We finally did it. After a couple of stressful months staring at our budget charts in the red and feeling that familiar gut-punch of worry, I can officially say we are back in the black!
Not only did we pull ourselves completely out of the danger zone, but we also hit a massive 55% savings rate for the month of May. Seeing those numbers shift back into balance feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It is the ultimate validation that being the Budget Captain of our household is starting to pay off in real, tangible ways.
When I first committed to my 2026 Low-Buy Challenge, I knew there would be bumps in the road. The last few months definitely tested my resolve, but May proved that the habit shifts are finally taking root. We aren’t just slowing down our spending anymore; we are completely changing our family’s financial trajectory.
Monthly Reflections
If you had told me a year ago that I would go an entire calendar month without stepping foot inside a single thrift store or physical retail shop, I would have laughed. Browsing the aisles used to be my default setting on a boring afternoon. But this month, something shifted.
For the first two weeks of May, I realized I hadn’t gone thrifting or out shopping even once. By the time the month ended, that streak had lasted the entire four weeks. I am incredibly proud of myself for that, but the most interesting part is why it happened: I was simply too busy to shop.
Lately, I’ve been throwing all my time and energy into growing my businesses. I quickly discovered that when your days are filled with purpose and active projects, boredom and shopping are the absolute last things on your mind. In the past, shopping was the filler for empty time. By replacing that empty space with my businesses, the urge to browse just naturally fell away. It wasn’t about fighting the temptation every day; it was about choosing a more fulfilling focus.
Personal Thrifted Finds
- Total Spent: $0.00
There is usually a long list of treasures here, but for the month of May, this section is completely blank.
Leaving this area at a flat zero feels incredibly empowering. In the past, a “zero thrift retail” month would have felt like I was missing out on the thrill of the hunt. Now? It just means I was hunting for business wins instead of clutter. My closet didn’t grow, my house didn’t collect more knick-knacks, and my bank account stayed perfectly intact.
Budget Recap
Let’s look at the numbers, because the data is where the real story lives. While I stayed completely out of physical stores, I did do a bit of intentional online shopping at the beginning of the month.
Here is exactly where those dollars went:
The May Breakdown
| Purchase Category / Item | Cost | Notes |
| Reef Vista High Layla | $80.00 | Upgraded summer sandals |
| Reef Water Vista Higher 2 | $75.00 | Black sandals (filling a wardrobe gap) |
| Reef Coupon Discount | -20% off | Saved on the sandal bundle |
| Rare Beauty Powder Blush | $27.00 | Restock (trying powder instead of stick) |
| Medicube Serum | $21.00 | Routine essential restock |
| e.l.f. Cleansing Balm | $20.00 | Routine essential restock |
| Bubble Vitamin C Serum | $17.00 | New morning routine addition |
| Total Personal Purchases | ~$240.00 | Intentional restocks & trip prep |
The Big Picture: May 2025 vs. May 2026
To truly see how far we’ve come, I love pulling up our Monarch Money charts and looking at the historical data. The contrast between this year and last year is mind-blowing:
- Total Family Purchases (May 2025): $1,953.42
- Total Family Purchases (May 2026): $879.12
We cut our family spending by over $1,074 compared to the exact same month last year! Seeing that contrast in black and white makes every ounce of effort completely worth it.
Lessons Learned
Every month of this low-buy challenge teaches me something new about my relationship with stuff, and May brought some of the most satisfying lessons yet.
The Backstock Rule is Incredibly Rewarding
For years, I had a habit of hoarding skincare and makeup “just in case.” I would buy replacements long before I actually needed them, which meant bottles just sat in my cabinets collecting dust. This month, I officially ran out of almost everything in my backstock.
I literally used my products down to the very last drop before allowing myself to go onto Ulta and order replacements. Waiting until my current blush stick was completely empty before buying the new Rare Beauty powder blush felt amazing. I have exactly two items left in my cabinets that are about half full right now, and I won’t touch a restock until those are empty, too. Empties are the ultimate low-buy badge of honor!
Intentional Online Shopping Doesn’t Derail Progress
In the past, online shopping was a dangerous slippery slope for me. But my purchase at the beginning of this month proved that you can buy things online without it turning into an impulsive spree.
I bought two pairs of Reef sandals for our upcoming Galveston trip—the Vista High Layla ($80.00) and the Water Vista Higher 2 ($75.00). Because I used a 20% off coupon, already know and love the brand, and genuinely lacked a pair of black sandals in my wardrobe, this didn’t feel like a “slip-up.” It was a planned, high-utility purchase for a specific event. They are a beautiful brown/beige and black, they match everything, and I know they will be my go-to shoes for the entire summer.
When you stop buying for the temporary dopamine hit, you can actually enjoy the things you do buy without the lingering guilt.
Goals for Next Month
With May officially in the win column, I want to take the lessons from this month and carry them directly into June. Here is what I am focusing on next:
Keep the Physical Store Streak Alive
Going an entire month without walking into a thrift store or a retail shop completely broke the muscle memory of “boredom browsing.” For June, my goal is to keep that streak alive. If I need to stay busy with my businesses to keep my mind off shopping, that is exactly what I will do.
Test the “One-In, One-Out” Skincare Routine
Now that I’ve introduced the new Bubble Vitamin C serum into my morning routine, my goal is to give it a fair trial before even thinking about adding anything else. I still have two skincare items in my bathroom that are about half full. My strict goal for June is to finish those completely before making any more trips to Ulta.
Style What I Have For Summer
Since I have my two new pairs of Reef sandals ready to go, I want to focus on styling them using the clothes already hanging in my closet. I don’t need a new “summer wardrobe” for our upcoming trip; I just need to get creative with what I already own.
Looking Ahead
As we head into June, our upcoming trip to Galveston is officially on the horizon. In the past, prep for a vacation meant a mad dash to the stores to buy “vacation outfits” and extra travel items we didn’t really need. This time, things feel completely different. I already have my go-to sandals packed, my skincare is streamlined, and my mindset is focused on making memories rather than making purchases.
More than anything, May showed me that the Budget Captain system works. Pulling our family finances back into balance and hitting that 55% savings rate wasn’t a fluke—it was the direct result of slowing down, staying busy with my businesses, and being intentional about every single dollar.
The momentum is officially on our side again. I’m heading into the summer months feeling lighter, more controlled, and genuinely excited to see what we can accomplish in June.
Thank you all so much for following along on this journey! How did your budget treat you this month?
Comments (0)