What happened to my frugal self?
One of my biggest challenges these days is to save money. I don’t know why this problem even occurred when I used to be the thriftiest among my peers. In fact, during my frugal days, as soon as my monthly salary feeds in my payroll account, I immediately transfer the bulk of it to a separate savings account and leave a small amount enough for my month’s allowance. But now, I have changed. I lost my control over spending, and I’m having a hard time getting it back!
It all began when I had a taste of sweet spending. One day, a thought abruptly interrupted me at work and told myself, ‘You work hard; you spend 9 hours a day, 5 days a week at the office, and you only get to spend how much of your salary? Roughly 10 %?’ I ignored it. But after some time, I realized it made perfect sense. Since then, all hell has broken loose. I gradually changed my mindset. Weekend after weekend I cash out and spend money here and there. I’ve become unstoppable. Don’t blame me for this. I just wanted to reward myself for everything – graduation, landing a job, a good employee record, everything. Imagine, for the first time, I’ve given myself the best of the following – food, clothes, gadgets.. oh, did i mention food? Before, when we eat at fancy restaurants, I used to get the cheapest order. But now Before, it’s easy to decide on where to eat – Mcdonald’s. But now, we have broaden our choices with different restaurants we fancy. In fact, I get to pick whatever food I want, not just the cheapest order. How cool is that?
To tell you guys, ever since I landed a job in 2010, never have I missed my target of keeping the 75% of my monthly salary to my savings account. I think my parents programmed me at birth to be scared of not meeting the target savings. It’s both a gift and a curse. A gift because I get to save money, but a curse because I resist the things I want, and I end up frustrating myself. Life is so cruel.
Anyway, at this point, I have created an action plan for this. I’m not the unluckiest guy to cry over my fate. I have to save. I don’t want the day to come when I need money and there’s nowhere for me to get it from. I know it’s a tough task, but good boys do what good boys got to do. Wish me luck!
xoxo,
Jolo
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i feel your pain. really have been considering downsizing completely to save money. i enjoy the space we have but how much am i paying for the extra 100 square feet.
It’s especially hard when you’re around the things you want to purchase. lol. It’s not easy to resist temptation. But you know, If you’re paying for it as rent, then I think it’s a good step to downsize. However, if it’s like a rent to own, then just tighten your belts a little bit. Lots are very good investments. 🙂
You have to schedule ‘fun money’ into your life. Until you do, I’m afraid you will suffer through episodes of feat and famine. You are being too stringent on yourself. Relax the reins a little bit. Budget some fun money. Think before you spend. Make every dollar count. We all are going to get old one day. I have. And I can tell you that now, at my age, I am glad I did the travel that I did, the concerts I attended, the restaurants I ate at…….because now…….if I had to do them, it wouldn’t be so easy. I’m glad now, at this stage of my life to stay home more BECAUSE I already accomplished all I set out to do. AND I have money in the bank and live debt free!
Balance is the key.
Good luck.
OMG! We are so much alike!! Mga kuripot forever. :p I’m happy I’m not alone in this. WAHAHA
Share some tips! I’m barely hanging on, you know.
I don’t get much from my salary as well because a big chunk of it goes straight to my bank account and I have to pay other dues so what I’m left with are only barya which I can’t buy anything fancy with. 😐