How To Encourage Your Family During A No-Spending Period

A no-spending period can be tricky from the get-go.

It’s especially true getting everyone in the family on board to do a spending freeze.

We know our family and how they enjoy eating certain things and doing certain things that always involve money.

It can be hard when our family is used to being on the go having fun. People will always resist the hard things because that’s what our brain is designed to do.

No one wants to be stuck at home and when that is the expectation of a no-spend period, it can be hard to keep our family motivated or even encouraged to participate without the moaning and griping.

The good news is there is hope for your no-spending period!

So let me share my no-spend challenge tips to keep your family motivated for a no-spending period.

While a no-spend month might seem impossible with your family, with these tips you can keep your family encouraged to keep saving money during the month.

And I’ll show you how to save money with your family so they are involved in the process too!

Here are some things to tell your family and do with your family to keep them motivated and encouraged!

“Think About How Much Money We Can Save And Put Towards…”

A no-spending period is all about saving money. Whether you are trying to get caught up in paying bills or saving up for a family vacation, make sure everyone is aware that you are doing the challenge to save money.

Let the goal of saving be known. What is it you are saving the money for?

If it is a family vacation, then that is something that will benefit everyone.

If the goal of saving money is to pay off some of the bills, then while that goal will help everyone, it is not a tangible goal that everyone will feel once the bills are paid off.

Try to offer some kind of incentive for everyone involved once the goal is met.

If it is not a tangible incentive like a vacation, then you can create some kind of weekly or end of the month incentive. Like an ice cream and movie party.

This helps to keep everyone motivated towards reaching the goal during the no-spending period.

“What Is A Good Rule For This No-Spending Period?”

Everyone who is involved in the challenge should also be included in creating and establishing the rules of the no-spending period.

Your family will become more involved when they can help create the rules themselves instead of being told what to do.

Ask each member what they believe a good rule for the challenge should be and let everyone have a chance to agree or disagree.

Rules could be:

• Only buy the lowest priced items
• Use up the things in our pantry
• No buying coffee or ice cream out
• Only emergency purchases: tire blow out, glasses broke, etc.

Once the rules are established for the no-spending period, make sure that they are displayed where everyone can see them and help be a visual reminder during the no-spend challenge.

These rules will help everyone know how to save money during the month and how they can help during the challenge.

“Family Fun Friday Is Coming!”

Have one designated day where your family can have a little fun and maybe enjoy a special treat during your no-spending period.

When it starts to become tough throughout the week, remind your family members that you will be having a fun day soon.

Be excited and uplifting when presenting this information. Talk about what they would like to do and how they can help make it more fun!

This will give them something to look forward to and help keep them focused on the overall goal of how to save money.

“Is That Something We Need Or Want?”

Don’t be pushy with this statement but let it be a helpful reminder to members of the household that they need to conserve what they have.

That may be from eating all the cereal up for snacks, using up their hair care, or even eating out of boredom.

Remind them that if it is something they don’t necessarily need right now, then they might want to take a second thought to determine whether they should use it all up.

Let them make the final decision on their own during this no-spending period.

Remember, our little ones don’t understand this concept well. Helping them learn about needs versus wants through this no-spend month can be a great learning tool for their future.

Take a look at this FREE Wants vs. Needs learning pack! It can help your little ones understand needs versus wants before you start the no-spending month.

“What Is Something You Would Like To Have This Week?”

Everyone needs to be treated for their excellent work and to help them feel like they are involved during this no-spending period.

Let everyone pick a meal they would like to have during the week and add it to your meal plan.

Also, let each member pick out a treat for the end of each week that is within a set budget.

By treating every member during the no-spend challenge, you will provide a little motivation to keep the challenge going.

“Let’s Go Out”

Just because you can’t spend any additional money during your no-spending period doesn’t mean you can’t go out and have some fun.

Pack up your lunch and take your family out for a picnic in the park.

Take a long hike or drive and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Invite your spouse on a date to the local art museum and enjoy a quiet relaxing evening. Even a back porch date with coffee and a treat can be a well-deserved break from the normal. 

There are always free events being brought together by communities every month so keep an eye out and treat your family to some fun and free entertainment.

“How Can I Help?”

With any challenge, people need some form of encouragement to keep motivated during your no-spending period.

Members may need someone to listen to their struggles or make adjustments with your how to save money plan.

If everyone helped each other throughout the no-spend challenge, it can make things a lot easier to endure the month.

Be helpful by offering a helping hand and encouraging everyone involved.

“We Did It!”

At the end of the month make sure to congratulate everyone involved.

This no-spending period is one that takes the effort of every member living in the same household.

Evaluate whether your goal has been met and discuss what was difficult and what you could do better for the next challenge.

Good luck to you and your family for your upcoming challenge!

Share these statements with all of the members of your family so that everyone will be on the same page. 

Make sure to work together and keep each other motivated by using encouragement.

I hope you’ve learned from my no-spend challenge tips to keep your family motivated for a no-spending period.

While a no-spend month might seem impossible with your family, with these tips you can keep your family encouraged to keep saving money during the month.

And I’ll show you how to save money with your family so they are involved in the process too!

YOUR TURN: Would your spouse be on board for a no-spending period? Let me know in the comments below!

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