2025 NO SPEND FEBRUARY GUIDELINES

It’s time for a Life on a Dime’s sixth annual No Spend February! We were pretty casual about it last year, but I plan to buckle down this year and prioritize savings. I have tweaked last year’s guidelines just a bit. In case you missed previous challenges, or need a refresher, the 2025 No Spend February guidelines are below.

LIMITED DINING OUT

During No Spend February, the goal is usually only to dine out twice as a family. There will be no fast food trips unless the kids spend their own money or gift cards. They’re a bit low on funds since they haven’t earned their allowances and spend most of all of their Christmas money.

REDUCED GROCERY BUDGET & ONCE WEEKLY SHOPPING

Sometimes I don’t remember something that should’ve gone on the list until I see it in the store. Other times I realize I don’t have something at home after all. Occasionally I will make a second (or third) trip in the span of a week for those missed items. It’s rare that I only walk out with those few items when making those additional shopping trips.

Those few extra items, gas, and time spent making the extra trips all add up. So, for No Spend February 2025, I will make my list and go grocery shopping weekly as usual, but will NOT make any additional trips to the store for odds and ends that should’ve been on the list.

We’ll get what we need or alter the meal plan if we don’t. And speaking of what’s on the list, several items won’t be on the grocery list; we’ve increased spending in this area and I need to get it back under control.

I do not plan to purchase any of the following items:

• store deli-prepared meals or sides
• heavily processed/individually bagged school snacks
• salad kits or bagged or boxed single-meal side items (microwavable rice, boxed potatoes, etc)
• soda

I also intend to use any pantry items that have hung around in the back of the cabinet for a while. The more we use up we already have at home, the less we spend at the store. As such, our weekly meal plans will revolve more around what I have on hand. If you follow our weekly meal plan and plan to do the no spend challenge, you will likely need to do the same.

NO CLOTHES OR OTHER SHOPPING

For this year’s no-spend challenge, there won’t be any shopping for clothes or other nonessential items. If it isn’t broken, it’s not getting fixed or replaced. This includes thrift stores.

I love going to thrift stores and perusing through the books. It’s always thrilling to find a book that’s been on my list for a while – especially at thrift prices. I’ve made it almost through my to-be-read pile, I will continue to get my reading fix from the public library.

For this year’s no-spend challenge, there won’t be any shopping for nonessential items. If it isn’t broken, it’s not getting fixed or replaced.

NO-SPEND EXCEPTIONS:

This year’s exceptions are almost the same as in previous years. Luckily we don’t anticipate any major vehicle repair needs like last year.

• Sports gear – Both kids are registered for ball season, and they will both need new cleats and whatever else they’ve outgrown since last year.
• Valentine’s Day traditions – This is our at-home pizza date as well as kids parties
• Date Night – Because getting out without the kids is always a good thing
• Bedding – This item was originally in our January budget, but was absorbed into the kid’s clothing category since our daughter decided to outgrow just about all her pants and shoes. This item is still needed, and will be included in the budget.

And that’s about it for No Spend February 2025! I’m looking forward to it!

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