The Surprising Benefits of a No-Spend Challenge
What if I told you that the biggest benefit of a no-spend challenge isn’t about saving money or learning to be frugal? Sure, that’s part of it. But what if I told you the real benefit isn’t financial at all?
For 30 days, I challenged myself to stop all non-essential spending. No impulse buys, no “just add to cart” purchases, and no play money spending—just the essentials. What did I gain in return? Surprisingly:
- More time to focus on things that actually matter.
- Less anxiety over what to buy, when to buy it, and whether it would sell out.
- A complete mindset shift around how I was using my time—not just my money.
I didn’t go into this challenge to personally fix anything. I already know that I’m good with money. But what I realized was how much consumerism had taken over my life.
Why Would a Financially Responsible Person Do a No-Spend Challenge?
Let’s get into this—because I don’t have debt. I budget. I save. I invest. I pay my credit cards in full. So why would someone like me—a financial educator who teaches people how to manage money—choose to stop spending for a month?
Because I was exhausted from consumerism.
The holiday season in November and December had me in constant spending mode—even though everything was planned. Between gifts, travel, family gatherings, and all the small expenses that add up, I felt like I had been on a spending treadmill for two months straight. I wasn’t in financial distress. But I was mentally drained from constantly:
- Tracking purchases
- Planning what to buy
- Researching deals and availability
Even though I was spending with intention, I realized I had been caught in the overconsumption loop—the never-ending cycle of planning, buying, and preparing for the next purchase. That’s when I knew I needed a spending detox.
How I Structured My No-Spend Challenge
I’ll be honest—I didn’t cut out all of my spending. That wasn’t the point. Instead, I focused on one key area: play money.
What Is Play Money?
Play money is the personal spending I set aside each month for myself. It’s separate from my essential expenses and family spending budget.
- It’s what I use for skincare, haircare, wellness products, or things that bring me joy.
- It’s not for gas or groceries—that’s covered separately in my bills checking account.
- It’s not for family outings or entertainment—that’s all covered in my lifestyle checking account.
- It’s discretionary money I give myself and everyone in my family to spend guilt-free.
I routinely plan my play money two to three weeks in advance, meaning I always know what I want to buy, when I want to buy it, and why. But that’s where the problem came in—I was spending too much time managing my spending. So for 30 days, I made one simple change: I stopped spending my play money. Heck, let’s see what happens.
How My No-Spend Challenge Affected My Family
Since I naturally lead most of our planned and unplanned spending, my decision to stop spending my play money had a ripple effect.
- My husband, who usually spends very little, followed my lead.
- My kids, who love getting new things, didn’t ask for anything—because I wasn’t talking about spending.
We still had our family budget for dining out and entertainment, but since I wasn’t bringing it up, we naturally spent less. That’s when I realized: The tone of our family’s spending habits starts with me.
If I start planning a DIY project, my whole family jumps in. If I mention eating out, we’re suddenly craving takeout. If I plan purchases for my husband, he rolls with it. Taking a break from spending showed me just how much influence I have over our household’s financial habits.
What I Learned About Myself
At first, I thought the challenge would be difficult. But what surprised me most wasn’t the lack of spending—it was how much time I got back. Instead of constantly browsing, planning, and researching purchases, I found myself doing things I always say I “don’t have time for.”
- I read more with my kids.
- I worked out and focused on my nutrition.
- I created more content instead of scrolling for inspiration.
- I used my free time to take action—rather than shop for solutions.
I wasn’t just cutting out spending. I was reclaiming my time.
Mindset Shifts That Changed Everything
Again, this challenge wasn’t just about what I saved financially—it was about breaking habits I didn’t even realize I had.
1. The “Use It or Lose It” Mentality
Because I plan my play money two to three weeks out, I used to feel like if I didn’t use it, I was missing out on enjoying my money. This was my one chance to spoil myself and treat myself to whatever I wanted, no questions asked. But this challenge made me realize that not spending was also an option—and that I don’t have to force myself to use my play money just because it’s there. The money will still be there, and I am still worthy regardless of what I do or don’t buy.
2. The Anxiety of “Buy It Before It’s Gone”
During the pandemic, shopping became a race—items would sell out in minutes. That feeling of urgency secretly stuck with me. I would add things to my cart weeks in advance, then check daily to make sure they were still there, and rush to check out on the first of the month. It was a toxic habit—I was checking my Amazon and Target apps like social media. I was exhausted from always checking my phone. Letting go of this habit showed me that most things will still be there when I actually need them. I don’t have to rush.
3. The Hidden Time Cost of Spending
Even though I wasn’t overspending financially, I was overspending my time.
- I spent hours researching, planning, and strategizing my play money.
- I was mentally tracking purchases like they were deadlines.
- I had made purposeful spending into a full-time hobby.
By stepping away, I realized how much consumerism isn’t just about money—it’s about attention. Corporations spend billions to grab our attention and money—the last thing I want to do is give them both.
Final Takeaways: What This Challenge Taught Me
At the end of 30 days, I didn’t just spend less—I gained more.
- More time to focus on things that actually improve my life.
- More mental clarity without constantly tracking purchases.
- More awareness of how consumer habits quietly shape my routine.
The biggest lesson?Financial literacy isn’t just about spending wisely—it’s about knowing when to step away. If you’ve ever felt like shopping is running your life instead of the other way around, try a no-spend challenge for yourself. You might be surprised at what you learn—not just about money, but about yourself.
