Lesson #3.5 How to Spend on The Things You Love (Guilt Free) (02:00 mins)
Set Aside Funds For Your Fun
Figure out how much money you have coming in each month, then allocate how much you can spend towards fun money. The idea behind budgeting isn’t to never do anything fun, it’s to make allocations for activities and stick to those allocations.
Your money is there to be enjoyed, but the way to enjoy it without guilt is by knowing that you aren’t sacrificing your long-term goals for it.
Pick Your Poison
There’s no need to spend money on things that don’t interest you just because your friends are doing it.
If going out to drinks every weekend isn’t your thing, don’t force yourself to do it! Find something that you actually enjoy spending your hard-earned cash on and stick with that.
There’s nothing wrong with being picky when it comes to how you like to spend your free time and money.
For example, if travel is a priority for you, then make sure that you’re allocating enough money towards that category each month. Or if you want to save up for a big purchase, like a new car or a down payment on a house, then make sure that your budget reflects that goal. By prioritizing your spending, you can avoid the guilt of overspending on unnecessary things.
Pay for Value & Be mindful of sales and deals
Another great way to spend without guilt is to be mindful of your spending and pay for value.
When you pay for value, you’re investing in quality, which means that you’ll end up with a product or service that lasts longer, provides greater satisfaction and in turn, helps you reduce the feeling of guilt after purchase.
And speaking of value, there’s built-in value when you buy an item for less than it’s actually worth. For example, there is extra value baked in if you get $70 pair of shoes for $20 that you already would have bought because you need it or getting an experience you’ve been wanting to do for a deep discount on Groupon.
Sales and deals are a great way to save money on the things that you love without feeling guilty about it later.
Nix the Guilt
Last but not least, get rid of the guilt! Like we said before, you work hard for your money and you deserve to spend it on things that make you happy—without feeling guilty about it later.
Having fun doesn’t have to break the bank—or leave you feeling guilty afterward. By following these simple tips, you can learn how to spend without guilt so that you can live your best life without breaking the bank. So go ahead and treat yourself—you deserve it!