In 2024, I challenged myself to have a no-spend year—meaning I’d only pay for true essentials like rent, food, and bills, and resist the urge to buy anything extra.
The goal? To get in the habit of using what I already had. I stuck with it, and the result was worth it: I paid off an entire credit card with the money I wasn’t spending.
This year, I’m still doing my best to spend less and live more intentionally, but I’ll admit—I’ve gotten a little off track.
Between life stuff and, well, the state of the economy, I felt like I needed a solid reset.
So last weekend, I did something simple and kind of radical:
I had a no-spend weekend.
No online orders. No quick stops for snacks or takeout. Just… making do with what I had. And honestly? It felt really good.
If you’re curious what a no-spend weekend can look like (or need some inspiration), here’s what I did:
- Worked two shifts at my part-time job (I always pack a meal from home)
- Did lots of at-home skincare
- Tried a non-alcoholic rosé I’d bought the week before
- Took naps with Blanche 🐾
- Enjoyed a slow morning on the patio—watering plants, making coffee, breathing
- Watched WNBA games from the couch (go Fever!)
- Cooked dinner at home
- Made sun tea
- Read a few chapters of my current book
- Worked on my Etsy shop
- Swam at my building’s pool
- Caught up on journaling
Honestly, this is not unlike a typical weekend for me—but I still caught myself about to spend money a few times. I’d think, Oh, I’ll grab ice cream on the way home… and then I’d snap out of it: Nope! Not today. 👀
It felt really satisfying to end the weekend with the same amount of money in my bank account that I started with. And more than that, I felt calm. Present. Like I’d reset my mindset a little.
If you’re in the mood to try a no-spend day, weekend, or even a full month, I made a printable No-Spend Checklist for my Etsy shop with all sorts of ideas:
Sometimes, saving money is about more than money. It’s about making space—for rest, creativity, and what actually matters.
Have you ever tried a no-spend weekend? Would love to hear how it went!
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