2025 No Spend/Low Spend Challenge Thread

I need to get serious about canceling subscriptions. Ugh. I know I can easily drop a bunch but it's such a PIA to get it done.

Well...in about 10 minuets I got Kindle Unlimited, Amazon Music and a tv channel sub thru Amazon canceled. So that's $30/mo I am saving. I might regret losing Amazon music, but probably not.

If you have prime there is some music included. My husband really likes it. I have no idea how it compares to the paid version.

I use I heart radio sometimes but when we renewed our Sirius xm and got a discount found out we could stream in the app as well so I have used that at home but rarely listen to music at home.

I need to cancel my switch online ($35 for the year) before it renews in February.

I don’t have prime.

We have comcast internet and dish network. Those are non negotiable but my dish went up $30/mo so I need to call and bitch at them.

I will no be giving up my XM. I use it in my car, in my classroom, on my phone, at home.

Several of the cuts were related to DH's job - computer program subscriptions and a professional membership.  He retired in December and he doesn't need them any longer.  Another was an annual subscription to a ride share program.  It has been $99/yr and was going up to $119 this year.  

Cancelled his Sirius at $31/month and was able to get the cost of my Sirius dropped by 2/3!  The rest were various apps on his iPhone that he isn't using.  The big win for me (because I've been trying to get rid of this for a few years!) is dropping his Evernote subscription.  They were raising that to $105/yr and all he used it for was a holding place for old documents.  We have a large cloud storage that can handle that.  And the documents?  Papers and logs for a plane that he sold 8 years ago!  He hasn't needed them in 8 years and won't need them in the future! I've copied everything to my computer and stored in the cloud.

Almost halfway through January and I haven't spent on anything too frivolous.

Did a big monthly grocery shop, and stuck to my budget.

I've been cooking meals from the pantry & freezer. BBQ shredded chicken, chicken pot pie, quiche, ham & vegetable soup. I'll probably make a chili soon.

Stocked up on toiletries and household cleaning stuff (detergent, dawn, etc) but cut the oop cost by using a giftcard to soften the blow. Shouldn't need more of that stuff for 3 months, or so.

I am looking forward to the gardening season this spring and summer. I have seeds for some things like cukes & zucchini. I'll buy tomatoes & hot pepper plants when it's time. My goal is to keep costs low, while harvesting an abundance of fresh produce. Last year went relatively well, and we ate like kings, on tomatoes and jalapenos, at least.

My XM is $72/year!  It doesn’t include traffic and all that extra stuff.

Oh! I love that you sell your garden seeds!

Purchased 2 books using credits from Amazon and a punch using a GC. Also purchased some journal items from Etsy using Christmas money.

The only food item that as questionable was the tea. It’s the only tea I drink and only available at Christmas time. So, I purchased 5 months worth this evening.

The rest was necessities like vet visit, pet meds and food.

I haven't managed a complete no spend, but I am very aware of how much I have spent this month. I've created a wish list instead of just buying.

I need a do-over. I bought a few frivolous things at the store and on amazon. I’m normally not a frivolous shopper so this was out of the norm for me anyways. Reading through the thread, I’m now convinced I need to call and try to get my xm lowered or cancel it. DH recently canceled his Amazon music unlimited and I was disappointed because I had been listening to it a lot. Looking at it though, it’s a way better deal than the xm since we can both use it. We looked at the few other subscriptions we have but we truly use them. Just wish we could cut down the cost of our internet but there really isn’t a cheaper option around here.

Spent more than usual on groceries too but hoping to save in the long run. We’re determined to start eating healthier and at home more. My frivolous purchase mentioned earlier was a griddle pan, egg separator and egg molds so I can make my own egg white breakfast sandwiches instead of heading to the bagel shop a few times a week. Also bought stuff to make “hot” lunches I can freeze to keep away from the fast food.

Back on the bandwagon this week though. Only what’s necessary/planned purchases.

Keeping this thread at the back of my mind has prevented me from ordering pizza/doordashing food more than once, so yay for that!

I’m trying to do low spend but have bought a few things to stock up and plan to buy a few other things. These are items that will be used in the next six months. I’m assuming prices will be going up soon so …