My 21-Day Money Fast: Here’s What Happened

I’ve always enjoyed giving, whether donating to charities (I’m careful to choose those I trust) or buying gifts for family and friends. But saving? Not so much. I often spend based on emotions—especially when I’m tired, treating myself to things I don’t really need. After years of living paycheck to paycheck, I realized I needed a change. That’s when I decided to try a 21-day money fast.

I was inspired by The 21-Day Financial Fast: Your Path to Financial Peace and Freedom by Michelle Singletary. The fast has strict rules: only spend on necessities like groceries, healthcare, debt, and bills—no eating out or buying gifts. The author encourages this to help us value quality time over material things. I made a few adjustments, allowing myself to eat out for lunch (mostly at the food court) due to time constraints and my lack of cooking skills. I also continued small daily donations to charity, around $5 per day, and kept tithing.

My goal was simple: not to let emotions control my spending.

Here’s What I Did:

1. Reduced Coffee and Snack SpendingI started making my own coffee most days and avoided my usual after-work snacks. One evening, I really wanted a donut to make overtime easier, but I reminded myself of the fast and passed the “test.” I realized that tiredness often drove my spending, and resisting these small urges felt empowering.

   
   

2. Bought Groceries Only When NecessaryInstead of stocking up on extras, I only bought what I needed. This not only helped clear my fridge but also cut down on food waste, making me appreciate the food I already had.

   
   

3. Set a Small Budget for GiftsWhen a friend treated me to dinner, I wanted to show appreciation by buying kuihs for them. I set a budget of $10 and carefully picked out a small, meaningful selection. This way, I showed gratitude without overspending.

   
   

4. Avoided Impulsive Gift PurchasesUsually, I feel tempted to buy random gifts for loved ones. During the fast, I asked myself if they’d truly value each item, and I decided it was better to save for moments that would really bring them joy.

   
   

After the Fast

Now that the 21 days are over, I plan to keep many of these habits, though a bit more flexibly. This experience didn’t change who I am, but it helped me avoid making emotional spending decisions and gave me the self-discipline to make wiser choices.

Link to the book: The 21-Day Financial Fast: Your Path to Financial Peace and Freedom by Michelle Singletary