For those of you who read my No-Spend January post, I’m sharing this update with the results!
If you haven’t read it yet, be sure to check it out right here to catch up!
This was my first no-spend month and it was a game changer! While you’ll see below that I had some bumps along the way and spent where I shouldn’t have, I still saved money and it changed my mindset.
It taught me that sometimes you just need a change of perspective to make real change happen. I’m excited to share with you the results, and I hope you’ll gain something from this post and maybe it will inspire you to try a no-spend month soon!
My Mindset Changed
Before my no-spend January, I wasn’t mindfully spending my money.
When I wanted a coffee, I went to Starbucks. If I wanted a pizza, I ordered one. I wasn’t consciously thinking about the amounts of those purchases and realizing how quickly they were adding up.
The good news is that my mindset has completely changed throughout this process and I am doing a mental check-in each time I decide to go to the grocery store, or when I think I want a treat (like coffee, fast food, etc.).
It’s amazing how differently you will spend your money when you actually stop to consider the amount you’re paying, what exactly it is for, and if you actually need it at all.
Keeping a Budget Helped
To make this no-spend month happen, I created a budget. I’m a visual person, so I searched for an online spreadsheet and found this one via Google Sheets.
I am definitely going to continue to use it going forward, even if I’m not doing a no-spend month for February.
For my expenses, I wrote down all my projected amounts for utilities, just my best estimate based on previous months. In addition, the projected amounts for other items like food (not fast food, just grocery store trips), gas, subscriptions, etc.
Once I had my budget together, I tracked every single receipt for the month. This may sound like a chore, but truly with the spreadsheet, it was super quick and easy.
The benefit of tracking the receipts is that I can see exactly where my money went and I can keep a running tab of how much I spent on groceries so far, and other categories I’ve spent in.
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Habit Tracking
If you’ve been reading my blog lately, you’ll know that I’ve been obsessed with habit tracking lately! It has contributed to so many accomplished goals for me within this past month.
I’ve been using my Erin Condren LifePlanner daily and I put little habit trackers on my monthly sheet. I created one for “No-Spend Days” and I checked off each day that I didn’t spend money on anything but necessities.
It was fun checking off those days, and even when I had a misstep, I could see how well I had been doing up to that point. It gave me the motivation to keep going!
I Had Some Fumbles Along The Way
While I consider this no-spend month super successful because of the amount of money I saved and my mindset change, I still spent some places where I shouldn’t have.
I tried to give myself grace with these purchases because I had still did so much better than I had in the previous months. I think it’s important to be mindful that things will come up unexpectedly.
Also, just because you may spend money on something you aren’t really supposed to in a no-spend, don’t beat yourself up about it. That generally leads you to just give up, and nobody wins if that happens! Just start fresh the next day and do your best!
I Saved Money!
I’m sure all of you are wondering, did I actually save money? YES!
I saved $100+ just cutting out most fast food that I was typically buying at least 2-3 times per week. I saved $40+ by cutting out the Starbucks trips!
Both of these were hard for me to cut out. I was completely changing my habits, but I’ve definitely ended up with better, new habits because of it.
After seeing the results of my no-spend January, do you think you’ll try a no-spend month someday?
I hope that even if you don’t want to do a dramatic no-spend, you’ll consider mindfully spending your money and tracking your spending. I think that alone is the biggest thing I gained from this experience.
Let’s Chat!
Have you tried a no-spend month?
Do you mindfully spend your money?
Are there any tips you have for saving money?
My family did a no spend january as well. We actually try to do 6 months a year as no spend months. January was very successful and we were able to save quite a bit of money to put towards our vacation this year. I love no spend months. The kids are starting to get used to them too. In fact, last month my middle son really wanted a new video game. He asked for it and immediatly retracted and said never mind, maybe in February, we will see if I even still want it then… good progress!!
Wow! That’s beyond fantastic progress, Jody! I don’t have kids yet, but I hope that I can do the very same when I do. So happy to hear your no-spend January was successful, and love that you do it throughout the year.
I’ve done a no spend before and I would like to do one again but I might need to wait. This is my birthday month and I have all my birthday gifts from stores.
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
That’s totally understandable! You deserve to enjoy your birthday month and get some goodies! 🙂
Wow, I have to try this! Good info shared! Thanks for sharing with us!
Thank you so much for reading and let me know if you try it! 😊
I don’t think I will ever be able to do no-spend-month , it seems impossible for me haha, but recently I’m trying to control what I’m spending and how much.
I’m so proud of you that you managed save money on unnecessary things.
http://www.ninakobi.com
Haha, nothing is impossible! I totally understand, just trying to track your spending helps wonders and I believe in you! 😊
Sounds cool 😀
Thanks, Kinga! 😊
I’m so glad that you were able to take so much away from it! I can’t wait to do it myself soon!
Ashlee | https://www.maybeafterbrunch.com
Me too, friend! I think you’ll really love the results!!
cool content!
thanks for sharing!!!
https://www.itzytrendy.com/2020/01/zacatecas-by-night.html
Thank you so much, Itzel! I appreciate you stopping by and reading!
Well done! It’s so interesting to see how much you saved when you made a conscious decision not to buy the things you usually don’t think about. I want to try this for March.
Sarah xo Oomph London
Thank you so much, Sarah! It was such an eye-opener for me. Please let me know how it goes next month, I’d love to hear your results!!
I have never tried a no-spend month, but I’m so willing to do it this year. The minimalist lifestyle and thoughtful consummation are two of my biggest interests at the moment. Thank you for the post, it was very inspiring!
Lots of love ♥ January Girl
That’s wonderful, Liz! Please let me know if when you give it a try. I think you’ll really find it to be a great experience overall.
I would like to try it, but I know myself and I can’t last x
Laura
https://www.beautywithlala.com/
Thanks so much for stopping by, Laura! 🙂 I can remember thinking that before I did it, too! Just starting out with tracking your spending and seeing where your money is going is a super easy and beneficial step in the process.
I don’t think I will do a no spend month but I will definitely do a “mindful spend” month!
I think keeping a budget, and tracking my expenses and my habits will be a big help!
Julia x
https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
Oh, I love that Julia! 🙂 That sounds fantastic and you are so right, both of those things are so beneficial!! Let me know how it goes!!
Thanks for sharing your results! I haven’t’ done a no-spend month in a while and need to do one again since we are moving.
Jill – Doused in Pink
You are more than welcome, Jill! I appreciate you checking out the results. I can totally understand doing a no spend month because of moving. I hope your move goes smoothly!
This is awesome! I’m so excited for you. No buy’s are such a game changer. My favorite is when life is so busy that it forces you into a no buy haha.
x, S | Je M’appelle Chanel
Thank you so much, Chanel!! 🙂 Haha, I hear you, friend! I sort of had that moment when I realized just how much I was spending on things, and it needed to come to a big halt.
This was so interesting for reading. I’m so happy to hear that you satisfied with you plan and save money. Just keep going.
New Post – http://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com/2020/02/helena-rubinstein-wanted-rouge-005.html
Aww, thank you so much and I appreciate you stopping by! I’ll definitely keep plugging away. I really hope to keep this new mindset throughout the year.
So happy for you! What an amazing result. Erin Condren planners are so wonderful!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you so much, Kathrine! I totally agree with you, I would be lost without mine now.
Yey! Good job and congratulations! I should really try this!
http://www.jeannieinabottleblog.com
Thank you so much, Jeanne! Let me know if you give it a try! 😊
Wow, great work! And I think I need to do this too, I tend to spend a lot on a great many things!
Marie
https://theflowerduet.blogspot.com/
Thank you, Marie!! I totally understand. 😊
That’s awesome that it worked out for you! It definitely helps put into perspective about saving and what you really need and don’t need to spend money on!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Absolutely, Rach! Thank you so much!
It’s crazy how much money we can spend by just cutting out convenience food and drink! You did really well with your no spend, even if you did make a couple of fumbles xo
Makeup Muddle
It’s so true! I really couldn’t believe how much it all added up for me. Thank you so much! 😊
Congrats! I’ve been trying to save money by not going to Starbucks as much and man… just when I think I’m doing good, I fail! Ha!! It is a work in process.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Thank you, Carrie! Ha ha, I totally understand! I love my Starbucks. ❤️ You’ve got this!
This is awesome! It really is just a matter of shifting your perspective and being more conscientious about how much we spend on things we don’t need. Of course, it is nice to treat ourselves to a little something every now and then, but we all too often get caught in the habit of just spending without forethought. I am certainly guilty of that as well. With a family 4, it has definitely gotten easier to refuse ourselves the fast food and pizza trips because those cost around $50 every time we do it. I think you did a great job on your no spend January!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
I completely agree with you, Shelbee. It can definitely become a domino effect when you start doing it often. I can totally understand that, that adds up very quickly when you have a family. For now, it’s just me and my hubby, so it’s probably half of that each trip we take. Thank you so much for the encouragement, I truly appreciate it! 🙂
I think I could do a no-spend week but a month? That’s so difficult!!! Well done and thank you for sharing your experience with us!! x
Yiota
https://pinkdaisyloves.blogspot.com/
Haha, I understand Yiota! Hey, even doing a week is a huge accomplishment and worth a try. 🙂 Thank you so much!!
It’s great you got so many good lessons from your challenge! I spent big in January and I’ve already bought a few things this month – but we have almost all our meals at home (or make at home to take to work) and we aren’t coffee drinkers so we are going pretty well budget-wise, it’s just the fashion spending I try to watch through the year, haha! 🙂 I’d love to spend less this year than I did last year!
Hope that you are having a nice weekend! It’s a quiet one here as we have a lot more rain – but can’t complain, it’s nice to have cooler weather and we are not at risk for flooding 🙂
That’s wonderful, Mica! I’m definitely trying to continue to keep most of our meals at home. It truly helped in January. I totally understand, I think setting a goal to spend less than last year is perfect! 🙂
Thank you, I had a really nice weekend. It was snowing here, but then transitioned into rain. I’m in the same boat as far as not being at risk for flooding, thank goodness for that! I hope you have a fantastic week!
Oh this is great. 100 $ is a really good saving. Good job girl !
I’m also trying to avoid fast foods and not spend too much in clothes.
xx
Margot
https://troughthepasturesofthesky.com
Thank you so much, Margot! 🙂 You’ve got this, friend!
This sounds amazing. Congrats dear!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Thanks so much, Jessica! 🙂
Well done you for doing it, I am going to try it one of these months.
xoxo
Lovely Amusan
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Thank you so much, Lovely! 🙂 That sounds fantastic. Let me know how it goes!
I started to use a spending app a few years ago and it helped me so much to limit little spendings like coffee-to-go or other snacks. I wasn´t recognizing how much money I spend on little things here and there. Than last year I came to the point where I was not spending at all and had to do the opposite of telling myself that it is okay to treat myself with something nice every now and than – so now I´m trying to find a good balance in between 🙂
But I think a no-spending months can help a lot to see how much we actually spend in a normal day to day
Have a great new week gorgeous!
Hi, Tiziana! 🙂 That’s awesome, it’s handy to have a helpful app so it’s with you wherever you go. I totally understand, it’s all about creating a good balance. You do deserve treats! I hope you have the best week!
I would be kind of hard to me to cut on the Starbucks coffees but this fast food is just too expensive. Better to cook at home with natural ingredients, it’s even healthier.
xx Simone
Little Glittery Box
Absolutely! I’ve learned through meal prepping during my no-spend that it’s much more fun to cook my own food. I know exactly what goes into it. I even did some DIY recipes that were inspired by some of my favorite fast food recipes, and the calories and sugar were so much less in my recipes. I think they just add a bunch of crazy stuff in fast food that’s not needed to make it delicious.