Frugals. Tightwads. Spendthrifts.

Call them what you like, a community of bloggers, writers and others sick of the consumer cycle are behind a “no-spend” movement.

And with many saving thousands of dollars each year, it’s hard not to get caught up in the message.

So what does not spending actually look like? And why would Australians be interested in taking up the challenge?

Australia has a big debt problem

Data from Digital Finance Analytics has revealed 20 per cent of “middle-income” Australians have no room in their budget for unexpected expenses.

And last year the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that Australian households were potentially on a dangerous debt binge.

So can cutting out all unnecessary spending get you out of debt and make you financially free?

Some people certainly think so.

A London-based journalist did it for a year

Michelle McGagh, a finance journalist from London and author ofThe No Spend Year, made headlines earlier this year after going on a no-spend challenge for most of 2016.

Inspired by the Black Friday sales, and a counter movement called Buy Nothing Day, she decided to cut out all additional spending from her budget.

While she allowed for bills, mortgage payments and a 35-pound weekly grocery allowance for her and her husband, she was not allowed to make a single luxury purchase.

This meant a year with no takeaway coffees or lunches, no pints at the pub, no haircuts and no holidays.

She didn’t even allow herself a budget for public transport, trusting her bike to get her around to work, social functions and a friend’s wedding.

So was it worth it and what delivered the biggest savings?

In the end, she saved herself just over 22,000 pounds, the equivalent of $37,000.

McGagh said there wasn’t one silver bullet that delivered the biggest saving, but a mix of frugal behaviours.

“It wasn’t cutting back on just the one thing that delivered the biggest saving, it was an accumulation of things,” she said.

“We know when we spend a big chunk of money on something — like a new car or a TV — we can see the impact that spending has on our finances.

“What is less easy to spot is the steady drip-drip of money that leaves our accounts that adds up to a huge sum over time.

“Whether it’s a daily coffee or popping out for lunch every day, an extra pint down the pub or the purchase of a pair of jeans we don’t need — all that spending adds up over time and getting a handle on that can make a huge difference to your bank balance.”

What did she miss the most?

Michelle McGagh stopped using public transport and rode her bicycle everywhere – even to a wedding. Photo: Twitter

“The times I missed out on spending time with people I love,” she said.

“I can forgo new clothes, make-up and even pints in the pub, but it was difficult when I couldn’t go on holiday with my girlfriends, particularly as my friend Trina was moving back to Brisbane and it was a bit of a farewell Trina trip.”

Who else is on the bandwagon?

A couple in the US known as the Frugalwoods, run their own blog on simple living.

In Australia, mum Jody Allen runs her own website — stayathomemum.com.au — which gives finance and cheap living advice.

One of her latest posts discusses bringing your weekly grocery shop down to under $50.

Authors Fiona Lippey and Jackie Gower run the $21 challenge, which aims to save households hundreds of dollars per grocery shop.

And if you’re keen to take it to another level, you can get involved in dumpster diving, like Sydney group @dishdirt, but we certainly can’t recommend it.

-ABC