SUCCEED IN YOUR NO- SPEND CHALLENGE Financial Detox
Thanks to clever advertising and a lack of discipline in spending habits, many people spend too much on trinkets and other things they don’t need. To help us all stop impulsive spending habits, the No-Spend Challenge was developed and has gone viral on the internet. This financial detox challenge encourages us to break free from the mindless spending we may be partaking in. It’s a challenge that pushes mindfulness to reassess financial habits rather than deprive us of necessities.
The first step is creating clear budgeting goals. Whether paying off debt, building an emergency fund, or saving for a specific milestone, having a concrete and well-defined objective helps you stay motivated throughout the process. This should also include an end date to achieve your goal — a year, month, or week are all options. Your plan should also identify and anticipate potential roadblocks during the no-spend period. This structure will make the challenge feel like more than just a temporary spending freeze. This accountability and the communal nature of the trend encourage you to reflect on how often you’re spending your hard-earned money. You can also rediscover the value of experiences that don’t cost anything and develop healthier financial habits. These help dismantle a consumer mindset, enabling you to use funds to fulfill goals rather than a quick adrenaline hit. When you complete the challenge, you will emerge armed with newfound financial freedom, awareness, and discipline, and you’ll be more inclined to reach short-term financial goals, practice healthy spending habits, and work toward long-term financial health. A No-Spend Challenge can foster a community of others who gain these new skills and inspire others to halt their own consumption. This intentional approach to spending will assure participants that they’re in control of their aspirations and the finances that can fund them.
How to Align Your Actions With Your Goals PARTY WEEKEND OR BUSINESS CONFERENCE?
with fun, games, rides, and prizes. To sweeten the deal, the place is in Northwest Iowa, and even though it is a bit of a drive, we would have also been able to visit our parents on the way. So, what would you do if you were me? Do you go to the business conference for four days or spend the four days at a winter party? There is no wrong answer, and you all already know which one I chose. When I looked at my calendar and saw that both events would be at the same time, I chose the business conference. Gina was a bit disappointed because she was looking forward to taking some time off, visiting her parents, and recharging at the Winter Games. Still, she understands the mission and knows what the better decision was. In this, we are aligned. Party vs. Business? Easy decision. The Winter Games would have been a lot of fun, and by the way, I certainly deserve to go to the Winter Games and blow off some steam. We would have also been able to connect with some friends of ours that we were sure would have been in attendance. It would have been an easy
decision, and no one would have faulted me for it. But what serves me best in the long run? What serves my partners best in the long run? My properties? My team? My family? You guessed it. The Winter Games was not the answer. Ultimately, it was not that tough of a decision. So why am I taking up space this month in the newsletter with this information? Why am I sharing this with you? Am I looking for a pat on the back from you? Admiration? An “atta boy Darin”? Nope! Too often, we do what is easy and not what would serve us and those around us better, which is why it is easier not to. For example, is owning and investing in the Heartland of America easy? Nope. But is it the better decision that serves you better? For many, yes.
I returned from a four-day trip to a business conference in New York a few weeks ago. It was absolutely one of the best that I have attended. I am already implementing things I learned and seeing some of the results. The conference was a very intense four days of work. There was not the typical “attend the conference for a few hours and goof around the rest of the day and night.” No, this was serious business from sun up to sun down. Every night, I was dog-tired and ready for bed. That same week, there was another four-day event called Winter Games. These games take place where Gina and I have our lake home. It is four days of fun, parties, and good times. I have written about the Winter Games before in this newsletter, and I would equate it to four long days of winter tailgating
So, looking at my calendar early next year, maybe I will attend the Winter Games. Maybe.
–Darin
2 DARINGARMAN.COM
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator