No Spend September Challenge: Let’s Break Our Spending Habits Together

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I’ve learned about the idea of shopping ban last year and since then I’ve been meaning to try it. At the beginning I was planning to do a yearlong shopping ban starting from January 1st, but once the new year arrived, I felt nowhere near ready. No shopping for the entire year felt impossible.

Then, on April 17, I suddenly changed my mind and decided that there’s no better time to start a shopping ban than now. I even shared my thought process on my blog where I wrote “(…) instead of doing something fun for my birthday, I’m actually going to better myself. Live the most frugal, minimalistic, and intentional year of my life.”

3 days later I shared my plans, rules, and whatnot for my year-long shopping ban. I published two updates, after the first 2 and 4 weeks of shopping ban, and… I disappeared, taking all those posts down with me.

What happened, you might ask?

I failed.

It’s been 4 months since I embarked on this journey and I’m back to having credit card debt every month. I started spiralling yet again, looking for more things to buy instead of embracing minimalism, just like I planned. And while some of those purchases were kind of necessary, I could go without them.

But I consciously chose not to, making my dreams slip further away instead of getting closer to them.

House deposit is still almost non-existent. Savings and emergency fund are lower than before. And my anxiety is getting worse again.

If this is not the sign, I should restart my yearlong shopping ban, then I don’t know what is.

But this time, I need a better plan, better guidelines, and a better mindset. Enter… no spend September.

So, without a further ado, let’s dive in before I change my mind and disappear again, k?

But.. What Is A No Spend September?

No spend September, similar to a yearlong shopping ban, is a challenge when you’re not supposed to buy anything other than necessities. It’s up to you what rules you set for yourself or if you extend the duration of the challenge for more than one month.

No spend September can be a great way to reset your mindset after summer holidays and start preparing for the Christmas season that’s just behind the corner. It’s a perfect opportunity to:

– Save money: Obviously, the primary goal of a no spend challenge is to reduce your spending and save money.

– Reduce stress: Shopping can sometimes be a stress reliever, but excessive spending can also lead to anxiety and guilt.

– Increase mindfulness: A no spend September challenge can help you become more mindful of your spending habits and the things you truly need.

– Discover new hobbies: When you’re not spending money, you might have more time and energy to explore new interests or hobbies.

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Lessons Learned From Failed Yearlong Shopping Ban Attempt

I’ve always been drawn to the minimalist lifestyle, but I’ve struggled with my habit of buying things “just in case.” It never clicked that I might be subconsciously using shopping to feel better.

During my first attempt at doing a shopping ban challenge, I found temptations literally everywhere. The fear of missing out was strong whenever I passed a store. I was so used to weekend shopping trips that staying home felt weird. I needed to go somewhere, even if it was just for window shopping. Of course, the cost of train tickets over a month was crazy.

Looking back, I’m not surprised my yearlong shopping ban didn’t work. Having the freedom to buy almost anything I want is a privilege. But there’s also a downside.

After years of dreaming about having certain items and lacking financial education, I’ve developed a habit of buying things without checking if I can afford them. It’s like when I bought Skittles in bulk after moving away from family to make up for years of dreaming about them. Now, though, I splurge on the latest tech, gadgets, and have trouble saying no to when my daughter asks for new toys.

But just because I can afford something doesn’t mean I should get it. That’s what I’m determined to change now.

And as I’ve been thinking about it, I’ve realized that the problem wasn’t just about spending money. It was about using shopping to cope with my feelings and fill a void in my life. The desire to get new things often stemmed from a deeper need for validation, belonging, or to escape boredom. By understanding this, I’ve been able to start address the root causes of my spending habits and look for healthier ways to manage my emotions.

Another thing I’ve realised is that even small purchases add up. While I may have avoided big purchases, it was the little daily expenses that really hurt my wallet. This, combined with ads and social media posts promoting the latest trends and *one in a lifetime* offers, made it hard to resist buying. I’ve been terrible at keeping track of my spending for as long as I can remember, so it took me a while to see how these small things can make a big difference.

Shopping ban challenge made me more aware of how consumerism can harm the environment. Reducing consumption can help protect the planet and promote sustainable living, which I’ve started looking more into.

Now, whenever I want to buy something, I double check if I can find a sustainable or at least plastic-free alternative. That’s how I ended up switching back to bar soap and finding an amazing crystal deodorant which not only work the same (if not better) that those regular ones, but also last for longer, take less space, and are more environment-friendly. Win-win! Now, I’m on the lookout for more sustainable alternatives.

No Spend Month Rules: Then vs Now

Rules for my failed attempt at a yearlong shopping ban were quite simple. And vague. I didn’t know better, so I wanted to leave a lot of room to wiggle it whenever I seemed fit.

It was a mistake.

The amount of anxiety I ended up battling every day was enormous. I was obsessing over what I can and cannot buy. I forgot about my goals a week after I started my shopping ban and focused solely on what I can’t have. And you know what? The worst thing is that I could safely go without all those things I was obsessing about.

Here Are The Rules I Previously Set For Myself:

I’m Allowed To Buy:

• groceries
• kitchen supplies, cleaning products, and toiletries (only when I’m clearly running out of them)
• one hobby-related item a month (under £15 and only if it’s truly necessary)
• garden supplies

I’m Not Allowed To Buy:

• cosmetics
• clothes & shoes
• stationery items of any kind
• books
• household items
• electronics and appliances
• subscriptions of any kind (except for Kindle Unlimited but only if my TBR list gets shorter first)

And These Are New Rules, For The No Spend September:

heavily inspired by u/NoSimpleMAchine79’s post on Reddit

Always Allowed

Necessities:
✅ Groceries
✅ Rent
✅ Utilities
✅ Insurance
✅ Healthcare (doctors, dentist, eyes, prescriptions)

Allowed With Guidelines

💛 Household items such as toilet paper, cleaning supplies, etc – replacements only from brand I trust, to prevent ending up with a cupboard full of cleaning supplies that don’t even work, again.
💛 Homeschooling resources & supplies – within reason. Consider DIY alternatives first.
💛 Electronics – only as a replacement for something that suddenly stopped working and is considered a necessity.
💛 Bike equipment – within reason. Just like mudguards are a necessity right now, a pannier rack with bags can wait.
💛 Eating Out – we can eat out while traveling and for special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries.
💛 Replacements of toiletries (deodorant, toothpaste, soap, ect.) – must be (almost) completely out of the item before replacing.
💛 Replacements of skincare (face wash, moisturizer, sunscreen, ect.) – item must be (almost) completely empty before replacing.
💛 Travel – can travel within budget. Flights, hotels, food, museums and other experiences allowed. No shopping or souvenirs. Planning shopping locally? Take a bike, not a train.
💛 Experiences – movies, museums, and live music is allowed if we budget and plan for them in advance.
💛 Home items – we might need some furniture and storage solutions, especially containers to organise pantry and closet, since we have none. These are allowed as long as we budget for them and there is a specific use for them.
💛 Approved purchases – shop for high quality and timeless style. Aim for something that will last many years before needing to be replaced:
⭐️ Trainers
⭐️ Bike clothing (ex: high visibility outwear)
⭐️ Socks & Underwear as needed

Not Allowed

🛑 Clothing besides what is on my Approved Purchases list.
🛑 Cosmetics
🛑 Perfume
🛑 Notebooks
🛑 Pens/Pencils
🛑 Books
🛑 Subscriptions (except for Amazon Prime and Tesco Delivery – already paid upfront)
🛑 Kitchen gadgets, dishes, glassware, or cookery.
🛑 Jewellery
🛑 Unnecessary home decor and knick knacks (ex: window coverings are necessary; prints for walls are not)
🛑 Nail polish
🛑 Art supplies

Activities I Can’t Do

• thrifting
• online window shopping
• visiting bookstores and toy stores
• shopping runs without a shopping list

Goals And Expectations For The No Spend September

What’s the point of setting goals just for one month? I’ve been going back and forth between doing it or not, but longer I think about it, I find more reasons to do it.

One month. 30 days. Simple goals, easy to achieve. Just imagine how great you’ll feel after reaching them!

After having a long track of overly ambitious, impossible to achieve goals, I decided to go simple this time. There’s no set amount of money I want to save, but I want to clear credit card debt and be free of it once and for all. I want to plan meals better and stop shopping at our local Co-op. And, most importantly, I want to keep going with decluttering. Going through my belongings might be a good counter measure to wanting to get new stuff constantly. One of my goals is to enjoy things I already own, instead of being constantly on a lookout for a new, shiny toy.

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Tips For No Spend September (Or Any Other Shopping Ban)

1. Plan Activities You Can Do Instead Of Shopping

Instead of heading to the shopping centre, explore free options in your community. Visit local parks, libraries, or museums. If you have any friends or family in the area, you can also organize potlucks, game nights, or movie marathons with them. These activities are not only budget-friendly but also foster stronger connections, which is amazing, especially when your shopping habits stem from a deeper need for validation, belonging, or to escape boredom.

Don’t forget that Heritage Open Days start in a few days, just in times for no spend September! You can visit lots of new places, some of them being usually closed to visitors, for free. Take an advantage of it, it will be worth it. I know I’m going to visit one or two places for sure.

2. Find Reasons To Stop Wanting To/Buying New Things

Decluttering can be a powerful tool. By getting rid of items you no longer use or love, you’ll gain a clearer perspective on what you truly need. This can help reduce the desire for new possessions.

Additionally, consider the long-term benefits of saving money. Think about the financial freedom and peace of mind that comes with a healthy bank account. And who knows, maybe a no spend September is exactly what you need to jump start saving for a house deposit or Christmas?

3. Remove Saved Cards From Your Browser And Your Phone

Having your payment information readily available can make it too easy to make impulse purchases. Remove saved cards from your browser and phone to create a small barrier that can help you think twice before buying.

4. Get Rid Of Social Media And Shopping Apps To Limit Temptations

Social media platforms and shopping apps are full of advertisements and curated content that can trigger a desire to buy. By temporarily deleting or limiting your use of these apps, you can reduce the temptation to spend. I’ve been toying with the idea of doing a social media detox, knowing that Aldi soon will be back with yarn on an offer. I know I won’t be able to resist the temptation to buy as many skeins as I can. Ugh!

5. Limit Takeaways And Going Out To Minimum

Eating out can be expensive, especially if you’re opting for a take out or dining at restaurants frequently. To save money, try cooking more meals at home. Meal prepping can be a great way to save time and money.

Try to plan your meals in advance, make a grocery list, and cook in bulk. If you decide to go out, look for deals or discounts and consider sharing meals or appetizers to reduce costs. I just splurge on a multi cooker recently, so my goal is to avoid eating out or ordering food home at all costs, except for traveling further away from home. There’s no way I’m meal prepping for one-day trips, too.

Conclusion For No Spend September Challenge: Let’s Break Our Spending Habits Together

Attempting a no spend September challenge can be a rewarding experience, not only for your finances but also for your overall wellbeing. Remember, though, that the goal isn’t to eliminate spending completely, but to become more mindful and intentional with your purchases.

So, are you ready to take the plunge and try a no spend September challenge? Let me know your experiences and any additional tips you’ve found helpful in the comments below.

Happy saving!
M.