It's November, and the Black Friday sales are already filling our feeds and inboxes. Everywhere you look, there's another deal, another countdown, and another reason to add something to your cart.
So, here's how to avoid spiralling into spending more than you planned and start 2027 from a place you can feel good about.
I'm calling it No Spend November, because I like the alliteration. But don't run away just yet!
This doesn't mean you can't take advantage of some discounts this month. It simply means being intentional about what you spend your money on.
If you were already planning to buy something and it happens to be on sale, fantastic! That's a deal worth taking advantage of.
But spending hundreds of dollars on a pile of things you had no intention of buying in the first place isn't really getting a deal. And it's certainly not saving you money.
This November, I challenge you to pause before loading up your cart, whether it's virtual or the one you’re pushing, and ask yourself:
Is this purchase adding value to my life?
Is this something I actually need or want?
Do I already have three of these?
Most importantly, does this purchase mean more to me than the flexibility that same money could give my future self?
It's not about saying no to everything. It's about making sure your yes is going towards the things that matter.
Look beyond the Black Friday sales
No Spend November isn't just about resisting the temptation to shop. It's also about taking a closer look at everyday spending.
Food is a great place to start.
The regular meals out, the takeout when you're on the go, the groceries that end up going bad at the back of the fridge. (due to all the meals out) These little expenses can add up quickly.
I think most of us could find a few hundred dollars a month simply by being a little more intentional with our food spending. Dare I say meal planning? I have personally fallen out of the habit, but I shared meal planning with friends for over 5 years. It’s a great way to try new things, buy the groceries you actually plan to eat and not wonder at 5pm, “what’s for dinner” Okay I talked myself into it, time to get back on the train!
And here's where I want you to think beyond the immediate savings.
What could an extra $500 a month do for your future?
If you invested $500 every month and earned an average annual return of 7%, compounded monthly, you could have approximately $405,000 after 25 years.
That's less than $17 a day.
Think about that for a moment. Where could you find $17 in your everyday spending?
And here's the really interesting part: give that same monthly investment another 10 years and you'd have approximately $900,000.
The sooner you start, the less you need to put away each month to build meaningful wealth.
Of course, these are illustrative projections, not guaranteed returns. Investment returns fluctuate, and actual results will vary.
Get a jump ahead of your NY resolutions
The point of No Spend November isn't to live in poverty, miss out on everything you enjoy, or feel guilty every time you spend money.
It's about pausing, reflecting and becoming more aware of where your hard-earned money is going.
Maybe you skip a few takeout meals. Maybe you leave that impulse purchase in the cart. Maybe you use up what's already in your pantry and freezer before heading back to the grocery store.
Whatever it looks like for you, try tracking the money you save by choosing to say no sometimes.
You might be surprised by how quickly those little decisions add up.
And remember, the goal isn't to spend less just for the sake of spending less. It's to recognize patterns and make room for more of what matters, both today and in the future.
Your future self will thank you.
