This post is sponsored by Ray of Hope Counseling Services.
Budgeting can be stressful and all consuming at times. I know that can start to feel overwhelming and make you think that you cannot focus on anything other than your finances. Especially if you are actively trying to stick to a budget and pay off debt as fast as you can. So, I’ve came up with 6 ways to stay sane while on a budget.
When our family first started budgeting I know that I quickly felt like it had become all consuming. I remember in the first couple months just wanting to give up because it felt like all we talked about as a couple was our budget. I don’t want you to fall into the same cycle that we did so I’ve got these 6 ways to stay sane while on a budget to help you out.
Unsubscribe to emails from stores
One of the first things that I did when we started our budgeting journey was to unsubscribe from all the store promotional emails that I received that way I wouldn’t be focused on spending money for sales items that I didn’t really need. Unsubscribe from all the stores that you shop at like Kohls, Macy’s and Wayfair. Their emails are made just to convince you to buy so you will be less tempted if you have less of the tempting emails in my inbox every day.
Clear out clutter to stay sane while on a budget.
It’s been said that a clean house equals a clean mind. And, you can’t “clean” clutter. You can however clear out your clutter. Donate or sell any clutter that is just hanging around collecting dust in your house. You can list your items on Facebook marketplace or even put together a yard sale since the weather has warmed up and it’s beautiful out now.
Take some time for yourself
It’s extremely important while budgeting to not allow it to be all consuming. You still need to take some time out of our hectic schedules to put some time in for ourselves. Do the things that you enjoy. Take a walk, get some exercise, paint your nails, do the things that make you feel better about yourself and get your mind off your finances for a bit. You don’t have to spend money to take care of yourself, but there is also no shame in making this personal time a part of your line items in your budget.
Taking care of your health is one of the ways to stay sane while on a budget
Don’t allow your gazelle intensity to make you stop taking care of your health. Don’t stop visiting the doctor or dentist. Staying on top of your health can help you save money in the long run. Don’t be afraid to get help when you need it.
There is no shame in seeking out help. Ray of Hope Counseling Services is one of the places that you can use to reach out and speak to someone if you need some support. If you are local to Georgia like I am, you can find therapy in Peachtree City, GA.
Leave room for some fun
Even when we were hard core into paying off our debts we still made sure that we left a little cash for fun. Our favorite thing is taking a “day” trip one weekend a month and just going on an adventure. We usually try to find somewhere beautiful near us to explore. State parks are an all time favorite for us. We pack and picnic and take a hike and explore the park. With summer coming around the corner I’m itching to get out to your local orchards and farms for delicious fresh produce. Having fun doesn’t have to cost a lot of money but you reap a lot of emotional rewards from getting out of the house and doing something active for a little while.
Use a budgeting app
I prefer to use Dave Ramsey’s app Every Dollar. I prefer the simplicity of the app and the ease of use. Using a budgeting app cannot only save you time, but it also saves you a lot of frustration. I strongly recommend using a budgeting app as a way to stay sane while on a budget. I know that the ease of the Every Dollar app has really helped me be able to stay focused while sticking to my budget.