Why I Won't Do "No Spend January" (And The CEO Strategy I Use Instead)

Stephanie Brooke Lennon
Jan 1
4 min read

January 1st usually hits us with two things: a holiday spending hangover and a sudden urge to "be better."

The internet is flooded right now with "No Spend January" challenges. The premise is usually simple: punish yourself for December’s fun by spending absolutely nothing in January.

I hate that approach.

Deprivation is not a strategy; it’s a penalty box. And nobody likes living in the penalty box.

In the Lennon household, we don't do "No Spend" to punish ourselves. We do it to operate like a smart business. In the corporate world, when a warehouse gets bloated, they declare an "Inventory Freeze." They pause receiving new shipments to deal with "Dead Stock"—the stuff sitting on the shelves, tying up cash and taking up space.

This month, I invite you to join us in a Household Inventory Reset.

The Goal: Liquidating Dead Stock

The goal isn't just to save money (though you will).

The goal is to consume the resources you already have sitting in your pantry, freezer, and cupboards. We are shifting from "Acquisition Mode" to "Liquidation Mode."

Here are the 5 Rules of Engagement for the Inventory Reset.

Rule 1: Shop Your Pantry (The "Chopped" Challenge)

We all have "phantom inventory"—that bag of lentils from 2023, the frozen turkey chili we forgot about, the cans of artichoke hearts.

The Purge: Go through the pantry, fridge, and freezer and throw out anything not fit for consumption. While dried beans will last through the next three apocalypses, many things will not. Toss the freezer-burnt mystery meat. Then see what's actually left.
The Rule: No grocery shopping for meals until the freezer and pantry have been significantly cleared.
The Exception: Buy fresh perishables (milk, eggs), but check your freezer first. If you have frozen broccoli, use that before buying fresh. If you don't eat it now, you're just going to throw it out in six months anyway.
The Game: Gamify this with the kids. Call it "Pantry Roulette" or "Chopped." Put three weird ingredients on the counter and ask, "What can we make with this?" You will eat some weird dinners this month. That’s part of the fun.

Rule 2: Squeeze the Tube (The Consumables Audit)

Do you really need new shampoo, or do you just need to add some water to the bottle and shake it up? Do you need new toothpaste, or can you flatten the tube to get every last bit out?

The Rule: No new consumables (toiletries, cleaning supplies, paper goods) until the current supply is approaching absolute zero.
The Inflation Reality: Throwing out a bottle with 10% left is effectively slapping a 10% post-tax inflation rate on yourself. Don't do it.
The Clean Out: This is also the time to use up those half-used, "not favorite" lotions and soaps. Commit to using them up, and then promise yourself you won't buy those brands again. If you're truly not going to use it - toss it or give it to someone who will enjoy it.

Rule 3: The "Buy Nothing" Pivot (Free is my Favorite Price)

We often buy things because it’s faster than finding them or asking for them. Need a specific pan for a recipe? Buy it on Amazon. Need a power washer for one afternoon? Buy it at Home Depot.

The Rule: If you "need" something non-consumable this month, resist buying it new.
The Solutions: Join your neighborhood's Buy Nothing group on Facebook or check out Freecycle.org. Ask a neighbor. Check a thrift store. Or, challenge yourself to make do with a creative solution. Need a lasagna pan? Why not try lasagna in a bundt pan?
The Lesson: Community is a form of wealth. Relying on neighbors builds connections; relying on Amazon builds cardboard mountains and runs up your credit card balance.

Rule 4: The 48-Hour Waitlist (Impulse Control)

The hardest part of January is breaking the dopamine loop of "Want -> Click -> Get."

The Rule: If anyone in the family wants something discretionary (toys, clothes, gadgets), it goes on the Waitlist.
The Protocol: Go ahead and add it to your Amazon cart. But do not hit "Order." Give yourself a cooling-off period until February 1st. Then reassess.
The Result: 90% of the time, the urge to buy it disappears after two days.

Rule 5: The Unshop (Return Policy)

While we are clearing out, let's clear out the mistakes of December, too.

The Rule: If you have items sitting around with tags on them—buyer's remorse purchases, or holiday gifts that were the wrong size or color—return them.
The Protocol: In the US, most stores have generous return policies for unused items in original packaging. Don't let guilt keep clutter in your house. Return the item and save the store credit for when you actually need something.

How to Pitch This Alternate No Spend January to Your Family

If you tell your kids, "We aren't spending money because we spent too much at Christmas," they hear: We are poor/in trouble.

Instead, frame it as a Challenge: "Guys, our house is too full. We need to clear out the inventory so we can start fresh. For the next 30 days, we are going to see if we can live entirely off what we already have. It’s a survival challenge. Who can come up with the best meal using only what's in the freezer?"

Join the Reset

We are going to have some interesting dinners this month. I’ll be sharing our "Pantry Roulette" wins (and fails) on Instagram. I’d love to see yours. Tag me @MagniFIYourLife and show me what you’re cooking from the back of the pantry.

One More Reset...

While you are resetting your pantry, it's also the perfect time to reset your family conversations.

If you find that most of your money talks are stressful (or non-existent), try changing the script. Instead of lecturing about spending, ask better questions.

I’ve put together a list of Dinner Table Conversation Starters designed to get kids talking about value, scarcity, and resourcefulness—without the eye rolls. While you're enjoying "Refrigerator Surprise" ask your kids their thoughts about spending and saving.

Download Your Conversation Starters Here