Can You Oversave and Under-spend?
Are you familiar with Mr. Money Mustache’s blog? It’s quite a trip, sometimes making you question his sanity while he and his wife live very simplistic lives. But it works for them, they seem downright chipper about it. They’ve made simple yet economical lifestyle choices which certainly don’t leave them feeling deprived.
If you’ve managed to slash your expenses down and don’t feel like your happiness has taken a hit, kudos to you. However, most of us tend to feel the pinch when we tighten our belts to such an extent.
Have you ever found yourself couch-bound, only venturing out for the weekly grocery run? I know I have, especially when in debt.
Winter was particularly hard. With the chilling cold and fewer available free activities, getting motivated to leave the house was a struggle.
This generally resulted in a melancholic period of solitude. I vividly remember a year filled with bleak isolation, exacerbated by dating a guy who loathed parting with his money. We only ever sat and watched TV. Looking back, I think about the missed opportunities that a little spending on outings could’ve provided. Maybe our relationship would have been less tense.
Honest talk, my most depressive years were my best years financially. But looking back, an extra month or two in debt for a happier disposition sounds like a fair trade.
When I look at the times I spent with friends, having fun while still maintaining a stricter budget, I felt happier. Managing my finances has become second nature, and I knew how to make the best out of minimal spending, like finding free activities or using deal sites like Groupon and LivingSocial.
What we often forget amongst the obsession of paying off debts is to live our lives to the fullest. If you’re determined about your finances, adding a little fun to your budget plan won’t send you spiraling into bankruptcy.
Trust me, reminiscing about affordable fun is preferable to looking back on the endless TV series you’ve binge-watched, even if your goals shift a bit. However, if you find absolute joy in your Netflix marathons, well, cheers to you.