How a ‘no-buy’ challenge can reset your spending and savings in 2026

Linda Ta Yonemoto has a house full of stuff, and she’s over it.

Determined to reduce clutter and save money, the Las Vegas-based financial educator says she’s embarking on a no-buy year beginning Feb. 17 (Lunar New Year). Her goal? Save an extra $5,000 by cutting out non-essential purchases.

“At this point in my life, I’m thinking more intentionally about what I really need versus what marketing tells me I want,” Yonemoto said.
She’s not alone.

The no-buy challenge is surging in popularity again in 2026 as a way for consumers to cut back on discretionary spending on clothes, decor, entertainment, eating out, and other non-essentials. Driven by interest from millennials and Gen Z, the challenge is younger generations’ way of combating rising costs and a culture of over-consumption.

A no-buy Reddit $RDDT group has more than 70,000 members who share their best tips and personal journeys, with videos on TikTok and YouTube racking up millions of views showing how users are adopting no-buy sprints of their own.

For those who want to try it, experts suggest starting small.

As a first step, identify things you can easily cut out within reason that you can live without, said Trae Bodge, a smart shopping expert. “It’s kind of like the diet mentality; if you’re too restrictive, you might binge later.”

Bodge suggested starting with a no-buy week rather than committing to a full year upfront. If a week is manageable, extend it to a month, then reassess. You’ll be more successful sticking to the challenge if you find an approach that works for your lifestyles and specific financial goals.

Define your why

Get clear on your motivation to reduce your purchasing habits. Are you recovering from holiday overspending? Paying down debt? Building an emergency fund? Saving for a specific goal? Curbing clutter and consumer waste? 

"Holding space for remembering why you want to do this is really important," Yonemoto said. "You need that motivation at the end of the day."

She recommends conducting an audit of last year's spending to identify where money went and what was truly essential versus extra. Having that clarity makes it easier to stick with the challenge when temptation strikes.

Be intentional and creative

Don’t just stop spending — redirect that money toward a specific goal.

"Every time you want to buy something, take that money that you would have spent and put it towards that goal," Bodge suggested. She recommends opening a high-yield savings account specifically for this purpose, where you can watch your money grow with the magic of compounding interest.

Yonemoto is taking this approach in her own no-buy challenge as she looks to save $5,000 over the next year.

A successful no-buy challenge isn’t just about restriction; it can help you rediscover what you already own, too.

"I'm shopping more out of my closet," Yonemoto said. "I have a wardrobe completely packed full of party dresses and clothes.”

The no-buy route also sparks creative solutions you may not have considered before. For instance, organize clothing swaps with friends or use community apps like Freecycle or Facebook $META Marketplace to exchange items you no longer want for things that are new to you — without spending a dime, Bodge said.

Track your progress (but be kind to yourself)

Whether you use a spreadsheet, a budgeting app or a spiral notebook, tracking your wins (and challenges) is a must.

"If you gamify it a little bit for yourself, that can make it more fun," Bodge said. She also recommends finding an accountability partner who's also doing the challenge and checking in regularly on each other's progress.

More importantly, don’t let small mistakes derail your progress. Even if you buy something you swore you wouldn’t, you’re likely still saving money and creating good long-term habits. Just reset and keep going.

"It's okay if you start and end up resisting or falling to some sort of temptation," Yonemoto said. "Don't be too hard on yourself. Doing something is better than doing nothing."

Think beyond dollars

For Yonemoto, the challenge goes deeper than simply saving money. It’s about better aligning how she spends money with her personal values.

The challenge also creates space for other priorities: volunteering, connecting with community or simply reducing the mental clutter that comes with having too much stuff. 

The social media pressure to consume, keep up with the Joneses and look the part is inescapable with influencers showing off hauls and reviewing products. However, the reality is those influencers get products for free from companies or they’re paid to promote them, which is misleading to the rest of us, Bodge said.

The tide is changing though. As younger consumers catch on to no-buy and no-spend challenges online, it’s clear more people are being more intentional with how they spend money — both out of financial necessity and as an antidote to consumption culture.