[Erin]

Had a fun but expensive weekend with friends. Do you feel like you have to be extra frugal after doing something like that?

[Kathleen]

No. Sometimes you need a weekend like that for your physical and mental well-being, and that trumps extra frugality.

[Tracy]

Yes, I give myself guilt trips every time.

[Shelley]

That’s the reason you are frugal all year long… to enjoy your money doing fun things!

[LA McCabe]

I save through the year for extra things, holiday or Xmas etc! This is life and frugal is great but life is more important!

[Molly]

I definitely try to be a little more careful before/after splurging, but I don’t go crazy! October is a hugely expensive month for us (pumpkin patch, school photos, the book fair, 2 Birthdays, Halloween holiday stuff), so I’ve been focusing on meal prepping, not eating out, and not buying extra stuff.

[Joel]

Being frugal is great as a lifestyle. Being intentional in everything that you do will take you way further. Sometimes I read posts in this group and worry that the idea of frugality can lead to a mindset of scarcity. When we’re saving money it is important to know why we are saving money. Asking ourselves what the deep why behind our frugal adventure is and having a spending plan and priority list of what we’re doing with that money once we do better on something we’d spend on anyways, is absolutely crucial.

If we can get out of cycles, save/splurge, on the wagon/off the wagon, treat ourselves/deprive ourselves, things like your experience will not leave you with the feeling you are having currently. Planning for these types of excursions in your spending plan and deciding ahead of time what you’re going to do and how much you’re going to spend will be so helpful.

Being frugal (ie. being a good steward of the money and things in your life that you have been entrusted with), spending plans, intentionality; all lead to freedom. I’m glad you had a great weekend, but a great weekend that ends in guilt or unhealthy cycles doesn’t feel like such a great weekend when its done. Set yourself free from this one, shake it off and decide how you want it to feel next time. In a year from now, 3 years from now, when you have something like this or another large purchase/opportunity come up, how is the way you do things going to be different?

Don’t miss: Any tips to be a frugal homeowner?

[Ann]

I’m frugal so I can have fun at times. But I do buckle down and be extra frugal afterwards. Next few weeks after are usually eat only from the pantry.

[Author]

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