So much of personal finance is about discipline, and showing restraint. Traditional advice focuses on delaying gratification so you can save and invest more for the future. But what if I told you that if you treat yourself regularly, it could not only help you to live a happier and healthier life, but can also help you to achieve more financial success?
If you’ve ever seen the T.V. show Parks and Recreation, you’ll know what we’re talking about. Treating yourself can bring a ton of joy to your life (when done the right way). With a little creativity, you can make treating yourself a regular part of your life – without breaking the bank!
Why Treating Yourself Is Important
Have you ever tried to go on one of those super strict diets where you basically just eat grilled chicken and steamed broccoli for weeks, only to end up shoveling an entire pint of Ben and Jerry’s at midnight?
Always forgoing treats and constantly grinding is a one way ticket to burn out town. And we all know that once you end up there, it’s only a matter of time until you go overboard with impulse spending, or give up on managing your finances altogether. A little splurge here and there can act as a release valve to prevent a much bigger splurge you may regret.
Treating ourselves along the path to financial independence can give us well deserved rest and motivation. This helps us to stick to our financial plans for the long run. It aids us in our ability to make our frugal lifestyles more sustainable!
Plus, planning for splurges here and there can help us to celebrate our accomplishments along the way! Acknowledging the progress we have made spurs self-confidence!
Treat Yourself In Moderation
Woah, woah, woah. Before you go off and buy that yacht because the folks at How To Money told you to treat yourself, let’s pump the breaks for a sec… 😅
Yes, treating yourself is super important as we’ve already established. However, too much of a good thing can backfire, so make sure to treat yourself in moderation.
Remember that if you make your favorite treats a regular habit, the novelty will wear off. You’ll eventually get less joy out of it (while also hurting your bank account). So now your favorite craft beer you used to look forward to all week long has become just another part of your routine that you’ve come to expect. The happiness dividends quickly diminish!
So make sure not to treat yourself every day, and don’t go crazy. Avoid overconsumption to make sure your favorite treats stay special, and your bank account stays happy.
Identify What You Value
If you struggle to identify what exactly you should be treating yourself to, it can be a good idea to take some time to identify what you value. Doing the work and writing down a few categories that you would like to prioritize can help to make sure that you’re only splurging on things that truly bring you joy.
For example, if you love to travel, you don’t want to find that you don’t have the funds for that upcoming trip because you treated yourself to take-out too often. Instead, use these values you’ve written down as a reminder to skip on other treats that don’t move the needle quite as much. Essentially, try to pass on less important treats so that you have the funds to spend on more meaningful ones.
Let Go of Guilt
Some people have a really hard time spending money on themselves. Maybe it’s because they’ve been raised with a scarcity mindset, or simply because they want to reach their goals as quickly as possible. Whatever the reason, it’s important to let go of the guilt associated with occasionally treating yourself.
Remember, celebrating your accomplishments by spending money on the things you love is a vital step in staying motivated to achieve your goals. It’s not a setback- it’s an important part of the journey.
If you still have trouble letting go of that cash, it can also be helpful to consider the value that your money is bringing to your life and those who provide the product when you make a purchase. For example, remind yourself that buying that extra fancy cup of coffee from your local coffee shop is helping to keep the doors of one of your favorite small businesses open.
Don’t Take On Debt to Treat Yourself
With buy now, pay later becoming more ubiquitous, it’s easier than ever to use debt to fund your splurges. While we want you to prioritize treating yourself, make sure that you have the cash to back up those purchases!
Taking on debt for something like a family vacation or new clothes just means that you’ll be paying way more for that product than it’s worth. Instead, save up ahead of time and use money that you’ve got on hand to make that purchase.
You Can Treat Yourself While You Pay Off Debt
A lot of people wonder if they can still treat themselves even though they are paying off debt. The answer is yes!
You can (and should) treat yourself while you’re crushing your debt, just maybe to a smaller degree. Be sure to reward yourself as you hit certain milestones, but not to the detriment of your progress. Instead, make the size of your rewards line up with the degree of progress you’ve made and use it as a motivational tool along the way.
Plan Ahead for Spontaneity
So how do you go about treating yourself when you get a rush from spending on a whim? You make a plan for spontaneity.
You’re probably thinking that defeats the whole purpose of spontaneity, but here’s the deal. Setting aside a chunk of money in your budget to spend on whatever you want can help you to spend on a whim without breaking the bank. Plus, you still get to decide on the spot what you want to use that money more.
If spontaneous buying becomes a little unmanageable though, you can try coming up with a plan for impulse buys. Consider using some of these mindful spending techniques, like using a 24-hour breathing period before making a purchase.
Don’t Sleep on Free Treats
While it is totally okay to occasionally splurge on things that cost money, you don’t always have to spend in order to treat yourself. There are tons of freebies that you can use to make your everyday life more enjoyable!
For example, you can take an afternoon off to do something you love. Like spending time with friends, working on a passion project, or going on a bike ride!
You can also look into free days at cultural centers like museums and zoos to enjoy a day out on the town without spending a dime.
If material goods are more your thing, hey no judgment here! But why not buy it used instead? Take a look at all the freebies on Facebook Marketplace and take a drive to pick up a new item.
12 Ways to Treat Yourself Without Breaking the Bank
Need some inspiration for how to treat yourself the frugal way? Here are 12 ideas to get you started.
1. House Help
Do you have that one household chore that you just dread doing all week? Whether it’s mowing the lawn, cleaning the kitchen, or pulling weeks, every once in a while, treat yourself by hiring someone else to do it for you!
2. Small Food Treats
If you have a favorite food or drink that’s a little on the pricey side (and maybe isn’t great for you), you can treat yourself to it every week or every other week as a reward for the hard work you’ve been doing!
3. Movie Night
Movie nights are another cheap way to treat yourself! Rent a movie for under $5, and load up on movie snacks to enjoy alone, or with friends and family!
4. Take a Nap
Ever take an accidental nap so deep that you wake up thinking you missed the bus? Except you haven’t been in school for years?
Nothing hits quite like a nap. Take an afternoon off, get cozy, and head off to dreamland without any guilt. The best part? This one is absolutely free!
5. Play Some Video Games
Another treat that can feel totally indulgent is to take a few hours to play some video games. Having that uninterrupted time to get immersed in a different world can give you some much needed rest and relaxation after some hard work.
6. Shopping Spree
If you love shopping, you can still do it on a budget! Set aside a certain amount of money to spend, and see how many good deals you can get at your favorite thrift store or mall.
7. Spa Day
An at-home spa day can be the perfect frugal way to kick back and relax. Throw some cucumbers in a glass of water and pick up some affordable face masks from your favorite drugstore. Then kick back with a good book, a movie, or some good company.
8. Hang Out With Friends
Another good way to celebrate the hard work you’ve been doing is to spend some time with friends. Have them over to your place and pick up some snacks and drinks, or do a potluck. Nothing helps you unwind more than the laughs you’ll share with your closest friends!
9. Have a Hobby Day
Do you have a hobby (or hobbies!) that you don’t get to do as often as you would like? Why not dedicate an entire day over the weekend to just those oft-neglected hobbies. Spend some time outside playing your favorite sport, whip up some arts and crafts, or just veg out with a good book!
10. Go to a Flea Market
You can usually get some really good deals on otherwise expensive items by getting them from your local flea market. Stock up on home decor, homemade clothing or jewelry, or even glassware. Pat yourself on the back for supporting small businesses and discover everything for sale with a friend or romantic partner!
11. Museum Day
So many museums and cultural institutions offer “free” days where you can enjoy museum entry without paying a dime! Enjoy incredible works of art all day, then treat yourself to a coffee at the museum’s cafe, or a small souvenir at the gift shop.
12. Travel Hack Trip
Have any credit card miles burning a hole in your digital wallet? Why not redeem them for a 1-2 day weekend trip to celebrate your accomplishments? Enjoy crisp hotel sheets, room service, and a change of scenery without breaking the bank!
The Bottom Line:
Although having discipline and delaying gratification is a large part of financial success, adding a few regular treats into your life is essential if you want to make your progress sustainable. After all, none of us are promised tomorrow, and it’s important to incorporate some joy into your day to day life in the here and now, even if it means spending a few extra bucks.
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy…”
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