WE SPENT (almost) NOTHING FOR ONE MONTH & HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED 💰 Saving Money & Living Minimally

We made it through our "No Spend September" and here's how it went...
No Spend September video: • NO SPEND SEPTEMBER! US...
The video that got me rethinking toys: • The 30-MIN METHOD to d...
The blog that was the most helpful to get me rolling: thesavvysagitt...
A few recipes I liked enough to share here & the modifications I made...
Kale & Chicken Dinner: themodernprope...
-I used Garam Masala in place of Paprika and frozen hashbrowns and butternut squash in place of mashed potatoes.
Marshmallows: themodernprope...
Banana Bread Muffins: www.food.com/r...
-I used 2 cups unbleached flower and the rest whole wheat
Frozen Berry Muffins: thecookstreat....
-Half of the flour I replaced with whole wheat. I also used frozen mixed berry blend and sprinkled extra bits of berry on top.
Chickpea Soup: familystylefoo...
Pot Pie Recipe: gooddinnermom....
-I was out of mushrooms and used a small yellow squash and 1 potato instead.
Crust (the best pie crust recipe): www.thepioneer...
-I used ethically sourced palm shortening
Turkey Nuggets: anaankeny.com/...
#financialfreedom #minimalism #intentionalliving #nospendchallenge #simpleliving #momlife

[@girlonabike1]

I swear the big freezer is a great way to waste food. For us, once something is in there and out of sight, it’s way too easy to forget. Appreciated this video and am motivated to do a similar experiment here next month!

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

Oh totally. 😅 Thankfully we haven’t ever had to throw away anything. But some days the garage where the big freezer is may as well be the other side of the world. 🤣 I’m glad the freezer and I got close again and I have a better idea of what’s going on in there. I highly recommend some freezer quality time haha. Thanks for watching and your comment. 😁💕

[@Chrissyhappy]

I’ve just done a complete reset too. I’ve spent the past month using up what I have so I can just buy food weekly. It’s eye opening what I stored in the freezer/cupboards. It’s nice to get back to basics and know everything is in date and fresh now. You did really well! 😊. You could always do a no spend before the summer holidays and use some of the money for the summer and save the rest. It’ll feel lovely not owing on the credit cards.😊

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

Getting back to the basics is the best! It’s mind blowing how we accumulate so many things we rarely use. I think a reset like this is going to need to happen a couple times a year. Even if it’s just focused on using up food we have. Thank you for watching!!💕😊

[@cantocant2346]

Very inspiring. Love hearing how you fed your family. It sounds so wholesome and healthy!

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

Thank you. 💕 I felt really good about the food part. I strive to cook like that, but goodness it can be exhausting. 😅

[@cantocant2346]

As someone who has taken great comfort in the Little House on the Prairie books over my lifetime, the pumpkin, berries and turkey felt so nostalgic.

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

Oh I loved those books. Well.. I actually never made it past By the Shores of Silver Lake haha. But I always found those books so inspiring. 💕

[@LilaVert-FR]

Very good video ! I was especially happy when you said that this no-buy challenge took you closer to the mom you want to be. See how resourceful you can be !

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

It was really a really wonderful month. 😊

[@nicolemoreland6257]

Very motivating. Thanks for sharing.

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

Thank you so much for watching and your comment. 💕💕

[@allisonkemper5533]

Love this! I try to do a no/low spend each January and July. The January reset is especially helpful right after the holiday season.

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

That’s awesome! I think January will be a no-spend month for us as well. That way, I won’t end up with another piece of exercise equipment I don’t use. 🙈

[@catharinab8860]

Love this! And I’m not even 1 minute into the video 😅 I do this every january and some years february as well… My motto for those months are ”it’s food, it doesn’t necessary need to fit together” It’s lovely to hear about how creative you were, creating not consuming makes the heart happy 🤎 Almost $3000 saved is GREAT! Wow 🎉

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

A no spend January and February is a brilliant idea!! It would keep me from starting any New Year’s resolutions I won’t stick to. 😅 Thank you for your comment and watching. 😊💕

[@wandrousvindella716]

I so wish everyone could see this video. Incredible journey & I look forward to your next "no spend" challenge. Having been frugal my entire life I can assure you I've never missed out on a good meal, travels or making memories. There was the one time I made stir fry with venison and my daughter will NEVER let me forget~ One thing I did to get my children involved with meal planning was for them to create menu's (illustrated of course) They could choose from the menu & I'd have everything on hand (while dad traveled & ate on the road) Retirement can also bring the same challenges, so thank you sweet lady ~ Nanna Wanda, Charleston SC

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

You’re so kind. 🥲 I love the idea of making menus!! What a fun thing you did for your kiddos. I had gotten Hello Fresh boxes a couple times when my husband was out of town to make things easy, and let the boys take turns choosing the dinner for the night and they loved it. I never thought of doing something like that on a regular basis. Your daughter and I are in the same boat when it comes to venison. Every once in a while my husband tries to trick me and I will always know. 😵‍💫 I don’t mind elk.. but venison is rough. 😅 Thank you so much for watching! I hope you have a great weekend. 💕

[@jennyjenkins877]

You did so amazing with this challenge... inspirational even!

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

Thank you! It was a really great month.

[@brittany.powell]

This is awesome!

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

Thank you! 💕 It was awesome! 😁

[@RyleeMcWilliams-vf4rm]

Love this! Maybe I’ll do it in January! Thank you

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

I’m on board with you. I get a lot of wild ideas in January . 😅 Thanks for watching! 💕

[@glendaw5221]

Astounding! I am retired and live alone and do drive thrus almost every day!! I had planned to do no spend Sept but fell off the wagon on Sept 2. I am thinking about doing a 30 day no spend starting tomorrow.

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

You can do it! It’s challenging but it gets easier as you go! 💕

[@sallycroft2191]

New subscriber here. I loved this vlog and concept. I like the comments in categories, easy to follow. It sounds like every category was successful in its own way, including lessons learned. I am going to investigate more info to be successful for January/February. Thanks again.❤

[@Proseccoandpacifiers]

The timing of this video going up is so good. 😂 I don’t know if you stayed strong but I found myself holding off on a lot of purchases last month knowing that target circle week and Amazon whatever it’s called were coming up. So while I was purchasing less last month…I ended up buying a lot of things off my list in the last four days. But I do feel like a learning tower will up my mom game…and save my sanity. 🤔 I am very proud of you for not caving on a sweater or skirt/dress purchase. 🎉

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

Oh girl… I have spent so much money the last 3 days. 😵‍💫 BUT I was very strategic and have knocked out most of my Christmas and Birthday shopping for the boys and my nieces and friends kids. And me and my husbands favorite shoes were on sale, so what was I supposed to do? 🤣 A learning tower will up your mom game and save your sanity! I’m currently working on Alec to get his own water from the fridge which can sometimes be a mess, but I’ll thank myself later. 😆 I am also proud of myself for not caving on a dress, but now I have to withhold on buying every sweater in sight. 🤪

[@Proseccoandpacifiers]

😂 It’s so hard when you see a good price on something you’ve had your eye on. Target really got me with their daily deals this year. Some of that was stocking up on diapers and wipes and some of that was finally treating myself to some new lounge clothes so I don’t feel so grubby on the days I’m working from home and my mother in law babysits. Plus I’m my most productive when I change out of what I slept in but am still comfortable. (This is how I’m justifying this) My son is obsessed with water and he’s already trying to get to the water dispenser. It is cute when I ask if he needs more water and he toddles over to the fridge and holds his cup up. It will be slightly less cute when he gets a few inches taller and there’s water everywhere. I oddly have also been contemplating a maxi skirt to wear with sweaters and boots. I decided to hold off this year and leave a maxi dress in my closet. I figure if I reach for it at least twice I can justify a skirt next year if I still want one.

[@scrappy6932]

WOW😳 Impressive! Maybe November could be that month for me...but I only have a small freezer and no chickens, so I'd have to create a small grocery budget. (And a little something for my birthday on the 12th 😁)

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

Oooo! Yes! Having a birthday surprise would be a nice thing to look forward to during a no spend month! It would probably even feel more special. I hope it works out for you! 😊💕

[@Megan-qe6vk]

My favorite part was when you sweetened things with onions 😂 Super interesting and inspiring video. We're in the midst of no/low spend October Thanks for sharing!

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

I haven’t the slightest clue how my mind got there. 🤣 cream and onions in your tea anyone? 😅 Thanks so much for watching! 💕

[@allisonjoneshunt]

I can’t explain it but only sweetening things with onions made me laugh harder than I have in weeks

[@cantocant2346]

The lime tree behind you is gorgeous!!

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

It’s supposedly a lemon tree. But I’m not convinced yet. 🤣

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

It is lovely though! It’s so cheery!

[@susanvelez6534]

I did a no spend year. Just necessities (I had so much ) got rid of so much that year and saved 20k it blew my mind. May not sound like much but I only work part time so I thought that was great.

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

That is amazing savings!! And very inspiring. 💕 I think a no spend year is something I’d like to do when the boys are grown. Kids just come with so many financial variables haha. The last couple years I’ve chose 10 things or so that I choose not to buy in a year and it is helping me keep myself in check with impulse buying and developing better shopping habits. A no spend year is the ultimate challenge though. 😍

[@susanvelez6534]

@@SimplifyingTheSatherns oh, I absolutely agree I did my no spend year when my kids were much older. I was mentally ready and determined as well. That’s when I also did a decluttering of every inch and cranny of this house. I literally felt such a load off my shoulder and felt so full of happiness. Plus the savings. Honestly since then I’ve become much more conscious of my money and quality vs. quantity. Your such a doll 🙋🏻‍♀️🍂🍁🍂

[@susanvelez6534]

He is so precious your baby

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

Thank you! He’s a wild one, but he is so precious. 😊

[@susanvelez6534]

@@SimplifyingTheSatherns oh goodness those cheeks …. I’m not a grandma yet and I just love children…so precious

[@susanvelez6534]

Lol I’m in Mt. Ashland Oregon

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

What a beautiful place to live. 😍 I remember one of my favorite childhood vacations was in that area. A river boat tour on the Rogue River was the main event. All the hiking we did, I had mixed feeling about lol. Thank you for watching and your comments. 😊💕

[@susanvelez6534]

@@SimplifyingTheSatherns I’m loving your channel. Tomorrow I’m going to binge watch your videos. Your so fun! Plus I’m loving being able to keep up with you as you speak quickly. I love it lol. I think it’s called the jet boats now they take you through Rogue River. Oh I subbed

[@susanvelez6534]

lol do you breath when you talk I’m 63 and I’m keeping up but wow yes go you

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

I am a fast talker when I’m on a roll. 🙈 I do edit out the long bits where lose my train of thought (probably because I’m oxygen deprived lol) and that’s always a good time to catch up on breathing. 😅

[@susanvelez6534]

@@SimplifyingTheSatherns 🤣🤣🤣

[@susanvelez6534]

I do think you may not want to freeze so much

[@SimplifyingTheSatherns]

We buy a lot in bulk and my husband some how ends up being given a ridiculous amount of fish each year lol, so freezing is the best option for us to reduce waste. But, learning that we need to actually use what we freeze is something that I’m realizing as I become a real grown up haha. This month was very eye opening when it came to my relationship with my freezer. 😆 I think we’ll be closer moving forward lol.

[@susanvelez6534]

@@SimplifyingTheSatherns lol 😂