No Spend Lent
As the Lenten season begins, so do the sacrifices.
I am not Catholic, but I’ve always observed Lent and practiced fasting or sacrificing during the Lenten season. I can remember way back to middle school and high school, giving up something during this 40-day time period.
I don’t feel like this is something I NEED to do, but it’s something I WANT to do. And here’s why…
I am a Child of God. God sent his son to earth to die for MY sins so that I can have eternal life in heaven. This is not something he HAD to do - we were (and are) sinners. But, He loved us so much that he gave the ULTIMATE sacrifice for US.
During the season of Lent, people “sacrifice” something as a reminder of the Ultimate Sacrifice - Jesus dying on the cross so we can have eternal life with him in heaven. And this is always why I CHOOSE to give something up for Lent.
Now, maybe you’re like me and you really struggled this year to find something to sacrifice. I don’t drink soda. I’m already a vegetarian. I’ve got my sweet tooth under control for the most part. I utilize social media for my JOB (otherwise, I definitely would be giving that up every single year).
There’s ALWAYS the option to add something in instead of sacrificing something. But, this year, I’ve again chosen to sacrifice something. Something that I didn’t realize was going to be harder than I anticipated.
This Lenten season, I am doing a No Spend Lent.
So, what is a No Spend Lent, you ask? Great question…
For the next 40 days, I will ONLY be using my money for necessities. Food, hygiene products, shelter. I am not going to be spending money on things that I WANT - only things that I NEED.
Sounds simple, right?!
Well, one day in last week, I realized I went and bought Miles a pair of soccer shoes. But, to be fair, I was supposed to buy them the week before, but we were quarantined to the house with the flu and they were actually something he NEEDS for soccer.
But, here are the general “rules” to No Spend Lent…
>> Only spend money on the things that we NEED (i.e. our mortgage, bills + utilities, food, insurance, transportation, hygiene products)
>> No spending money on the things that we WANT (i.e. clothes, Starbucks, impulse buys, manicures/pedicures, other entertainment)
>> Basically, no spending money that isn’t already an expense that we have (i.e. I’ll still pay for my gym membership and our TV apps during this time)
Now, I have a few things that I WILL spend money on if it comes up…
I will not turn down a night out with my husband, my friends, lunch with my mom, or a coffee date with a friend. As long as there is ANOTHER PERSON involved and I am building a relationship, than it is allowed.
If I run out of makeup or other beauty products (which I know I will need mascara at the end of this month), I am allowed to spend money on it, but it must stay under $30 total.
I am allowed to use GIFT CARDS during this time since this was money that was already given to me from someone else, but to do this sparingly.
Tithing to church - this isn’t a necessity, but something I feel called to do, so I will continue to do it throughout this time period.
I’m also going to be working on SAVING money. I have been working on doing this more, but I am NOT great at it. So, I actually have an app that I use that does the saving for me. I’ve been using Digit for a little over a month now and I LOVE it! It takes your checking account and watches the balance. Based on what you spend, it takes money from your account and puts it into a “savings” account. It starts really small - think, less than $1 - each day, and eventually, as it watches your spending, adds more and more. In a little over a month, I’ve saved over $400 and it truly hasn’t impacted my checking account at all!
Want to try it for yourself? You can earn a $5 bonus just for signing up!
>> CLICK HERE TO TRY DIGIT + EARN $5 <<
**Disclosure: I will also get a $5 bonus if you sign-up**
So, it should be an interesting 40 days. I honestly thought this was going to be easier than it is, but I know that I want to have a better relationship with my spending and do a lot less impulse purchases and “retail therapy,” just because I feel like I can.
But, whatever you’re choosing to “sacrifice” this season, I hope that you continue to remember the TRUE reason for the season…