How I Stay Motivated To Be Frugal
Being frugal happens for a reason, but after a short period of time many people are no longer motivated to be frugal. Before they know it, they’re back to a fairly ungoverned lifestyle. After all, a lifestyle of depriving yourself of things you really want can be tiresome.
But, wait a minute …
Being frugal isn’t about depriving yourself. If you really need to deprive yourself, there’s a reason behind that, too. (Possibly, not being frugal???) Being frugal is planning your finances around your priorities, setting goals, saving money, and then doing what’s required to bring them into being.
There are times when the goal might be to just meet the needs of life right now in order go on to greater plans in the future. Being frugal can get you out of debt, keep you debt free, and pave the way to achieving a variety of short and long-term goals. That said, sometimes, it’s a challenge when our goals require us to rein in our tendencies to seek immediate gratification. This is how is stay motivated to be frugal.
How i stay motivated to be frugal
How I Stay Motivated To Be Frugal
1) Remember why
What motivated you to be frugal? Some people make this decision because they’re tired of being in debt. Others make it because they want to retire early. Another reason is that you’re just tired of “keeping of with the Joneses.” Whatever the reason is you need to keep it in mind. Never forget why you chose to be frugal.
I have friend who spent a period of time being homeless. He’s not anymore and never wants to be again. Living on the street was hard. He not only has an aversion to being homeless, he’s afraid of the possibility. Having a decent place to live now is a blessing. He makes a point of saying that everyday. That may be a little extreme, but it’s his way to stay motivated to be frugal.
2) Set reasonable goals
Setting reasonable goals is important. It’s also very personal. It doesn’t matter what anyone else does, if you can’t see yourself being able to do it, you won’t do it. (On the other hand, seeing what someone else is accomplishing can be inspiring.) One way to accomplish more is to break a large or long-term goal into smaller ones, call them mini-goals or milestones.
There’s a lot of information on the internet, and in libraries and bookstores, that specifically covers setting goals. My study of the topic led me to the SMART approach. S.M.A.R.T goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. This method endorses charting milestones.
Chart progress
I find it’s easier for me to stay motivated to be frugal when I have milestones to chart. I can see my progress, and YES! that increases my confidence. It’s much easier to stay motivated when you can look at your progress and say, “I’m doing a good job.”
This is one of the more significant ways i stay motivated to be frugal.
3) Do what it takes to stay healthy
When was the last time you were sick? While you were ill was your performance up to par? Even if you were physically able to carry on, being sick affects our attitudes. It’s more of a challenge to be positive and appreciative when you’re out of commission or just don’t feel good. One of the casualties to being “down” could be your motivation to be frugal. You know the mindset: I’m sick. I need to take care of myself. (Translate “take care of myself” to indulge … I want something to make me “happy”.) The point is we all do better if we do feel good and are healthy. Eating correctly, getting enough sleep, and exercising—doing things that keep us healthy—really can help us to stay faithful to commitments, including being frugal.
4) Have some fun
Part of the concept of being frugal is having the money (and time, too) to enjoy life. We do this by setting and achieving goals, but we also need to take an occasional break. (I don’t like to use the word “vacation” unless it’s the culmination of a goal, planned and executed.) There are a lot of enjoyable spontaneous activities that don’t require much in the way of a financial commitment. I can’t possible come close to naming them all, but here are a few that may provide some inspiration: play a game—indoors or out, go for a bike ride or a run with friends, have a picnic in the park (PB&J and apples?), get the family ice cream cones once in a while. I imagine you’ve already thought of something.
Also, having fun should include some “Me Time.”
This is how i stay motivated to be frugal. I’m having fun and enjoying life.
Me Time
“Me Time” doesn’t necessarily have to be a solo endeavor. Occasionally, my wife and I will spend an hour or so reading. We’ll occupy the same room, but we’ll each be absorbed in our own books. (Sometimes, this leads to a discussion. That can be fun—or funny!) More often, when a person says he needs some “Me Time,” he’s saying he’d like a little time to himself. “Me Time” can encompass any variety of activities: working on a hobby, a nap, contemplation … the list goes on.
In general “Me Time” is a quiet time, a time to be at peace and get perspective. I frequently pray. On the other hand I have a friend who thinks the time that the Gibbs character in NCIS spends building a boat in his basement represents the epitome of “Me Time.”
5) Splurge (a little)
Here’s the thing about a splurge: If you’re really committed to being frugal, you won’t truly splurge. By definition splurging is “to spend money freely and extravagantly.” A frugal person plans, saves, and designates his resources (and money is a major resource.)
I can mini-splurge though—on a meal, or a movie, or a latte, on any number of things. That might mean that one week when I have a few dollars left over in my fuel fund instead of taking my lunch to work on Friday, I’ll pick up a $5 Fill-Up meal from KFC instead. (Usually, I save any left over gas money to use in a week that calls for more running around than usual or against a price spike.) For another example: If there’s leftover grocery money, I might catch a movie. Hey, it’s a break from my norm, it’s fun, and I’m still within the amount of money I’ve budgeted for the week. What I don’t do is borrow against the possibility that next week I’ll have a surplus.
Conclusion
Being frugal can keep you moving towards accomplishing your goals because you make plans and manage (budget) your resources, especially money. When you’re living on a budget there are times when it may feel restrictive. It may be a challenge to stay motivated to be frugal. That might be because you’ve lost sight of what your money is and will be doing for you. There are things you can do to help you appreciate your being frugal lifestyle: Remember why you decided to be frugal. (Getting out of debt and staying out of debt are huge pluses when you have plans your life.) Staying healthy not only has physical benefits, it helps with your mindset. Also, remember to LIVE: Have some fun, have some “Me Time,” and once in a while give yourself a treat. Taking care of you will help keep you motivated to be frugal.
This is how i stay motivated to be frugal.