This February 1st, I embarked on a “No Spend Challenge” for the month. 🚫
That meant consciously considering where my energy and money flows for travel, work & family. 💫
I also decided to be Intentional about all aspects of life. ✨ Yes, I chose a “Word for the Year”, but that’s a post for another day.
As I began to review my habits, I realised I could make some positive changes. But, Golly, it’s easy to slip subconsciously into a pattern that’s not serving you! 👇
So I outlined some areas that I could improve and know many of you could also too:
☑️ Path to living debt-free life (mortgage, cars, credit cards etc.)
☑️ Chance to reset finances after Christmas, New Year and School Holidays
☑️ Break some spending habits and form new ones
☑️ Less wasteful
☑️ Planned spending, instead of just spending (be intentional about it!)
The other benefit for me is to slow down in all aspects of life. 🙌
What is essential to me and my household might vary to you. 🤷♀️
Right now, needs include a couple of driving lessons for my youngest, food, bills, birthdays for immediate family etc. $
It doesn’t mean going without or missing out. It just means I’m reevaluating the necessity. 🤔
Things I predict I may find hard:
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Lunch… I always forget my lunch 🤦🏼♀️
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Weekends – outings with children 🚗
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Doing things around the house – always finding things that need fixing – trips to Bunnings 😂🤦🏼♀️
So far this month has gone like this:
Day 1 – so far, so good. Only a couple of top-up items for dinner (salad and fruit for school) 🍌🍓🥑
Day 2 – Here are a couple of essential costs that I have for this month that some may not consider essential but to us they are. 👇
I’ve intentionally chosen to say yes to these outgoings – not a random impulse spend. These are either one-off costs or annual and they happen to fall due now so yes these will be getting paid in my no spend month.
👉 Year 12 leavers jacket $100
👉 Netball registration x2 $500
But on a good note, no lunches were bought at work. 😬
Day 3 – My monthly massage is essential. Set out in my rules because it’s all about self-love and self-care to realign my body, remove any stress and living my best intentional life in 2022.
The other thing is that I pay for Private Health insurance (PHI) so may as well use it. Therefore it only cost me $20, not the full $100.
Leftovers for lunch so winning still there.
Day 4 – I collected new client docs… Which happened to be situated right next door to a plant place 😬😬😬
But as tempted as I was …. none made it into the car 😂😂😂😂
I’ll continue to keep you updated throughout the month and let you know how I’m going.
Here’s to being Intentional in 2022! This is my year, I’m ready for it. 💁♀️
Let me know, would starting a No Spend Month benefit you?
Nadine Rawlings Garnet Business Services