No-buy challenge racking up millions of Tik Tok views

They've decided not to buy anything deemed non-essential.

- LESLEY-ANNE SCORGIE

If it's not a core expense literally to live, like groceries and their home, they're not buying it.

The rationale varies from environmental reasons, an anti-corporate narrative, the need to save or pay off debt, mental health, reduced consumerism and building mental, social and financial fortitude.

I consider myself an expert at this and usually do a no-buy challenge a few times a year for a duration that typically ranges between a week to 30 days. Each time, I save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

If you want to jump on the bandwagon and turn off the taps on your spending, follow these steps.

Pick a day to start and a reasonable duration

You might be reading this and want to begin right now-good! Because there is no perfect date. In fact, the further out you push this, the less likely you are to do it. Set your calendar reminders in your phone to start your no-buy challenge and have it repeat daily until you've completed it.

There's a tendency to try to go for longer than is reasonable for the no-buy challenge - it's really hard to do it for a year. Being successful at a shorter duration will give you the motivation to do another that's a bit longer, and then another.