I Survived No Spend November! Here’s How Much I Saved
Discover how one Penny Hoarder saved over $600 during No Spend November and the key lessons learned to curb impulse spending.
Participating in No Spend November transformed my spending habits, helping me save over $600 while covering essential expenses and learning to resist temptations. This challenge, popular among budget-conscious individuals, involves freezing non-essential spending for the month to build savings and awareness.
How I Prepared to Freeze My Spending for the Month of November
Preparation is crucial for a successful No Spend November. A month prior, I outlined my plan, setting strict rules: only pay bills, groceries, and true emergencies. I stocked up on non-perishables like pantry staples, toiletries, and pet food to minimize mid-month purchases. This mirrors strategies from financial experts who recommend inventorying household items first to avoid waste.
I reviewed my budget, identifying fixed costs like rent and car payments, and planned grocery hauls under $100 weekly. Canceling optional subscriptions was considered, but I prioritized essentials. Selling unused items via platforms like Poshmark or Craigslist provided extra cash buffer, a tactic echoed in preparation guides.
Mentally, I shifted my mindset to view the challenge as a game, not deprivation. This preparation prevented common pitfalls, like impulse buys during sales seasons.
Here’s Everything I Spent During No Spend November
Transparency is key in tracking progress. My total spending broke down into categories, focusing solely on necessities while noting exceptions.
Regular Expenses: $1,331.31
- Rent: $760 – Non-negotiable housing cost.
- Car payment: $400 (base $305, extra $95 toward principal to accelerate debt payoff).
- Subscriptions and contributions: Minimal at $12 for artists and journalism support; Netflix and others retained as mental health essentials.
Subscriptions totaled low due to pre-challenge audits. Upgrading to annual plans post-challenge will save more long-term.
Other Necessities: $641.11
Groceries: $352.11
Achieved under $100/week goal by meal planning with pantry items, buying in bulk, and cooking creatively. This success stemmed from “shopping” my freezer and cabinets first, reducing waste.
Health and Hygiene: Essential dental cleaning and products – unavoidable for well-being.
From my $400 grocery allowance, $47.89 was allocated for minor fun/misc expenses.
Exceptions
Real life happens. I permitted wedding attendance ($302.97) and used grocery surplus wisely.
- Splurge meal at Uvaggio: $59.90 – Rare treat.
- Cuban sandwiches from Versailles: $37 (two varieties for comparison).
- Other meals out: $57.15.
- Misc (coffee, snacks, parking): $92.92.
Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sales: $178.56
Despite intentions to skip, deals tempted:
- Old Navy: $68.37 (leggings, dress at 50% off clearance + 10% cashback via Ebates).
- Quest Bars: $110.19 ($30 off $95+ order) – Daily protein necessity.
These were justified as useful items at steep discounts, but highlighted temptation risks.
| Category | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Expenses | $1,331.31 | Bills only |
| Groceries | $352.11 | <$100/week |
| Exceptions (Fun/Misc) | $247.97 | Incl. wedding |
| Sales | $178.56 | Deals captured |
| Total | $2,109.95 | Essentials dominant |
Net unplanned spend: $156.42 after exceptions – manageable overrun from value buys.
What I Saved
Without the challenge, habits like $25-30 monthly coffee runs, frequent dining out, and impulse shopping would prevail. Estimating conservatively:
- Coffee/snacks: $100+ avoided.
- Dining out: $300+ skipped.
- Impulses/unplanned: $200+ resisted.
- Total savings: At least $600, likely $1,500.
Long-term, lessons in saying “no” to bargains amplify savings.
Lessons Learned from No Spend November
Beyond dollars, the challenge built discipline:
- Impulse control: Resisted lattes by day three; bargains aren’t savings if unneeded.
- Meal creativity: Pantry meals prevented boredom and waste.
- Timing matters: Avoid holidays or plan exceptions.
- Mindset shift: Treated as fun challenge, not punishment.
- Inventory power: “Shopped” home first, uncovering forgotten items.
Post-challenge, I continue auditing subscriptions and planning hauls.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What counts as allowed spending in No Spend November?
A: Essentials like rent, utilities, groceries, health needs. No dining out, shopping, or luxuries unless emergencies.
Q: How do I prepare for groceries?
A: Inventory pantry/freezer, plan weekly under budget, buy staples early but avoid overstocking to curb waste.
Q: Can I do it during holidays like Black Friday?
A: Possible with strict rules; many skip sales entirely or set micro-budgets for true needs.
Q: What if I slip up?
A: Track it, learn, continue. Focus on net savings and habits formed.
Q: Is No Spend November suitable for everyone?
A: Adapt for families/kids; shorter challenges or no-spend days work well.
Tips for Your Own No Spend Challenge in 2026
Adapt for any month:
- Choose low-temptation period.
- Sell unused items for buffer.
- Use cash envelopes for groceries.
- Track daily in app.
- Reward with savings goal.
No Spend builds financial muscle, proving you control money, not vice versa.
References
- I Survived No Spend November! Here’s How Much I Saved — The Penny Hoarder. 2018. https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/save-money/no-spend-november-savings/
- How I Prepare for “No-Spend November” (Yes, It’s a Thing) — Marie Claire. 2015-11-02. https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/news/a23189/no-spend-november/
- How to Save Money in 2026 With a No-Spend Challenge — The Penny Hoarder. 2026. https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/save-money/no-spend-challenge/
- No Spend November: How to Save Money for the Holidays — The Penny Hoarder. N/A. https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/save-money/planning-no-spend-november/
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