March = First No Spend Month!

Okay so this title may be a little confusing for some so let me explain.

I've been reading a lot on fellow #debtfreecommunity Instagram accounts about people doing no spend months. I've been very curious and following people very closely to see how they achieve this task. To me, it seems impossible but in the end so worth it.

In January of this year, I started writing down everything I was spending money on. Literally, everything. At the end of the month I couldn't believe 1) how often I was spending and 2) some of the things I was spending money on. It's a harsh reality when you look at what you feel like was wasted money during the month. February I did the same, and then around the last four days of the month I forgot to record what I was spending. I knew I had to get back on track, especially with expenses coming up this month and now a trip to plan for in the middle of May.

So here I am at March. I have decided to make March a no spend month! Now, obviously there will be days that I spend money. I have bills to pay, gas and groceries to purchase and so on. My goal for this month was to have 21 NO SPEND days. Meaning I would only have 10 days in the entire month where I can do my spending. I know that a lot of the Debt Free Community doesn't count their bill payments in their spending days, but I decided that I would to see where I could get in ten days. I didn't really go into this month with a plan (I did not plan what days I will buy groceries, when I will get gas, pay my bills etc). This month I decided will be a trial and error run. My overall goal is to curb my 'useless' spending AKA restaurants, coffee stops, the mall etc. I want to see how much I can actually save if I put my money towards something more useful.

So far, I'm doing not the greatest. I've spent 4/5 days this month, and I know tomorrow I will have to get gas. So I am struggling a little bit to find a rhythm but I know I'll get there! The good thing is: all of the spending done was budgeted for or went towards bills. So I know slowly but surely I will build up those savings!

If you have any tips/tricks for a no spend month please send them my way! My top ways to save my money this month include:

Yoga twice a week (currently have 19 classes on a class pass to use up)

Saikel once a week (currently have 20 classes on a class pass to use up, that I got for free I might add)

Coffee made at home (and saving co-workers McDonald's stickers to treat myself to free coffees when I get there)

Work on freelance stuff during the week to avoid going out after work

Plan friend hangouts in those areas above, or go for walks/hang out at The Forks on days where it's warm outside

I am excited to see where this month takes me and hopefully it will lead into an April full of even less spending! Can't wait to share my results in a few weeks!