Category Blackout is a simple 7-day no spending challenge that will help you reduce your expenses and save money.
What is the Category Blackout No Spending Challenge?
The Category Blackout no spending challenge is a 7-day challenge where you cut out one area of spending you are unhappy with.
Simply pick one category or area of spending to cut that you do daily or frequently throughout the week such as eating out for lunch, your daily Starbucks, or something else.
The key is to pick an expense that you are unhappy with and doesn’t bring you a lot of joy. This will make it easier to complete the Category Blackout challenge and save you money.
Are you ready to give this beginner no spending challenge a go? You can sign-up for Category Blackout on the Ostrich app.
Who is Category Blackout for?
If you feel like your spending is getting out of control in one particular area and you struggle to save money, then Category Blackout is for you.
To really, increase your chance of success or if your Category Blackout area of spending tends to occur because social situations invite others to join you. Having accountability buddies will make it easier to stick to your goal and they may even help you if you get tempted to spend in your no spending category.
When is the best time to start?
The best time to start the Category Blackout challenge is when you have identified regular spending that you are unhappy with. Once you’ve identified that pesky purchasing problem, select a normal week without travel or big events that may derail you during your challenge.
It’s best to start this challenge when you are in a place that sets you up for success.
Choose your week wisely!
How to implement the Category Blackout no spending challenge
Step 1
Sign-up for Category Blackout and choose your no-spending category!
Step 2
Remove any temptations that may lead you to spend in your no spending category. For example, if you are cutting out eating out for lunch be sure to pack one from home!
Step 3
Check-in daily on Ostrich and keep track of how you are doing. If you slip up one day, don’t quit the challenge altogether but pick it up from there.
Tips to Reduce Your Expenses
A little planning and a lot of willpower!
Freeze Your Credit & Debit Cards
One way to limit your ability to make impulse purchases is to freeze your credit & debit cards. Most banks make it easy for you to log in to your online or mobile banking account and flip a switch to freeze your cards. This will reduce the likelihood of you making an impulse purchase. At the end of the Category Blackout challenge, simply flip the switch back on and your cards will work fine once again.
Plan Your Week In Advance
Don’t sacrifice your health or wellbeing to complete the Category Blackout challenge. It’s important to have enough food and necessities for the week. Additionally, plan activities that are fun and free. For example, have friends or family come over for a game night or movie night. Plan a picnic at the park, work on your hobby or pick up a book that’s been on your reading list.
Unsubscribe from Marketing Emails
Next remove temptation from your life, by unsubscribing from those marketing emails. You can always resubscribe after you complete the Category Blackout challenge.
Log Out of Online Shopping
Log out of your online shopping accounts. If you are always on Amazon, Shein, or some other store, log out so it’s harder to spend money, if you do find yourself perusing during the week. This creates more friction for you to actually make an impulse purchase and stick to your no spending goal!
Related no spending challenges to Category Blackout include: Freeze My Spending, Frugal Fall, Stoppin’ Online Shoppin’, & Stop Shop & Roll.
Benefits of the Category Blackout No Spending Challenge
There are many benefits from completing the Category Blackout no spending challenge.
Save money
Cutting out spending in one area no matter how small for 7-days adds up and will help you save money. You will be less likely to make impulse purchases and will jump-start your savings. Because you have to plan in advance to complete Category Blackout, you will be practicing budgeting, delay of gratification, and prioritization skills.
Reset your spending priorities
By going on a 7-day category cleanse, you effectively reset your spending priorities. You’ll know what it is like to not spend money in that one pesky spending area for a week and will be able to prioritize how important that spending is to you.
Build confidence to tackle other goals
After completing the Category Blackout challenge you’ll be motivated to see what other financial goals you can tackle. You’ll be primed to start saving more, paying down debt, and investing in your future. Shoot! It may even encourage you to tackle non-financial goals.
Feeling of accomplishment
Category Blackout is simple and effective. That being said, it’s not easy to change your habits by going an entire week without spending in that category which is why you’ll feel accomplished. When we achieve goals the reward centers in our brains light up and we get a mood boost.
Conclusion
The Category Blackout no spending challenge is a 7-day no spending challenge for those looking to start cutting expenses and save money. Cutting spending that hurts both your pocketbook and doesn’t bring you joy is a win-win scenario. To get started on the Category Blackout challenge, sign-up on Ostrich, invite others to join you and pick your start date.
