The 90-Day Financial Fast: A Spiritual Reset for Your Finances
In the Bible, fasting is a spiritual discipline used to clear away distractions and refocus on God. While we usually think of fasting from food, a Financial Fast can be just as powerful for your spiritual and physical health. If you feel like your spending is out of control or your debt isn’t budging, it’s time for a “90-Day Reset.”
This isn’t just about saving money; it’s about breaking the stronghold of consumerism and proving to yourself that you can live—and thrive—on less than you think.
What is a Financial Fast?
For the next 90 days, you commit to spending money only on essentials. You are essentially putting your lifestyle into “survival mode” to redirect every possible resource toward your debt.
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” — Hebrews 12:11
The Fasting Guidelines
The “Yes” List (Necessities):
Mortgage/Rent and Utilities
Basic Groceries (no eating out)
Transportation (gas, insurance)
Tithe/Giving (Keep God first!)
The “No” List (Distractions):
Streaming services (cancel for 3 months)
New clothes or gadgets
Coffee shops and dining out
Hobby spending and “just browsing” online
The 90-Day Roadmap
Days 1-30: The Withdrawal Phase. This is the hardest month. You will feel the “itch” to spend when you’re bored or stressed. Lean on prayer and the verses from Post 5 to get through the cravings.
Days 31-60: The Awareness Phase. You’ll begin to notice how much “extra” money is staying in your account. Use this time to attack your smallest debt (The Snowball) or your highest interest (The Avalanche).
Days 61-90: The Contentment Phase. By now, your habits have shifted. You’ll realize you don’t miss the subscriptions or the takeout as much as you thought. You are starting to feel the “peace that surpasses understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
3 Keys to a Successful Fast
Find a Fasting Partner: Just as we pray together, find someone to keep you accountable. If you’re married, this must be a joint effort.
Redirect the Difference: Don’t just “not spend” the money. Immediately transfer what you would have spent on a coffee or a movie directly to your debt. Watch the balance drop in real-time.
Feast on the Word: When you feel the urge to shop, open your Bible instead. Use the time you would have spent browsing Amazon to study what God says about your future.
The Goal: A New Normal
The purpose of a 90-day fast isn’t to live in deprivation forever. It’s to reset your baseline. On Day 91, you might decide you don’t actually need those three different TV subscriptions. You might realize that making coffee at home is a joy, not a chore.
Are you ready to start your 90-day reset? Commit today. Your future, debt-free self will thank you.