Decluttering Your Mindset

Welcome to Day 2 of the No-Spend Challenge! 

Now that you’ve gotten a firm understanding of your spending habits and what could be causing such a drain in your bank account, let's go over how to help shift your mindset into something beneficial for you for years to come.

Before we get into the nitty gritty, this challenge isn’t about deprivation—it’s about shifting your mindset, getting creative, and redefining what value means in your daily life.

I know all too well the hardship that comes with living paycheck to paycheck. And it seemed that no matter how much or how little money I was bringing in I was still stuck in this loop. I didn’t understand where my money was going.

Now, you may be here as well. In a spot where you simply don’t know why you’re living this way. And the ugly truth is, no amount of extra income is going to change how you’re living. 

Obviously a few extra thousand a month couldn't hurt right? But, if you have this mindset that you deserve to spend your money, nothing will change.

Mindset is EVERYTHING

Mindset is everything when it comes to money. It’s not just about how much you have; it’s about how you think about it and manage it. Take away a rich man’s wealth, and he’ll quickly find a way to rebuild it—because they understand the principles of abundance, investment, and opportunity. 

On the flip side, give a poor man all the money in the world, and without a shift in mindset, they may soon return to their previous financial struggles.

True wealth starts in the mind, where the beliefs, habits, and actions that support financial growth are formed.

So before you begin to think that a challenge like this is forever going to change your relationship with money, we first need a solid foundation.

Setting the Foundation for Success

1. Define Your "Why"

Why are you doing this challenge? Maybe you want to pay off debt, build savings, or simply break the cycle of impulse spending. Take a few minutes to write down your main reason—this will keep you motivated when temptation strikes.

You don’t need to do this in just one day, take your time. Get a journal, write down random thoughts about money and your finances. Picture what your life could look like when you are finally in a place where you are willing to go a week without eating out. Or when you are more knowledgeable about wealth and how to save or invest.

2. Set Your Challenge Rules

A No-Spend Challenge looks different for everyone. Decide what’s off-limits (eating out, impulse Amazon orders) and what’s still allowed (essentials like groceries, gas, or bills). The clearer your boundaries, the easier it will be to stay on track.

Again, take your time with this. This whole challenge is about getting away from the impulse of using money. The same goes for how we think about money.

For me as a single mom, the essentials are: food (obviously), gas, diapers, wipes, medicine, bills, and (depending on how long my challenge is) thrifted clothes.

But yours could look different! 

3. Take Inventory of What You Already Have

One of the biggest mindset shifts in this challenge is realizing how much you already own. Today, take stock of your pantry, fridge, household supplies, and even forgotten items hiding in your closet. You might be surprised at how much you can use before spending another dime.

And for goodness sakes, Pinterest is a gold mine for all things DIY and low cost! We live in an impossible era, where any information we want is at our fingertips (for free!) simply search whatever little idea you have and let Pinterest take you down a rabbit hole of information and ideas. (Don’t overwhelm yourself though!)

4. Prepare for Common Challenges

What are your biggest spending triggers? Maybe it’s boredom, stress, or those “just browsing” Target runs. Identify them now and think of alternative solutions (swap online shopping for a free hobby, plan ahead for meals to avoid takeout cravings).

Again a journal is a great way to visualize all of this and realize how many triggers you actually have. Or use the free printable included with this course to help set a lot of the groundwork for success!

How to Reframe Spending Triggers

Everywhere we turn, we’re bombarded with messages telling us to spend—billboards, commercials, influencers, and ‘limited-time’ deals. In a world that thrives on consumerism. How do we step back and focus on what truly matters?

Your first step is to look back through what your triggers are and target those areas. 

1. Emotional Spending (Boredom, Stress, or Anxiety)

Money often becomes a quick fix for deeper emotions. Shopping can feel like a distraction or a reward. But, those impulse buys rarely bring lasting happiness.

• What to do instead:
  ✔ Pause before making a purchase—give yourself 24 hours to decide if you truly need it.
  ✔ Find alternative ways to cope: journaling, exercising, or calling a friend.
  ✔ Keep a "wishlist" instead of buying on impulse—if you still want it in a month, reconsider.

2. The “Good Deal” Trap

Sales and discounts make us feel like we’re saving, but if you weren’t planning to buy it, you’re not saving—you’re spending.

• How to break the cycle:
  ✔ Unsubscribe from promotional emails and store alerts.
  ✔ Avoid browsing sales “just to look”—it leads to temptation.
  ✔ Ask yourself: Would I still buy this at full price? If not, you probably don’t need it.

3. Spending for Convenience

Grabbing coffee on the way to work, ordering takeout because cooking feels exhausting—it’s so easy to spend for convenience, believe me I know.

• How to take back control:
  ✔ Plan ahead—prep meals the night before or batch-cook easy meals.
  ✔ Set a challenge: See how long you can go making your own coffee or packing lunch the night before..
  ✔ Keep quick, budget-friendly snacks at home and work is possible, to curb impulse food purchases.

4. Social Spending & Peer Pressure

Friends and family can unintentionally pressure us into spending—whether it’s an extra drink at dinner, a shopping trip, or an outing that’s not in the budget.

• How to handle it:
  ✔ Suggest budget-friendly alternatives—picnics, movie nights, or free events.
  ✔ Be honest: “I’m focusing on saving right now”—good friends will respect your goals.
  ✔ Set aside a “fun money” budget so you can participate without guilt.

5. Habitual & Mindless Spending

Do you always grab a snack at checkout, add random items to your Target cart, or scroll Amazon out of habit?

• Ways to shift this habit:
  ✔ Use a wishlist system—earn special items instead of impulse-buying them. You’ll feel so much better when there’s anticipation behind a coveted item.
  ✔ Carry cash—only bring what you plan to spend to avoid overspending.
  ✔ Replace shopping with a new habit, like reading or a creative hobby.

6. Lifestyle Creep

When your income increases, it's tempting to spend more just because you can. But without a plan, this leads to paycheck-to-paycheck living—even at higher income levels.

• How to stay in control:
  ✔ Set up automatic transfers to savings before you even see the extra money.
  ✔ Before making a new purchase, ask: “Would I have bought this before my raise?”
  ✔ Keep your expenses the same and use the extra income for bigger financial goals, like a vacation or paying off debt.

By identifying your specific spending trigger you can learn to cope, and navigate toward a healthier relationship with money.

Triggers will always be there. It’s what you do when those triggers arise that will change your mindset around money.

Goal for the Day

Write down your "why" and your personal challenge rules. Take a quick inventory of what you already have and make a plan to overcome your biggest spending triggers.

That’s it for Day 2! Tomorrow, we’ll talk about getting creative with what you have so you don’t feel deprived during this challenge.

If you can’t wait click the button to speed track to day 3! Or go back to day one if you need to recap some advice.