What I Learned from a No-Spend November Challenge
What I Learned from a No-Spend November Challenge
It’s hard. Surprisingly hard to ‘not spend.’ Anyone who’s tried it knows the resolve it takes, and honestly, the inner battle is almost funny. It’s wild how we can justify our ‘wants’ as needs! I definitely laughed at some of the thoughts running through my head about what I thought were necessities. But yes, I really did it—for the entire month of November, I only spent on true needs. It was my first attempt, and honestly, it was a real challenge.
Let me walk you through my journey and share the impact it had on my finances. And just so you know—this isn’t something reserved just for November! You can try it any month. I encourage people to start small: pick one day, or go for a week, then maybe two. Any attempt can help you unlock the benefits I’m about to share.
I chose November because it sounds catchy and it’s the perfect time to reset after the summer holidays and back-to-school expenses. Plus, it sets me up to step into the holiday season feeling relaxed and debt-free.
First Step: Preparing for the Challenge
Step 1: Define Your Rules
Setting your rules is essential. In a no-spend period (whether it’s a day, week, or month), you typically only spend on necessities. But what counts as a necessity for you? For me, that included essential bills, groceries, and basic toiletries—but after the challenge, I realized that social outings are essential, too! You might discover what’s truly necessary for you. Setting a budget is always helpful, but if budgeting isn’t your thing or you’re just getting started (check out my blog for budgeting tips), make sure you have a clear picture of what you need to spend on this month. This could include birthdays, events, or even new winter tires.
Step 2: Treat Yourself Before You Start
Yes, you heard me right! Treat yourself to something small before starting the challenge. Think through what you might want or need during the month, allowing yourself one final indulgence. For me, it was a lovely dinner out with my husband—it felt like a mini-anniversary. We also set new rules for our weekly date nights, opting for activities like spin classes instead of dining out. Now, we’re spin fanatics! It was tough at first, as I cherish those evenings of being wined and dined, but it was rewarding to find joy in simpler experiences. If you know you’ll want something specific, like throw pillows, a new shirt, or shoes, make that last purchase before the challenge—but don’t go overboard.
Step 3: Take Inventory
This is where the magic happens—organizing and making sense of what you already have. I took time to sort through my pantry, closet, and supplies to avoid buying duplicates or unnecessary items. Taking inventory helps you stick to your shopping list and make quick, purposeful trips to the store—no wandering around for things you don’t need. Not only will you save money, but you might also end up with a nicely organized home!
Step 4: Meal Prep
If you’ve never meal-planned, this challenge will be a crash course! Eating out can torpedo your budget, so setting a realistic weekly food budget is key. Our first week was a success, and it felt great, but by the third week, it got tougher. I had to rely on what was left in my pantry and freezer, which truly tested my creativity. This approach to meal prep was a significant part of our savings and taught everyone in the house to be more mindful of waste and meal preparation.
Step 5: Find a Distraction
One important rule I set was to avoid my usual time-wasting activities, like browsing at HomeSense or shopping on Amazon. You probably know your own weak spots too. For me, it’s home décor—I can’t just browse; I buy. So, if it’s not absolutely needed, I don’t even step foot in the store. If shopping is your happy place, your retreat, or just a habit, you’ll need to find something new to fill that time! This could be the opportunity your genius self has been waiting for—you might discover a new hobby, a passion that could turn into a side hustle, or even a new adventure. Just remember to keep it budget-friendly. It’s perfectly fine to invest a little in a new hobby if it helps you break away from regular shopping habits and boosts your personal growth. It could even be as simple as researching something online or doing a deep clean of your home. Take a moment to identify your weak spot—whether it’s Costco, Target, the mall, or online shopping—and come up with a backup plan for when the urge strikes.
Define Your Individual Reason “WHY”
Defining your 'why' is crucial to making this challenge work. We often talk about defining our 'why' in business, career choices, dieting, and lifestyle changes—this is no different. Knowing and sticking to your ‘why’ will help keep you strong throughout the challenge. You might even want to write it on a sticky note to remind you when temptation hits or set it as your screensaver. Ask yourself honestly: why are you doing this? You can share your reason, or keep it private, but the most important thing is to define the purpose of this challenge for you.
I’ll share mine: Saving money always makes me happy, but I wanted to break the habit of mindless spending. I was reaching a point where I wasn’t even thinking about my purchases, and I wanted to appreciate what I already had. I also set a goal to start the new year without a balance on my credit cards. And another big reason? I wanted to be able to write this blog and share this experience with you, hoping it might help someone along the way!
I truly believe this challenge is a fantastic opportunity to reset and catch up on debt payments, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed or want to break free from financial stress. And if you dig a little deeper, you may find this challenge brings up some interesting emotions around why we spend and what voids we might be trying to fill.
It's OK if You Slip Up
You may slip up, and that’s okay. If it happens, just acknowledge it and ask yourself why. Get curious. What led you to the expense? Was it peer pressure, family expectations, moral reasons, cultural habits, stress, frustration, or maybe just boredom? No shame, no guilt. This is a key part of the challenge because we all have things to work through—that’s why you’re doing this in the first place. So don’t brush it under the rug; really take the time to address it.
Confession: I allowed myself a small splurge to catch up with a friend, which was both necessary and restorative. I also caved and bought a Sephora blush brush I honestly didn’t need—but in my mind, I was convinced it was the brush I’d been searching for forever. That was a funny experience!
Communication Is Key
Telling people about your challenge doesn’t just help with accountability, it also builds a support network and might even inspire others to try it themselves! When I told my mother I was doing a No-Spend November challenge, she immediately assumed I was in some kind of financial distress. But once I explained my ‘why’ to her, she became much more supportive. It’s funny how we tend to assume someone is struggling if they say they’re saving or not spending. We’re not conditioned to hear people say they aren’t spending—it’s usually the opposite! We often discuss what we bought and how much we spend on this and that. People who don’t spend are labeled as frugal or, gasp, cheap. But it’s time we change that narrative and start supporting more mindful spending and each other’s financial goals.
My husband was on board, but my kids? Not so much. They thought it was ridiculous. It was hard for them to get a ‘no’ from me on the little things they wanted. ‘No, because it’s No-Spend November.’ For me, it felt great to stick to my plan, and maybe they needed to see that mindful spending is possible. Interestingly, it brought them more awareness of their own spending habits, and one of my daughters even got a bit thrifty. She ended up thrifting for the first time and found some of the most flattering pieces of clothing she’s ever owned. So there was another bonus!
The BENEFITS
This challenge pushed me to evaluate my entire Financial Priorities Wheel and helped me clearly define what I truly wanted to spend money on. At first, I used the excuse of it being a no-spend month to avoid buying certain things, but after a few days, I felt more confident about voicing where our money should be going. Surprisingly, socializing turned out to be an essential for me—after three weeks of missing out on some events, I realized how much it mattered for my well-being to go out with friends. Now, I no longer feel guilty about booking these outings because I know they fill my bucket!
A no-spend challenge isn’t just about saving money—it’s a transformative experience that changes how you view and manage your finances. To see significant results, consider extending the challenge or repeating it periodically. It’s not about strict deprivation but about making smarter financial choices. I recommend trying it for three consecutive months or setting aside a month each year for this “fast,” “cleanse,” or challenge—whatever you’d like to call it! A no-spend month can lead to some truly profound transformations.
Here are some key takeaways you might gain from a no-spend challenge:
Understanding Your Financial Priorities: Identify what really matters to you.
Get to Know Your Numbers: This challenge forces you to review bank statements and keep track of spending. If you’re not a fan of expense tracking, this month might just be the solution.
Build Your Emergency Fund: For those who aren’t sure how much they need in an emergency fund, this challenge can shed light on unexpected expenses and help you set a target.
Appreciation for What You Have: Learn to appreciate what you already own, and maybe even start a gratitude practice for your belongings.
Live Within Your Means: If this is something you struggle with, this challenge will help put things in perspective.
Budget Realism: For those not keen on budgeting, this challenge provides a real-time view of where your money goes.
Goal Setting and Financial Dream Realization: You might be inspired to explore a new career, take a course, invest in yourself, or ramp up your investment goals.
Self-Reflection: Uncover the emotional triggers behind your spending—why do you spend the way you do?
Inspire Others: This challenge might encourage others in your family or circle to try it, shifting the conversation to mindful spending.
Save Money: If you’re in a financial pinch, trying to pay down debt, or want extra cash for a goal, this could be the solution.
If you’ve completed a no-spend challenge and have a story to share, I’d love to hear from you. Comment below or reach out to me directly! And if this has intrigued or inspired you, why not join me for a No-Spend November next year? Or start your own no-spend challenge whenever you feel ready. It’s a journey that offers more than just financial benefits—it’s about gaining insights into your spending habits and making lasting changes.
To make it easier and more motivating, I’ve created some printable worksheets in my Etsy shop to help you stay accountable!
Good luck, and remember it’s all about building financial confidence. This is just another tool in the game of money, and I hope it proves to be an empowering one!
Feel free to share your positive statement below. It may inspire others!
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