There is “No Spend November” where people challenge themselves to buy nothing, aside from essentials, for the month. Since I didn’t really adhere to it like I’d planned, I’ve been on a re-start. Once a no-spend habit is established, it can be easier to have that spill over throughout the year. With this year being primarily a stay-in, I have realized how much frivolous spending I had done in the past. Even though we still spend money on WoW subscriptions we aren’t buying other things, like random decor and (for me) loads of reusables, as we had in the past. When I first started going low-waste, I went out and bought loads of reusable produce bags, jars, straws, etc.

No-spend challenges allow you to “think outside the box” in some cases. For example, I’ve been focused on clearing out the pantry, and have been able to use up many dry goods. Using the same ingredients has forced me, in a good way, to get creative in the kitchen. I love how creative we can be with a few pantry items and some herbs/spices. Just remember that it’s okay to mess up. Everyone does at some point. Also, tastes vary, so always taste as you go. During the process, you may create a new dish that you really enjoy. We still find ourselves buying snack items (more on that in a future post about food packaging waste) from time to time although it is pretty rare.

Overall, not including food, first aid/sanitization supplies, and medication, I’ve spent about $50 for some “new” (second-hand) clothes and cutlery. I’ve also spent $10-ish dollars on a laptop case after the original one cracked and split. Every time you make a purchase with single-use packaging, especially anything that can’t be repurposed/recycled, you’re buying an item and literally throwing your money away with the packaging. So, if you have to buy things during a no-spend challenge, try to make purchases where the packaging is reusable/recyclable. In a future post, I’ll discuss how our purchases and decisions affect the planet.

Since this re-start I have been able take stock what we have, what we can donate, and have learned the importance of creativity. I wasn’t raised in an environment that fostered artistic expression, so I find it very freeing in some ways. Through this no-buy period, I have been able to find my inner creator while adapting to a lifestyle with less excess. Have you tried out a no-spend month? If you have, let me know your experience.

Peace & Love, always!