The January Savings Challenge: 31 Days to Recover from the Holidays

The holidays always seem to sneak up fast, and before you know it, the new year hits and your wallet feels like it just ran a marathon. Between gifts, food, travel, and those little “it’s Christmas, I deserve it” moments, January can feel like financial whiplash. That’s exactly why this is the perfect time for a fresh start.

The January Savings Challenge is all about getting back on track, one small daily action at a time. It’s not about restriction or guilt. It’s about rebuilding your confidence and momentum after a busy season, proving to yourself that you can recover, reset, and feel good about your money again.

Think of this challenge like hitting the “refresh” button on your finances. Every day for 31 days, you’ll do one small thing that helps you save money, reduce clutter, or build better habits. None of it is extreme. No skipping meals or canceling every fun thing in your life. Just simple, practical steps that add up to real results by the end of the month.

Day 1: Get Honest with Your Numbers

Start by writing down exactly what you spent over the holidays. Include gifts, travel, dinners out, even those “just one more” Amazon orders. It’s easy to avoid the truth when it feels uncomfortable, but seeing the numbers is the first step to moving forward.

Day 2: Set a “Recovery Goal”

Decide how much you want to save or pay off by the end of the month. Maybe it’s $200 to rebuild your savings or $300 toward your credit card. Write it down and keep it somewhere visible, like on your fridge or next to your laptop.

Day 3: Delete the Shopping Apps

They were fun in December, but now they’re temptation. Amazon, Shein, Target, whatever your go-to is. Deleting them even for a few weeks helps you pause before impulse buying.

Day 4: Try a No-Spend Day

Challenge yourself to go one full day without spending a cent. Eat at home, skip coffee runs, and see how freeing it feels to simply use what you already have.

Day 5: Do a Pantry Cleanout

Before buying groceries, take a look at what’s sitting in your pantry and freezer. You’ll probably find enough for a few meals. Build a “use what you have” menu and stretch what’s already in your kitchen.

Day 6: Unsubscribe from Sale Emails

Those “50% off just for you” emails aren’t helping anyone right now. Take 10 minutes to unsubscribe from every brand that tempts you to spend.

Day 7: Check Your Subscriptions

Go through your credit card or PayPal and look for monthly charges. Cancel anything you forgot about or aren’t using. Even one $12 subscription adds up to $144 a year.

Day 8: Sell Something You Don’t Use

Look around your house and pick one thing to sell online. Maybe a kitchen gadget, a jacket, or a pair of shoes you never wear. List it on Facebook Marketplace or Poshmark and see what happens.

Day 9: Plan Next Week’s Meals

Meal planning doesn’t need to be fancy. Just jot down a few simple dinners and snacks so you’re not tempted to order takeout midweek.

Day 10: Set Up Automatic Transfers

Automate a small transfer to your savings account. Even $5 a day makes a difference. Think of it like training your brain to save on autopilot.

Day 11: Revisit Your Bank Fees

Check your bank statements for unnecessary fees. Overdraft, maintenance, or ATM fees can sneak up. If you see any, call your bank and ask them to waive or remove them.

Day 12: Return Something

Still have unopened gifts or things you regret buying in December? Return them while you still can. That refund can go straight toward your recovery goal.

Day 13: Try a Week of “Cash Only”

Take out a set amount of cash for the week and commit to spending only that. It’s amazing how differently you think when you can actually see the money leaving your wallet.

Day 14: Recreate a “Luxury” at Home

If you’ve been craving a night out, find a way to enjoy the same feeling at home. Maybe it’s a cozy movie night with homemade popcorn, or cooking your favorite restaurant meal for less.

Day 15: Check Your Rewards Points

Between credit cards and grocery stores, you probably have some unspent rewards sitting around. Redeem them for groceries, gas, or even cash back.

Day 16: Do a Closet Audit

Go through your clothes and set aside anything you haven’t worn in over a year. You can sell a few pieces or donate them for a tax write-off.

Day 17: Track Every Dollar

For one day, write down every single thing you spend. Awareness alone can shift your habits fast.

Day 18: Find a Free Hobby

The holidays might have been expensive, but entertainment doesn’t have to be. Try hiking, reading, journaling, or watching YouTube tutorials to learn something new.

Day 19: Organize Your Bills

List out your recurring expenses and due dates. Having everything in one place helps you avoid late fees and feel in control again.

Day 20: Lower a Bill

Call one service provider, like your internet or insurance company, and ask about discounts or promotions. It takes 10 minutes and can save you hundreds a year.

Day 21: Declutter One Area

Pick a single spot—your bathroom cabinet, your junk drawer, your purse. Getting rid of clutter has a way of making you feel lighter, even financially.

Day 22: Have a Free Fun Day

Find one thing you can do that costs nothing but still feels good. Walk through your city, have a game night, or bake with what you already have in your pantry.

Day 23: Revisit Your Streaming Services

If you pay for multiple, try pausing one for a month. You can always switch them out later when you miss it.

Day 24: Create a “Debt Snapshot”

Write down each balance, the interest rate, and minimum payment. It might feel intimidating at first, but this clarity helps you come up with a plan.

Day 25: Make a Savings Jar

Grab an empty jar or container and label it with your goal. Seeing it fill up, even with small bills or spare change, gives a real sense of progress.

Day 26: Cook a Big Batch Meal

Make something like chili, soup, or pasta that lasts a few days. It keeps you from grabbing takeout when you’re tired.

Day 27: Do a “Mini Digital Detox”

Take a night off from social media or screens. The less you scroll, the less you spend, and the more grounded you feel.

Day 28: Review Your Progress

Look at how far you’ve come this month. Even if you didn’t do every single day perfectly, you’ve built awareness, saved money, and likely feel more in control than you did on January 1.

Day 29: Find a Way to Make Extra Cash

Offer to babysit, walk dogs, or pick up a few hours of freelance work. That little boost can speed up your recovery goal.

Day 30: Reward Yourself (Cheaply)

You’ve done amazing work this month, so celebrate in a small, intentional way. Maybe it’s a bubble bath, your favorite coffee, or just a slow morning without stress.

Day 31: Plan for February

Don’t stop here. Set one financial goal for next month. Maybe it’s building a $1,000 emergency fund or paying off a specific credit card.

By the end of this 31-day challenge, you’ll feel lighter—mentally and financially. You’ll have a few extra dollars in your pocket, but more importantly, you’ll have built new habits that make saving feel second nature.

The holidays might leave you drained, but January gives you the gift of a clean slate. And every small choice you make this month is proof that you’re capable of turning things around. One day at a time.