There's a reason that minimalism and living simply have become something we need to learn how to do. There's box stores that offer lower prices for buying in bulk, theres bigger homes being built that require more things to fill them and the media that tells us we have to keep up with changing trends. Keeping up with all that "stuff" can be exhausting.
There was a time when households survived on only one shared family car. If you live in a home like ours that was built in the 1920s, you know that there was no space left between houses for a garage or driveway because people didn't have a car. Humans have survived for centuries without a lot of things that today we see as essentials: air conditioning, car seats for children, helmets and knee pads for riding bicycles, a separate bedroom for each child, a washer and dryer, etc. Now think of the things we have today that were created because of our consumerism: freezer chests, storage units, multi-car garages, walk-in closets. So why with everything we have today to make our lives easier and more efficient are we so much more unhappy and exhausted than the people from those simpler times that had less?
Here's a challenge for you: see if you can go one week without spending. If at the end of the week you find you enjoyed the challenge and want to see how much farther you can go, turn it into a 15 day challenge and maybe even a month challenge.
The first step is to take inventory. Make a list of the things you will need during the time frame of your challenge, only including things you absolutely need. Now go through your house and take inventory to see if you have those items. It may mean you will only have enough liquid soap if you dilute it or will have to use toilet paper to blow your nose instead of tissues. For some, the goal of this challenge is to save money. For others, it will be to find out what it's like to be resourceful as our ancestors were.
Now, let's get creative!
Groceries
Take inventory of your pantry and freezer and come up with meals you could make using only the provided goods available. Make a plan for the length of your challenge so you can strategize what items need to be eaten first because of expiration dates. You will be surprised at how many meals you can get from so little when you get creative. This is also a great way to learn how to make your own bread, noodles or butter.
Gas
Plan your errands to save gas. Try to limit your days driving and cut down on the amount of places you go to save money on gas. Going to two grocery stores because one has a sale on meat but the other you have a coupon for toilet paper isn't saving you money when you consider how much gas you're wasting. The best thing would be you not go out at all so you won't be tempted to spend money on eating out or shopping. There are people who live miles away from the grocery store and don't have the luxury of running to the store to get the one thing they ran out of. They have to plan their trips to town and make do with what they have. But if you get creative and really think about it in terms of necessity, you will come up with ways to get by.
Clothing
Shop your closet when you feel the need to buy clothing. Really think about how you can make do with what you already have. Use accessories like belts and scarves to create more possibilities. If there's a pair of shorts you've been wanting to buy and have a pair of jeans you never wear, simply grab the scissors and make cut-offs. If you have an item of clothing that is damaged, get creative and see if you can patch it, mend it or alter it in some way that you can use it again.
Gifts
You may be wondering how you can achieve a no spend challenge when there are birthday parties and showers coming up on your calendar. The good news is you have everything you need already, you just have to get creative. Keep in mind, gifts don't have to be homemade bath salts or candles. You can always make casseroles or baked goods as a gift using the inventory you already have.
