#nospendchallenge

[presstheishu]

📱The 'No Spend Challenge' Trend is Taking Over TikTok — Can You Actually Do It?

🤑 The ‘No Spend Challenge’ Trend is Taking Over TikTok — Can You Actually Do It? I’m not even a TikTok follower, but somehow I still manage to keep up with what’s trending — vicariously, of course. Friends talk, news feeds update, and let’s be honest, TikTok has a way of leaking into every corner of the internet. That’s how I ended up hearing about the No Spend Challenge, a viral trend that’s…

[nickgerlich]

Take The Challenge

It seems that practically every month has some significance attached to it these days. Some months are well known, like June is Pride Month, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and February is Black History Month. There are also lesser-known months, like No-Shave November and September’s Prostate Cancer Awareness Month for the guys.

And then there’s the months who significance is completely crowdsourced and denoted by a hashtag, like the currently popular #nospendchallenge to accompany No Spend September. It is strictly a social media event, a movement if you will, to raise our spending consciousness. And, oddly enough, it is kind of the antithesis of everything this course is about, which is our consuming ways.

I’m not sure why it took until yesterday, after the month is 65% over, for this to pop onto my newsfeed, but maybe it’s because it has reached critical mass. TikTok alone has more than 18,000 posts related to it.

Of course, it is practically impossible to completely refrain from buying anything for a whole month, unless you have stockpiled a bunch of non-perishable food and live in a cave. But you can curtail, kick the can down the road, etc., just to get the feel of it all. And, the idea is scalable, meaning there’s no rigid enforcement. Do it for a week, two weeks, whatever, and become more aware in the process of how and where you spend your money.

I remember doing this back in the 90s, when I made much less money. I kept a daily log with pen and paper, tracking every cent I spent. It was very informative, and caused me to think a lot more before buying things, including coffees and lunch. I started packing my lunch instead. Today, I am still counting things, but this time around I am counting calories, protein, and walking miles, in an effort to better balance my diet and fitness. You know what? When you track everything meticulously, you think twice before indulging in snacks or beers, or skipping a workout so you can binge a show on Netflix.

It’s pretty easy to track whatever you want these days, thanks to mobile apps. There are apps for dieting and fitness, as well as expenses. It’s too easy, though, in the nearly cashless society in which we live to lose track of how much we spend, because you lose the tactile experience of handing over money. Unless you monitor your bank account online, you might miss the full impact of your spending ways. As for calories, you better log them one way or another as you consume them, or you will forget that Little Debbie fruit pie you ate yesterday on the way to your hike.

Ahem. No problem. I burned it off and more.

If you’re skeptical about No Spend September, you would be justified in being so. It applies only to nonessential purchases. While it is possible to shun frivolous purchases, like your PSL or craft beer, ultimately you’ll have to buy more toilet paper, groceries, etc. It’s a lot like dieting. You still have to eat something. Starvation, whether it is food or spending money, is not a viable option.

Still, I find great value in the exercise, but if a person returns to their profligate ways come October, it will have been for naught. We have all seen people go on massive weight loss crusades, only to slowly return to their former size and shape. There’s life to be lived after the goal is reached, whether it is losing 20 pounds or training for an athletic feat. Spending is no different.

All of which points to the ultimate truth from exercises like this: It’s about lifestyle change. It means that October surely follows September, and whatever we set in place this month needs to be carried forward to the next. And the next. And so on. I hiked both the Grand Canyon and New Mexico’s Wheeler Peak this summer, but it’s all part of an overall training for walking a Camino in Spain, hopefully next year. Look it up. Meanwhile, I keep going.

For all of you pursuing your dreams, whether it is saving money, losing weight, preparing for an event, I say “Stay the course!” And while No Spend September may run a little contrary to what this course is about, it’s not a bad thing. Besides, any regime that helps you get to know yourself a little better and develop some resolve, then good on you.

Dr “Spend Less, Eat Less, Walk More” Gerlich

Audio Blog

[greenivydusk]

So you wanna have a nospend challenge...

I have some ideas here what you can do without spending money and still get those entertaintment dopamine you crave, and also to get some digital detox - 3 in 1, if you will:

meditate or pray, whatever is your tradition, clearing the burden off of your chest will benefitial to your mental health. And you do not have to pay for it.

walk outside, even if it is just a 5 minutes, spending time in fresh air will do good for your health too, especially it mentally helps a lot.

text a friend or relative via social media, ask them how they are, have some social bonding with your loved ones.

reorganize your documents, declutter the unnecessary ones from 10-15 years ago.

listen to music you never did before on Spotify or YouTube, explore other styles, who knows, what will be your new favourite.

clean your space! A good cleaning is precious, believe me!

10-15 minutes streching.

do the laundry.

wash the dishes and put away the dry ones.

as a disabled person i am still not giving up, watching movies with transcriptions is a true fun!

take a power nap if you have the opportunity!

let some fresh air into your space, open up the windows and enjoy it!

read the already gotten books you find on your shelves!

[raising-wildlings]

I wish I had a better picture to signify the end of the No Spend Challenge but we’re just working with what we got. The month of January we opted to not spend any money outside of the essentials— bills, groceries, gas, and a few random things popped up like new car tags. We ended saving around $500. In the month of January we were able to tick off two financial goals for 2020. I see often some people trying find easy outs for financial debt but people often don’t talk about cutting spending. Taking a hard look at what is a necessity and what is a luxury. The hardest part on my end was preparing and shopping for every meal. On a normal month I can go about four days before I get cooking burn out. This challenge really pushed me to cook more. The laziest meal is probably this meal pictured. I can proudly say I didn’t serve cereal for any dinner (although I did think about it a few times). Now that the challenge is over I can adjust our budget to better fit our family. I really feel like I learned a lot. I leave January feeling very humble and even more inspired for change. I see people partaking in #nospendchallenge years. I applaud to them. Although, I don’t think it’s right for our family I do plan on having no spend weeks or maybe a few months a year. I’m going to keep the theme and every month start a new challenge and for February I’ll set my intentions on daily meditation. https://www.instagram.com/p/B8BvKM5hEyM/?igshid=daw3ftmzfj9m

[planningto-flail]

Things to do on a rainy day

When I as young I'd get books of rainy day activities from the library. As an adult I miss them. There's been a few storms here this week and it's probably going to rain tomorrow so here's my list of things you could do on a rainy day.

*Have an indoor picnic. YouTube some nature sounds, put the picnic blanket on the floor and relax

*Invite a friend over for an at home spa day

*Read a book

*Learn to make greetings cards

*Paint, draw or sketch

*Move furniture so your space feels new

*Listen to a guided meditation on youtube

*Play video games

*Do a jigsaw puzzle

*Sew an old item into something new. Pinterest has lots of ways to upcycle old clothes. I like embroidering constellations on the sleeves or pockets.

*Bake something. Cupcakes, bread, cookies yum.

*Make paper flowers (I learned how to make paper cherry blossom this week)

*Write a meal plan for the next week and do all the food preparation you can

*Have a film night with a theme and popcorn

*Make a youtube playlist of songs with lyrics and have a sing along with your friends/partner/family.

*Look online and see if anyone has a copy cat recipie for your favourite restaurant meal then make it.

*Do an excersise video online

*Nap

[tidyingtime]

May spending challenge

Setting a spending challenge back in March has made me more aware of my spending and areas in which I could save. After reflecting on the experience during April and noticing in which categories I was tempted to dramatically increase spending after the self-imposed ban was lifted (GIFTS y’all!!!) I’ve decided to reinstate the following rules for May: 

1. No spending on sewing and embroidery supplies  In March I learned that working with what I have is honestly a fun creative challenge and very satisfying, so no sense in lifting this ban until I burn through a good amount of supplies. 

2. No spending on non-essential toiletries --> only replace what I know for certain we’ll use Toiletries is not really a problem area in my spending, except for when I occasionally try out a new product that I don’t end up liking and keep it in our bathroom cabinet without ever using it again until it expires and we throw it out. From now on, I’m going to try to limit spending to replacing products that I like and use regularly when they run out.

3. No spending on decorations or household items. This was the greatest help in preventing the house from becoming cluttered again and honestly I can’t imagine what we could POSSIBLY need that we don’t already have (or can borrow easily). 

4. Reduce spending on gifts --> make more gifts! I’m going to open up spending on gifts again but should probably set a budget.  Normally about 5% of my overall expenses are on gifts and donations to charity. Is that reasonable? I have no clue!! I’m going to try to limit spending in this category by giving more handmade gifts, which ties in nicely with rule #1.

I’m also introducing a new challenge this month, which is:

5. Minimize public transport spending At the moment transportation accounts for approximately 10% of my monthly expenses. I don’t own a car so whenever I want to go somewhere my ass takes the train. I think I can cut my spending a little by planning my train journeys during off-peak hours or during the weekend when my discount card applies. Additionally, I sometimes take the bus around town when I am feeling lazy, but I am going to try to walk and cycle more often. 

[onecraftymess]

Spent this afternoon trying to clean up my craft space and find new spots for stuff and take away things I haven’t used or don’t plan on using. One thing I am certain of - I am a massive craft HOARDER — like I have Sooooooo much stuff - I think I could literally open up a store - it’s shameful really🤫 I have good intentions to use everything I buy but then it sits - so I am doing a NO BUY month this August! Stay tuned to see how it goes 😬 my will power is shot to shit but I shall try hard to have some self control!!!! #studiocleanup #cleanliness #makeroom #toomuchstuff #studio #craftspace #keepingitreal #truth #shopaholic #crafthoarder #cutestuff #mylife #honesty #nospendchallenge (at Curtiscraftcentral) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0hfyeFpNmp/?igshid=1qc67gua34fcj

[lizasplanner]

February budget planner setup. Follow me in my budgeting journey @little_by_little_budgeting . . . #budgeting #nospendchallenge #nospend #journeytofinancialfreedom #moneymanagement #financialindependence #a5planner #budgetingcommunity https://www.instagram.com/p/CoXVGD6O1J1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[mrssmartmoneyhq]

Mum, Great news I have a new favourite parent! . OK, just to keep you up to date. I have, since early January been my darlings 3rd favourite parent. After starting the Year of Less but Better, where I'm embracing minimalism and having a No Spend Year. This has meant a clamp down on wasteful spending and an overall reduction in sweeties, hot chocolates and lollipops in our house . This has not been well received by the cherubs. . Needless to say, when there are other sources of such goodies to be tapped, your truly becomes less important as a target of affection. . For the last 4 weeks, my dear husband has been firmly in 1st place due to his penchant for hot chocolate. My mum has been a close 2nd due to the ample sweet press in her kitchen. Whereas I have been holding onto 3rd position purely out of luck as there had been no one to usurp me. . That is, until now. . I had a meeting and my good friend collected my girl from school. When I picked her that evening, she ambushed me as I walked in. A face flush with excitement, she announces with much delight… . Great news mum, I have a new favorite parent. . I was delighted, this was the moment! After all the false alarms of late, this was it, the favorite parent slot was mine again. She was finally going to take me back into the fold and place me in my rightful position. . I moved to hug her but had to pause as she gushed, it's your friend mom, she's my favourite! She gave me cake! Really nice cake too. . You are in 4th place now and that's a good thing as you are not in 3rd place anymore, you didn’t like being there. It's great news mum, I got cake and you are not my 3rd favourite parent anymore! Yep, just fantastic…. 😞 .. , . . . . . #kids #nospendyear #nospend #minimalism #minimalist #favourite #favourites #embracingaslowerlife #embracingminimalism #mindfulspending #favouriteparent #fourthplace #inbudget #moneysaved #budgethouse #nospendchallenge #greatnews #mum #mummy #frugalliving #kidquotes #kidsthoughts #funnykids #usurp #whyme #kidschallenge (at Ireland (country)) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtOxlikAQce/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=bti48tzzxabf

[hollymarlow]

Woooooooo #1 Hot New Release in Children's Adoption eBooks! ❤️ Thanks to all who have shared my social media posts to help make this happen! #adoption #adoptsiblings #siblinglove #socialwork #kindleunlimitedbooks #nospendchallenge #adoptingasibling #adoptingagain #adoptioncommunity #adoptionjourney #parenting #family #adoptionislove #siblings #siblingadoption #blendedfamily #blendedfamilies https://www.instagram.com/p/CYsA1JRs7xo/?utm_medium=tumblr

[heyketogirl]

@questnutrition pizzas are on sale at @target $6.49 each until Jan 30th ➡️ . haven't tried it and didn't buy because we still have lots of food and i'm on day 5 of #nospendchallenge not even sure why I bother even coming here 😣 . . . . . . #keto #ketodiet #dirtyketo #lazyketo #easyketo #ketosis #ketogenic #ketolife #lowcarb #lchf #ketogenicdiet #weightloss #weightlossjourney #ketofamily #ketofam #atkins #diet #ketomeals #instafood #fatisfuel #ketocommunity #ketofriendly #ketoover40 #ketoover50 #intermittentfasting #debtfree #weightloss #questnutrition #nospendjanuary #nospend (at Southern California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJsF-AWA-nl/?igshid=sn2013hbkp3x

[mryz]

Being in lockdown for so long.. i'm sure some of y'all are going to need this! 😂🙋‍♀️ . . #simpl3cr3ationss2 #nospend #nospendchallenge #nospendstickers #stickers #plannercommunity #planners #kikkik #typo #typoshop #kmart #kmartaus #officeworks #stationary #stationaryaddict #stationarylover #stickersforsale #shopify #needtosave #finance #lockdown #curfew #adulting #adultingishard https://www.instagram.com/p/CE8_nC7JfOv/?igshid=1i98gbe6padsx

[passionistaatlarge]

You didn't really expect a traditional Easter basket did you? Besides I had to use what I have already. #stayathome #stayathomechallenge #covid19response #usewhatyouhave #shopfromyourstash #easterdecor #vintagetruckdecor #creativeideas #pinkandaqua #vintagecamper #nospendchallenge https://www.instagram.com/p/B-SckcTF2lU/?igshid=sl70a8dseld8

[planningto-flail]

Another no spend week down.

This week I started a patchwork project so I’ll see how that ends up.

I’ve listened to a few audio books and reorganised my pantry so I can see how much food I have (I never have enough tinned tomatoes).

I baked cookies and stuck to a meal plan which helped reduce costs. 

I like to enter online contests and won some cleaning stuff which is useful. 

I had a free pack of veg seeds and compost disc in the post from innocent smoothies.

I had to request copy of a MRI I had had done to take to a new Doctor and found out that the hospital no longer charges for that. Yey!

The garden is filling up with birds so I set up a bird watching area by the kitchen window, a pair of binoculars, old digital camera and pictures of the birds who frequent the garden. Spring is a time of truce between us and the birds before our cherry tree begins to fruit and they eat everything. This year we have a net to keep them from the fruit but I’m not sure how we’re going to get it over the tree. 

I’m not too good health wise again so this weekend will be lots of Netflix with popcorn and coco, playing playstation games with my partner, cheese and crackers with grapes as a treat for lunch, more sewing maybe some knitting and a bit of time in the garden.  

[tidyingtime]

No spend March review

At the beginning of March I set myself a financial challenge. I wanted to dramatically cut/eliminate spending in 6 categories. I think I did okay and definitely saved some money! Here´s how I did according to an independent judge (me):

1. No spending on sewing and embroidery supplies!  I did acquire fabric and trims for a dressing gown that a friend asked me to make for her, but she paid so technically I stuck to the rules! Not having the option to go out and buy stuff also helped me commit to finishing some existing projects. I finished four things  (placemats, embroidered blouse, small sewing pouch, pillowcase) and started one new one (embroidered jewelry pouch),  all without buying any supplies! 

2. No spending on non-essential toiletries.   Nailed it! Only bought some shampoo and toothpaste because we were running out, and bought them on sale.  

3. No new clothes.   Especially pleased with how this went. The only thing I bought was a pair of jeans at a thrift store to replace a pair that was worn out. I also looked for a summer jacket in both thrift and regular stores but haven’t been able to find one I liked, so ended up only spending €9,- out of my €30,- a month budget. 

4. No spending on decorations or household items.  This category is my decluttering kryptonite, but I didn’t give in to temptation. Yay for me! 

5. No eating out or buying food on the go.  I think the only thing I paid for this month was a drink after a lecture. It was nice to see that trying to avoid spending money on eating out didn’t affect my social life as I was still able to do plenty of fun things with friends and attend events. 

6. Reduce spending on gifts. This one took the most time/effort but was also so worthwhile! Tied in nicely with resolution 1 as well. I made a friend a pouch for his sewing supplies and finally finished embroidering the blouse and sewing the pillow that I promised to make my girlfriend for her birthday. Giving them something hand-made was much more special than buying something and cheaper too, so win win. 

My very rough guess would be that my overall savings were around €50,- so definitely worth the effort. These self-imposed rules also weren’t as limiting as I anticipated and didn’t diminish my enjoyment of life. To anyone thinking of setting themselves a spending challenge, I can strongly recommend it! 

[thespookyaccountant]

I found this quote today, and I thought I'd share in case anyone else needs it like I did. No Spend November is hard. It's the little things like remembering to pack a lunch before work or grabbing a snack from the vending machine. It's important to remember that this is a learning experience. It's about changing bad spending habits. It's important to forgive yourself when you mess up.