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31 Days of Living Well and Spending Zero: Freeze Your Spending. Change Your Life.
Practical Advice for Getting AheadEver feel like your budget has gone off track, or make it to the end of the month and wonder where your money actually went? A month of no-spending is the perfect way to reset your spending habits, but doing it alone can seem downright scary.What if there was a simple resource that offered a month of daily challenges for spending not just less, but absolutely ZERO. What if you could gain confidence from daily ideas for planning your meals, getting your home in order, and becoming more creative—all without spending a dime? 31 Days of Living Well & Spending Zero is that resource.As you work through the ideas found in month-long challenge, you the surprising joy of zero spending, and make instant changes that will totally transform your attitude.- Learn how to use the food you already have on hand to create delicious, budget friendly meals for your family.- Be inspired to clean and declutter your living space in order to create the cozy space you’ve always dreamed of.- Gather innovative ideas for using those items you already have on hand to create new solutions for old problems.- Find encouragement and inspiration from others who have completed this same challenge—and lived to tell the tale.- Learn simple tricks and tips for selling your stuff, slashing your bills, and even saving on food.
206 pages, Paperback
First published August 27, 2015
459 people are currently reading
547 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Soukup
32 books191 followersNew York Times bestselling author, speaker, and entrepreneur Ruth Soukup is dedicated to helping people break through fear and overcome the obstacles that stand in their way so that they can create a life they love.
Through her top-ranked Do It Scared® podcast and her wildly popular Ruth Soukup Weekly newsletter, which reaches more than a million weekly subscribers, she provides easy-to-follow guidance for following your dreams and reaching your goals.
She is also the founder of the Living Well Planner®, Living Well Spending Less®, and Elite Blog Academy®, as well as the author of six bestselling books. Her practical advice has been featured all over, including in Women's Day, Entrepreneur, TODAY, Martha Stewart Living, Family Circle and Fox News. She lives in Florida with her husband Chuck and two daughters, Maggie and Annie.
Find out more & subscribe to Ruth's weekly newsletter at www.RuthSoukup.com
Through her top-ranked Do It Scared® podcast and her wildly popular Ruth Soukup Weekly newsletter, which reaches more than a million weekly subscribers, she provides easy-to-follow guidance for following your dreams and reaching your goals.
She is also the founder of the Living Well Planner®, Living Well Spending Less®, and Elite Blog Academy®, as well as the author of six bestselling books. Her practical advice has been featured all over, including in Women's Day, Entrepreneur, TODAY, Martha Stewart Living, Family Circle and Fox News. She lives in Florida with her husband Chuck and two daughters, Maggie and Annie.
Find out more & subscribe to Ruth's weekly newsletter at www.RuthSoukup.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 19, 2017
This had some interesting resources for recipes and free activities in it which I fully intend to take advantage of.
I didn't find anything else we weren't already doing.
I didn't find anything else we weren't already doing.
February 23, 2016
I wish I would have had a resource like this when my husband and I drastically cut our spending a few years ago. We survived for nearly a year without spending a penny on non-essentials. It was a sacrifice, but the benefits were well worth the cost.
Going on a no-spend budget, even for a short period of time, can be an overwhelming prospect for most people. It is so easy to get caught up in all of the things you can't buy, all of the things you can't do, and this can weaken your resolve.
This book is really well organized and easy to read. The assignments are clear and the author provides tons of additional resources to help along the way.
The author does an amazing job of focusing the participant on making positive daily changes throughout the challenge. This gives the participant specific tasks to focus their attention on, and something to feel good about once it is accomplished.
My only complaint is that, in the printed version, some of the images aren't as clear as I would have liked. Also, many of the additional resources are online, so I think a digital copy might be more user-friendly.
It is a significant commitment of time and energy to take on this 31 day no-spend challenge, but with Ruth's support and encouragement, it is possible to succeed.
I would definitely recommend this life-changing resource to anyone who is looking to drastically improve their financial health!
Another fabulous book by Ruth Soukup!
Going on a no-spend budget, even for a short period of time, can be an overwhelming prospect for most people. It is so easy to get caught up in all of the things you can't buy, all of the things you can't do, and this can weaken your resolve.
This book is really well organized and easy to read. The assignments are clear and the author provides tons of additional resources to help along the way.
The author does an amazing job of focusing the participant on making positive daily changes throughout the challenge. This gives the participant specific tasks to focus their attention on, and something to feel good about once it is accomplished.
My only complaint is that, in the printed version, some of the images aren't as clear as I would have liked. Also, many of the additional resources are online, so I think a digital copy might be more user-friendly.
It is a significant commitment of time and energy to take on this 31 day no-spend challenge, but with Ruth's support and encouragement, it is possible to succeed.
I would definitely recommend this life-changing resource to anyone who is looking to drastically improve their financial health!
Another fabulous book by Ruth Soukup!
January 14, 2018
Great read if you have a spending problem and are looking for a fun way to learn how to cut back and save some cash.
If your problem is on the income side of things, you have most likely mastered most of these already and might not appreciate the concepts considered cutbacks that are ways to save money.
If your problem is on the income side of things, you have most likely mastered most of these already and might not appreciate the concepts considered cutbacks that are ways to save money.
February 19, 2016
The ideas were pretty good but her writing style was very blog-like and repetitive. There were lots of things like the print outs and pictures that just work so much better for a blog. I didn't actually do the challenge, I just wanted to see the process. It's something I'll definitely consider trying, but when I do, I'll follow her blog posts, not buy the book.
February 11, 2018
Not bad advice, but a lot of it is common sense and stuff you can find on Pinterest. That being said, still some good tips and organized in a good way to tackle all the advice rather being overwhelmed with a lot of ideas for reducing spend.
January 29, 2022
If you find yourself mindlessly spending money, living paycheck to paycheck and constantly having to cut corners this is the book for you. The premise of the book is to spend zero money for a month. You begin by setting ground rules for your zero spending month then the rest of the book is filled with great tips on organizing your house, ways to repurpose items you already own, finding no cost activities for your family, finding free things, making extra money and so much more. I am almost finished with my first zero spending challenge and it has been eye opening. I have learned so much about my spending habits as well as realizing that there is so little that I actually “need”. I have spent more quality time at home this month and am working toward a clean and organized home. I will definitely be doing this challenge again in the future and referencing this book for years to come.
July 26, 2021
A month living without spending
There are series of activities to be conducted to carry out the days of the month without spending
and using the items at home to prepare necessary stuff and meals for the day. Through this program the bonding among the family members are increased to unbelievable level. Also we would be able to find the areas which we spend extra cash without been aware of. It’s vital to improve the monthly budget required for personal expenses of the family very precisely.
There are series of activities to be conducted to carry out the days of the month without spending
and using the items at home to prepare necessary stuff and meals for the day. Through this program the bonding among the family members are increased to unbelievable level. Also we would be able to find the areas which we spend extra cash without been aware of. It’s vital to improve the monthly budget required for personal expenses of the family very precisely.
June 19, 2022
Tries to Peddle Pyramid Scheme Oils Midway Through
I was enjoying this until it mentioned Young Living, for a no spend money saving book to recommend overpriced multi level marketing oils was so disappointing. 97% of people in MLMs make no money/end up out of pocket according to the FTC. What a ridiculous business structure to include in a book about saving money.
I was enjoying this until it mentioned Young Living, for a no spend money saving book to recommend overpriced multi level marketing oils was so disappointing. 97% of people in MLMs make no money/end up out of pocket according to the FTC. What a ridiculous business structure to include in a book about saving money.
September 18, 2023
This book has some good ideas. Like any other plan, I found that not everything would work for us and that we were already doing some of the things laid out. Fortunately, the chapters are brief and it's an easy read, on the whole. I plan to re-visit the book and implement some of the ideas, but not as a 31 day challenge.
January 11, 2017
Informative
Very I formative and fun challenge. I liked how reference sheets were given to use for this and some offered web links for guidance. I feel this book was through enough to grasp the activity at hand.
Very I formative and fun challenge. I liked how reference sheets were given to use for this and some offered web links for guidance. I feel this book was through enough to grasp the activity at hand.
February 15, 2017
Wasn't terribly impressed. 2.5. Felt like a lot of lists of links for ideas that I would probably never do. I like the idea of a spending freeze but this was more about what to do instead of shopping- not what I was expecting.
February 21, 2019
Inspiring
If you need help contoling your spending, then this book is for you. Lots of great ideas for doing everything by using things you already have on hand and a little creativity.
If you need help contoling your spending, then this book is for you. Lots of great ideas for doing everything by using things you already have on hand and a little creativity.
December 27, 2020
Easy read on being a domestic goddess.
An easy read, although less of a thrifty living guide and more of a good house keeping journal. Far too much of the book was dedicated to advice on cleaning your home properly. But interesting none the less.
An easy read, although less of a thrifty living guide and more of a good house keeping journal. Far too much of the book was dedicated to advice on cleaning your home properly. But interesting none the less.
April 10, 2022
Great Ideas, but need more planning to implement
I read this and really liked the ideas but I need to plan a little more before we actually do the challenge. Definitely a good challenge for assessment and reflection on your financial life and appreciating the things you have.
I read this and really liked the ideas but I need to plan a little more before we actually do the challenge. Definitely a good challenge for assessment and reflection on your financial life and appreciating the things you have.
March 17, 2017
Terribly corny in places, but there are some good tips here.
April 23, 2018
I liked the book. I always like learning new ways to save money or become debt free.
July 1, 2019
Good reference book full of tips and trick to get spending back on track. I want to try the freeze but will have to work up to it. But I’m taking away valuable tools to help me moving forward.
July 20, 2019
Some good budget ideas and includes fun free activities & craft projects to do at home to save money.
August 25, 2019
Quick read & fun advise for a no spend month challenge
October 31, 2019
4.5 Stars
January 6, 2020
3.5 stars
December 19, 2020
look! I'm using my KU subscription!
October 5, 2022
Not everything applied as it's aimed at Americans, but there was a lot of good advice.
I was concerned though when the budget example had church and tithing at the top. Really?
I was concerned though when the budget example had church and tithing at the top. Really?
March 20, 2017
Useful, but...
This book has some great ideas for saving money short term, but there were some minor issues. The section on learning for free had great ideas but none of them were hyperlinked to the actual sources which would have been much more useful. Also, a large number of her recipes for cleaner and bath items called for essential oils. Am I the only person who doesn't keep oils around the house?
This book has some great ideas for saving money short term, but there were some minor issues. The section on learning for free had great ideas but none of them were hyperlinked to the actual sources which would have been much more useful. Also, a large number of her recipes for cleaner and bath items called for essential oils. Am I the only person who doesn't keep oils around the house?
December 21, 2015
Awesome Book with Straight-forward Ideas
Ruth Soukup has written a well thought out book. She has put together a fantastic group of suggestions and ideas to help spend nothing in a month and therefore live better. She provides great suggestions for hoe to save, how to plan meals, how to get rid of clutter and possibly make money in the process. This book is definitely worth reading.
Ruth Soukup has written a well thought out book. She has put together a fantastic group of suggestions and ideas to help spend nothing in a month and therefore live better. She provides great suggestions for hoe to save, how to plan meals, how to get rid of clutter and possibly make money in the process. This book is definitely worth reading.
March 19, 2016
Happier with Less
Good, quick read on several strategies to live better with less. Even putting myself on a grocery spending freeze alone has saved me tons and changed my mindset about wanting to eat out for lunch at work all of the time.
Good, quick read on several strategies to live better with less. Even putting myself on a grocery spending freeze alone has saved me tons and changed my mindset about wanting to eat out for lunch at work all of the time.
May 8, 2016
A challenge worth taking
What a super book. It is full of creative ideas to live a full life with less . Bonus: I was able to read it for free using Amazon Prime's lending library. The author would be proud!
What a super book. It is full of creative ideas to live a full life with less . Bonus: I was able to read it for free using Amazon Prime's lending library. The author would be proud!
October 8, 2015
Great ideas. I will definitely use this book as a reference for a future no spend month I have planned.
February 9, 2016
Awesome book! I plan on doing this starting March 1 to see how much I can save!!! Lots of great tips in here! : )
January 30, 2016
This had some good ideas for zero spending and just saving in general.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews