January 22, 2025
New Year, New Spending Habits: The Power of No-Spend Weeks
As we kick off a new year, many of us are thinking about ways to save money and improve our financial habits. For me, it’s all about cutting out unnecessary spending during the week. I am definitely a ‘treat myself’ type of person, but after reviewing my spending in 2024 I’ve realize that all of the little purchases can quickly add up. I’ve implemented a strategy that I’m calling “No Spend Weeks,” where I commit to not spending any money on frivolous or non-essential items Monday through Friday after work. So far, it’s been a game-changer. I even have a few friends joining me too! I know a lot of people do a no spend month during January, which is great, but I don’t think this helps with an overall lifestyle change. I wanted to try out No Spend Weeks and hopefully help create better financial habits for myself this year. Here’s how it works and why it’s helping me save more money.
What is a “No Spend Week”?
A “No Spend Week” is exactly what it sounds like: not spending money during the week on things that aren’t absolutely necessary. Obviously if my tank is on E I’ll fill it up, but overall I’m trying to cut back on unnecessary spending. I’ve chosen to set this rule for the weekdays, because I realized how often I’d give in to spontaneous purchases or treat myself to things like coffee runs, takeout, or random shopping just to unwind after a busy day.
The Rules:
- No eating out after work
- No impulse online shopping
- No buying coffee, snacks, or drinks
- ONLY spend money on what I absolutely need
The idea isn’t to deprive myself but to be more mindful of where my money is going. It’s a conscious effort to slow down, reflect on what I truly need, and find alternatives that don’t involve spending. Especially as a blogger, I constantly am buying myself new items claiming ‘it’s for work’ to justify frivolous purchases. It’s not that I don’t buy things anymore, but I find that putting items in my cart and waiting until the weekend I often make the decision that I don’t need something. I also know if I do end up wanting it days later then I must really love it!
Why I Chose the Weekdays
I’m sure this is pretty obvious, but weekdays are typically filled up by my full-time job, working out, etc. so I’m typically pretty routine during the weeks. I know weekends are the time for socializing, entertainment, and shopping, but for me, I had the majority of my frivolous spending during the week (and it adds up quick). Before work, I’d often stop for a quick breakfast or after work I’d grab a takeout meal because I didn’t feel like cooking. Sometimes I’d even treat myself to something online just because the workday was stressful.
By focusing on Monday through Friday, I’m setting clear boundaries for myself during the times when I’m most likely to overspend on unnecessary things. It’s given me a solid foundation of saving money before the weekend arrives, where I might have more opportunities to budget for a meal out with friends or some well-deserved relaxation. I also find that on the weekends I can relax about spending and know that I deserve a nice dinner, workout class, etc. It also has really helped me so far with my eating habits since I buy a lot of groceries and plan out my weekly diet.
How I’ve Made It Work
Adapting to this lifestyle change took a little creativity, but here’s what’s been working for me:
- Meal Prepping: I’ve been more intentional about meal prepping on Sundays, making sure I have everything I need for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This has not only saved me money but also saved me time. No more last-minute Chipotle dinners (lol). I typically shop at Aldi & Wegmans on weekends and make sure I have everything I need for the week! This not only helps me save money, but also I eat way healthier.
- Tea and Snacks: Instead of buying my usual chai latte or snacks, I’ve been making tea or smoothies in the morning and prepping a few healthy snacks.
- Staying Busy with Free Activities: I’ve made it a point to focus on activities that don’t cost anything. Whether it’s taking a walk, trying a free workout class, reading, etc. there are a lot of ways to stay busy without spending!
- Tracking Progress: To keep myself motivated, I’ve started tracking how much money I’m saving each week by cutting out these non-essential expenses. It’s amazing to see the numbers add up! I use apps like RocketMoney and Credit Karma. Also it’s nice to find friends to do this with so you can hold each other accountable.
The Benefits of No-Spend Weeks
Even though I’m only a few weeks in, the benefits of my No Spend Weeks have been pretty clear:
- Financial Freedom: I’ve been able to save more money and put it into my savings account for future big expenses. By not spending on impulse, I’m able to put that extra cash toward things that really matter—like paying off debt, building an emergency fund, or saving for a vacation.
- Less Stress: I used to feel a lot of guilt about buying things I didn’t need. This no-spend challenge has helped me make smarter choices and has taken away that stress. I’m more intentional about what I spend money on and have a greater appreciation for the things I already have. For example, my mom and I had such a nice day last weekend grabbing breakfast and painting pottery and even though I spent money I wasn’t stressed about it and appreciated the time with my mom!
- More Time to Focus on What Really Matters: Without the distraction of shopping or seeking out things to buy, I’ve found that I have more time and energy to focus on personal growth, relationships, and other important goals for the year.
Let me know if you try No Spend Weeks! I’ve been loving it!
