The ‘no-spend’ challenge: Does it really work to save money?

A no-spend challenge is exactly what it sounds like: You commit to spending money only on essentials for a set period of time. That usually means things like rent, groceries, medications, and gas stay on the list—while everything else (looking at you, cute-but-unnecessary HomeGoods finds) is put on pause.

Some people try a no-spend challenge for a weekend. Others go a full month. Either way, it’s less about restriction and more about awareness—pressing pause so you can figure out where your money’s actually going (and whether it’s getting you closer to your goals).

Why Do a No-Spend Challenge?

The biggest benefit of a no-spend challenge is that it helps reset your habits. Maybe your spending’s gotten a little wild….