Aussies embrace 'No Spend September' as spring brings fresh opportunities

As the warmer weather arrives and you're already thinking about spring cleaning the house, there's another type of tidying that could put extra dollars back in your pocket just in time for Christmas planning.

The social media trend called 'No Spend September' has been gaining traction among younger Australians, but the concept—taking a month to focus on spending only on essentials—might be exactly what many of us over 60 have been doing naturally for years, just without the catchy hashtag.

What the numbers tell us about seniors and spending

Before we dive into whether this challenge makes sense for your situation, here's some encouraging news from the Australian Bureau of Statistics: self-funded retirees recorded the smallest annual cost of living rise at just 1.7 per cent in the latest figures, while age pensioners experienced a 1.0 per cent quarterly increase.

Compare that to the financial stress many younger Australians are facing, and research shows those aged 65 and older are actually experiencing fewer financial challenges than those aged 50-64, even though older adults are more likely to be on fixed incomes.

This doesn't mean we can't benefit from a focused month of mindful spending—quite the opposite. Many of us already have the skills and experience to make a 'No Spend September' incredibly effective.

The Australian approach to mindful spending

Lou Gibson, known as That Money Mum on Instagram, saved more than expected last year by eliminating coffees, streaming subscriptions, online purchases and takeaway food.

But research shows Baby Boomers are more strategic about their spending cuts—you're more likely to reduce travel expenses rather than daily takeaways (only 14.4 per cent of Baby Boomers cut takeaway compared to 34.2 per cent of Millennials).

This makes perfect sense. Rather than following someone else's list of what to cut, you can focus on areas that make the biggest impact for your lifestyle and budget.

Adapting the challenge for your situation

Financial behaviour expert Emma Edwards says challenges can help 'recalibrate and change your habits', particularly when you're breaking cycles of convenience spending or doom scrolling purchases.

For many seniors, September represents an ideal time for this kind of financial reset—spring energy for decluttering, enough time to plan for Christmas expenses, and a natural connection to activities you might already be doing.

If you're comfortable financially

Consider Lou Gibson's approach but adapted for your lifestyle. Instead of cutting takeaway coffee (you might make perfectly good coffee at home anyway), focus on:

• Pausing subscription renewals until you've assessed what you actually use
• Avoiding impulse purchases during spring shopping trips
• Timing major purchases to take advantage of end-of-financial-year sales

If money is already tight

Don't put additional pressure on yourself with restrictions. Ketvi Roopnarain, a financial literacy advocate, suggests alternative approaches like 'how can I bring in $300 over 30 days' through selling unused items, or 'get rid of 30 things in 30 days' to declutter while potentially earning.

The Christmas connection

With Christmas only four months away, September timing is strategic. National Seniors Australia highlights that cost-of-living pressures continue to affect older Australians, making Christmas planning more important than ever.

Rather than scrambling in December, use September's mindful spending month to establish what you might realistically save for gifts, travel to see family, or special Christmas activities.

Making it social, not restrictive

One of the most appealing aspects of the online No Spend challenges is the community support. You don't need social media to create this—consider:

• Discussing the concept with friends at your coffee group
• Making it a gentle family challenge with adult children or grandchildren
• Using it as motivation to finally organise that cupboard while assessing what you actually need to buy

The 'loud budgeting' trend among younger generations is about being comfortable discussing financial boundaries and not feeling embarrassed about budget-conscious choices—something many of our generation have always understood.

When 'no spend' might not be right

Emma Edwards cautions against being 'overly restrictive' as it can backfire. If you're already carefully managing every dollar, adding pressure might not be helpful.

Consider these alternatives:

• A 'mindful spend' month where you pause before each purchase to consider if it aligns with your priorities
• A 'local spend' challenge supporting Australian businesses during your regular shopping
• An 'energy efficiency' month focusing on reducing utility bills rather than cutting discretionary spending

Getting started, your way

Research shows retirement budgets assume you own your home outright and are relatively healthy, but your situation might be different. The key is adapting any spending strategy to your circumstances.

Start with why you want to try this. Is it Christmas savings? Reducing financial stress? Creating space in the budget for a special purchase? Then identify what's truly discretionary in your spending and what brings you genuine value and satisfaction.

Remember the bigger picture

The real value of any spending challenge isn't deprivation—it's consciousness. Research shows that despite economic challenges, most adults over 50 report being satisfied with life, with satisfaction actually increasing with age (70 per cent of those over 70 report being 'completely' or 'very' satisfied compared to 53 per cent of those in their 40s and 50s).

Your September doesn't need to look like anyone else's. Whether you call it 'No Spend September', 'Spring Financial Cleaning', or simply 'getting organised for Christmas', the goal is feeling more in control of where your money goes.