Every February, my family does a no-spend challenge for the entire month. I like to call it a “the financial reset button.” Many of us are still recovering from all of the holiday spending in February, so it makes sense to try a no spend challenge. Also, I am participating is a savings challenge this year, so the extra money not spent this month will go towards my savings goal. I have compiled a fun list of money free activities to participate in with family.

What is a No Spend Challenge?

Obviously, it is hard to spend absolutely no money for a whole month. There are still housing, food, transportation, and more expenses that need to be paid. During a no spend challenge; you will eliminate the unnecessary spending categories such as entertainment, dining out, fun money, and any other expense that is not needed to survive.

In our house, we live off of 50% of our income during a no spend challenge. To make sure we do not go over budget, we are on CASH ONLY for the entire month, no debit cards. This is the hardest part for me. Paying cash for everything makes you more aware of how much you are spending. No more swiping the debit card and walking away. (Insert sad face…lol) Now I have to make sure I have the cash; if not, I will be putting grocery items back on the shelf (yep, I have done it).

Money-Free Ideas

1. Get organized
2. Attend free music/movies in the park
3. Have a picnic
4. Hike
5. Go to a park
6. Bike ride
7. Go swimming
8. Play board/card games
9. Host a potluck
10. Learn a new skill
11. Write a story
12. Cook together (Make a new recipe with pantry ingredients)
13. Create some art for the home
14. Sort, print and organize photos on your phone and computer
15. DIY something (make soap or paint)
16. Visit a free museum
17. Volunteer
18. Camp in your backyard
19. Go fishing
20. Go to the beach
21. Visit the library
22. Take pictures
23. Make lists (holiday, meal plans, back-to-school)
24. Write family goals
25. Garden
26. Relax! Take a nap
27. Play a video game
28. Organize your cabinets and closets
29. Dance contest
30. Meet your neighbors
31. Create a vision board
32. Learn origami
33. Make a funny home movie
34. Talk about finances (Parents teach your kids!)
35. Play a sport
36. Play a card game
37. Make a time capsule
38. Movie day with favorite DVD’s
39. Paper airplane contest
40. Rearrange living room furniture
41. Build a giant blanket fort
42. Video chat with long distance family
43. Learn another language
44. Make homemade birthday cards
45. Research family tree
46. Exercise together
47. Write letters to your future self
48. Plan a vacation
49. Donate unwanted items to charity
50. Star gazing

What money free activities does your family participate in during a no spend challenge? If you have tried anything on the list, let me know how it went.

Proverbs 25:28 – A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.