November 1 marks the beginning of Nospendervember.

This is an annual holiday that lasts the full month of November.  It was created by myself approximately 15 years ago when I decided that the month of November had no significant milestones that required me to spend money on anything non-essential.

No new wardrobes for Jewish Holidays or change of seasons.  Not the right time of the year for growth spurts. No new uniforms.  No camps.  No new sport activities. No new sneakers.  No haircuts. No Nothing!  I found that November was the month that I could stick to a budget and there was nothing that I needed to spend on aside from what we actually needed.

I felt a little sorry for November.  It was a lonely month with no significance (Cup Day is not significant) and, in my pity, I made up a special name to cheer up this sad, lonely month.  ‘Nospendervember’!

Nospendervember, can be pronounced with an Italian or Spanish accent and in Irish it translates to ‘Let us take vengeance’.  That’s right.  Let us take vengeance on all you Saboteurs (as Jenny Craig would say) who attempt to make us want to spend money (Jenny would say make us eat) on unnecessary and useless things that we can live without.

I would gather the family together on November 1 and read a proclamation.  We would all pledge our commitment to the month and be on our merry way.  If, during the month, one of the kids accidentally forgot and asked for something non-essential, I would turn to them, lips pursed, eyes slightly squinted and hold up my right hand with my finger tips gathered to my thumb and in my finest Italian accent slowly say with disgust, “No-spender-vember”.  Nothing else needed to be said.  This holiday was sacred.

November is a great month to take on extra-ordinary commitments and test your resolve when it comes to all sorts of things, not just spending money.  It’s the month to say I can and not I can’t.  Before end of year holidays and activities sneak in to derail us, take some affirmative action and prove to yourself that what you dump in the too hard basket is really achievable.

Last November I lost 5kgs sticking to the Whole 30 food plan.  I had previously never stuck to a food plan for even a day but I was determined and there was nothing in November to turn me off.  This November I will be taking on some studies I’ve deferred all year which will be the opening of a door to some great career opportunities.

My kids are all grown and mostly out of the house but to this day, Nospenderevember is still relevant and current.   Anything I need in my home can wait until another month and I’m so glad that I have a great excuse not to shop, something I hate doing anyway.

Having said that, I confess that I snuck in the purchase of a pair of ankle boots spontaneously today however, they were half price and I’m being organised for next winter!