Do you have a budget? Do use use a cash envelope system? An Emergency Fund? Do these sound completely foreign to you? Well, if they do, that’s okay. We can tackle those another day. But what about right now?
Are you running out of money before you run out of month? Do you feel like no matter what you do, there simply isn’t enough money? Do you just feel overwhelmed and stressed about money? There is one thing you can do to jump-start your progress!
Yeah, my friend. I’ve been there. I can remember my stomach being in knots when I would think about our finances…or lack of. Difficult conversations with my husband, leading to tears. Juggling the bills around the paychecks. It was a constant stress. I got a part time job to help make up what we were lacking. I sold stuff on ebay. I looked into all sorts of side hustles, trying to figure out how to make ends meet.
There are lots of ways to bring more money into your household. There are also lots of ways to work on a budget, figure out your finances, and pay down debt.
But what about right now?
There is a very simple way to help with your financial situation, whatever it is, right now.
Do a no-spend month.
Yep! It’s that simple. And hard!
So what exactly does a no-spend month look like? Of course you have to spend money. Mortgage or rent, utilities, food, gas…there are places where our money absolutely has to go. What about everything else?
This is where the no-spend idea comes into place. And it’s quite simple. Just don’t spend on anything that isn’t 100% completely necessary. Peanut butter and jelly over a Happy Meal, coffee from home rather than on the road, saying “no” to your kids, your family, even your friends, when it comes time to spend. You may have to pass up lunch out with a friend, or a night out with your hubby. Time to get creative! Coffee at your house with a friend, or a walk and a movie at home with some popcorn for your date (assuming you already have popcorn!), and doing a puzzle or playing board games with your kids. These don’t require any spending.
What about groceries? This is one of the easiest places to do a no-spend. You definitely get a lot of bang for your buck, so to speak. It’s time to use what you already have! Raid your freezer! Look into the back of your cabinets. Start using what you already have in your kitchen, and only buy what’s absolutely necessary for your groceries. Milk, bread, eggs…only the bare essentials.
Look at this as a challenge! Get your whole family involved! Make a list of all the fun things you could do without spending a dime. Get super creative in the kitchen and get your kids to help. Have fun!
This doesn’t have to be a burden. It SHOULDN’T be a burden! Look at this as a way to truly make an impact on your finances this month.
You can do it! See how much you can get by without this month.
And that little extra you have at the end of this month? Let it be the motivator to keep you going, to make you think before you spend. You can’t do a no-spend month every month…you’ll run out of food! But you can do it THIS month.
This is your time…a time to start seeing things in a different light. A time to start seeing what matters, what counts, what’s important.
A brand new mindset.
And to start seeing a little money leftover at the end of your month. And that mindset, that little victory, will bring you more joy and less stress. Guaranteed.
Are you ready to take on the challenge of a no-spend month?
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