Why We Don't Do No Spend Months

No spend months are really becoming trendy lately in the frugal living and debt free communities. I know they can be very difficult so I have oodles of respect for those that are brave enough to participate. We however have chosen to skip them. Here are our reasons why we feel they aren't right for us.
Follow me on Instagram! / frugalgreengirl
Feel free to embed and link these videos on your blog or website, when you do please credit FrugalGreenGirl. Thank You.

[@yettawat1564]

This is why I love your channel. You are logical, thorough, articulate. ❤

[@jenn7753]

I think a no spend on a certain area like “no eating out” or “no buying cups of coffee” can be a fun little challenge to yourself and may be eye opening in how much is spent on those things. But I agree, not spending any money for a whole month is too restrictive and I’m not trying to scrimp and save every single penny at the expense of my happiness in life. I think your general way of life with living frugally and budgeting for your needs and wants is much more helpful.

[@pokkey]

I think "no spend months" means something different for different people. For me, I did not spend anything in February for frivolous stuff like clothes, bags, wallets, etc. I took inventory of everything I own and don't use, and decided it's best to stop shopping and start selling. I do buy regular monthly necessities like food, toiletries, etc. and I do buy in bulk if things go on sale. Also, I allow myself to buy treats or eat out but nothing extravagant. You still can enjoy yourself while being frugal. TFS. 😊

[@andyjacobs9400]

Thanks for this discussion. I agree with you that consistent management of the budget is much better than these no-spend periods. I find it to be like the "grapefruit" diet in which one extremely restricts the diet for a period of time and then warps the diet in the other way after the period is done. Consistency is very important since it allows one to manage the path to goals, without causing disruption. I have been totally debt free for several years now and I was on a very consistent path in the process of achieving that. Since then, I have maintained the methodical approach. It allows me to be healthier and wealthier. I found your channel fairly recently. I have been catching up with your videos. Keep being you. You have a solid base. I hope you continue to achieve your goals (large and small).

[@frugalgreengirl]

Thanks Andy and welcome new friend! Looking forward to seeing you around!

[@straubdavid9]

Iv'e had no-spend decades ..... ask me how old my car is? I think Fred Flintstone was the previous owner ~8^)

[@kathleenross7648]

I live like you. I am always sort of on a no spend mode. I am on a very tight budget all the time and with rare exception I stay within my cash envelopes. If I do go off it's usually for a great sale like you said you did for the tree stakes. I used to spend so much more than I have in the recent two years or so since I have been trying to pay down my credit card debt. Since I need a second job to pay it off and I cannot get one until I finish school, I will be living very very tight indefinitely. I hope to get a second job in another year or so when I graduate, but with the tight economy and my age (62) it will be difficult to get a second job. There are jobs that I just cannot do anymore physically as second income jobs so it's a dilemma. I like your channel. You have a lot of great ideas for living frugally.

[@marycook9607]

I buy as much as I can one sale or the thrift store. I have a friend that does the same. Like now I will look at St Patrick's sales and if it a true sale then it will be frozen, dehydrate or can. It saves a lot of money. Plus our garden helps a lot as well. Thanks for your time.

[@VaughnMalecki]

Awesome explanation! Very logical and productive! Great plan.

[@JC-kn4fh]

We are in the middle of our no spend month and the take away for us in doing this is to have "a reset time". Time to see where we are wasting, what can we change and do better, and yes to help dwindle the pantry freezer because of expiration dates. We are like everyone else and that we get in a hurry in daily life too. So, to say a no spend month has been great for us to "reset" where we are as far as wasting, eating out too much because of lack of planning etc.... Love your video though. Thanks!

[@mrwizard9486]

Unfortunately for me, I'm on involuntary no spend months...lol...

[@keepingitsimplebertanamari5676]

I agree. There are times when I try to use up things in my pantry to keep them fresh but I like to have a bit of a stock pile so if something comes up and I can't go to the store. (Weather, illness,or sudden unexpected expenses) I can still make a nice pot of soup or some pasta to feed us. I'm like you and my budget is already very tight. I may cut out the occasional lunch out or forego an extra item at the store but I don't really spend on any thing unnecessary on a monthly basis.

[@wanda409]

Thank you for all the advise and I have changed my spending and saving habits all because of you.

[@melindabanning7707]

I am with you! When don’t spend much telling yourself not to spend is for me failure. I have felt bad that couldn’t do it until I realized I didn’t need to do a no spend month. I stock my pantries full so I can go awhile without buying groceries. I lived with bare pantries for years and we barely had enough to eat so I might go overboard a little in this area but I also give food away when a need arises.

[@jend2862]

I bought some ground turkey when it was on sale and had coupons to up the savings. I have used some of it, but there is still some packages left and their time for optimal flavor is running out. I decided to use it up before buying more ground beef, which my family prefers - and why the turkey hasn't been used.

[@socialbee3296]

Thank you for the video.. I absolutely agree on your point of view on the missing the sale items.... to be honest I haven't thought of that idea. I'll make a list of items I will need thru out the year and keep on eye out for deals.

[@gracesimplified3860]

I am with you. No spend doesn’t work for those who are already thrifty for some of the reasons you listed.

[@denisek5208]

Balance is good. Being wise & frugal is SO important.

[@FarmerG]

The cost of Dad going without his beer carries a price far greater than that of any MSRP.

[@frugalgreengirl]

You know it!

[@DeedraBoodram]

I totally agree!!! My husband hates no spend month. So now that we are debt free other than the mortgage we are not doing No Spend months anymore! We did a partial one in January but it was totally unnecessary.. Thanks for sharing!

[@dwgagnonhomestead7063]

We rarely spend money to begin with so there's no point in a no spend month.

[@jennyhughes6597]

And none of us want crabby husbands!!! LOL. I love your necklace.

[@CheapandGreenCanada]

I do agree with your point about the pantry. You end up spending more restocking everything.

[@CentsibleLivingWithMoneyMom]

We have never have done a no spend either, but I done No spends in a modified way. Wonderful video.

[@brocktongirl8871]

I've tried no spend months a few times, and I can relate to the points you made; if you are frugal and pretty disciplined already it isn't necessary to be so strict like that. It does help though, if you find that you are drifting into a pattern of spending mindlessly, and need to get yourself back in the frugal mindset, to do this for a short time. It is sort of like taking a week to eat very healthy after the holidays.

[@kristinabullock3240]

I agree with you. Mostly bc I feel like when I’ve tried doing it I get jinxed and something happens where I need to spend money. Car, house, daughter rips shoes or jacket or something an electric or gas bill will spike you know anything. So I just try to stay mindful of my spending and budget and if I have an over budget month then I throw that at debt or savings. Or sometimes I take that and do something extra with my daughter. Take her out to dinner at a favorite restaurant or take her to the bouncy land place, buy her an episode or movie on iTunes. Right now I am eating from the pantry bc in 4.5 months I’ll be moving back to the states and I can’t take it back with us. And I agree 100% on the spending more to stick back up. And it’s been proven on a lot of frugal people’s blogs when they do grocery halls. They go over budget for like 1-3 months after. I get paid every two weeks so sometimes I may do a no spend week. But normally it’s bc I got great deals one week so the next week I don’t need anything. Great post!! Loved the video

[@sadieprice1205]

I have done a no spend 14 months so apart from school uniform and new shoes for my children i haven't brought anything. I have saved so much money and paid all of my husbands debt but at a price of becoming completely antisocial and hermit like. Good job i have my garden lol ☺

[@ksavage8851]

Excellent advise! You gave me a lot to think about.

[@lisaalbarras3029]

I love your approach to spending, it is like a keto diet for your wallet... awesome!!!

[@patwagner9308]

I'm w/ you. We have gone thru times where we're more careful than usual...but you end up hurting yourself if you go too long & are too strict. Our freezers get very full & then it's a good idea to use the oldest food from them. I don't want to pass up super sales.

[@maan8846]

like this :-) I did a no spend in january, but I didn't needed anything new anyway. But it is a bit depressing indeed to feel so restricted. It was good to eat through the stock pile though. I need to make an inventory of the things we have! (do you have an inventory?). Procrastinating...

[@wishuponakate]

I've never officially done one, but I have had a week or weeks where I am just very conscious of what I am spending money on, avoiding impulse buys, etc, and it caused me to be very close to no-spend. You make a lot of really great points here about it not being for everyone, and potentially missing opportunities if great deals come along for things you/your family can truly use. PS: You look really radiant in this video. Is that your "interview" blouse you got? Looks great on you.

[@maa11235]

hey FGG, thanks for your videos. I may have missed it in a previous video, but I was wondering what your family's grocery bill is per week? I ask because as a member of a family of 5, our grocery bill averages $200/week, which see.s high to me.

[@apronacres7292]

may i gently suggest you don't compare to what others spend - way too many variables - it depends on where you live/cost of living, how much you entertain/have people over to eat, whether you/others count that $200 as only food or include paper products, toiletries, health/beauty or include eating out/take out...if anyone has special dietary needs or you buy only organics...etc...if you think your spending is too high, then simply start cutting - practice all the cost saving ideas available until you find what works best for you...

[@smarthome2660]

Well it is my choice to not own a car so I spend only 4 months per year for meats and vegetables. I prep and freeze them and shop online for the rest. This saves me a lot and frees up a lot of my time. As far as fun money, I usually get something for myself about 4 times a year in between the quarterly spend months. I do it this way so I get more interest on my saving totals in my accounts and I really have pretty much all I need or want. I do have a no spend day tho. I do not spend anything on the day my SSI is deposited. I wait till the next day. If I get paid on the Last friday of the month, I wait till monday to spend. I do have a desire to spend all the time but I look at each time and ask myself, Do I NEED it or just WANT it? I usually decide it is unnecessary so I don't spend on it. I really don't think this would change much if I won millions of dollars in the lottery because I have tremendous wilpower. For one thing I would have to play more to win but I would rather have the $ that a long shot at $$$.. The whole bird in the hand over 2 in the bush thingy.

[@carlaries4240]

Hi from Australia. Well said :) I can totally relate. Here from Centsible Living with Money Mom ;)

[@frugalgreengirl]

Hello and welcome new friend!

[@pamelajones4412]

In 2017 i did a know a spend month twice and i did eat out of my pantry and freezer month twice this year i have not done any of those things not sure if i will if i do i might do a clear out the freezer the freezer on the frig and the deep freezer because those 2 don't get rotated like our stand up freezer

[@Myfrugallife]

We have done no spend before. We live very frugally and don’t have much to cut off, so we ate mostly from our pantry and saved only about $200, but it was too much misery. You are right on missing the opportunities, that’s why we don’t do the no spends any more.