For as long as I can remember, I’ve been independent – something I credit to being the youngest of four children.  I tend to go my own way, to lead, not follow.  I don’t typically give into fads or fashions.  I have learned to embrace this characteristic as part of my identity.  However, I recently deviated from this path and, as cringeworthy as it sounds, bought into not one but two recent trends. 

Another characteristic of mine is being excessively competitive.  I’ve written before about how this is both a strength and a weakness of mine.   It’s how I was sucked into two “one-month challenges,” and, as crazy as it sounds, I actually ended up liking them!       

Here is why I leaned into these trends, what they taught me, and how you can find value in (occasionally) following the crowd.   

The Spending Problem

It shouldn’t surprise you that even moderate to high-income earners, including medical professionals, often face financial challenges.  Despite the average APP salary being around $120,000 and physicians earning around $230,000, many still live paycheck to paycheck. 

If all it took to become wealthy was to have a high income, medical professionals would have no problem becoming millionaires.  Yet, we don’t even crack the top five careers of millionaires in Dave Ramsey’s National Millionaire Study.

Medical professionals don’t have an income problem, we have a spending problem!  This can be attributed to high student loan debt, high-interest credit card debt, and the pressures of conspicuous consumption.  It also can be related to a lack of financial education.  

At BBM, we promote spending less than you earn, avoiding premature lifestyle inflation, and saving and investing early.

The Challenge

In October, we were having dinner with some friends who talked about a challenge they were doing with another couple: No Spend November.  Being interested in all things financial, this naturally piqued my interest.  The rules were simple: don’t spend money on anything non-essential for 1 month.  The couple that completes the challenges gets their dinner paid for at the next group dinner.  We had just come off a few high-spending months from some trips we took, and with the holiday season approaching, we thought it would be a good reset.  Plus, I rarely say no to a competition.  

Trend #1 – No Spend November 

I’m not extravagant.  I don’t do a lot of shopping, and I’m far from flashy.  Most of our “non-essential” purchases go toward trips– if I have one weakness, it’s travel.  However, even when not planning a trip, I tend to spend money on experiences the kids will enjoy.  For the challenge, we cut all these expenses. 

I missed having extra experiences, but we found simple, cost-free ways to make special memories with the kids in November.  We had outdoor movie nights with our projector, family game nights (teaching my 5-year-old boy to play chess), and drank hot chocolate while we walked around the neighborhood after bedtime to admire Christmas lights.  We enjoyed these experiences that weren’t tied to a price tag. 

The hardest part of the month for my husband was refraining from dining out.  As the primary cook, preparing three meals daily for a month was tough for him.  However, eating all the meals at home led to lots of quality time and good conversations with the kids. 

We saved thousands of dollars this month, which allowed us to invest more and make substantial charitable donations– an important goal for us.  And yes, we won the challenge.

Trend #2 – Dry January

During our victory dinner for No Spend November, my husband mentioned that he was planning to start off the new year with a week of fasting.  He wanted mental clarity as he has tough business decisions coming in the first quarter.  I decided to tag along on his fast, inspired by my health goals for 2025.  During my 72-hour fast (what psycho could go a whole week without eating), I committed to the next trend, Dry January. 

Dry January is classically abstaining from alcohol for the entire month of January.  While I don’t drink excessively, I enjoy a glass of wine or two after the kids go to bed or a cold beverage when dining out.  But alcohol makes me tired, less productive, unmotivated, and lazy. 

Although I’m still in the middle of the challenge, my biggest takeaway so far has been the mental clarity I’ve gained over the last few weeks.  I’ve regained a consistent workout routine, improved my sleep, and had better concentration.  I’m happy with my motivation at the start of the new year.  

Mindset

Even if I cringe a little, thinking how cliche it sounds to participate in both challenges, I appreciate how it has helped me focus on really good things: intentional spending and living.  We have continued our family game nights, had more intentional conversations over meals, and been more active together. 

Quality time with our kids is what they value, whether that is on vacation or in our own home.  So, I am finding more joy in the simple things in life, propelling me closer to my goals and bringing me a secondary level of happiness.  Intentionality is key. 

Conclusion

As medical professionals, especially during the demanding winter months, we must focus on our mental and physical health.  Engaging in silly challenges like these can help us change old habits, improve mental clarity, increase energy, and become more intentional with money.

Evaluate your 2025 goals and consider finding friends or colleagues to join you on a similar challenge.  Taking small steps can help you form more disciplined habits that impact your personal and professional life. 

I hope you enjoyed reading about my experiences with these trends that I (un)ashamedly followed and enjoyed.  If you’d like to read more content, please subscribe and share.