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 just started reading your book and am so looking forward to using this as I read through the book. Thank you so much.
A great idea! I’ll definitely try it, although I’m pretty sure to fail the first week completely, because I’m on a business trip abroad – if it doesn’t work out at all, I’ll just do an additional week in november 🙂
I am excited to try this for the first time and signed up. However, October is when our anniversary is and we have a couple family celebratory events (birthdays, etc.) Is it okay to freeze as much spending as possible with the plan but still accommodate the events already on the calendar?
I’m so in! I feel like my husband and I have the same conversation about downsizing and contentment on a regular basis. He says, “Great let’s do it!” and I’m like OK but then nothing changes. I think this challenge will definitely help and may be a bit revealing as I might also be a shopaholic! Just wanted to add that I’ve been poking around your site a bit and I just read your initial post about taking your kids’ toys away. I love IT! I recently went through my boys’ toys and put away a cabinet full and then some. I left out puzzles, tools, books, cars, trains, and dress-up (superhero costumes, of course!). I thought they would pitch a fit but really they barely noticed. Who woulda thunk?! I also just read your contentment post, which resonated so deeply with me! Thanks for being honest and putting yourself out there. I’m actually excited to spend ZERO and see how it affects our budget, and how much we’ll be able to save. ;-D
Do you do this at another time? I would love to give this a try, but we have a two week scheduled vacation and that makes not spending impossible!
Hi Pat,
You can do the spending freeze at any time. You can order the book on Amazon and have all the information at once. I hope that helps. Enjoy your vacation. 🙂
I have a question for the Veteran Zero Spenders: I would really like to try this but based on previous conversations I can predict how my spouse will respond and he won’t want to participate. Has anyone had any success convincing a reluctant spouse or even just doing what they can individually to reduce spending?
Kaelyn,
Try this…
First thing you have to do is erase any “predictions” on how he will react from your mind. What happens is YOU believe the conversation is going to go a certain way (most likely negative) and you project that into the situation.
For example it may cause you to start the conversation this way:
“well… I know you Proobbably don’t want to Buuutt I was thinking that Maybee….”
Do you see how unsure and nervous that sounds?
He will hear that and think that if you aren’t excited why should he be. Right?
Instead show your unwavering enthusiasm and make it about both of you.
(smiling and giddy!)
“Babe remember we talked about how we wanted to (insert topic here). Well I just saw this GREAT challenge that I’m really excited about that’s going to help us (talk about the benefits here).
Here is where normally someone would give an ultimatum or a yes/no question. DONT do that!
Instead you can better your odds by giving him slightly skewed questions.
This is what you say next (remember keep your enthusiasm up the whole time):
Wouldn’t you like to (ex. “have more home cooked meals so that (benefits)”)…..
you can use anything you want but they must be questions he can’t refuse and it must relate to the challenge.
Wouldn’t you like (ex. “to finally get rid of some of the clutter around here so that (benefits)”)….
Ask 2 or three of these “Can’t Say No” questions then hit him with this.
THEN LET’S DO IT! (you can even throw in that it’s free and it’ll be something fun to do together)
Try it out and let me know how it goes.
Derrick Deon
“Remember to Live, Love, and Laugh, and make it a Habit”
That sounds kind of manipulating. Skewing questions to get what you want, even if it’s a “good thing” that u want doesn’t end up being a “good thing” because it wasn’t in unity. Saving money at the risk of being manipulative isn’t worth it. Full honesty and honoring someone’s choices is always a good thing.