I Tried a Financial Fast—and Here’s What I Learned

I did a thing in January. While fasting is common at the beginning of the year, I felt led to fast in different areas of my life. One area I chose to focus on was my finances.

Let me be real—during the holidays, there were so many events. Brunches, birthdays, holiday celebrations, dinners, and even my own Christmas Day travel. By the time January rolled around, I knew it was time to wheel it back in and put some boundaries around my spending. So, I decided to go on a financial fast.

Here’s what that looked like:
If something wasn’t a necessity, I gave myself a total of $100 to spend for the entire month. That included anything extra—hair, nails, eating out, entertainment, all of it.

The big question was… could I actually do it? I did it—and I finished with $6.07 left.

Here’s exactly how the $100 was spent:

• $32.48 — Comedy show parking

• $5.00 — Yelp event tip

• $5.40 — Coffee

• $17.29 — Hair products

• $14.31 — Threading

• $16.32 — Museum parking

• $3.13 — McDonald’s

Total spent: $93.93
Remaining balance: $6.07

What surprised me most was that almost half of my money went to parking—which is honestly wild. For the museum, I could’ve chosen a cheaper parking option, but it was 20 degrees outside, and I chose peace. No regrets there.

Overall, I’m really proud of myself. So now the question is… should I do another fast in February? 👀

Before I decide, here are the top three things that helped me complete this financial fast:

1. Focusing on my “why.”
   I wanted to show God that I can be a good steward of the resources He’s entrusted to me.

2. Practicing delayed gratification.
   I realized I didn’t need everything right now. When I craved something specific, I cooked at home and explored new recipes instead.

3. Having a curious mindset.
   I explored my city more and found several free events—some on my own and others shared by friends.

Ultimately, I enjoyed this experience because it forced me to pause and really consider how I’m managing the money God has given me. It shifted my perspective from spending to stewarding. So, tell me—would you try a financial fast? 💭