Rein in Your Budget with a No-Spend Weekend.
Hey, yall!
I don’t know about you, but it seems that our budget is just getting tighter and tighter these days. Ever since that lovely year of 2020, the dollar just does not go as far as it used to. After doing a little bit of research (Thank you, Google), the dollar has lost 15% of its value since 2020, which basically means $100 worth of groceries today would have only cost $85 back in 2020. And if you buy mostly organic like I do, it seems that it’s even worse than that.
I’m sure it all depends on your specific family situation, but for mine, it seems that the most expensive months to live (besides Christmas shopping in December) are summer months and August. In the summer, being off of work, it seems to cost more money than previous summers to keep myself and my little guy entertained. Next summer, we will definitely work on more cost-free entertainment ideas. Between activities like swimming, gymnastics lessons, eating more than usual, summer treats and trips, there wasn’t a lot of extra summer money we typically have (especially since I don’t have for childcare in the summer). Thank you, inflation!
And, next comes August. Back to school shopping, refreshing school uniforms, new sneakers, new lunch boxes, after school care…it all adds up. Not to mention when I go back to work in August, all of my “dues” are due again - on three different campuses. I also pay union dues for extra protection in my job.
The Current Spending Situation
So, if you are like me, you are accustomed to eating out every Saturday morning for breakfast, grabbing a fancy coffee drink on the way home, and MAYBE a trip to the bakery for a yummy gluten-free treat for the family. It sounds like we’re spoiled, but really, this is the only time of the week we’re really eating out and going out and about…but lately, those coffee trips turn into a few different trips throughout the weekends…sometimes we end up eating out 2-4 times on the weekends, and y’all. It adds up fast! My husband’s coffee costs $6.50. Let’s say he ends up buying 4 coffees throughout the weekend (I may end up drinking one), that’s $26 a weekend just in coffee, which is over $100 for the month. When we eat out, we spend on average $40 each time for the three of us. If we eat out 4 times on the weekends, we’re spending $160 on the weekends just on meals, which is over $600 a month on eating out. Kind of ridiculous for a family of 3, especially when my little guy doesn’t even finish his meals the majority of the time…AND, no wonder why it seems like our food budget money goes so fast…we’re using the majority of it on the weekends eating out.
My Plan to Rein It In
So, I’m sure you’re not here to read my rants and raves about the current costs of everything, but here for an idea on how to catch back up and get your budget back on track. Let me introduce to you, a no-spend weekend. So, what is it exactly? It’s a weekend where you do not spend any money at all. You don’t put anything on your credit card and you’re definitely not whipping out your debit card. It’s a weekend where you eat at home, eat the groceries in the fridge and cupboard (even if that means a hodge-podge meal), make your own coffee, and entertain yourself in ways that are free or in ways that you aren’t having to pay extra.
So, basically, my plan is to implement a no-spend weekend this month and hopefully a no-spend weekend each month until Christmas. Does that mean each weekend is boring with nothing to do? Of course not! It just means we need to get creative and intentional about how we choose to spend the weekend together.
Tips for Success:
Stear clear of social media and your email accounts. Chances are, you’ll be inundated with ads about sales and activities you may be missing out on. If I ever miss a sale, chances are, it’s stuff I don’t “need” and I try to tell myself that it just wasn’t mean to be…at least right at that moment. Another sale will roll around.
Eat leftovers…If you cooked any meals during the week and have left over food, this is a prime time to eat your leftovers and get your fridge cleaned out.
Make sure everyone is on board. You don’t want to go into a spend-free weekend and your spouse not be on board. That is a recipe for disaster, resentment, and tension. No thanks. If you can’t get your spouse 100% on board, maybe compromise and cut out a few things you typically do on the weekends (like all of your trips to Starbucks).
Have a plan you can look forward to! To help you on your no-spend weekend, I’ve created a list of 25 no-spend activities that a family, couple, or single person can enjoy:
Outdoor Activities:
1. Enjoy a nature walk or hike in a local park or nature reserve.
2. Use that food you have in your fridge, and have a picnic in your backyard or a nearby park.
3. Go play! Enjoy a game of frisbee, soccer, or basketball at a local playground.
4. Explore a bike trail or go for a family bike ride.
5. Organize a scavenger hunt with items found in your neighborhood. (this is a personal favorite of mine!)
6. Have a family-friendly sports day with relay races and obstacle courses.
7. Stargaze and identify constellations on a clear night.
Indoor Activities:
8. A movie day! Enjoy family movie or TV show marathon with popcorn and blankets. (another personal favorite)
9. Get out those board games and have a game night! You can invite some friends over for this one, just don’t spend money on hosting. Make it a bring your own snacks party, you supply the games.
10. Get creative! Have an arts and crafts session using materials you already have at home.
11. Complete an indoor scavenger hunt with clues and hidden treasures.
12. DIY home science experiments or simple kitchen chemistry.
13. Family karaoke or dance party with favorite songs. (my son’s favorite)
14. Build a blanket fort and have a cozy reading time.
Learning and Creativity:
15. Hold a family storytelling or story-writing session.
16. Learn a new skill together through online tutorials, like cooking or drawing.
17. Start a family journal where each member can contribute thoughts and drawings.
18. Plant a small indoor garden or window sill herbs.
19. Create a family vision board with goals and aspirations.
Community and Giving Back:
20. Volunteer as a family at a local community center, animal shelter, or charity event.
21. Clean up a local park together.
22. Write letters or create artwork for local nursing home residents or healthcare workers. You can even check out the calendar for an upcoming holiday, and make holiday cards for the nursing home.
23. Organize a neighborhood potluck or swap meet. (Kellie Raspberry always talks about swap parties and this sounds like so much fun!)
24. Host a movie night in your backyard and invite neighbors to join. (remember, no money on hosting! Bring your own snacks.)
25. Plan and execute a "random acts of kindness" day by doing thoughtful things for others.
I created a PDF for you if you want quick access to the activities you can try on a no-spend weekend.
I would love to hear if you have implemented no-spend weekends and how it has helped you with your budget! If it’s something new you decide to try, let me know how it goes!
Be blessed, my friends!
Sources:
https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/2020#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20dollar%20has%20lost%2015%25%20its%20value%20since%202020&text=%24100%20in%202020%20is%20equivalent,cumulative%20price%20increase%20of%2018.11%25.
