DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently started budgeting after realizing how much money slips through my fingers each month, especially on little treats like coffee runs, lunches out and takeout. When I added it all up, I was shocked at how much I’ve been spending without even realizing it. I know I need to be smarter with my money so I can save for my future goals, like building an emergency fund, paying off debt and eventually buying a home. The problem is that every time I try to cut back, I feel deprived. I don’t want to live a life where I never treat myself, and honestly, those small indulgences bring me joy in the moment. Still, I can’t shake the guilt that comes after spending on things I don’t technically need. How do I strike a healthy balance between being financially responsible and still enjoying the present without feeling like I’m constantly punishing myself ? I want to develop better habits that last in the long term, but I’m afraid of slipping back into old spending patterns. Sometimes I wonder if I’m just not disciplined enough to manage my money the way I should. – Strategic Planning DEAR STRATEGIC PLANNING: Look at your monthly income and expenses. Figure out how much it’s possible to save if you allow yourself one indulgence per month. Then turn your cost-savings approach into something pleasurable for yourself. You can use a cute coffee carafe to transport your home-brewed coffee to work, making it feel like a treat. Pack a lunch that you prepare the night before. Prepare something you enjoy eating, so you aren’t depriving yourself even though it comes from home. Continue thinking like this: What can you do to celebrate yourself AND save money?
