The $100 Budget Challenge
Can You Live on Just $100 This Week?
If you’ve ever looked at your bank account and thought, “How did my money disappear so fast?” — you’re not alone.
Sometimes our spending habits happen so quietly that we don’t even notice where our money is going until it’s gone.
The $100 Budget Challenge is a simple, short-term reset to help you reconnect with your money and get back in control — without shame, guilt, or overwhelm.
This challenge isn’t about restriction.
It’s about awareness, intention, and empowerment.
Let’s break it down step-by-step.
What Is the $100 Budget Challenge?
The challenge is simple:
For one week, you spend no more than $100 on all variable or non-essential expenses.
This means your bills stay the same — rent, utilities, gas needed for work, etc.
We are only focusing on the spending that tends to slip through the cracks:
Extra grocery items
Eating out
Coffee runs
Snacks
Entertainment
Impulse purchases
Convenience buys
This challenge forces you to pay attention to where your money goes — and what actually matters to you.
Why This Challenge Works
Most of the stress around money comes from not knowing where it goes.
This challenge:
✔ Slows your spending
✔ Helps you see your habits clearly
✔ Builds awareness and discipline
✔ Shows you what you really value
✔ Creates confidence and control
✔ Proves you can live differently
The $100 limit isn’t random — it’s small enough to make you think and large enough to stay realistic.
Step 1: Decide Your Spending Categories
Before the week starts, decide where your $100 will go.
Example categories:
Groceries
Gas (non-work travel)
Eating out
Household items
Fun money
Not everything will get funded — and that’s the point.
You’re choosing intentionally.
Step 2: Use Cash or a Separate Account
To make the challenge easier and more effective:
Pull out $100 cash
orMove $100 to a separate spending account
This creates a hard boundary.
No guesswork. No “accidental” card swipes.
When the money is gone — that category is finished for the week.
Step 3: Look for Creative Solutions
This is where the challenge becomes powerful.
Instead of spending automatically, you start asking:
Do I already have food at home?
Can I make coffee instead of buying it?
Can I plan ahead instead of buying convenience?
Do I really need this right now?
You will be surprised by:
How resourceful you can be
How much you actually have
How often purchases are emotional, not necessary
This challenge reveals habits — and habits are where change happens.
Step 4: Reflect at the End of the Week
This part matters more than anything.
When the week ends, ask yourself:
What did I learn about myself?
What was surprisingly easy?
What was uncomfortable?
What patterns did I notice?
How do I feel now compared to the beginning?
Most people walk away with:
Less stress
More clarity
A deeper sense of control
And a confidence boost
Even if the week wasn’t perfect.
What This Challenge Is Not
It’s NOT:
A long-term lifestyle you must maintain
A punishment
A “prove your strength” test
A way to deprive yourself
It is:
A reset
A strategy
A moment of clarity
A confidence-building practice
You are not fixing your entire financial life in one week.
You’re simply taking back the driver’s seat.
Final Thoughts
You are capable of being intentional with your money.
You are capable of creating change.
You are capable of building stability and peace.
The $100 Budget Challenge is just the beginning — a spark that shows you what’s possible.
If you want help making this part of a bigger plan —
If you’re ready to feel calm around your finances —
If you’re tired of doing this alone —
I’m here.
✨ Let’s build a budgeting system that actually fits your life.
Schedule your free Snapshot Call with Arctic Rose Financial Coaching, and together we’ll create a plan you can trust — one that feels doable, supportive, and steady.
You don’t have to figure this out by yourself.
I’ve got you. 🤍