How Sacrifice Always Wins Over Instant Gratification with Your Spending

Do you have dreams, but haven’t really taken any real steps towards them? We, sometimes, stand in the way of our biggest dreams becoming reality. Y’all, I’m headed to Australia! This has been a long-awaited opportunity, and I cannot believe it is finally happening. It really is a dream come true.

We mostly struggle with one little thing: discipline. Especially when it comes to our money. Let’s be honest, it’s hard to look past those cute shoes that are marked 50% off. And, it’s hard to not go out and pay for…well, finance…the new iPhone even if the one you have is perfectly fine. The pressure is all around us to spend, spend, spend. However, when we look back over those expenses, what are we really left with?

My hope is that you will be inspired to take control of your financial life and intentionally work towards a true dream in your heart. No more haphazard spending girls! Let’s start choosing the important over the instant. Here are a few things that I apply in my own life to help me make wiser decisions with my spending.

1. Always have a Goal in Mind

We are more likely to save rather than spend when we have something tangible we’re working towards. For someone, the goal may be to go on a vacation or to publish a book. For others, it may be to pay off your Student Loans or credit card debt.

Either way, it’s necessary to give our minds something to aspire towards when we find ourselves in tempting situations to spend unnecessarily. Even if you have to make a vision board with pictures of your vacation destination so you see it every day, do it. You’ll be glad you did.

Every time I wanted to stop at Chick Fil A rather than eat the food I had at home, I pictured myself eating this fabulous meal while looking out towards Australia’s well-known Sydney Opera House (you know the fancy shaped building in every picture of Sydney, Australia). While it may sound over-the-top, it was what I needed to keep from robbing myself of that moment that mattered so much more to me than an 8 piece nugget meal. ?

2. Budget your Self-Care

Now, I don’t want you to finish this journal and think, “Ugh…now I can’t have any fun”. Believe me, friend, that is far from the truth. You can still enjoy your life and care for yourself without going broke or missing out on some of life’s greatest adventures.

My monthly budget gives me a specific amount to treat myself however I so desire. I tell myself, “This is what you have, and you can spend it however you want”. I may decide to buy myself something new, go out to dinner and a movie with friends, and/or just add to my Australia fund. It’s your call to make, but this at least gives you the chance to have fun but within reasonably set parameters.

3. Be Held Accountable to Your Budget

The one thing I hear most often from people is, “I was saving, but it was hard to stick with it”. Listen, we should never do life alone, and that includes our financial life. Get someone in your corner who will say, “You know you don’t need those shoes!” or “We’ve got food at the house we can cook.” It is not easy to say no, and the best thing you can do is have someone to believe enough in your vision and dreams to keep you on track when you feel like wandering astray. It is so worth it.