Twice a year my husband and I choose a month where we decide that we are not going to spend any money. We pay our normal bills but we limit ALL spending other than that.
This includes, but is not limited to:
We do not go out to eat, go to the movies, or buy coffee.
We park around the block rather than pay for metered parking. We do not valet.
We do not buy clothes, have things fixed, order books.
We do not go to the spa or to the bike shop.
INSTEAD,
We eat what we have in the house. We wind our way through the cupboards, filter through the pantry and empty out the freezer. This helps us to utilize all the past food purchases that had been abandoned and forgotten. We do buy fresh veggies and some fruit - but not much else. This is good for your soul. A spring cleaning of sorts.
We give each other massages.
We take baths.
We redeem gift cards and gift certificates. Using these feels way more satisfying when you are not spending money.
We take our friends up on offers to treat us to dinner. (We give full disclosure that we are in a no spend month and it ignites the conversation which usually inspires people to try it)
We read the books we already own.
We light a fire and go for walks.
We reconnect.
When the month is over, we have literally reset our spending habits. When we go out to dinner, we are way more appreciative. We are aware of what we spend money on. Everything feels more meaningful.
i challenge you to try it.
