One of the main reasons that people do not to have a budget is because it means that you cut back on spending in certain areas. There are many reasons why people do not want to cut back: they work hard, they want to have fun, they want to provide everything for their children or they feel as though they have cut back everything possible. It is interesting to realize that everyone has a different threshold that they begin to feel deprived at. This conditioning has a lot to do with the way that you are raised.
It is important to realize that making financial sacrifices will help you reach your goals. It will help to stop the constant worry about money and you will be moving forward instead of backwards. A budget is simply a tool to help you do that. If you are managing your money well, you can do a lot more with what you have rather than just throwing it out the window, because you d o not keep track of it.
I believe that it is important to keep one or two luxuries in every budget, because this helps to fight the feelings of constant deprivation. This can help you to stick to your budget. So when you begin to budget you may decide on one or two luxuries that you want to keep. Then you can adjust your budget in other areas, so that you really can afford those luxuries. In addition you may consider less expensive ways to enjoy that luxury. For example you may visit the public golf course, instead of the private club or you may go to a massage therapy school instead of the spa.
It is also important to remember that a little short term sacrifice can help you enjoy life more fully in the future. As you work towards reaching your savings and retirement goals, you will enjoy yourself more as you grow older. Being strict with your money now helps you to not worry as much when you are older.
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