Once Christmas is over and the decorations are put away for another year. We are left with the cold, grey dull January. On top of that it seems it is ages until payday and we are having to watch what we spend. I decided to come up with a few fun ways to save money in January.
Table of Contents
No-Spend Challenge
Everyone struggles in January. After Christmas and New Year where we are socialising more. Our bank balance goes down. Make January a no spend month
- Set a goal to spend money only on essentials (groceries, rent, bills). Set yourself a challenge to avoid unnecessary purchases for the whole of the month. In comes the packed lunches and out goes buying your lunch and coffees each day
- Get baking up some tasty treats instead of buying them – I have loads of ideas in my recipe section.
- Make it a game by tracking “spend-free” days on a calendar.
Declutter and Sell
We have found spaces to put our new gifts we received at Christmas. Why not have a good declutter and sell items you no longer need or use
- Organise your home and sell items you no longer need on platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace
Grocery Challenge
Having a meal plan can be helpful when budgeting. Plan your weekly meals and then buy in what you need. I
- If you have a stock of meat in the freezer. You can plan your meals using only what’s in. Get creative and create some new meals
- If you go shopping on a certain day, try going one day later and using whatever you have in your fridge and freezer
- Batch cook on Payday. Once a month batch cook meals you can freeze down ie chilli, bolognaise – the list is endless
DIY Fun Nights
If you go out with friends where as couples or enjoy girls nights out. How about having nights in at home instead.
- Have a spa day – everyone brings something with them. Have a great pamper session at a fraction of the cost
- If you regularly meet up with other couples. Why not take it in turns to go to each others homes and have a games night. Or a themed night ie mexican and everyone takes something along for the meal
Cash-Only Week
Leave your debit and credit cards at home, and refrain from using your phone app. Or freeze your cards on your banks app.
- Withdraw a set amount of cash to cover your weekly expenses. You will not be tempted to just tap away to make purchases
These are just a few ideas, where you can make January fun. Without having to watch what you are spending. Do you have any ideas that you can add?
I am currently doing a no spend January and absolutely smashing it ! Really chuffed I have got this far into the month
That is great ) sadly that has not happened here
These are a lot of great ideas and tips! I love the stay at home pamper day! Thanks for sharing this great advice, now staying consistent will be the key!
January is always the hardest month of the year and the longest. Having some ideas to save money can help get you through the month, but also can be carried on through out the year
Decluttering is definitely on the list this month. I really need to get on Poshmark! Thanks for reminding me!!
We did a bit of a declutter yesterday, I now have bags of rubbish to go to the refuge centre and bags of clothes to go to recycling
I love the idea of a no-spend challenge! Such smart ways for saving money, will be taking notes!!
It can be done you just need to be organised so you can do a no spend challenge
I love these challenges, as you said, they’re so much fun to do…The no spend challenge, yes please….
It can be done and can be fun as well
I LOVE decluttering and selling. I will sell my clothes on Poshmark all the time. Great way to earn money.
I have not heard of Poshmark I will have to have a look at them
I think switching back to cash really shows how much money people are spending! What great tips.
It is so easy to just tap your card – I rarely use cash but I transfer a certain amount to my bank account to spend so I can keep a track of what I am spending
Thanks for sharing these tips,as it’s always great to save money x
January is that one month when money is a worry for most people so finding ways to save money that is easy to try always helps
Lots of good ideas – I need to plan groceries and do more baking and cooking!
I am trying to do more batch cooking and trying new authentic recipes. My first attempt is a bolgnaise which I have the ingredients for and just need to make
January has been a bit of a ‘eat the random foods that you have left’ month as not only did I have bits lurking at the botttom of my freezer, I also had tins of various kinds of beans that I am now turning in to stews!
Stews are always a great way to use up various bits you have as they are so adaptable
Totally agree with meal planning. Personally, it helps me budget better and serve more nutritious meals for my family.
I find it easier to meal plan than when I have to keep popping into the shops to get something quick and easy to make
I love all of these ideas especially the spa day with friends, this is a lovely idea.
It is a great way to spend time without spending too much money
Great ideas
hard to not use card but worth it in the long run
It is hard not to use a card all the time but I do try
challenge accepted – finding it easier than I thought and I spend less
It is easy to reflect on what you are spending and try to cut down
Decluttering is a great way to make space and make a little cash on the side. I do it at the beginning of every year.
It is always a good idea to declutter and get rid of old bits and pieces you no longer need