When You Are Tired of Being Frugal

Feb 23 | Money Saving Tips, Frugal Living

Creative solutions for when you are tired of being frugal

We live a frugal lifestyle. For the most part we are okay with it, and even thrive with this lifestyle, but sometimes it can be exhausting. Sometimes we get tired of making meals from scratch, cutting coupons, price matching, and doing whatever we need to do just to save some money. Sometimes we just want to throw caution to the wind and buy some brand new furniture for our house, or put a vacation on a credit card, or eat out as a family at some local restaurants. In those moments it can be easy to throw our hands up in the air and say "I don't care" and make careless decisions. But in the end we would regret those decisions. So what should you do in those situations?

1. Treat yourself to something SMALL and AFFORDABLE.

The other day we went out for "Loonie Shakes." Under 5 dollars for milkshakes for our family, yet it still felt like a splurge for our family.

2. Remind yourself of your goals.

On the inside of my wallet is a piece of paper I taped to it that says "Do you want more stuff, or do you want to travel?" so that every time I open up my wallet to buy something on impulse, I am reminded of my goals.

3. Take a social media break.

Sites like Facebook can heighten our desire to spend our money on things we can't afford when it may feel like everyone else around us are able to make those purchases at the drop of a dime. But the truth is, you don't know the back story of the pictures you see on Facebook. You don't know if they've been saving for months or years to make that purchase, or if they are up late at night stressed at how they are going to make payments on their purchases they bought on credit. So give your heart a break and turn off the social media.

4. Do something fun that is free.

Invite some friends over for coffee and board games, go for a nature walk on a nearby trail, go star gazing, or go for a bike ride. Finding some free fun will remind yourself that life can still be fun on a budget.

5. Browse the internet for inspiration.

Read frugal living blogs. One search on Pinterest will reveal tons of articles written by people who have successfully conquered their financial dreams by living a frugal life. When you are starting to feel like you can't live frugally anymore you will be able to draw strength, motivation, and inspiration from these articles.

Remember that "this too shall pass." These feelings of being tired of being frugal will end, and if you stick with your budget and your saving goals, you WILL reap the benefits.

Related posts:

• 36 Things to Do Instead of Spending Money
• How to Stick to Your Budget
• How to Painlessly Save Money