Let’s face it–we all get off track sometimes when it comes to budgeting and managing our money wisely! Whether it be overspending on a vacation or little bad habits that add up over time, sometimes we just need to hit the reset button! If you’ve ever made it to the end of the month and wondered where all your money actually went, a month of no-spending might just be the perfect way to reset your spending habits.
Of course, going it alone can seem downright scary.
Luckily you don’t have to. Over the past four years, more than 100,000 LWSL readers have taken our 31 Days of Living Well & Spending Zero challenge (many of them more than once), with incredible results.
Here are just a few of the amazing results our readers have shared:
Thank you so much for this challenge!! We didn’t do every activity because we work full time. However, we did save $2000.00! We also sold some things that we had wanted to sell and cleaned our garage which is huge for us. My husband and I used to eat out almost every night. In addition to eating out we still always bought groceries as well. It seems like we always intend to eat at home, but then never do. We plan to continue using what we have until it’s gone. In addition to saving so much money we both feel better in general. We had already planned a trip to New Orleans to celebrate our friends birthday, but thanks to the challenge we paid cash for the entire trip!! You have been such an inspiration to us. I look forward to future challenges!!” – Becky P.
I wanted to send you a quick message to say how fantastic your 31 day zero spending challenge was. By cooking at home everyday, resisting the urge to shop and only buying essentials at the grocery store (using coupons of course) I saved over $1200. I have been wanting to save money to help with my wedding and honeymoon next year. This past month actually enabled me to buy my wedding dress with cash. Its a relief to say I won’t be seeing a dent in my bank account after the purchase of a wedding dress! Your writing style kept me engaged and inspired! I have recommended this to so many people, and look forward to the next spending zero challenge. I have inspired friends and co-workers to spend less or zero and truly feel I have some great tips on moving forward to continue saving. Thank you! Great challenge!” -Kayley S.
Prior to this challenge, my husband I had lived paycheck to paycheck, spending 100% of our income and I was unsure of how I was ever going to tackle this debt I had placed on our family. That’s where you come in. I was skeptical and I figured I would do it… next time. But, feeling hopeless and overwhelmed about our financial situation, I decided to commit. It was interesting that once I committed and was accountable, I didn’t feel restricted or deprived. Actually, I felt liberated and set free. I did realize though, throughout this challenge, that I mindlessly spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars monthly. I would catch myself having a reflex thought of “let me just buy a drink here because I forgot my water bottle”, or “I’ll just grab something to eat out because it’s easier and I don’t want to take the time to make anything”. So many times, that reflex kicked in through this month and I couldn’t believe how many times I spend unnecessary money either for convenience, laziness or just because of my feelings. Because of your challenge, I was able to pay off ALL of my credit card debt. ALL!!!!!!! I cannot believe that! I am amazed at what one month can do! I feel like a weight has been lifted and my sanity has been restored. I feel that I was able to regain my peace, in my spirit and in my mind. I feel like I can breathe again and stop hanging my head in shame. I feel like I won the battle of using material things to soothe the issues of life. I feel whole!” -LaShanna
Still not sure? Here’s what you have to gain from taking this challenge:
- Discover the surprising joy of zero spending, and make instant changes that will totally transform your attitude.
- Learn how to use the food you already have on hand to create delicious, budget friendly meals for your family.
- Be inspired to clean and declutter your living space in order to create the cozy space you’ve always dreamed of.
- Gather innovative ideas for using those items you already have on hand to create new solutions for old problems.
- Find encouragement and inspiration from others who have completed this same challenge—and lived to tell the tale.
- Learn simple tricks and tips for selling your stuff, slashing your bills, and even saving on food.
Believe me, I know all too well how stressful it can be to feel like your budget is spinning out of control, and I’ve learned that sometimes hitting the reset button through a month of no-spending is the only way to get a handle on things once again. Over the course of thirty-one simple but powerful daily assignments, this 31 Days of Living Well & Spending Zero challenge will empower and inspire you to get your finances back on track.
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I see the Kindle version now but it’s only readable on a computer? I want to buy this for my Kindle reader – will this be an option soon?
HI, I am very excited and I want to do this challenge. My husband and I eat strict low carb. I cannot in any way store enough meat, eggs, and frozen veggies in my fridge and pantry for an entire month. Our daughter , husband and their three kids live with us and we share a fridge and pantry . So, I have to spend about 300 on our personal food over the month. They buy thier food seperately. I can buy every two weeks and fit that in barely , but I cannot put the amount of food for a month away and we are currently using what is in the house right now, so I expect there to not be much end of the month. What we have is older frozen meat and I want to get it all eaten soon. So, if we break it down to every other week, and spend the 150, can that still qualify if we do not buy a single thing not on the list ? It is a very short list so easy to get in and out of the store.
Thanks Stephie
I signed up, and I’m super-excited to get started. I was just the maid of honor in a wedding, and it wound up costing me so much money, that I really need to get my spending back on track. Also, I live in Silicon Valley, where more than half my income goes to rent (according to the budget tool above, I should be paying $1,000 less a month in rent! Yikes!) I’m trying to save up to build a tiny house for me and my daughter, and I think this can help us get in the habit. I can’t wait to start!
I am signing up! I had a rough several years and let my finances get ahead of me and am hopeful I can get back on track. Thank you for putting this together.
I have looked into building a tiny house too! My husband left me and my daughter and so I need to think about my financial future and plan wisely. Have you found a city in Southern California where you can legally live in a tiny house? Are you buying a plot of land and putting the tiny house on it? That is what I have considered but different cities have different housing codes for what is legally OK. When you say tiny house do you mean just a house that is small or do you mean an actual “tiny house “? Would love to hear more about this!
🙂
I probably won’t be able to freeze the spending starting October 1st, because we are moving to Botswana, Africa with 4 totes, 2 carry-on bags, a purse, and a computer bag. We’ll be starting over, the middle of September. No pantry, freezer, etc. to use for meals. However, I AM excited to get the emails and implement the challenges as I can.
Feeling like I need to hit the reset button in so many ways. Have been in a funk for many weeks now – trying some different meds/foods/attitude adjustments and just can’t get it back on track. I find what you say in your book about the parallel btwn finances and life tends to ring true in our home. Will be putting on the big girl pants next month and looking forward to it! Also enjoying your full audio book as I drive to work each morning. Our mutual friend LeeAnn shared the written preview copy with me and I was hooked. Thank you for sharing your heart, your passion and your story for others benefit.
What is the name of the audio book?