Buying only the basics was easier – and more fun – than I ever expected.
When I first saw the no-buy challenge on social media, I was skeptical. As a personal finance editor, I wasn’t sure a savings challenge could teach me anything about money management that I didn’t already know. But I figured a spending detox couldn’t hurt, especially with a recession on the horizon.
So, for 30 days, I bought only the basics. And I was surprised by how transformative it wound up being.
It saved me a chunk of change, sure. But it also changed my relationship with my money in a fundamental way that will serve me for months — and years — to come.
And, even more surprising, it was actually kind of fun.
Read more: The Simple $1 Trick Helped Me Pay Off Debt and Retire on My Terms. Here’s How It Works
Spending more mindfully: My no-buy rules
“No-buy” doesn’t mean spending no money at all. Obviously we can’t avoid paying for essentials like housing, food and utilities. But we can be more mindful about how we budget for them. We can also be more calculated about which nonessential items we prioritize each month.
For my no-buy month, I followed the basic do’s and don’ts of others on social media, differentiating between “necessities” and “extras.” I also added a few custom spending allowances (depriving myself entirely seemed counterproductive).
Things I could buy
Things I couldn’t buy
