#NoSpendSeptember is trending this year, and it's no surprise why. A pumpkin spice latte is over $7, inflation keeps going up and up, and everyone is feeling the stress of holiday spending starting to build already.
A no spend challenge is a great way to save money for holiday gifts, pay off debt, or just curb a potential shopping addiction! Here are 14 ways you can save money during your no spend challenge:
Learn to make lattes at home. Yes, the first suggestion I have involves spending some money. But if you can make permanent changes to save money that will last more than the month of September, I consider that a win! After a grueling hot summer, can you really expect yourself to not want a cozy drink? Instead of spending hundreds on coffees out, learn to make pumpkin spice lattes at home!
You can make your own pumpkin spice coffee syrup at home, but for pure convenience, the same syrup used in coffee shops is only $16 on Amazon. A full-size pumpkin spice syrup will last the entire rest of the year, possibly saving you hundreds of dollars on PSL's.
I highly recommend going through your bank statements for the last month and seeing how much you spend on Starbucks each month and see if investing in a home espresso machine is worth it to you! Investing in a way to make coffee at home that you will love and stick to is a great start to a no spend challenge!
Re-organize your Fall wardrobe. Before you run out to spend money on 2023 Fall styles, go through your clothes to see what is worth keeping and what might be worth donating. If you keep your cold weather clothes in storage during the Spring and Summer, it's likely that you don't even remember all the Fall clothes you have. Spend a day going through your closet and have some fun putting together outfits for this Fall!
Delete shopping apps on your phone. Out of sight, out of mind. Uninstall shopping apps from your phone and you'll be less likely to start online shopping in moments of boredom.
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Replace social media scrolling with reading a book. Influencing is a billion-dollar industry, and chances are you've bought something you saw in a Tiktok or Facebook video. Social media is also filled with targeted ads from your recent searches. For a month, try replacing mindless scrolling with a motivational book. Check out these 11 books to read during your healing era for some book recommendations.
Go through your subscriptions. Still paying for Hulu even though you never watch it? Take a day to go through your subscriptions like streaming services and gym memberships, and finally stop procrastinating unsubscribing.
Try a meal planner this month. One of the biggest reasons you eat out too much is because you don't have a plan for what you're eating every day. Spending a little on a meal planner and committing to using it for at least one month could potentially save you hundreds in the long run!
Plan a cooking-at-home date night. A no spend challenge can be a fun opportunity to try new date ideas like cooking at home together!
Replace single-use plastics at home. If you want to spend save money in the long run, there are easy switches you can make at home to save money on plastic bags and paper towels. Instead of using single-use paper towels, stock up on microfiber towels you can throw in the wash. Instead of single-use plastic bags, invest in reusable plastic bags!
Make a simple budget spreadsheet. The first and most important way to start saving money is to be honest about how you're spending it. Use Google Sheets to create a spreadsheet for free, and break down your income, monthly bills, and monthly spending on non-necessary items.
Socialize without spending money. As it starts to cool down for the year, it's the perfect time to go for a hike, break out some old board games, or simply relax on the porch with your friends and family. If you're new to hiking, find some tips on how to how to start hiking here!
Spend your extra time doing a side hustle. Save up for holiday gifts by donating plasma or finding easy side hustles like completing surveys or doing medical scribing part-time.
Plan out holiday events and vacation spending. It's not too early to start planning out holiday gifts and next year's vacation. Using Google Sheets again, you can create a spreadsheet for free to plan out how much you need to save for gifts and a vacation in 2024!
Get a library card. Even though reading is such a great hobby and great for you too, books can add up to break the bank. If you're flying through books, you can save money by getting a library card. Alternatively, you can save money by signing up for Kindle Unlimited, a monthly subscription service that gives you access to hundreds of thousands of books. In the long run, a monthly subscription could save you money if you find yourself spending more than $11 a month on books. Consider buying a Kindle that has Kindle Unlimited included!
Utilize coupons for eating out. Lastly, pay attention to coupons that you get in the mail. Saving even a few dollars per meal out will add up throughout the month, giving you more wiggle room in your budget for the holidays!
I hope you enjoyed these 14 ways to save money during a no spend challenge. A no spend challenge is a great way to save money and also become more money conscious and sustainable!
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