Saving money can be very hard. Things come up. I can attest to numerous savings plans that got foiled in their early months. Why? Saving money can be hard when so people want it (your money, that is).

However, getting some good padding in your savings can get you motivated to save more. A way to kickstart this aggressive savings goal is a “no-spend month.”

A no-spend month, which we discuss in more detail below, means that you don’t spend any money on anything other than bills and necessary costs. At the end of the month, you put the remainder in your savings account.

Of course, the answer is yes, it may not be easy, but you can make kickstart strong savings with a little effort and planning. Let’s find out how to start a month without spending any money.

Select the Right Month

Maybe your first no-spend month is not August when you have three weddings to go to. Look at the month and make sure there are no prior commitments that will throw off your goal.

Set a Goal for Your No-Spend Challenge

After finding a month that works for your schedule and your budget, you should set a specific goal for what you can save for the month.

In addition, you are going to need to look at your expenses and determine what bills you need to pay and what expenses can be cut.

Stick to Your No-Spend Plan

Sticking to your plan is all about preparation and discipline.

Determining what you spend money on other than food, cutting or limiting unnecessary ones will greatly contribute to your savings. You can also make a list of your basic needs like gas, electricity, and groceries.

Food storage can also increase savings, you can avoid spending money for your next meal by keeping your leftovers in the freezer for later.

These small adjustments to your routine help you reduce your spending and stay on track with your no-spend month.

Get Family Members to Buy-In

If you are struggling to get your family on board with your no spend challenge, failure will be inevitable. You should consult family members one by one, listen to their concerns and suggestions, and come to a common decision.

Sometimes in unexpected situations, you may have to dip into the family budget. You should consider all kinds of expenses, but these expenses can sometimes cause all of your savings to dwindle.

Go Shopping with a Plan

Before you go shopping during your no-spend month, tell your close friends about your no-spend challenge, so that they don’t demand anything extra from you and put you in the path of temptation.

Asking you to pick up extra snacks may sound harmless, but when you are confronted with endless aisles of tasty treats, or new gadgets or clothes that you otherwise would have avoided, it is an unnecessary test for your willpower.

Besides, don’t forget to make a shopping list. Only list what you really need, and don’t deviate away from the list.

How much you should buy, how will it benefit you, and how much it will cost are questions you should ask yourself before going out.

Keep Away from Credit Cards

Although it’s quite difficult nowadays, keeping your credit card in your wallet and away from the cashier is essential for saving money.

Most of us see credit cards as a safety net for difficult times. But a day can come when your credit card becomes an enemy.

If you don’t have the willpower not to use your card for frivolous purchases, you should say “goodbye” to your card during this challenge. It may be too difficult to break a bad spending habit when you are already cutting so many other expenses.

Remove Any Temptations that Encourage You to Spend Money

Today’s technology has created a society based on continuous consumption, where do you stand in that? Every email you read, every application you open, every video you watch seems to always want to take something out of your pocket.

At this point, you need to create a shield for yourself, an invisible armor, for example, that can protect you from impulse purchases and last-minute buys.

• Turn off the notifications sent to you by the websites where you constantly shop.
• Delete the applications you subscribe to, if they have in-app purchase options you can’t resist.
• Block new offers and campaigns that come to your emails.

Although these things may seem like small details, they will make a remarkable difference.

Reward Yourself at the End of the Challenge

Setting rewards can help you maintain your no-spend challenge—and continue saving after the challenge is over.

Rewards will help you learn the motivations hidden inside of you. Start looking for a gift for yourself right now, and set it as a reward for the end of your no spend-month.

Open a New Savings Account

Having spare cash around the house may cause difficulties for us in some cases. We may not be able to control ourselves, and let our money fly away on unnecessary things.

Why not open a savings account if you don’t already have one? In this way, you can move the money you save weekly out of your main account and have the satisfaction of watching it build up.

Enjoy the No-Spend Challenge

You know you can do it, we all have an inner power to overcome even the greatest temptations.

Sometimes even in the most difficult situations, it is possible to find little nuggets of happiness. Don’t think of it as a punishment, you can redirect your attention to some free activities around you, such as visiting the museum, walking in the park, free concerts, and much more.

If you don’t want to go out, stay home and play classic board games or finally watch that movie you have been putting off.

Additionally, if you do not go out so much, you will save on gas and other travel expenses. All of these options can help you to go through the process easier, the choice is yours.

Conclusion

The one-month no-spend challenge is possible with a little willpower, planning, a positive attitude, and the support of family and friends.

Set your routine and a set target. By doing this, you will strengthen your will and get to know yourself better. The experience will also test you and teach you how to survive in difficult times, a skill that is very useful and always in need of development.

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