11 Monthly Challenges To Up level Your Lifestyle And Budget
We live in a world where everything is on the go and always running, so sometimes, it can be challenging to find time for self-care. Taking care of yourself is essential to maintain balance and stay healthy. Here are 11 monthly challenges that you can do right now to up level your lifestyle and budget!
This is the most comprehensive guidance you will find if you are seeking a money-saving challenge. These 11 monthly challenges for 2023 can help you save a lot of money! When I was a kid, I learnt that if you convert everything into a game, even the most tedious chore can be enjoyable. That is what makes these money-saving challenges so enthralling.
Rather than having to develop a new habit or discipline, participating in a challenge makes conserving money more enjoyable. These monthly challenges are where you should begin if you want to kickstart your savings. Read through them all and choose the ones that sound the most appealing to you.
If you do these tasks with your family and friends, you will be even more successful. Invite them to join you in saving money. The good news is that it is never too late to organize your funds!
1. Daily Gratitude
One of the best ways to care for one's self is to foster a sense of gratitude. This simple act has been proven to improve both your physical and psychological health. One way to do this is by writing at least three things that you’re thankful for every day.
A daily gratitude practice improves physical health by lowering stress levels that lead to chronic conditions such as diabetes or arthritis. It also lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels and has been shown to improve mental health by reducing anxiety and depression.
What Can I Do to Be More Thankful?
This monthly challenge of gratitude is all about showing individuals in your life, including yourself, that you are grateful for them and appreciate them.
The guidelines for this 30-day appreciation challenge are really simple: Every day, do something to live and express thankfulness.
You can choose your own acts of thankfulness from this list of gratitude ideas or gratitude prompts, or you can participate in the pre-made challenge we've developed for you below!
If you're not ready to commit to a full 30-day thankfulness challenge, start with something smaller: a 7-day gratitude challenge based on the first week of challenge questions is a fantastic place to start.
2. Declutter Your Home
Cleaning your home can be therapeutic and help you feel more at ease. Plus, the less clutter around you, the easier it will be to find things when needed.
Start in one room by gathering anything that does not belong there—whether it is something as small as an old shoe or as big as a TV. Once you’ve collected what you should remove, take each remaining item to its proper place and return it to the same spot every time you use it, so it is easy to find when needed.
3. Learn Something New
The more you learn, the better your brain becomes. Studies have shown that learning new things is essential to having a healthy and active mind. So pick up something new - whether it be cooking an unfamiliar dish or perfecting your favorite yoga pose - and do it every day for at least one week.
Learning something new every day may not always be easy, but it’s worth the effort for so many reasons. Mental stimulation, better sleep quality, feeling more confident in yourself are just a few of them.
4. Read A Book
Instead of watching TV or scrolling through social media, pick up a good book. You’ll learn something new while simultaneously investing in yourself on something that will make you feel happy and accomplished at the end of the day.
Some benefits of daily reading include: improving memory, boosting intelligence, lowering stress levels, decreasing anxiety and depression.
We frequently feel guilty for taking time away from our normal tasks to indulge in some "me" time. Numerous studies, however, have shown that spending quality time with oneself not only improves our personal health, but also has a good impact on other elements of our lives (e.g., family and career).
As monthly challenges for the next 30 days, set aside an hour each day to spend solely to yourself. You can read a book (as part of another 30-day challenge), meditate, or simply engage in soul-nourishing self-care activities.
5. Exercise Regularly
Exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle that many people neglect. When we put our body in motion, it releases feel-good hormones, improving mood and fighting off disease.
Regular exercise also offers plenty of physical health benefits such as increased bone density, healthier muscles and joints, and lower blood pressure levels.
6. Set Goals for Yourself
Setting goals for yourself is a small way to push yourself in new directions and keep your brain stimulated. And, when you achieve your goal, you will feel accomplished, which will give your confidence a boost.
7. Treat Yourself
It’s important to take a break every day to relax and have some fun. There are so many ways you can do this, whether by treating yourself to something delicious or spending some time outdoors.
8. Prepare Your Own Meals
Preparing your meals offers a lot of benefits that processed foods and fast-food takeouts do not. It can be cheaper, healthier, and more satisfying! In addition, the more time you spend in the kitchen, the better off you will be—both physically and mentally.
Your food provides fuel for your body, thus I don't advise enrolling in diet programs that provide processed foods. You may cut back on the consumption of foods laced with hormones, pesticides, and preservatives when you make your own food. When you do your own research, shopping, and food preparation, your nutrition usually improves.
You can modify recipes to your advantage if you struggle with your health. Compared to most prepackaged meals and eating out, home cooking is more affordable and healthier. Additionally, you teach your kids the fundamentals of grocery shopping and meal preparation, which will benefit them in the future.
9. Make Time With Your Friends
Spend time with your friends as often as possible, even if it's just for a coffee or a movie night through Zoom. Being around friends makes you feel less alone, which can be beneficial both mentally and emotionally.
10. Create A Budget and Stick to It
Creating a budget and sticking to it is an excellent way to take control of your finances. Unfortunately, many people don’t know how much they spend each month, making it difficult for them to save money and stay on track with their goals.
Tracking your pay stubs will help you keep up with your expenses and know exactly how much money you have left each month.
Including Certain Items in Your Budget
If you've ever attempted to create a budget, it's probable that you've given consideration to necessities like rent, loans, and groceries. But what other costs ought you to take into account? It's important to consider the numerous various expenses you can have each month since over time, those everyday lattes might start to mount up. The following are some of the most typical items to cover while changing your budget:
- Rent
- Groceries
- Dine outside
- maintenance of the home
- emergency savings
- Memberships and subscriptions
- traveling and getting around
So now you are aware of what your budget needs to cover. What's next? Check out our budgeting advice to learn how to craft a budget that works with your financial strategy. If you're prepared to start planning for the future, try making your financial plan using a spreadsheet, some paper, or a budgeting tool right now.
11. Side Hustle
Start a side hustle! The gig economy is booming, and there are plenty of opportunities. For example, sell pre-loved items or offer services such as graphic design or content writing.
Working a side hustle can be an excellent way to earn extra money while also building your resume. In addition, you can generate invoices using free online tools like Paystubsnow and submit them to your clients to get paid.
Final Words: 11 Monthly Challenges to Uplevel Your Lifestyle and Budget
At the end of each month, you’ll be able to see your progress and feel a sense of accomplishment. You can also share your monthly challenges with friends on social media for some friendly competition!
