Checking in! I extended our no buy challenge into March and so far this month has been SOOOOO much easier than the first month.

We finally got started on our budgeting with Monarch. It’s been about 3 years since we’ve been consistent with a detailed monthly budget, and some of the numbers were eye opening. I am still getting used to the platform but I spent a good amount of time on it yesterday. I’m feeling pretty optimistic about reducing our spending with groceries and eating out, but with 2 full time working parents I know it won’t be easy. If you’ve been on this journey, what are some other categories you have reduced spending in your budget? What was easiest and what was hardest?

How is everyone doing this week? If you're still on the no-buy, how has it been going? If you're technically "done", how has it felt to be back in the world without your rules? Have you noticed any changes in your thinking?

Today was my daughter's birthday party. I don't know who decided every party needed party favors but I have always hated receiving them and putting them together. They seem to always just end up as clutter or easily breakable and thrown away. So I changed my perspective in light of my low buy year. I bought food safe bags and preloaded them with a napkin and a hot cocoa mix. At the party once things were winding down I added the leftover donuts to each bag for kids to take home. They were cute, easy and each kid was excited about having donuts for the ride home. Also helped with not having an excessive amount of leftovers. Many parents thanked me for having a consumable item as they were leaving. I'm only seeing a win win win situation here.

Hi Everyone! hope you all had a nice weekend. I'm sharing my answers from our final check in email :) - What changed for you during this month?- I'm happy I signed up for this challenge. I saved $305 in my HYS account and reduced my shopping category from $1000 in December to $470 in January. I truly gave myself the ick for shopping by watching the Netflix documentary "Buy Now; The Shopping Conspiracy" like Melissa suggested. I've been taking steps towards buying less but this changed how I think completely. I've shifted from buying stuff to appreciating what I have and taking care of it even more carefully so it lasts and looking for ways to mend or reuse. My kids are also young and super in to the paw patrol show right now. One of the puppies is a recycle pup and his tag line is "don't lose it reuse it" so I've taken that to heart! - What habits do you not want to go back to?- the constant amazon shopping. I was able to reduce my amazon spending form 8K in 2024 to 4K in 2025 and it felt amazing spending ZERO at amazon in January. - What guidelines or boundaries would you like to keep? I'm going to do the same challenge for February and see how I feel after that. - What was your biggest takeaway after 30 days? We need way less stuff than we think. - How do you want your future shopping to feel? Fun! I want to enjoy the things I buy and be excited that I bought something really cool and well made.