One proponent argues that fiscal fasting pushes people to confront their spending habits. But other financial experts prefer a more consistent approach to budgeting.

You may have heard of frugal February. But “no buy” July?

The seventh month has become the seasonal focus of the “no spend” budgeting trend, popular on social media, in which people swear off discretionary spending for a period of time to save, pay down debt or just get a handle on their finances.

The interest in fiscal fasting comes as many Americans deal with financial uncertainty. Millions of student loan borrowers are in default, and many others are struggling with making payments again after a long pandemic-era pause. Late credit card payments are rising. And while inflation has moderated, worries persist that tariffs will stir it back up.

“Things are very expensive right now,” said Jasmine Renae Ray, a certified financial planner in Tulsa, Okla. “People are asking: ‘How