No-Spend January: Our Attempt to Cut Out Excess

The holidays are over, the decorations are put away, and the new year is here. With it comes the opportunity for fresh starts, and in our household, that means trying something new: No-Spend January.

What is No-Spend January?

It’s exactly what it sounds like—a month-long challenge to eliminate any unnecessary spending. Of course, essentials like the mortgage, utility bills, and other fixed expenses still happen. But we’re cutting out everything extra: no takeout, no impulse Amazon buys, no coffee runs, and even no grocery shopping—yes, you read that right.

We’re relying entirely on our food storage for meals this month. The only exception? A single purchase of milk mid-month to keep things running smoothly. We also stocked up on essentials like milk just before the challenge began to make it manageable.

For now, this doesn’t include our Disney+ subscription (because let’s be honest, those family movie nights are keeping us sane). But who knows—future challenges might take it up a notch!

Why We’re Doing It

After the holiday season, it’s easy to feel like spending is out of control. Between gift-giving, parties, and festive extras, the expenses can pile up fast. Starting the year with a no-spend challenge feels like a way to:

1. Refocus on what we already have: Use up what’s in the pantry, freezer, and shelves. It’s a chance to get creative with meals and truly appreciate the food we’ve stored.
2. Save more intentionally: Every dollar not spent on groceries or non-essentials can go toward our financial goals.
3. Break bad habits: Whether it’s scrolling through online deals or grabbing dinner out because we’re too tired to cook, this month is about resetting those habits.

What’s Not Included

We’ve decided to keep certain automated bills, like streaming services, as part of our essentials for now. Disney+ is staying, at least for this challenge, because family downtime is important. But as we get more comfortable with the no-spend mindset, we may revisit this decision in future challenges.

How We’re Preparing

To make it through the month, we’re focusing on a few strategies:

• Meal planning with food storage: Our meals this month are coming entirely from what we already have on hand. It’s a chance to dig into the pantry, freezer, and long-term storage items we’ve been meaning to use.
• Allowing for one milk purchase: Mid-month, we’ll make a single run for milk to keep things manageable. Otherwise, we’re staying out of the grocery store altogether.
• Entertainment at home: Board games, puzzles, and those Disney+ movie nights are replacing dining out or costly activities.
• Setting clear rules: No sneaky exceptions, even for small treats. Sticking to the challenge means committing fully!

What We Hope to Gain

This isn’t just about saving money—it’s about proving to ourselves that we can live well with less. By the end of January, we’re hoping to not only save a little extra but also build healthier financial habits for the rest of the year.