Close Menu
    Subscribe
    Tips & Tricks

    Could a ‘Planned Boredom’ Money Challenge Flip Your Summer Spending? 5 Weird, Wallet-Boosting Experiments to Try Before August

    Could a ‘Planned Boredom’ Money Challenge Flip Your Summer Spending? 5 Weird, Wallet-Boosting Experiments to Try Before August

    Kids are out of school, the sun’s up late…and somehow your wallet keeps running dry. Before you scroll for the next big summer sale, what if you could turn ordinary boredom into secret savings? This summer, people everywhere are running “planned boredom” money experiments that take regular weekends—and flip them into mini saving sprees. Ready? Try these five wallet-boosting challenges inspired by real life savers, and see what happens before August hits.

    1. Try a Weekend Wallet Lockdown

    Overspending sneaks up between Friday night and Sunday. Challenge yourself: no non-essential purchases for one whole weekend. That means meals from home, free streaming, backyard fun, and zero online impulse buys.

    Fact: A no-spend weekend can save you between $100 and $200 by skipping dining out, shopping, and paid entertainment (I Will Teach You To Be Rich).

    • Block off your weekend on the calendar.
    • Meal prep on Thursday—hit the pantry, not the drive-thru.
    • Decide your essentials in advance (groceries? Gas?). Stick to them only!

    Bold takeaway: One weekend “off” could stack enough savings for a last-minute bill.

    Prompt a friend to join for accountability—and bragging rights!

    2. Invent Your Own ‘Free Day’ Adventure

    Sick of boredom = spending? Instead of shopping, hunt for totally free local fun—think parks, community events, or free museum days.

    Fact: Free activities like city parks or local events offer real enjoyment with literally $0 out of pocket (Greenlight).

    • Search for three free activities in your area right now.
    • Rank them after you try: Which was most fun, most social, or best for saving?
    • Bonus: Extend the challenge—use only ingredients in your pantry for a picnic meal.

    Bold takeaway: Free adventures expose new parts of your city—and spare your wallet.

    Share your top find with a neighbor or in a local group. Set the bar for creative outings!

    3. Share a ‘Boredom Bounty’—Group Text Edition

    Don’t go it alone! Text friends or family and launch a “boredom bounty”—everybody tries to outdo each other finding fun with $0 spent.

    Fact: Competing with friends to creatively stretch $0 makes saving more fun and social—not just a solo grind (Frugal Confessions).

    • Start a group chat: “Biggest $0 win this weekend gets bragging rights!”
    • Snap a photo of your cheapest success and share it.
    • End of week: Vote on the best boredom buster using only what you have!

    Bold takeaway: Friendly competition turns FOMO into “proud to save” energy.

    Text your group now and lock in players before Friday.

    4. Gamify Boredom: Pay Yourself for Every Temptation You Beat

    Your willpower deserves a payout. Set a daily dollar reward ($10–$20) for every day you skip delivery or stay off shopping sites. Track it, add it up, and reward yourself with something intentional at month’s end.

    Fact: Paying yourself for no-spend days helps you spot spending triggers and stay mindful about what you actually want (KindaFrugal).

    • Put a sticker on the calendar every no-spend day.
    • Physically transfer the reward into savings or a cash envelope.
    • Get the family involved—who racks up more no-spend days?

    Bold takeaway: A small daily streak can build up to serious savings—and reveal your sneaky habits.

    Start tracking tonight: How many rewards can you bank before August?

    5. Start a Habit Ladder—Escalate Each Win

    Made it through one challenge? Take it up a notch. Each time you win (no weekend spending, free day, or boredom bounty), add a new rule or reward. Maybe more no-spend days, or higher personal payouts!

    Fact: Gradually raising the challenge level (a ‘habit ladder’) trains your money muscles for the long run (I Will Teach You To Be Rich).

    • After each win, ask: Which rule can I tighten? (Cut a new spending category next week!)
    • Or, increase your reward—double your “pay yourself” rule for a harder challenge.
    • Write down discoveries: What did you really miss? What felt easy?

    Bold takeaway: Upping the ante turns no-spend routines into lasting habits.

    Challenge yourself: Where can you step up or bring in a new ally?

    Conclusion

    This summer, you don’t need a new gig or a bank bonus—just a little creativity and a willingness to try something unconventional. With five wallet-boosting boredom challenges, you could save $100s, discover hidden local gems, and maybe even start a group trend. Why wait? Pick one experiment tonight and see how much you can pocket by August 1st!

    Share.

    Related Posts