No Buy July

What We Learned and Why You Should Try It

If you’ve been scrolling through social media this month, chances are you’ve seen people talking about No Buy July. Maybe it was a friend sharing their weekly savings, a TikTok about resisting impulse buys, or an Instagram post celebrating a month of mindful spending.

No Buy July has been everywhere—and for good reason. It’s a simple, powerful challenge: spend only on the essentials for 31 days and hit pause on everything else. No takeout. No impulse Amazon orders. No “just because” shopping trips.

Now that July is wrapping up, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what this challenge was all about, what participants learned, and why it’s never too late to give it a try, even if you missed it this time around.

What Is No Buy July?

At its core, No Buy July is a 31-day spending freeze. The rules are simple: only spend on the essentials like groceries, bills, transportation, and health-related expenses. Everything else? On hold.

That means:

• No new clothes or shoes.
• No takeout or coffee runs.
• No random online shopping sprees.
• No “therapy-through-Target” moments.

It’s not about deprivation, it’s about awareness. It’s about taking a step back to see how much of your spending is driven by actual need versus habit, boredom, or stress. And for many, it’s been a game-changer.

What We Learned This Month

For those who joined the challenge, No Buy July wasn’t just about saving money, it was about gaining insight into their habits. Here are some of the biggest lessons participants shared:

1. Spending Is Often Emotional

Many people realized how often they shop to cope with stress, boredom, or even as a reward. No Buy July forced them to find healthier (and cheaper) ways to deal with those feelings, like journaling, exercising, or simply sitting with the discomfort.

2. Small Purchases Add Up

It’s not always the big-ticket items that drain your bank account. It’s the $5 coffee here, the $20 impulse buy there. By cutting out these “little” expenses, participants were shocked at how much they saved in just 31 days.

3. We Already Have Enough

From rediscovering forgotten items in their closets to getting creative with what they already owned, many people found that they didn’t need to buy more, they just needed to appreciate what they already had.

4. Saying “No” Feels Empowering

There’s something deeply satisfying about resisting the urge to spend. It’s not just about saving money, it’s about proving to yourself that you’re in control of your choices, not your impulses.

What If You Didn’t Join This Time?

If you didn’t participate in No Buy July, don’t worry, you’re not too late. The beauty of this challenge is that it’s not tied to the calendar. You can start your own spending freeze any time of year. Call it No Spend September, Mindful Money March, or just a personal reset—what matters is the intention behind it.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Set Your Rules

Decide what counts as an essential expense (groceries, bills, gas) and what doesn’t (takeout, clothes, subscriptions). Be honest with yourself about what you can realistically cut back on.

2. Pick a Timeframe

It doesn’t have to be a full month. Start with a week, two weeks, or whatever feels manageable. The goal is progress, not perfection.

3. Set a Goal

What will you do with the money you save? Whether it’s paying off debt, building an emergency fund, or saving for something special, having a clear goal will keep you motivated.

4. Find Substitutes for Spending

You’re not just cutting out spending, you’re replacing it with something better. Instead of:

• Shopping → Declutter your space
• Scrolling → Read a book or take a walk
• Impulse buying → Make a wishlist for later

Why It’s Worth Trying

No Buy July isn’t just about saving money—it’s about gaining clarity, confidence, and control. It’s about breaking free from the cycle of mindless spending and making choices that align with your values and goals.

Even if you only try it for a week, you’ll likely walk away with a new perspective on your habits, and a little extra cash in your pocket.

Ready to Start Your Own Challenge?

No Buy July is a mirror. It reflects our habits, our triggers, and our priorities. It pushes us to get honest about where our money’s really going, and where we’d rather it go.

We believe financial literacy isn’t just about numbers. It’s about decisions. The kind you make at a checkout line. Or in a text from a friend. Or while scrolling through sales.

This challenge isn’t about guilt. It’s about growth.

So whether you’re doing a full No Buy July, a Low Buy Summer, or just skipping Amazon this week—know this: every small shift counts.

Your future self will thank you.