Happy New year 2021🎇
♡————————————————————–♡
Miki┊Lifestyle ― HappyEsme.com
That you so much, Miki! I can’t tell you how much I truly appreciate your kind words. I am wishing you the brightest, most beautiful year full of magic and all of the things that you want to achieve or see happen this year. 🙂
I’m actually doing this as well! Other than my small gifts for my friend’s shower, I am really trying to cut down spending. I have even set up a recurring weekly transfer to my savings!
Ashlee | https://www.alignedwithash.com
Yay!! So happy we are doing this at the same time. That is an awesome idea! It’s so good to keep putting money back into savings, I’m doing the same thing, except manually, haha. I’m still excited to see all the details later on about your friend’s shower – I know it’s going to be so beautiful!
It’s funny because I literally just wrote down in my notebook that I’m going to try and do no spending this month and then your post popped up in my Bloglovin’!
Chloe X https://www.chloepryce.com/
Oh, that’s wonderful, Chloe! Haha, I love that it popped up just at the right time. It’s a sign that we are going to succeed on our no-spend, I have no doubt. 🙂 Wishing you the brightest New Year, my friend!
You are going to rock this challenge! Fast food is a biggie that drains money. Good luck and can’t wait to hear your thoughts after it’s over. Happy New Year Ashley!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Aww, thank you so much for your encouragement, friend! 🙂 You’re the best! Wishing you the most amazing New Year!
Good luck! I will be spending lots of money this month. I have to buy a new car since my transmission is going on my current one. But I won’t be buying any unnecessary items.
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer
Thank you so much, Jennifer! Oh my goodness, you’ve had so many things happen lately. 🙁 I hope this is the last of big spending for you, as far as these kinds of things go!!
Great strategies! I’m hoping to do a low spend year, but I need to zero in on a plan to actually accomplish this.
Oh, that sounds so great!! You can definitely do it, my friend!
These are some super great tips! I would like to try a no spend challenge, but I think that maybe I should just limit myself for a couple weeks at first. Then work my way up to a month.
Thank you so much, Katie! I think that’s a great way to ease yourself into it. And any progress is good progress! 🙂 It’s tough to do a strict no-spend for an entire month. I’m definitely making it more flexible than some do, but still, it’s a toughie.
This is so good idea! I already am doing some of these things x
Laura
https://www.beautywithlala.com/
That’s awesome, Laura!! You’re ahead of the curve, my friend. I’m hoping I will make more of these true habits very soon.
These are fantastic ideas. No spending is definitely on my list of resolutions for this month!
https://www.monchatcacahuete.com/
Yay! So happy we are both working on a no-spend, we’ve got this! 🙂 Have a wonderful start to your New Year, Ashley!
I love this Ashley, I’m having a no-spend January too! I’m also an emotional eater and working on changing that this year. Thanks for sharing these great ideas, my friend:)
Martha
http://www.alovelymessylife.com
So happy we’re both doing no-spend’s this month, Martha! We are going to do great! 🙂 I am praying that this is a great start to changing my eating habits.
I wish you all my best wishes for this new year
Such a cool resolution.
I also want to quit fast food and cook more and I also try to spend less in useless things.
xx
Margot
https://troughthepasturesofthesky.com
Thank you so much, Margot! 🙂 I love those goals – you’re going to do amazing!
I used to do this, it was pretty helpful. But now I lockdown I don’t have much chance or need to buy anything either.
LackaDaisy
Bless your heart, I can definitely understand that. I’m so sorry you’re back in lockdown! It’s been such a trying time, and I’m hopeful that this year is going to get better for all of us. Wishing you all the best, my friend!
Good luck with this challenge. Last year I also start with tracking my expenses and it was huge eye opening. After few months I wrote post Beauty of Budget and now I enjoy so much in tracking my expenses.
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Good luck with this!! Hopefully you achieve your financial goals this year!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
We’ve gotten bad about Door Dash since this whole Covid thing and I REALLY should start tracking how much we spend on that! :O
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
I love the idea of this challenge! It’s also great how you listed out what you’re gaining, it’s a good way to add a positive spin to it!
Eileen | yesmissy.com
Most definitely a challenge, at least for me, but its so true that those things do add up.
I’m such a sucker for the easy way out for coffee and food.
XX angelica
https://eraenvogue.com
That sounds like a great challenge! Thanks for sharing!
Good luck with your challenge! I’m cutting back this month too. Ordering meals out can really add up fast!
Jill – Doused in Pink
I’m trying to work on this as well. It’s a bit easier with shops being closed, but traps of online shopping can still get me
LackaDaisy
Nice goals 🙂
This is great New Year decision and I can’t wait a post about progress.
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This is such a great challenge Ashley! I’m an emotional eater too, so I’m going to join you in cutting out comfort food!
Julia x
https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
Love this challenge, babe- great way to start the new year in a mindful money mindset!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
This is such a good idea but I don’t think I would ever be able to do it haha!
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