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(No-Spend) January Budget Toolkit
12/30/25 - Tuesday
Hey friends,
I know I owed you the budget toolkit on Friday, but I got my days mixed up. Forgive me! Alas, it is here!
January is the month for fresh starts. And honest resets.
If December spending left your budget feeling a little bruised, this January Budget Toolkit is here to help you lean into No Spend January in a way that actually works.
This is not about never spending again. It is about pressing pause long enough to notice what is on autopilot.
💳 What to Include in January’s Spending Plan
January has a few sneaky expenses that do not show up the rest of the year. Plan for them so they don’t wreck your momentum.
Annual bills: Car registration, professional licenses, gym memberships, and subscriptions that renew at the start of the year
Winter utilities: Higher heating, gas, or electric bills
Health resets: Deductibles restarting, prescriptions, therapy copays
Debt focus: Decide where No Spend January savings will go, extra debt payments, your emergency fund, sinking funds, or investing (you can still contribute to your 2025 Roth IRA until April!)
🪄 Pro tip: Give every dollar saved from not eating out or shopping a job before the month starts.
🛍️ What’s on Sale in January
If you’re making exceptions here’s what you might want to add to your buy list (but make sure it’s intentional and not procrasti-spending!)
Fitness gear and athleisure: Deep discounts without committing to pricey gym contracts
Winter clothing: Clearance on coats, boots, and sweaters
Home organization: Storage bins, shelves, and planners
Furniture and mattresses: Retailers clearing last year’s inventory
Holiday items: If you know you want a new tree, lights, decor, etc, buy it now while it’s on deep discount!
⚠️ If it is not on your list, admire the sale and keep scrolling.
👩🏻🍳 What to Cook in January
Cold months are perfect for low-cost, filling meals using produce that is usually cheaper right now.
🥬 Cabbage: Think soups, slaws, or this brats and cabbage recipe
🥕 Carrots: Roasted, blended into soup, or added to stews. I just ate an amazing side of carrots with goat cheese, hot honey, and candied pecans. So yum!
🥔 Potatoes: Baked, mashed, or sheet pan meals. I’ve been replacing rice with potatoes in my meal prep
Cooking at home is one of the biggest wins during a no-spend month.
🎧 On the Pod 🎧
This week’s episode is 26 Things to STOP BUYING in 2026.
It pairs perfectly with No Spend January because it helps you identify which purchases do not actually add value, even when they feel small.
If you need motivation when the urge to spend hits, start there.
📢 Last call 📢
If your January reset is about more than just this month, today matters.
Today is the last day to enroll in 90 Day Debt Freedom Fast Track.
If you want a clear plan, structure, and accountability to turn no spend habits into real progress, this is your window.
A reminder before you go
A no-spend month is not about perfection. It is about awareness.
If you slip, reset the next day. Progress comes from consistency, not guilt.
We are cheering you on,
Jen and Jill
P.S. No Spend January works best when you tell someone. Consider this us officially being your accountability buddies.
**Means this is a sponsored or affiliate section. We may earn a small fee or commission when you choose to try one of our sponsor or affiliate partners. But opinions are still 1000% our own.