Many years ago I embarked on my very first no spend challenge. This is when I spent zero dollars for a whole 30 days. That’s right…zero spending for an entire month! (except for bills and a few groceries.)
When I embarked on my first no spend challenge, I just jumped right in without a plan. I will tell you that I was successful in completing the challenge, however, it could have been so much smoother if I had a plan in place!
“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail,” quoted by Benjamin Franklin, is excellent advice to put in place when you are embarking on a challenge of not spending a dime for 30 days.
The thought of no spending for a month is downright daunting… but then to face the challenge without any plan in place?! We all know that we can pretty much expect defeat.
That is not what we want.
So, today, I’m going to outline several ways to plan for a successful no spend challenge.
But first…
Why do a No Spend Challenge?
Not spending any extra money for 30 days can sound crazy, I know. However, a No Spend Challenge is a great way to reset our spending habits.
The end goal for me personally, is not to deprive myself, but to reframe how I spend money.
Completing a No Spend Challenge helps me to make more intentional purchases that align more with my true financial goals.
Speaking of goals, a no spend challenge is also a great way to kickstart your financial goals.
Once you reset or reframe your spending habits to serve you, you will be well on your way to completing those goals you never thought possible!
Let’s plan shall we?
Step 1: Determine the length
The first step is to determine the length that your no spend challenge will last. If this is your first no spend challenge, I suggest starting small. Maybe a weekend, a work week or 7 days. Starting small will pretty much ensure a successful no spend challenge.
As you start to see the fruits of your no spend challenge, you can increase the frequency of your weekend/work week/7 day challenges. Or you can jump into a 30 day challenge to see the greatest increase in your savings account.
Step 2: Look ahead to what’s coming
Grab your calendar and take note of any events, birthdays or vacations you have coming up. You can either pick a period of time that avoids those events, or work around them.
I personally like to work around any events, birthdays, anniversaries, or family vacations we already have planned. This is so we don’t become paralyzed waiting for a perfect month. After all, any month or day is a great day to save money!
I should note that it’s possible to use creativity with planned events. In the past, I have gone on a quick vacation to Vancouver during a no spend month (already planned) and used only gift cards that I had accumulated!
Step 3: Take Inventory
This is a crucial step to having a successful no spend challenge.
Before I embark on a no spend challenge, I take inventory of my fridge, pantry, freezer and anywhere I keep household supplies.
I mark down everything I find. I’m often surprised at what I do find. Lol. Sometimes I have no idea that there are two pork tenderloins frozen in the freezer, for example.
During a typical month, food can be a huge area of the budget. By taking inventory for a no spend challenge, you will greatly reduce the amount of money you need to spend on food because you can use what you already have on hand.
This is a great time to quickly jot down some meals that you can make with the ingredients that you find.
Step 4: Use creativity
One of the hardest parts of a no spend challenge can be figuring out how to use what you have or learning to go without. This is where a bit of creativity can really pay off!
Here are some ideas to get your creativity flowing:
Trade your abundance with friends (have a lot of zucchini but need toiletries?).
Take to Pinterest to be inspired with meal ideas or simple DIY projects to create things with stuff you already have.
Save money by buying just one of something instead of 10.
Shop only where you have gift cards.
Order any groceries you need online so you aren’t tempted to impulse buy.
Borrow a book, audiobook or video from your library.
Take advantage of free community events .
Carpool to work.
Declutter and sell items to make some cash.
Go on a walk with a friends instead of going for coffee.
A no spend challenge can be a real eye opener on how you really spend your money on a normal basis.
During a challenge, this is a great time to assess where you really value spending money. On the other hand, you can also assess what you are wasting money on without even realizing it.
Instead of spending money all the time as a solution, a no spend challenge will help you to work with what you already have. So needs may become wants as you work through creative solutions.
I have no doubt that a successful no spend challenge will teach you lessons that will last a lifetime.
How to do life after your challenge
Immediately after a no spend challenge is an important period.
You don’t want to fall back into any bad spending habitsor go on a shopping spree to make up for days without spending anything.
This is a good time to look at how much money you saved during your no spend period as well.
What do you plan to do with your savings? Are you going to transfer it to your savings account or use the extra money to pay some bills or debt?
After you decide what you’re going to do, take action immediately. Put the money to use right away, or you might be tempted to use it for the wrong thing.
One last thing. Remind yourself constantly of what you really want your money to do for you. Do you want to pay off your mortgage as quickly as possible? Do you want to spend a month traveling Europe? What ever your true financial goals are, write them down and keep them in a visible spot so you’re constantly reminded. Don’t shortchange yourself. You are worth it.
If you’re really looking for an in-depth system for a successful no spend challenge, I recommend my No Spend Challenge Planner! It’s 45 pages of instructions, no spend activity ideas, pantry meal ideas, before and after challenge questions, food inventory sheets, gratitude sheets and so much more! Take a look here!
This was such a big hit in past years, that I took the time to update it with this year’s dates! Hope you enjoy 🙂
Are you living in the Okanagan or planning on taking a trip there this summer? The Okanagan happens to be the place I call home, so I thought I’d create a guide full of fun, frugal activities that take place in the land of sun. The goal is for this to be The Ultimate Frugal Okanagan Summer Activity Guide. If you have an event or know of a really cool place to visit, let me know and I’ll add it to the list!
Grouponhas a ton of local discounted restaurants, spas, things to do and more! Check it out for great savings on the things you want to do in the Okanagan.
I just bought a giant tub of coconut oil from Costco so I thought I’d better add a list of 10 uses for coconut oil! To go along with the 10 uses for vinegar and baking soda, of course.
While I purchased mine at Costco, it’s also available at grocery stores and Amazon too.
I’ve used coconut oil in the past for cooking and baking, however, I’m really excited to delve into all that the product offers. There are so many unique ways to use it!
Here are 10 Uses for Coconut Oil:
#1 – Shaving Cream: Coconut oil can serve as a pretty fine substitute for shaving cream when you’re getting ready to go to work in the morning. Also, if you rubbed the electric razor a little too hard on your skin, coconut oil can also serve as a great after shave lotion.
#2 – Leather Cleaner and Protector: You have a leather coat or couch and want to condition the material. Maybe you have heard that coconut oil is a good use for leather and faux leather conditioning. You wonder if it will take out the cracks and help the leather look smooth for a long time.
Well, the good news is that coconut oil is an excellent conditioner for leather and faux leather material. Use a clean, dry cloth to buff the oil onto the leather or faux leather surface.
#3 – Oil For Wood Bowls and Boards: If one doesn’t maintain their woodware properly, the consequences can be rather irritating. Some pretty serious stains can settle in, and smells can linger for a long time.
Coconut oil can serve as a great way to get those tough stains and smells out of your favorite wood bowl and off your favorite cutting board. Just use it as you would any other wood treating oil; a fine, thorough rub into the wood and your woodware is fresh once again.
#4 – Makeup Remover: Coconut oil is pretty much great for anything, so of course it makes a good makeup remover! Simply warm about a teaspoon of coconut oil between your fingers, then massage onto your face to dissolve makeup. Just be sure to be gentle while you’re trying to remove that mascara.
#5 – Impromptu Neosporin: Little accidents happen a lot around the house in this day and age.
Thankfully, coconut oil can keep those minor scrapes from developing into worse things, like infections. Just dab a little of it over any cut, scrape, or scratch and put a Band-Aid on top of the injury. An added bonus is that it smells a lot better than anything you could pick up at the drugstore.
#6 – Mouthwash: Lets face it, Listerine doesn’t really taste all that great. But, what if you had something that generally doesn’t taste terrible, what if you had something that might actually taste pretty GOOD while your swishing it around in your mouth, getting all the gunk and goo cleaned out?
Coconut oil my friend; just toss it around in your mouth for a good 10-15 minutes in the morning to clean your mouth up a bit. When all is said and done, just rinse the leftovers out with water and spit. (This method is also called oil pulling.)
#7 – Deodorant: Now, here’s something really unique you’d never expect out of coconut oil; it can also be used as deodorant! Who would’ve thought, huh?!
In all seriousness, though, coconut oil is an extremely effective tool that can keep your kid’s armpits sweet-smelling, and if used in conjunction with baking soda, it can be even more effective. Just massage it in and things will smell a lot less like a gym locker room on a bad Tuesday.
#8 – Moisturizer: Some of us don’t want to pay the high prices for the expensive moisturizers. And, luckily, most people like the smell of coconut, the mere scent of which invokes images of Hawaiian beaches and Caribbean shores.
Thankfully for you, coconut oil is a nice, natural moisturizer that you can use on anything from dry elbows to chapped lips!
#9 – Energy Supplement: Energy drinks lift us up, but they eventually bring us down even lower than when we started. Sometimes a real pick me up is needed to get us through our busy lives.
This is where our coconut oil friend comes into play. Coconut oil has been proven to give men and women alike nice bursts of energy when things are feeling pretty darn tiring. So, when that heart-attack inducing (It’s been proven by science, can’t argue with that) energy drink starts eyeing you from across the desk, remember to try and slip yourself a small bit of coconut oil and see how that works out.
#10 – Athlete’s Foot Combatant: Coconut oil also works well at keeping Athlete’s Foot away. A quick massage of the stuff on your foot and you’ll be good for a while.
What do you think of those uses for Coconut Oil? How do you like to use Coconut oil?
How to Live Below Your Means to Achieve Your Financial Goals
The concept of living below your means sounds easy enough. In reality, it can actually be quite difficult! Especially with the rising cost of living.
A quick definition: To live below your means, you must not spend more money than you earn.
But maybe you are struggling to make ends meet.
Never mind saving money each month.
That doesn’t stop you from having financial goals though. They’re still at the forefront of your mind. You just don’t know how to achieve them. That can feel pretty discouraging.
Today, I’m here to add hope to your financial future. Your current situation doesn’t have to be your situation forever. Life situations always change!
Before we get started on how you can achieve your financial goals, I’ve got a couple important things to touch on. It can be beneficial to pin point exactly why you are struggling.
There are various reasons why you may be having troubles living below your means:
You were never taught how to manage money (It’s never too late to learn!)
Lifestyle inflation (Your expenses increase along with any increase to your income)
Everyday expenses are rising (inflation)
You want instant gratification (training yourself to have to cash first before a purchase can feel just as satisfying.)
The truth of the matter is, most of us simply don’t have enough money to purchase everything we want, as soon as we want it. Self-discipline and planning are key in creating good spending habits.
If you want to achieve your financial goals, living below your means will help you immensely. Here are some strategies to help you achieve success.
1) Set realistic financial goals
When you set realistic and achievable financial goals, you are more likely to stay motivated and self-disciplined. Here are some examples of realistic financial goals you can set:
I will save up $500 in my savings account in the next 12 months.
In the next 12 months, I will pay off $600 in debt.
Inthe next 12 months, I will only spend $400 on clothes and shoes.
The goals in the examples above have a time limit set on them and are specific in nature. The amounts are achievable.
The best thing to do is to focus on only 1 or 2 financial goals at a time to ensure your success.
After you set the goals, set an action plan that specifically says how you are going to accomplish those financial goals. For example, if you focus on the “I will save up $500 in my savings account in the next 12 months” goal, you can set the following specific action plans:
Cancel $10 Disney+ subscription for the next 12 months. (Savings: $120)
I will save $12.50 from each paycheck for the next 12 months. (Savings: $300)
Save $80 on clothing expenses for 1 year by buying items second hand. (Savings: $80) Total Savings: $500
Once you’ve set your action plan, review your goals and action plans often enough to make sure you are staying on track. Once you see the progress you are making, you may find yourself extra encouraged to keep going!
2) Create a budget.
Living below your means requires you to build self-discipline with spending. To be disciplined with money, you must be organized with your earnings and spending.
A budget is the way to track how much money is coming in and how much money is going out each week, biweekly, or monthly.
You don’t need anything fancy to get started with a budget. I have a free monthly budget form you can get that will be a helpful starting point.
Or if you want to go all in with creating a budget, my $9 Budget Planner is a great, easy way to track all aspects of your finances.
A budget is not a set and forget thing though. Be diligent about checking in with your budget at least once a week to make sure you are on track with your spending.
Side note: A budget often takes away the feeling of guilt when you spend money on a wanted item because you know it can fit within the budget.
3) Practice delayed gratification.
Currently, I’m saving up for a Fitbit. Not because I need one, but because I want one. I have been selling some of our unwanted items and saving some cash I earn from Simply Frugal.
This is where self-discipline comes in handy again in regards to your spending habits. Save cash for the unnecessary, but enjoyable things you want to get.
Let’s say you want to get:
A new smart watch
A new tennis racket
A new kitchen faucet
New furniture for the living room
These are not essentials, but things you want to have to make life a little better! If you are on a tight budget, it’s important that you save before you buy. Don’t make that purchase until you have enough saved to make the purchase. Delayed gratification can feel amazing, especially since you don’t have to worry about paying off the item(s) you purchased!
These purchases can also become one of your financial goals. So set the goal with a time frame and create the action plan on how you are going to achieve your goal like I outlined in strategy number one above.
4) Put money aside for emergencies.
Without having money put aside for emergencies, and replenishing it after use, you are risking the chance of racking up some debt. In other words, you may have to borrow money in order to be able to afford the unexpected expense.
Have money put aside for emergencies by saving enough to cover things like:
Repairs on a often used appliance
Replacement of a hot water tank
Replacement of a computer
You can decide how much is right to have set aside. I suggest at least $500, but $1000 or $2000 are even better. Once you set an amount, you can start the saving process by setting your goal and action plan.
Having an emergency fund in place will help you to live within your means because you will not spend unbudgeted money when an unexpected need arises.
In conclusion, it takes consistency, self-discipline and organization to achieve your financial goals. The more you practice, the easier it will be to developstrong spending and saving habits. Living within your means will help you:
Save more
Ride the waves of inflation better
Feel less stress
Have more financial security
Be financially content
And more
The strategies in this article will help you to live within your means and achieve your financial goals.
As I’ve previously mentioned, I’m not a huge coupon user for various reasons. (Mainly time. I don’t make enough time to use them.) But one thing that I can really get on board with is all these cash-back apps that are available!
Here is how I make these cash back apps work for our lifestyle:
I don’t make a shopping list based on the rebates they have available
After I’m finished shopping I peruse the list of rebates and if there are items I have purchased on the lists, I go ahead with filing my receipt.
This way, I’m not buying (or getting really cheap) stuff that we won’t use or eat. Every nickel adds up when I’m buying things that will just get wasted in the end!
What I especially love is the rebates for fresh produce! It’s not often you see a coupon for that! I’ve also taken advantage of the rebates for wine in the past, which we’ve bought for gifts.
For this this post, I wanted to create an Ultimate Guide to the Cash Back Apps we have available to us in Canada. Sound good? Lets get started!
Honey
In a nutshell:
Honey is here to help. We give everyone the tools it takes to find the best savings, perks, and all around value. And we make them free and easy-to-use. So you can always spend with confidence.
How Honey works:
Honey is a browser extension that automatically finds and applies coupon codes at checkout with a single click.
Join Honey for Free: It only takes two clicks to add Honey to Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Opera.
Find Savings in Seconds: While you shop, Honey will find working promo codes on the internet
Save Instantly: With one click, Honey will apply some of the best deals to your cart. It’s that easy!
Checkout 51
In a nutshell:
Every Thursday morning, Checkout 51 updates with a new list of offers. All you have to do is pick the ones you like, purchase them at any store, and upload a photo of your receipt through our mobile app or website. When your account reaches $20, we send you a check.
How Checkout 51 works
Browse your offers and buy products at any store in Canada. (excluding Quebec)
Upload your receipt using Checkout 51. Photos must be clear and readable. You must send a photo of the entire receipt. If you have a long receipt, you can add “sections”.
They’ll confirm your purchase and credit your account.
When your account balance reaches $20, you can choose to cash out and they’ll mail you a check.
Other Key Guidelines
Anyone can use Checkout 51. They have an app for smartphones and you can even use it on your computer.
Offers go live on Thursdays at 12:00 AM in each time zone. They expire the following Wednesday at 11:59 PM in each time zone. You must upload your receipts while the offers are live.
Offers are available in limited quantities. Be sure to check your offer list before you go shopping to ensure that the offer is still available. Make sure to upload your receipt immediately after purchase to avoid disappointment!
A quantity of one of each rebate offer is eligible for Cash Back per member.
Each receipt can only be used once.
You can only earn Cash Back for the exact product listed, so please read carefully.
Products must be purchased in your country of registration. We currently support the United States (the 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, and Overseas US Military Bases) and Canada (excluding Quebec).
Receipts uploaded must be in English.
Items purchased from online retailers are eligible for Cash Back. Itemized packing slips are accepted as proof of purchase. Online purchases are subject to the same upload timelines as receipts.
Can I use a Coupon with my Rebate offer?
Yes! You can earn Checkout 51 Cash Back in combination with any other coupon or discount unless otherwise stated. This is a great way to get free or nearly free items each week!
When Will I get my Cash Back?
You are able to cash out and receive a cheque once your account reaches $20 or more. Cheques are sent out via snail mail within 7 business days.
Ampli
In a Nutshell:
Link – Shop – Earn – Cash Out
Canada, it’s about time you got paid to shop! Ampli is the newest Canadian cash back app, getting you cash back on your everyday online and in-store purchases!
Securely link your debit and credit cards from over 130 Canadian banks and other financial institutions
Automatically earn cash back every time you shop online or in-store at participating brands
Cash out by sending yourself a free Interac e-Transfer
How do I get paid?
You can cash out your balance by sending yourself a free Interac e-Transfer to any Canadian bank account when you reach a minimum balance of $15.
Eclipsa
In a Nutshell:
Earn cash back on your healthier grocery choices too. New products are added every week on Thursday.
How does Eclipsa work?
Download the free app & choose the products you want to buy
Use the eclipsa app to snap a clear picture of your receipt
After they read your receipt, they will deposit the cash into your account
Other Key Guidelines:
Earn cash back on your healthier grocery choices too. New products are added every week on Thursday.
You can purchase your products at your favourite stores, retailers, and even online!
Once you earn $20, we can mail you a cheque or deposit your earnings into your bank account through Interac e-Transfer.
Save.ca Cash Back
In a Nutshell:
Save.ca is excited to introduce our new Mobile Cash-Back feature! Download the app and start getting cash back by purchasing the brands and products you already love – it’s like you’re getting paid to do your shopping!
How Does it Work?
Browse offers on the list – Our app will be updated regularly with new offers, so check back often!
Buy products at any store – Select the offers you like, and make sure you buy the right item and size in store.
Upload Your Receipt – Take a legible photo of your receipt and submit through the app.
Earn $ and cash out to your PayPal account – When your receipt is processed, your account will be credited within a few days. Once you have $5, you can instantly cash out to your PayPal account.
I don’t have a PayPal account, can I still get cash back?
Save.ca has the only cash-back app that uses PayPal to get you money back. It’s the easiest, quickest and most reliable method to get you spending less and saving more!
How do I connect my PayPal account to the Save app?
Connect your PayPal account by selecting the burger menu on the top left corner of the app and choosing ‘My Account’. From here, go to ‘Profile’ and then ‘View PayPal’ where you can connect the app to your PayPal account.
When will I get reimbursed?
Once your total savings equal $5, you can opt to cash out and the funds will be deposited to your PayPal account will within minutes. Don’t want to cash out right away? No problem. Keep saving and cash out whenever you would like!
How do I cash out?
Once you’ve reached $5 in savings, you can cash out in the ‘My Account’ section of the app under the ‘Balance’ tab. Simply select ‘Cash Out’ located at the bottom of this screen and verify your PayPal email address before confirming your submission.
How will I be notified that my purchase(s) was validated?
You will be notified via email.
How long do I have to submit a receipt?
You can submit a receipt for as long as the coupon is available on the Save.ca app or until it is sold out. After it is no longer available, you will not be able to submit your purchase so act quick!
How long do I have to wait for my receipt to be validated?
Please allow 3-5 business days for your purchase to be validated.
Caddle
In a Nutshell:
Caddle is a free app that pays users with real cash back for everyday purchases, completing surveys, and engaging with brands and products. Download now from your phones app store!
Download the App on any Apple or Android device or sign up on their website.
Following login, browse our weekly offers. Once you find an offer you like, simply tap the offer, follow the on screen instructions to redeem the offer and get cash.
New Caddle offers launch weekly. Check Caddle every Thursday for more ways to make money. You can earn from watching ads, answering surveys and engaging with brands.
Once you reach $20 or more in your Caddle account, you can cash out. Simply go to my account, select cash out and we will mail you a cheque. It’s that easy. Start earning today!
You might have been wondering when the best time of year to buy a particular item you’ve had your eye on might be. Did you know that Canada has a yearly sale cycle? As in, every retail and department store will have specific items on sale each month of the year. Yes, Superstore, Walmart, Sport Chek, Best Buy and even local small businesses will all have sales to clear out stock.
For example, you can find rock bottom prices on Christmas decorations in January and cheap Summer clothes in September. Here’s how you can get the biggest bargain on what you need all year long:
