Are you ready to start the No Spend Declutter Challenge? (Read all about the challenge here.) I know I sure am! Have you started to prepare your mind for some changes? Do you have empty boxes set aside for all that stuff you’re going to get rid of? Even plastic bags will do! Let’s get right to it!
Download and print the No Spend Declutter Checklist here. Check off your completed decluttering tasks and color in a square each time you successfully have a No Spend Day.
Day 1 Declutter Task:
The first task of the challenge is to do a Whole House Quick Declutter. This is where you will run around the house and clear all the surfaces including the floors and counters. It meant to be done fast. Try to fill three bags or boxes with stuff that will leave your house. (Either donate or give to friends & family that will appreciate it.)
To help you out, I created a list of 38 things that you can quickly toss or donate. You’ll also love the Clutter Checklist I created to help you track your progress!
Now, I think this can go either way. It can be a quick task or a more time consuming task. My suggestion is to not think too hard about each object. If it’s staying in your home put it away in it’s place. If an item annoys you, consumes too much of your time or doesn’t get used, time to get it out of the house.
What do you think? Can you do it? Tell me about your results in the comments below!
Day 1 No Spend Task
Obviously, each day from now until January 31, the task or goal is to not spend money.
However, it’s not so black and white as to just not spend money. So today, I thought I’d go over the rules for the No Spend portion of the challenge. For the January 2021 No Spend Challenge, I’ve got one rule:
No spending on anything that isn’t absolutely essential.
Of course, the challenge is a No Spend Challenge, but it’s impossible to cut out all your spending. Bills still need to be paid and mouths still have to be fed! But in January, we’re going to be trying our hardest to live well, while using what we already have and being creative with our time and resources!
For our family, that means paying our regular bills, as well as purchasing some groceries and gas. These are essentials for us, but we will be more mindful when we do spend money on those things. For example, we have quite a few things in our pantry and freezer so we’ll most likely get away with buying only fresh products like milk, eggs and fruit & vegetables for the month.
No spending on anything that isn’t essential will look different to each family. Here are a few examples of expenses you can cut out for the month:
- Eating out (at restaurants)
- Coffee from coffee shops
- Clothing
- Entertainment
- Toys
- Cosmetics
- Hobbies—crafts, sports, classes, etc.
- Alcohol and other vices
- Home décor
- Apps for your electronic devices
What do you think is going to be the hardest thing to let go of?
I will be posting each task in the Simply Frugal No Spend Declutter Challenge Facebook Group. This is where most of the discussion will be happening.
I will also be posting random progress reports throughout the challenge over at Instagram! Follow me on Instagram @simplyfrugal and use the hashtag #nospenddeclutter to get updates and see what others are up to during the challenge!
If you do not use social media, I would love to read your comments on each task, right here, below each challenge post on SimplyFrugal.ca!