Most people run out of money before their next paycheck not because they earn too little, but because they don’t really know how to save. During the accumulation phase, saving is often far more important than increasing income.
To save money, you have to pay close attention to your daily expenses. Not the big, obvious ones like a new phone, medical bills, or household appliances—but the small, routine expenses that quietly drain your account. You don’t even realize where the money goes.
Some of these expenses seem harmless. Take the daily coffee you buy on the way to the office. One coffee doesn’t feel like much, but you haven’t even arrived at the place where you earn money yet. Over the course of a year, that habit costs you a surprising amount. In fact, you might end up working two or three weeks a year just to pay for coffee.
This is just an example, but it’s worth paying attention to these small expenses and seeing where you can cut back. It’s not that hard—I managed to do it. I stopped buying coffee altogether. Now I only buy coffee when I’m driving out of town on a long trip. That decision came after realizing I was stopping at the kiosk near my office every single day. Small expense, every day… but the money adds up.
The idea is simple: discipline is possible if you really want it. You can even turn it into a personal challenge.
Coming back to the title, I’ve tried—and failed—to maintain a routine where I don’t spend a single cent one day a week. I’ve seen many people succeed with this approach, but so far I haven’t managed to make it stick. Something always comes up, and I end up reaching into my wallet.
A year has 52 weeks. If your average daily spending is around $20, skipping just one day of spending per week could save you roughly $1,000 a year. Just one no-spend day each week.
See how simple the theory of saving is?
Of course, putting it into practice is harder than it sounds. At first, it’s genuinely difficult. But over time, you get used to it and realize that cent by cent makes a hundred—in both directions. Small expenses can either build your savings or quietly empty your account.
The last time I tried the “one day without spending” rule, I realized I was cheating without meaning to. I had chosen Tuesday as my no-spend day, but on Monday evening I would buy a pack of cigarettes “for Tuesday.” So technically, I didn’t spend money on Tuesday—but I spent more the day before. The only real savings came from bringing cigarettes from home and not eating lunch in the city.
This time, starting in 2026, I want to do it properly. The goal is real financial discipline, not tricks. If I manage to keep this routine for several weeks in a row, I’ll come back and write about it. If not, I’ll admit that too.
This method is known as the No Spend Challenge, and there’s plenty written about it online. For now, I understand the theory very well—but I’m still working on turning it into a lasting habit.
