How to Prepare for a No-Spend Month

But take it one step furtherwhydo you want to save money?

Are you building up your emergency fund?

Saving for a house?

Our Favorite Ways to Eat Cheaply

Do you simply want to consume less, or see where your money has really been going?

You might also consider what youre willing to sacrifice to reach those long-term goals.

For these reasons, Im trying to cut down on my expenses and save more now.

But Im not that young anymore, and I need to make smarter choices.

Write Down Your Exceptions

Obviously its impossible to spendnothing.

So write down your recurring expenses.

And every person will have different things that they just cant or dont want to do without.

Unless youre in dire financial straits, you should enjoy your life.

Mine is a trip to Philadelphia I have planned with a few friends.

This isnt a necessity, but might encourage you to stay on track.

One of the toughest aspects of the challenge is going it alone.

So, have a chat with someone you trust now about your plan.

And consider joining a community of fellow no-spenders.

I recently joined an email support group of other people trying to have a more frugal 2019.

Learnwhich foods are cheaper to make yourself.

Additionally, check on things you use every day, like trash bags, shampoo and conditioner, etc.

Are you close to running out?

Nothing can derail your month more than stopping at Target for one thing.

Nights and weekends out can be a budget killer.

We wrote about someinexpensive group activity ideas here.

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