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The idea of gaining deeper self-understanding through intentional periods of self-deprivation goes back centuries. And in today’s world—where new ways of parting you from your money appear daily, and the cost of living only seems to rise— our spending habits can often feel like they are spinning out of control. This week’s piece explores an experiment by writer Gretchen Rubin, who joined her sister in doing a “no spend month,” during which they cut out all unnecessary expenses. What they discovered about their spending patterns—and their ability to build lasting habits—proved both surprising and insightful.

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What I Learned From My No-Spend Month
_{by Gretchen Rubin}

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Gretchen Rubin and her sister embarked on a “no spend month” in an effort to better understand their spending habits. She wrote this week’s piece to discuss how to follow her example, and what she learned over the course of the month.

First– to set up a successful no-spend month, she offers a set of guidelines:

• Define Your Rules — Set a realistic timeline (a week, a month, or even one day a week) and decide what expenditures count as “essential” versus “non-essential.”

• Plan Ahead — Anticipate challenges by setting safeguards, like finding alternatives to shopping when bored.

• Understand Why — Be clear on your motivation, whether it’s breaking habits, saving money, or aligning spending with your values.

Both sisters followed their agreed upon set of boundaries as well as they can, and came away with these findings:

• Elizabeth, Gretchen’s sister, was shocked at how much time she saved not browsing for purchases online. She gained back a huge amount of personal time and energy.
  

• Elizabeth also noted honestly that she did feel a sense of deprivation, and looked forward to the end of the “no spend” month – but when the month concluded, she did not go through with any big spends she had been so excited to make.
  

• Gretchen found that constraint forced her to appreciate what she already owned—choosing to read the books already on her shelf instead of buying new ones, and continuing with the watercolors she had on hand rather than purchasing fresh supplies, which encouraged her to improve with that medium before moving on to others.
  

• Gretchen was also reminded that “delay is good.” Being unable to purchase every item at her fingertips forced her to pause and consider whether she was buying out of genuine need or simple impulse.

Rubin also solicited “no spend” tips and tricks from her audience. Some of them were fascinating:

• Many emphasized the usefulness of belonging to a Buy Nothing group on social media

• There are also many online budgeting tools such as YNAB (You Need a Budget) or Simplifi.

• If a child is begging for a toy, take a picture of it. That gesture often satisfies them.

• Only allow yourself to buy “treats” with cash you have on hand, rather than using a credit card which will always be present.

• In Amazon, only click “proceed to check out” just once a week, to get another chance to review your purchases before making them.

All in all, they finished the month surprised at how much spending had become an unquestioned default—and how removing that option sharpened their appreciation for the possessions they already owned, while freeing up time and energy to enjoy them. They also noted that the sense of discipline and accomplishment in completing the month was exhilarating, and that once they reached the end of their “no spend” month, they approached spending money far more conscientiously.

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So tell us: If you limited yourself to only essential spending for a month, what do you think you would miss most– and what do you think would be the most surprising learning?

Thank you,

The MAP Team

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